Mickael Pietrus, who the Boston Celtics signed as a stocking stuffer, is still not completely recovered from July knee surgery that led to a failed physical after he had been traded to the Toronto Raptors.

He was almost traded to the Toronto Raptors two weeks ago but the Raptors were concerned about a July knee surgery that had not completely healed.

According to an NBA source, the knee is not seriously damaged and Pietrus is expected to be 100 percent in about two weeks. It is uncertain if he is capable of playing right now. He did not play in either of Phoenix’s two preseason games.

Although I know Pietrus is nothing special, the Celtics need him and they needed him yesterday. Playing with Sasha Pavlovic is like playing with a cardboard cutout who occasionally picks up technical fouls at ill-advised times. (I know, I know, the only thing he did to earn the technical was walk into Joey Crawford’s line of vision. But still. He had more technical fouls than points.) Yesterday, Pavlovic had 0 points, 1 rebound and 1 assists while his primary counterpart, Carmelo Anthony, registered 37 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. I’m not saying every point Carmelo scored was on Pavlovic. I’m just saying the Celtics got murdered at small forward and Pavlovic was one of the primary victims.

Pietrus helps, if only because Pavlovic and Avery Bradley (who, sadly, did not receive an offensive game from Santa) don’t deserve NBA minutes. He’ll hit occasional threes, play defense against the opponent’s top shooting guard or small forward, and help assure that Pavlovic and Bradley are firmly fastened to the bench.

Get well soon, Mickael. The Celtics could use you against the Heat tomorrow night, if you’re capable.