Jared Sullinger is expected to be on hand when the Celtics open training camp next week at the team’s training facility in Waltham, Mass., just as he has been every day for weeks working out this offseason.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said Tuesday that he does not see any reason Sullinger would not be present for the team’s media day Monday, according to a report. Ainge also declined to discuss any potential punishment Sullinger may receive from the team, saying that will depend on the outcome of the case.
“Jared will be in training camp,” Ainge told Jay King of MassLive. “He’s in our facility every day. I think he’s taking care of everything in the exact right way that he should, and I think that Jared is a good kid, and he’s a good Celtic, and he’s a guy we have big hopes for. We don’t think that he’s done anything wrong that he shouldn’t be part of our team today.”
Sullinger will provide the full story at some point, which he has not be able to do because of the ongoing legal proceedings, Ainge said. Sullinger has not spoken publicly since the arrest aside from a statement issued a day after he turned himself into authorities.
“The outcome is looking good, but we can’t talk about any of that yet,” Ainge said. “But, yeah, [Sullinger’s punishment] is still pending on the conclusion. I don’t think it will be a distraction for Jared now. … He’s comfortable with where he is and what he needs to work on, and who he needs to apologize to, and how he needs to move going forward.”
Sullinger faces charges of assault and battery, malicious destruction of property and intimidation of a witness stemming from an alleged domestic dispute involving his girlfriend, Deann Smith, who does not wish to participate in the case against Sullinger. The Celtics forward appeared in court Monday for a pretrial hearing and is required back in Waltham court on Oct. 28.
