Joel Anthony opts in with Boston Celtics
Earlier in the season, the Miami Heat dealt center Joel Anthony to the Boston Celtics in an attempt to clear cap space and lighten their luxury tax to save a few bucks.
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The Heat received veteran guard Toney Douglas, who is currently on their playoff rosters and played in Thursday night’s game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. Douglas was previously with the Golden State Warriors, who received Jordan Crawford from the Celtics in return.
Anthony had been with the Heat since 2007, his entire NBA career.
“It’s always difficult trading a player like Joel who was a big part of the past two championship teams and will always be a part of the Miami Heat family,” said Heat president Pat Riley via Shandel Richardson of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “This trade gives us great flexibility moving forward in our journey to win an NBA Championship. Joel was a true professional who worked hard every day, and we wish him the best in the future.”
Although it looked like the Anthony was upset at first – and who wouldn’t be upset if you were dealt from a team that had won the last two titles and were possibly on their way to a third – he seems to have settled in in Boston despite having the least productive season of his entire career. Anthony averaged 0.8 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game this season.
In April, a report surfaced that Anthony planned on opting in and returning to the Celtics in the 2014-2015 season and on Thursday, he did just that.
Anthony will make $3.8 million next season.