Reports: Jason Terry, Celtics close on deal
Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Jason Terry (31) reacts after scoring three points against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game. (Jan. 4, 2012) Credit: AP
Over the last two days, it appeared the Celtics had three main free agent targets at guard: Ray Allen, O.J. Mayo and Jason Terry.
They look to be close to securing one of them.
According to reports, the Celtics reached agreement on a three-year deal for the full mid-level exception with Terry. The deal would pay the veteran shooting guard $5 million per year.
Terry spent the last eight seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. He reinvented himself as a sixth man during the 2007-08 season, and the following year, was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year.
Terry, who will be 35 at the start of the 2012-13 season, averaged 15.1 points and 3.6 assists last year. One of the game's best players in the clutch, Terry shot 43.0 percent from the floor and 37.8 percent from the three.
As mentioned by Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy on Twitter, Terry was more likely a replacement for Mayo than Allen, as Mayo wanted to sign a deal worth more than the mid-level exception. So from here, Boston can still look to re-sign Allen, and have Terry back him up at shooting guard.
