Report: Celtics to Sign Veteran Michael Finley

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Mar 4, 2010

Report: Celtics to Sign Veteran Michael Finley Their bench already invigorated by the recent trade for guard Nate Robinson, the Celtics are on the verge of adding another playmaker. According to Yahoo's Marc Spears, veteran free-agent swingman Michael Finley will sign with the Celtics in the next few days.

Finley, who turns 37 on Saturday, was waived by the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. He has also played for the Suns and Mavericks over his 15 years in the NBA and averaged just 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 25 games this season for San Antonio.

According to Spears, Finley will sign for the prorated veteran minimum and is expected to join the Celtics on Saturday. He could join the Boston lineup as early as Sunday against Washington.

Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, told Yahoo that his client is "looking forward to competing for playing time with the Celtics, but [that he] was not promised anything by the team."

"It was an attractive choice," said Thomas. "It's an opportunity to earn some minutes in the playing rotation. He still has some good minutes left and they are a serious contender. He has a lot of respect for their chances in the league. He has a lot of respect for [head coach] Doc [Rivers], and they went to the same high school in Chicago. A lot of respect for Kevin Garnett, and they were in the same draft, as well as Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

"There were a lot of elements there that were attractive. He hopes to make an impact like [former Celtics forward] P.J. Brown did."

Finley was upset with his lack of playing time in San Antonio, and he could get a bigger role in Boston because the Celtics are hoping to add another shooter to help replace the loss of Eddie House.

"It was a situation where the Spurs understood why Michael wanted to pursue other opportunities elsewhere," Thomas said. "He wants to be part of the mix again. He's a competitor who has never been in that position [of not playing] before."

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