David Lee is headed to the Celtics. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Golden State Warriors reached agreement Tuesday with the Boston Celtics on a trade that would send David Lee to the Celtics in exchange for veteran Gerald Wallace, according to an ESPN report.
Lee, a former All-Star, was a starter for the Warriors during his first four years with the team but saw limited action for the NBA champions in 2014-15. He played in 49 regular-season games and averaged 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds.
The trade will not be finalized until Thursday when the league moratorium on player moves ends.
The deal is a cost-savings move for the Warriors, who will be shedding Lee’s $15.4 million contract in 2015-16 in exchange for Wallace’s expiring $10 million contract.
The 32-year-old Wallace appeared in 32 games for the Celtics last season and averaged 1.1 points and 1.8 rebounds.
–Kevin Garnett will remain with the Minnesota Timberwolves, agreeing to a new contract with his original team.
Terms of the deal were not announced, but multiple media outlets reported that it is a two-year contract. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that the contract likely includes a provision that would have Garnett move into a managerial role with the team if he is not healthy enough to play the 2016-17 season.
Garnett, 39, was acquired by Minnesota from the Brooklyn Nets last season.
–Free agent forward Jason Smith is leaving the New York Knicks for Orlando, reaching agreement with the Magic on a reported one-year, $4.5 million contract.
The 29-year-old Smith averaged eight points and four rebounds for the Knicks last season, starting 31 games and playing in all 82.
–The Philadelphia 76ers announced the signing of rookie center Jahlil Okafor to an undisclosed contract.
The 6-foot-11, 270-pound Okafor was the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA Draft in June after playing one collegiate season at Duke.
–The Chicago Bulls signed first-round draft pick Bobby Portis and reached agreement with guard Aaron Brooks on a one-year contract to return next season, according to reports.
Portis, a 6-foot-11 forward, was the No. 22 overall pick in this year’s draft.
Brooks filled in last season because of injuries and played in all 82 games, starting 21. He averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 assists per game.
–Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban owes the NBA another donation, this time a $25,000 bill for discussing looming deals with free agents DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews.
ESPN first reported Cuban’s latest fine. He has been fined repeatedly for openly questioning officiating.
Cuban discussed specifics of the pursuit and contracts for both players in radio interviews, including the pitch to Jordan that the Mavericks would make him an offensive force.
Team officials and coaches are prohibited from commenting on players who are not under contract officially.
–Las Vegas would be a contender to land the Milwaukee Bucks franchise if public stadium funding of $250 million falls through, according to team president Peter Feigen.
Feigen said the Bucks owners’ purchase agreement for the team includes a provision that construction of a new arena start in 2015. If that does not occur, he said the NBA will buy back the team for a $25 million profit and move them to “Las Vegas or Seattle.”
The lease for the Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center ends in 2017.
–Jamal Crawford is a target of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are investigating trade possibilities to add backcourt scoring. Crawford has drawn interest from multiple teams, including the Miami Heat.
Cleveland reportedly discussed adding Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson, a move that would push the team over $100 million in luxury tax payments.
–Free-agent shooting guard Alan Anderson will join the Washington Wizards next season after agreeing to a one-year, $4 million contract.
The 6-foot-6 Anderson spent the last two years with the Brooklyn Nets. Last season, he averaged 7.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
