In a lot of ways, it is amazing that Glen Davis lasted four seasons in Boston with the Celtics. The goofy big man always seemed in the middle of controversy (punching his friend and breaking his hand, crying on the bench), mostly of his own doing.
After threatening to leave in free agency but having no teams appear to be very interested, the Celts took matters into their own hands today by dealing Big Baby and Von Wafer to the Orlando Magic. It's a sign and trade deal for fellow LSU product Brandon Bass.
Like most people, I enjoyed Davis while he was here but with a guy so up and down like that, you had to wonder how much longer he was going to be effective given all his issues. It also didn't help that he seemed to believe he was an NBA first-team caliber player.
Davis won an NBA title in 2008 during his rookie season, since then he's been a capable fill-in starter and a great player (scoring and rebounding plus drawing charges) off the bench. His weight (6-foot-9, 289 pounds) and fitness will always be an issue while Bass is a much more sculpted 6-foot-8, 240 pounds.
The similarities between him and Bass are endless. Not only did they both go to LSU, play the same position but they're both natives of Louisiana, second round picks (Bass in 2005 and Davis in 2007) with eerily similar numbers and ages (Davis turns 26 on New Year's Day, Bass is 27 in late April).
Last season, Bass started 51 games and averaged a career-high 11.2 points and 5.6 rebounds over 26.1 minutes. Davis averaged a career-high 11.7 points and 5.4 rebounds over 29.5 minutes.
Bass signed a four-year, $16 million contract with Orlando in July 2009. He is due to make $4 million this season with a player option for the same amount next year.
For his career (two in New Orleans, two in Dallas and the last two in Orlando), Bass has averaged 7.7 points and 4.1 rebounds. He has shot 49.8% from the field and 83% from the free throw line.
Best of all, Bass has only had three career technical fouls and he's never been ejected. That demonstrates his maturity and professionalism, two things which Davis sorely lacks. In conclusion, this is a solid move for the Celtics. Good work Danny Ainge.
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