Jabari Bird opens up on his free agency, potential future with Celtics

Jabari Bird deserves a chance at an NBA roster spot, but has no guarantee of getting one. It may not come in Boston, due to a crowded roster and a looming luxury tax bill, but Bird did just about everything he could in Las Vegas to show he’s NBA roster material. The restricted free agent averaged 16.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game, all while shooting 57.0 percent from the field. The points, rebounds and steals averages were all team-highs. A second-year player is supposed to look a cut above the opposition at summer league and Bird did just that just about every night he played.

The question now is, what exactly that means for Bird’s future? The Celtics ideally would like to retain him as a two-way player, which would give them additional roster and salary flexibility as the season continues. That’s not a luxury they may end up with though if Bird finds himself getting an offer from another suitor on the open market. Bird's odds of making the 15-man roster in Boston improved this week with the trade of Abdel Nader, but the possibility remains that the Celtics will keep that roster spot open heading into training camp.

BostonSportsJournal.com caught up with Bird recently for an exclusive interview to discuss his free agency, potential future with the Celtics and much more.

Could you have envisioned summer league going much better for you in terms of showing your consistency and the different elements of your game?

Jabari Bird: This is definitely what I envisioned going into the summer. I'm a second-year guy so I expected to play well. My main thing is that I just wanted to win. The team really jelled. Everyone was contributing. That's the main thing as long as we win. As far as showcasing my skills, that's just what I expected to do.

Did you feel any additional pressure out there during summer league since you are a free agent or were you able to put that out of mind?

JB: It's basketball. I was just trying to have fun. It's Las Vegas in the summer, there wasn't any pressure. I enjoyed my time. I just tried to do the right thing on both ends of the court and have fun with it.

How helpful is it to play big minutes against the first-round talent in summer league as a chance to test yourself?

JB: I don't really look at it like, 'Oh, they have a big-time player.' We're all summer league players. I don't see anyone who is the cream of the crop. I see everyone as the same. I'm going to go out there and compete against whoever is out there. It doesn't matter if they are a first round pick, second round pick, European guy, we're all out here trying to get a job. I have to compete against them all the same.

Were you able to build more of a bond with some of your Celtic teammates in year two during this summer league?

JB: It's always great when you come back for the second year. You have familiar faces. You kind of know each other's game. I had an opportunity to play with them a little bit before the end of the season. It's been fun. I think you saw our chemistry out there.

Plans for the rest of the summer?

JB: Just work out by myself, just to see friends and family and chill out for a little bit. It's been a long year, almost a year-round so my initial plan is to take some time off, be with family and get back in the gym after a couple weeks. Try to get ready for training camp from there.

Are you at a point where you might look overseas if a big offer came from there since it's been a tough market this summer?

JB: I'm an NBA player. I'm an NBA player. No overseas. No offense to anyone overseas. Plenty of great players over there. That's just not my plan.

What do you tell your agent when he gets approached with that kind of stuff?

JB: He knows. If it's an overseas (offer), he knows it's not what we're looking for.

How close in touch do you stay with him at this point with what's next? You expect something to happen soon with your free agency or could it take a couple months?

JB: I'm not too concerned about it. I have until the season starts (to figure it out). Obviously, you want to get things done as quickly as possible. I also know my stock and where I stand with most teams, even within this organization. I'm not really concerned or pressed about when (a signing) happens. I just want it to happen at some point. I'm just going to keep trying to do what I can to make a good impression and hopefully it takes care of itself.