WALTHAM, Mass. -- It was the first thing Celtics general manager Danny Ainge told Keith Bogans and Kris Humphries when they arrived in Boston: We're not tanking this season.
Ainge wanted to reassure the former Brooklyn Nets who were acquired in the deal that sent Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn. The deal followed the trade of coach Doc Rivers to Los Angeles, which kicked off the rebuilding process for the team that won the 2008 championship and returned to the NBA finals two years later.
Bogans and Humphries met reporters at the Celtics' practice facility on Monday along with MarShon Brooks.
Gerald Wallace was also acquired in the deal, but couldn't make the news conference.
Also Monday, the Celtics waived forward Kris Joseph, who was originally drafted by Boston and re-acquired in the trade with the Nets (see full story).
Knicks: J.R. Smith out 3-4 months
NEW YORK -- Knicks guard J.R. Smith has had patella tendon surgery and arthroscopy on his left knee that likely will keep him from joining the Knicks when they open training camp in late September.
The team said Smith will need 12-16 weeks to recover from the operation performed Tuesday by Dr. Answorth Allen at the Hospital for Special Surgery. The team said the injuries were chronic, with the arthroscopy repairing a tear in the lateral meniscus.
NBA
Smith, who won the Sixth Man of the Year award, helped shoot the Knicks into the playoffs before struggling in the postseason. The New Jersey product worked out a deal to stay with the Knicks that will pay him about $25 million over four years.
He averaged 18.1 points during the regular season, second on the team behind Carmelo Anthony (see full story).