With their traded-player exception secured and the Gordon Hayward free agency saga behind them, the Boston Celtics were able to turn their attention to other important offseason matters, chief among them signing big man Tristan Thompson and point guard Jeff Teague.
The duo had been in a holding pattern while the Hayward situation was resolved, Thompson’s full mid-level exception deal fo about $9.3 million inaccessible until the Butler product was off the team’s books for certain.
The Celtics circulated a press release to the media regarding the signings being made official on Monday afternoon once that process had played itself out.
The grit and toughness that I developed playing for a city like Cleveland will forever be instilled in me.
To the city of Boston! To say it’s an honor to wear the green and white is an understatement! I can’t wait to get to work!!!! ☘️ nation!!!!
— Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) November 30, 2020
Noting the statistical production of each player, the release also noted that Thompson will wear his usual No. 13, while Teague will don jersey No. 55 as a Celtic.
The duo are clear upgrades over former Celtics Enes Kanter and Brad Wanamaker after the former was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers and the latter signed a deal in free agency with the Golden State Warriors.
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