The Boston Celtics had talked to the Washington Wizards about a deal involving small forward Caron Butler, an unidentified team source told the Boston Globe on Saturday. The source also told the Globe that power forward Antawn Jamison was not part of the discussion, as had been rumored Friday.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge on Friday said there was “no truth” to a Yahoo! Sports report that his team was discussing a trade that would send Ray Allen, Brian Scalabrine and J.R. Giddens to Washington in exchange for Butler and Jamison.
There was no mention in the Globe’s report Saturday about whether Allen, whose $19.7 million contract expires at the end of the season, was included in any potential deal discussed by the Celtics and Wizards.
The Celtics’ interest in Butler turned out to be a moot point. The Wizards and Mavericks completed a seven-player trade Saturday night that sent Butler and Brendan Haywood to the Mavericks.
The teams agreed on the principal pieces Friday: Butler, Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson to Dallas for Josh Howard and Drew Gooden. Mavericks reserves Quinton Ross and James Singleton were added to the deal Saturday and are also Washington-bound, with Dallas due to receive cash considerations in addition to the three players.
Washington and Dallas have completed a trade call with the league office to secure the NBA's required approval and will formally announce the trade later Saturday, sources told ESPN.com.
The Globe’s unidentified team source also said Celtics coach Doc Rivers spoke with Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown about a possible deal. The Globe reported that the Bobcats were willing to part with guard D.J. Augustin and the Bobcats were interested in Rasheed Wallace.