The Boston Celtics waived recently acquired Zoran Dragic on Monday.
The Celtics acquired Dragic, a 2020 second-round pick, and cash from the Miami Heat last month in exchange for a heavily protected second-round pick that's unlikely to be delivered. Dragic was set to earn $1.7 million this season, but Boston can stomach the charge because it is well below the luxury tax line and will pay little with the money ($1.6 million) received from the Heat.
Even with the move, the Celtics still have 16 guaranteed contracts for the 2015-16 season and must trim again before the start of the regular season. The Celtics acquired Perry Jones from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a similar swap last month, but plan to allow Jones to compete for a spot at training camp while examining other potential moves as teams finalize rosters.
In cutting Dragic, Boston now has the necessary open spots to finalize construction of its training camp roster. The Celtics have already formally inked summer leaguers Corey Walden (Eastern Kentucky) and Malcolm Miller (Holy Cross) to partially guaranteed deals, while reports indicate the team will also add Levi Randolph (Alabama) and Coty Clarke (Arkansas). All four players are candidates to be funneled to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League as affiliated players should Boston desire after their camp auditions.
