Buyout frees Marbury for Celtics

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/02/25/buyout_frees_marbury_for_celtics/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed1

After months of being embroiled in a soap opera, the Knicks worked out a buyout of Marbury's $21 million contract yesterday. Two NBA sources said that once the two-time All-Star clears waivers - which is expected to be Friday morning - he will sign with the Celtics for a prorated veteran minimum of $1.3 million for the rest of the season.

The Celtics also filled their need for a veteran big man by signing Moore for the rest of the season to undisclosed financial terms.

"I'm blessed to be able to move on with my career," said Marbury via e-mail. "I'm excited about the new beginning."

Marbury and the Knicks also resolved the grievance he had filed against the team over the $400,000 he had been docked for allegedly refusing to play in a game in November. The sides attended an arbitration hearing yesterday, and terms of the settlement were not announced.
Marbury, 32, averaged 13.9 points and 4.7 assists in 24 games for the Knicks last season, but he hasn't played in a regular-season game since Jan. 11, 2008. He needed surgery for bone spurs that ended his 2007-08 season, and with the arrival of president Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D'Antoni during the offseason, the Knicks wanted to move on from the Marbury era and start fresh.

The Celtics became intrigued with Marbury in the preseason when he averaged 8.5 points and 3.1 assists and went to the free throw line regularly in seven games.

He scored 16 points against Boston in an Oct. 21 game, but last played in a pre season game against New Jersey on Oct. 24. He was suspended by the Knicks shortly thereafter.

The Celtics declined comment on Marbury yesterday, but team president Danny Ainge did say he planned on signing a combo-guard or wing player for his final open roster spot. Marbury played with Celtics All-Star forward Kevin Garnett in Minnesota.


"We're looking to get a guard," Ainge said prior to the announcement of Marbury's buyout. "There is no one that we are checking on right now. But we can turn our attention to that now."