The Celtics have decided not to sign Chris Johnson to another ten-day contract, and will reportedly sign Carlos Arroyo instead.

Delonte West should return soon, but his injury troubles have worried the Celtics. Arroyo should man the third point guard role once West returns, and back up Rajon Rondo for the time being. (Boston Herald)

The Celtics, in their search for a backup point guard while Delonte West recovers from a sprained ankle, have come to terms with Carlos Arroyo on a pro-rated veteran’s minimum contract for the rest of the season, according to a team source.

Arroyo, pending a physical, may join the team tomorrow in Milwaukee.

Arroyo had been waived by Miami earlier this week to make way for the team’s signing of Mike Bibby, and was one of two veteran playmakers the Celtics were looking at. The other was thought to be Antonio Daniels, the long-time veteran who is attempting a comeback with the Texas Legends of the NBDL.

Below, I listed a few point guards the Celtics could have considered (including Arroyo). Yes, I started writing this post before the report came out. Keep in mind, there are no Chris Pauls or Derrick Roses on the free agent market right now.

Carlos Arroyo

Arroyo should play the C’s third point guard role reasonably well. He’s not great, and there are reasons the Miami Heat released him this week. But he can run the team with a more steady hand than Avery Bradley (at this stage of Bradley’s career), and he’s a serviceable three-point shooter. His defense has never been lauded by experts, and Arroyo could not beat out Mario Chalmers in Miami. But still, he’s a veteran who shot the ball well in Miami. The Celtics could have done worse.

D-Leaguer

One name in the D-League stands out, because he played twelve years in the NBA and was once regarded as one of the NBA’s top backup point guards: Antonio Daniels. Despite his age, the 36-year old Daniels has been impressing in the D-League. He averages 15.0 points and 9.0 assists, and has even added a three-point shot to his repertoire. Shooting 44.3% from the arc this season, Daniels has drilled seven threes in his past two games.

Other top D-League point guards: Curtis Stinson, who some of you might know from his time at Iowa St; Scottie Reynolds, the former Villanova Wildcat (and first-team All-American) who has developed into a pass-first point guard while in the D-League; Javaris Crittenton, who can play when he’s not bringing guns into the locker room; Blake Ahearn, who has played stints for the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs; and Orien Greene, who once played for the Celtics and spent a ten-day contract in New Jersey this season (but reportedly signed with a Chinese team this week). If I’m missing anyone important, I apologize. D-League basketball’s not my specialty.

Sherron Collins

A big name, mostly due to his celebrated career at Kansas, Collins’ game/physique were never perfectly suited to the NBA. Thus, he was cut by the Charlotte Bobcats a week ago. Collins has briefly played in the D-League this season, and has not at all set the league on fire (five games, 12.0 ppg, 3.2 apg, 39.6% shooting). Granted, that’s a very small sample size. But I had doubts about Collins’ NBA skills while he was still in college, and he’s done nothing to quell those doubts. Does anybody think he’d provide more than Avery Bradley?