Boston Celtics rumors: Jared Sullinger will get a ‘hefty, long-term deal’
After the Boston Celtics missed out on Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love, among some of the other key available players this offseason, it looks like they will choose to build around their young talent, including their two first round picks from this year’s draft, former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart and former Kentucky Wildcats’ swingman James Young. One of their best, young players is big man Jared Sullinger, who could be in for a contract extension soon.
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Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders believes Sullinger won’t command a max level deal but will get a “hefty, long-term deal.”
"Sullinger fell on draft night due to injury concerns, but having endured some rookie year struggles, he has put up solid numbers for Boston. Sullinger isn’t likely going to command the max-level money he might have been in line for had he gone in the top five, but it’s pretty clear Sullinger can play in the NBA and should get a hefty long-term deal either next summer as an early extension or in restricted free agency in 2016."
Sullinger averaged 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 42.7% from the field, 26.9% from beyond the arc and 77.8% from the free throw line in 74 games for the Celtics last season, a big win for Sullinger after he missed 37 games during his rookie season. In his two-year career, he’s averaged 10.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 44.0% from the field, 26.8% from three and 77.1% from the charity stripe.
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