Indiana free agent Marquis Daniels could be headed to the Boston Celtics by next week as part of a sign-and-trade deal still being discussed by the two teams, according to two NBA sources.
Daniels, who has played all three perimeter positions in his six-year career, would give the Celtics a reliable backup behind both small forward Paul Pierce and shooting guard Ray Allen. He also could serve as a third point guard.
Daniels is coming off his best season, one where he averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Pacers. But the team declined to exercise its option, which would have paid him $7.3 million next season.
(Quick aside: Is it just me or is the NBA offseason easily the most fun of any sport?) Anyway, it appears, based on Woj's sources, that this rumor is likely to gain very little steam, primarily because Danny Ainge is dealing with "Bring in Rasheed Wallace to win a championship" Joe Dumars, as opposed to "Draft Darko, Trade Chauncey for Iverson" Joe Dumars.
Making their first appearance in the second round since 1994, it took the Nuggets the entire first quarter to get warmed up -- but once they did, the Mavericks never had a chance.
BOSTON -- And so it ends, without a single overtime period or defibrillator, restoring normalcy to the surreal and pumping life into the NBA's defending champions. It's quite doubtful the wheezing, battered Celtics will repeat this postseason, what with The LeBronster on vacation and absurdly rested, yet the memories they created with the Chicago Bulls are indelible.
When Brian Scalabrine suffered his first concussion of the season in late January, no one realized just how serious it would end up being. Doc Rivers, in fact, felt comfortable cracking a couple of jokes at Scalabrine's expense when talking about his condition.
Scalabrine missed nine games but returned too early -- after suffering a blow to the neck in practice followed by a hit to the back of the head against the Nuggets on Feb. 23, he suffered another concussion. He's now sidelined indefinitely, unable to do even routine day-to-day activities without feeling the effects.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- As Doc Rivers told reporters before Friday's game, Brian Scalabrine is still suffering the effects of a concussion suffered last weekend.
"We want him to basically stay in bed, sleep," Rivers said. "He came to the game the other night, didn't feel great with the lighting and all that. So we sent him home. We'll probably get a look at him tomorrow."
Scalabrine won't be available to play until he passes a series of tests, which, as Rivers joked, might be awhile. "I don't know if Scal can pass the tests before the concussion," he said.
NBA Essentials provides the must-see links, quotes and videos of the day.
* Brian Scalabrine: "It's not going to be a difficult negotiation,'' he said. "I'll just go to Danny and say, 'I don't want to go anywhere else. Please re-sign me.' If he says yes, that'd be great. If he says no, that's when I'll probably have to start begging." -- HoopsHype
* Kevin McHale on Al Jefferson: "He'll make a lot of them," McHale said. "You miss a couple early in your career when you should have gotten them, and you make some later in your career when you have no business making it and your reputation gets you there. It'll all equal out for him." -- Star-Tribune
Here's video of the Celtics being honored at Fenway Park on Friday night. Highlights include: the entire team running from the centerfield wall to the pitcher's mound; Paul Pierce throwing out the first pitch; the first pitch going high; Jason Veritek not being able to catch the first pitch; and Brian Scalabrine pounding his chest to celebrate said first wild pitch.
And at some point, apparently Pierce slid into second base ... Without the aid of a wheelchair if you're keeping score at home.
Brian Scalabrine is clearly someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. Wait, scratch that -- Brian Scalabrine is clearly an NBA champion who doesn't take himself too seriously. Say what you want, but he's still getting a ring. You think Kobe Bryant wouldn't give anything to be in his shoes right now? Of course he would.
After the jump, check out the rest of Scal's press conference, including his trash talk to the doubting media who predicted the Lakers would win the series.
Indiana free agent Marquis Daniels could be headed to the Boston Celtics by next week as part of a sign-and-trade deal still being discussed by the two teams, according to two NBA sources.
There's a little NBA trading spice coming out of 
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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- As 
