This is the way it’s going to be, Boston Celtics fans.
As quickly became evident in the early hours of NBA free agency, the Celtics more than likely will not be able to convince any top- or even second-tier free agents to take up residence on Causeway Street this summer.
Instead, they’ll have to make do with what’s left, which is exactly what they did Wednesday, reportedly agreeing to terms with forwards Amir Johnson and Jonas Jerebko. (NBA teams cannot officially sign players until July 9.)
The reported price tag on Johnson’s deal — $24 million over two years — does seem a bit steep for a player who’s more glue guy than superstar, but the Boston Herald’s report that the second year of both contracts is non-guaranteed made the reported agreements much more palatable. Either can be let go after the season if the need arises.
Neither Johnson, a former Toronto Raptor, nor Jerebko, whom the Celtics acquired at this year’s trade deadline, is a household name, and both put up rather pedestrian numbers this past season. But bringing them in (or, in Jerebko’s case, bringing him back) will help shore up a Boston frontcourt rotation that looked very thin entering the summer.
While the 6-foot-9 Johnson, who in 2005 was the last player to jump straight from high school to the NBA draft, isn’t a bona fide rim protector, he is a versatile defender who plays with the kind of competitive edge that was a hallmark of the most recent Celtics squad.
Jerebko, meanwhile, has impressed thus far in his brief Celtics tenure, becoming a mainstay on a second unit that often outplayed Boston’s starting five. The lanky, 6-foot-10 forward can guard multiple positions while also contributing on the offensive end with his perimeter shooting (40.6 percent from 3-point range following his trade to Boston).
Jerebko sent the following tweet Wednesday afternoon, confirming he’ll be returning this season:
[tweet https://twitter.com/JonasJerebko/status/616352380033044480 align=’center’]
The 28-year-old Swede quickly became a favorite of Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who raved about his versatility, and received a positive review after the season from president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, though Ainge at the time would not commit to re-signing the impending free agent.
“I’m ready to take Jonas out to play some golf,” Ainge said in April. “I hear he’s supposed to be a good golfer. So, we’ll have that talk. But I think that I was impressed by Jonas, and I know Brad liked Jonas, and his teammates respected him. He plays very hard. He’s a versatile defender, and he’s a guy that can spread the floor. We like what he brought to the table, and I think I would sign off on the #SignTheSwede hashtag.”
Again, bringing Johnson aboard and holding onto Jerebko aren’t the flashy moves some were hoping for this summer, but they’re likely indicative of what’s to come. It’s still very, very early in the offseason, though, so don’t write off the possibility of future fireworks just yet.
Thumbnail photo via Dan Hamilton/USA TODAY Sports Images
