Celtics Reportedly Interested in Signing Terence Davis

The Celtics are $7.3 million from the second apron and looking to fill out their roster while staying under that threshold.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

At Kristaps Porzingis' introductory press conference, Celtics' president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, stated the team has the "green light" to add more payroll.

Brad Stevens: "We're really lucky. We've got the green light to continue to add" pic.twitter.com/U5ZMW5DM6O

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 29, 2023

"I think that the biggest part for us is making sure that we are smart about building the team. And obviously, you're always looking at it from a standpoint of this year but also down the road. But I do think that, again, we're fortunate that we were deep into the tax last year, (and) we'll be into it this year, and (we) have the green light to continue to do it.

"We just want to have a team that makes sense playing together. And sometimes, that means spending more, and sometimes, that means figuring out that you've got the guys to build around and then putting the right people around them. That's the challenge here moving forward over the next few weeks."

Boston signed Porzingis to a two-year, $60 million deal extension a day later. But that deal and his leaving $17 million on the table impacts future money and cap space.

The Celtics are presently $7.3 million from the second apron, per Spotrac. That's before signing second-round pick Jordan Walsh.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Crossing that threshold this season seems ill-advised unless the organization's set on the idea Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown accounting for roughly 70 percent of their cap space in two years is untenable.

Even then, the consequences of going over the second apron are punitive for first-time offenders. That includes trade restrictions like not being able to package players to match the salary of an incoming player. And in a one-for-one swap, the inbound salary must be equal to or lower than what's outbound.

As Boston works to fill out its roster for the 2023-24 campaign, likely working to stay under the second apron, Mark Jones, a play-by-play broadcaster for ESPN and the Kings, reports the Celtics are interested in signing Terence Davis.

Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

The six-foot-four shooting guard arrived in Sacramento during the 2020-21 campaign in a trade from the Raptors. Last season, he averaged 6.7 points while shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc on 3.8 attempts in 13.1 minutes per game in the regular season. He had 14 points and drilled 4/10 threes in Game 7 of the Kings' first-round series against the Warriors.

Davis, who turned 26 in May, is entering his prime and could prove a valuable low-cost contributor. But according to Jones, Boston's also competing with the Bucks for his services.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports the Mavericks and Toronto, where Davis's NBA career began, are also interested in signing him.

Further Reading

Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis Agree to 2-Year, $60 Million Extension

Brad Stevens Discusses Potential Porzingis Extension, Celtics' Ability to Spend More: 'We've Got the Green Light'

Kristaps Porzingis on Teaming with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown: 'I Think It Can Be a Great Combination'

Grant Williams Discusses Marcus Smart's Departure, Free Agency, and Recovery from Hand Surgery

The Latest Intel on Celtics' Restricted Free Agent Grant Williams

Jordan Walsh Discusses Getting Drafted by Celtics, His Welcome to Boston

Brad Stevens Shares What Compelled Celtics to Trade for Kristaps Porzingis

Brad Stevens Discusses Difficult Decision to Trade Marcus Smart: 'He'll Always Have Boston'

After Trading Marcus Smart, Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Where Do Celtics Go from Here?

Marcus Smart Felt "Shock" and "Hurt" Over Trade from Boston Celtics

Marcus Smart Discusses Celtics' Identity, Relationship with Jaylen Brown, Boston's Coaching Hires, and Pursuit of Banner 18