The Boston Celtics are looking to execute a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks to land Jason Terry, which would leave their mid-level exception open for someone else (Courtney Lee, anybody???). Terry is still coming to Boston regardless, but Danny Ainge is looking to creatively acquire him while leaving room to add another bench stalwart. (Dallas Morning News via Celtics Life)

In regard to outgoing players, Jason Terry still hasn’t signed with Boston, but that deal has been agreed upon. Apparently, the only holdup is whether the Mavericks can figure out a way to sign-and-trade Terry rather than simply losing him in free agency for nothing.

It might be a way to get Terry a few more dollars, and it might net the Mavericks a second-round draft pick or something like that for the future.

Either way, it won’t stop the departure of Terry. He’s a Celtic. It’s just a matter of how that deal gets completed.

Obviously, a sign-and-trade for Terry works better for the Celtics. If Terry comes via the mid-level exception, Boston has no cap space to sign any of their top remaining targets, which include Lee and O.J. Mayo. If they could use their mid-level exception on someone other than Terry, suddenly Lee and maybe even Mayo become something less than a pipe dream.