Boston Celtics Targeting Josh Smith In Sign-And-Trade?

The Boston Celtics are set to begin the team’s rebuilding phase by offering Atlanta free-agent forward Josh Smith a sign-and-trade deal.

According to the Sporting News, the Celtics are enamored by the idea of reuniting Smith with point guard Rajon Rondo, whom he played with in high school at perennial power Oak Hill Academy.

The Sporting News reports Boston first plans to settle matters with longtime star Paul Pierce. Pierce becomes a restricted free agent this summer and the Celts seem to be leaning toward buying him out for $5 million.

With Pierce’s hefty salary off the books, Boston plans to aggressively move on Smith, hoping to pair him with a core that will consist of  Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger.

Indeed, it’s a season of change for the Celtics, who earlier this month parted ways with longtime Coach Doc Rivers. The jury remains out on what Boston plans to do with veteran forward Kevin Garnett.

In leaving his hometown of Atlanta, Smith is expected to be seeking a max deal. The Celts have long coveted the high-flying forward, almost landing him in a February deal that would have sent Pierce to Atlanta.

Smith fell out of favor in Atlanta after the Hawks were bounced in the first-round of the playoffs by a much more energized Indiana squad.

 

 

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