NBA rumors: Celtics star reunion in cards, Cunningham beast mode, more

Celtics still thought to be in play for Blake Griffin

Discussing potential late-offseason possibilities for the Celtics to add in free agency, Bobby Manning hinted at a Blake Griffin return to the Shamrocks for CLNS Media:

"“My mind then goes to Blake Griffin. I’ve heard the door remains opens for his return despite the distance from family and his home on the west coast. Given that he mulled his options until October last year, it’s worth assuming he’ll follow a similarly deliberative process this summer, and his veteran status allows the team to sign him for a second-year salary on the cap sheet — $2-million this year — actually less than Champagnie would’ve made. Any other veteran with over 10 years of NBA experience would qualify for the same cap discount.”"

The discussion comes after the Celtics waived Justin Champagnie, giving them the space on the bench for one more standard NBA contract to add.

Griffin, who played for the Celtics last season, remains a free agent after spending the last few years bouncing around the NBA. He’s gone from the Pistons to the Nets to the Celtics.

Coming up on 800 games played, Griffin is, at this stage, a rotation add at best that brings a breadth of veteran wisdom to upgrade the overall intelligence and maturity of any team’s locker room. Last season he averaged 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in 13.9 minutes.

Though he wasn’t a volume scorer, he was efficient, with the best eFG% year of his career, 57.3%.