Celtics second-round draft pick Kris Joseph, cut by the team in January, was traded from the Maine Red Claws on Monday.
Joseph, who had recently signed a D-League contract with Maine, was flipped to Springfield in exchange for forward James Mays. From the Claws:
Mays, 26, averaged 16.4 points and 10.6 rebounds in 26 games (all starts) for the Armor this season. Originally acquired by the Armor out of Brooklyn Nets training camp under the NBADL’s Affiliate Player rule, Mays was recently selected as an NBA D-League All-Star. Mays will join new teammates Micah Downs, Chris Joseph, Shelvin Mack and DaJuan Summers at the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game next weekend. Also making the trip will be the Red Claws coaching staff, led by Head Coach Mike Taylor, who will coach the Futures Team.
“James is one of the best rebounders in the league,” Boston Celtics Director of Player Personnel Austin Ainge said of the acquisition. “He can bring energy, toughness, and leadership to our team.”
Between Mays and Chris Wright, the Claws now have two of top rebounding power forwards in the D-League. Wright was named the D-League Performer of the Week on Monday after he averaged 26.3 points (shooting 66 percent form the field) and 14.3 rebounds over his last three games.
The Celtics have two open roster spots and promised to fill them out by the end of the month. While Boston clearly needs to fill one of those spots with an NBA-ready body -- likely in the frontcourt -- it could err on the side of youth with the other depending on its post-trade deadline needs.
In other Red Claws news: Celtics camper Micah Downs will participate in the D-League 3-point contest at All-Star weekend in Houston.
