BOSTON -- After losing out to the Dallas Mavericks in their quest to add freshly bought out Corey Brewer, the Celtics picked up veteran swingman Sasha Pavlovic.
Pavlovic, a 6-foot-7 wing player with ability to hit the 3-pointer, provides an emergency option behind Paul Pierce and Jeff Green. Boston navigated the early portion of the season with only Pierce and Marquis Daniels at that spot, but a freak spinal injury to Daniels led to an overhaul at the position (including the trade of starting center Kendrick Perkins in the deal that brought in Green from Oklahoma City).
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge admitted the team had conversations about Brewer, but noted the Mavericks had more money to offer than Boston, which is bound to the prorated veteran's minimum. That's what Pavlovic will earn.
"I'd like to shore up the wing position," Ainge had said Wednesday. "I'd like to bring in someone with some experience that's not old and washed up."
The 27-year-old Pavlovic has played 466 regular-season games and another 42 in the postseason. He appeared in 14 games this season for the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Hornets, making seven starts (and helping his teams to a 5-2 record during those first-unit appearances).
Pavlovic has averaged 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds for his career, which has included stints with the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Celtics also officially announced their signing of 6-foot-11 forward Troy Murphy, who was bought out of his contract by the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
Chris Forsberg covers the Celtics for ESPNBoston.com.