It is now official. 28 year old, 6′ 6″ versatile guard-forward, Marquis Daniels is a Celtic.
The press conference was yesterday and Daniels was true to his word and signed for the Biannual Exception of $1.99 million for one year.
After a league wide search for a trading partner to try to get Daniels something closer to his true value, perhaps $3.5 -4.5 million, on a multi year deal, the Celtics and Daniels came to terms.
The 2nd team All Rookie (03-04) guard from Auburn will make the Celtics his 3rd team in the 7th year of his career. A career role player, who has risen to the occasion when asked to start, will be a welcome addition to a team that needed to shore up its bench.
At the press conference, Daniels afforded an easy going image, appearing in a t-shirt with a cartoon drawing of a fox, and shorts and sandals. These quotes come from the NESN video of the press conference. You can view the whole video here.
Danny Ainge and owner Steve Pagliuca sat on either side of Daniels as all who came commented on the length of time (7 weeks) this deal has absorbed before consummation.
Danny Ainge then described the kind of player Daniels is…
We think he brings a great deal of versatility to our team. He’s played the one, the two, the three, the four. He’s got playoff experience. He’s a smart player. …..He’s kid who brings a level of experience and character to our team.
He can handle the ball. He can score. He can defend. He can defend multiple positions. He allows a coach to play a lot of different combinations.
I could see him playing with big line ups this year actually being the back up point. I could also see him playing some small forward in some smaller line ups…..His versatility will allow Doc a lot of different combinations.
Marquis added the obligatory..
I’m very happy to be here and get it done. I know it’s been a long wait. Happy to be here and get banner 18 and get things going.
Danny added with a smile…
“This was the acquisition that never ended.”
Danny later added that both he and Doc have liked Marquis Daniels for along while. Danny said that Doc mentioned Marquis (as a player of interest) when Doc first came to the Celtics. Danny….
‘Doc and I have both been fans of Marquis throughout his career, and that a little bit unusual circumstance.’
Marquis careers numbers are:
9.4 points on .456 fg%, with 73% foul shooting, 2.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds in 23.5 minutes a game.
At 24% from the three point line, Marquis is not a distance shooter. His game is mid range and driving with deceptive moves around the hoop. He is an energy guy, who can D up best against shooting guards and small forwards.
He is a solid ball handler who has played the point, at times, on both the Mavericks and Pacers. It sounds as if Doc may try him there as well. He will mostly back up Ray Allen and perhaps Paul Pierce.
When asked to talk about solidifying the bench with Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis and now Marquis Daniels, Danny responded…
“Well, Marquis is a starter. He has been a starter in his career. He started last year……
(With Wallace, Glen Davis and now Daniels) you could make an argument that we have three starters on our bench this year.
We have great depth and great experience off our bench now.”
Danny mentioned that in case of injury, any of those three can step right in and not miss a beat.
That was a problem at times last season, and the Celtics did well with limited funds in filling most of the holes in their depth.
Danny finished by saying that, ‘We are happy with our team right now.’
So am I.
There is still a question of who guards the big small forwards (when Pierce doesn’t) at this point. That may to be addressed during the season if it proves to be a problem that Pierce, Daniels and Bill Walker can’t solve together.
Right now, everyone is ready to start pre-season. The healthy and revitalized Celtics are ready to mount their assault on the 2010 NBA Title.
