Report: Rasheed Commits to Celtics

The Celtics have received a commitment from Rasheed Wallace, according to Marc Spears of the Boston Globe, giving Boston another greybeard who can help with a 2010 title run. Wallace, an unrestricted free agent, was being wooed by the Celtics and Orlando Magic.

His exceptional shooting skills, solid defense and toughness would be a help for any seasoned club, but all the Celtics could offer was a mid-level exception (about $5.6 million to $5.8 million) for two seasons. Wallace, who turns 35 in September, is close friends with Kevin Garnett, so much so that he was criticized by teammates for his hugging of Garnett after the Celtics eliminated the Detroit Pistons from the playoffs in 2008.

Wallace indicated that he was going to take a few more days to make a decision, but apparently he informed club officials that he plans to sign on July 8.

The question for the Celtics is what can they expect from Wallace. He averaged 12 points per game last year, the lowest since his rookie season with the Washington Bullets. He also shot a career low 41.9 percent from the field, a testament that he has become strictly an outside shooter. In his second NBA season, Wallace shot nearly 56 percent from the field with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Do the Celtics need a finesse power forward who is primarily a 3-point shooter? Wallace may need to do some more dirty work in the paint to help the Celtics, who may not have unrestricted free agent Leon Powe next season. Wallace did pull down 7.4 rebounds per contest for the Pistons, but his final season in Detroit was a disappointing one for the team and himself. Can the mercurial Wallace revive himself in Boston? Especially when he won't be the first, second or third option? That will be the pressing question for coach Doc Rivers.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-05-2009 @ 11:01PM

WallOfVoodoo said...

Oh No. Now the Celtics can take on King James and Superdiesel!! Wow, next NBA season is gonna be a good one. Kobe and Artest will also make for good NBA action on and off the court. I am gonna have to purchase NBA package to watch all these loaded teams next year!!!

7-05-2009 @ 11:06PM

bdyftns said...

With L.A. it will be interesting to see if Artest will assult Kobe 1st or will Kobe rape Artest first. Stay tuned.

7-06-2009 @ 12:29AM

greg857az said...

In the meantime, my state (Arizona) has no money to pay our school teachers and is laying them off by the dozen. Let's see.... $50K salary for 1 teacher.... times 112.... I beleive that's 5.6 million. Hello??? Mr. Wallace???

7-06-2009 @ 12:56AM

boldest15207 said...

can anyone tell me why trevor ariza left the lakers for the rockets for the same money the lakers were offering him.the lakers saved his career talk about ungrateful good luck with the yaoless rockets trev peace.

7-06-2009 @ 10:57AM

houchens said...

Best wishes, Rasheed. Hope you have better luck with the Celtics coach than you did with Curry. Also hope the refs cut you more slack with an East coast team than they did here!!! Mr. Stern and his goon refs will probably like you now!

7-06-2009 @ 1:52AM

shaqrule34 said...

gary washburn is an iddiot i dislike the lakers ALOT!! but they juss picked up the 1 of the best defenders in the nba is this guy serious he must be from boston dont get me wrong they are going to be a good team maybe 3rd lakers are champs without a great player so this puts them a step above everyone else including boston,san antonio,clevland,orlando

7-06-2009 @ 3:49AM

Patches said...

Boston still has to beat the Lakers for a another title. Just like in the old days when the NBA was fun to watch. Poor Cleveland. Stuck with a $20 mil has been, while their opponents are getting even stronger. Maybe L James is not a people person after all. Patch

7-06-2009 @ 8:57AM

Mike said...

The old celtics just got older. The Lakers with Ariza were better than the Lakers with Artest. The Cavs, going against Wallace in Detroit for so many years aren't worried of him with Boston.

eastsidehow said...

wallace will be good anywhere, he got mad skills

7-07-2009 @ 12:38PM

Puck said...

How's Garnett's rehab going? Wallace is a monster in the paint when he puts his mind to it; polish the inside moves and the fade away, with his defense down low...Celtics could have teams crying for mercy. Who can gaurd Sheed down low? Kevin Garnett...oh, they're on the same team now. Stay healthy Celtics!