The Celtics signed former Memphis Grizzlies guard-forward Dahntay Jones and Atlanta Hawks forward-center Estaban Batista to non-guarenteed contracts and will join the team in Europe for training camp, bringing the roster to 17.
Jones, who has played his entire four-year career with the Grizzlies, played in a career-high 78 games last season. He averaged 7.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.
Batista, 6-foot-10, 270-pound Uruguay native, played sparingly for Atlanta last season, but averaged a tournament-best 12.4 rebounds and 20.8 points during the recent FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas.
Posted By: pmay | Time: 04:48:47 PM | Link | Any thoughts on this blog entry? Sound off here | E-mail to a friend
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September 19, 2007
Batista update
By Marc Spears, Globe Staff
The agent for Atlanta Hawks free forward-center Esteban Batista said late tonight that his client has declined an offer to sign with the Celtics. Agent Marc Cornstien said this afternoon that the Celtics, Charlotte, Phoenix and Indiana had made contract offers to the 6-foot-10, 270-pounder. While Cornstien said via text message Wednesday night that Batista had turned down Boston, he didn't say why and wouldn't say where his client was leaning now.
"Boston could be a good fit, but there are teams expressing more serious interest," Cornstien said.
The Uruguay native played sparingly for Atlanta last season, but averaged a tournament-best 12.4 rebounds and 20.8 points during the recent FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas. Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge couldn't be reached for comment, but the inquiry on Batista gives the impression that his club is interested in bringing another big man to camp. The Celtics are currently expected to bring 15 players to camp.
Posted By: mspears | Time: 10:25:39 PM | Link | Any thoughts on this blog entry? Sound off here | E-mail to a friend
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September 19, 2007
Celtics target free agent
By Marc Spears, Globe Staff
The Celtics are one of four teams courting the services of Atlanta Hawks free agent Esteban Batista, according to his agent Marc Cornstien.
The Bobcats, Suns and Pacers are targeting a player who made a mark for himself playing for Uruguay at the FIBA Tournament in Las Vegas.
The 24-year old Batista led the tournament in rebounds, averaging 12.4 boards over eight games. He was third in scoring average with 20.8 points per contest. Last season he played 13 games for the Hawks, averaging 1.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg.
Cornstein said he expects the 6-10, 268 pound forward/center to make his decision in the near future.
"I think he will be a good pick for them (Celtics)," Cornstien He's a tough banger who runs the floor. I think he will be a great fit. But all of the teams would be good."
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