"I don’t know what’s going to happen," Glen Davis said while working out in Houston. "It’s still too early to tell. We’ve still got a long ways to go as far as negotiating with the Celtics."
Davis’ stance hasn’t changed.
On one hand, he has no issue remaining in Boston, the organization that gave him the chance to break into the league over the past two seasons. However, the former second-round pick also fully understands the financial aspect of this, his second contract, and also the opportunity to play a more significant role elsewhere.
"I want to be where I’m wanted," Davis said. "I love Boston, but I also understand it’s a business. I’m going wherever someone wants to pay for my services."
That may sound selfish, but you’ve got to understand that Davis didn’t exactly grow up with much in Baton Rouge, La. His mother has battled substance-abuse problems and he was taken in by former LSU standout Collis Temple and his family.
So, after slipping into the second round of the draft a couple years ago, Davis would like to set himself and his family up for life if possible.
He’d also like to receive extensive playing time – which is something that is unlikely this season in Boston unless there are injuries in the frontcourt.
Davis said he’s fielded interest from several teams, including New Jersey, Charlotte, Cleveland and Detroit – although it seems far-fetched that any of those teams will offer Davis anything more attractive than the multi-year deal that has been proposed by Celtics boss Danny Ainge.
But Davis understands that many of the teams are playing the waiting game and seeing where other unrestricted free agents land before dealing with a restricted free agent such as him.
Many teams – according to multiple sources - are also fearful of his weight issues and inability to play above the rim.
The Celtics have the luxury of being able to match any offer that Davis fields and while there’s been speculation that the number that Boston would match lies somewhere in the $3.5 million per season range, Davis is completely in the dark.
"I don’t know what that number is," he said. "I wish I knew."
Davis does realize that his playing time will decrease this season if he remains in Boston with a healthy Kevin Garnett and the addition of Rasheed Wallace. But he also knows he’s still young and can pick up a thing or two from the duo.
"I’m at the beginning of my career and they are towards the end of theirs," Davis said. "I have a lot to learn and those are two guys I can learn a lot from."
Davis, who said he is also doing kickboxing down in Houston to try and get in better shape, was upset about not being able to participate in last month’s Team USA mini-camp for some of the top young players in the NBA.
"It was tough, but it was something I had to do," said Davis, who was advised by his agent to sit out without a contract in hand and also because his ankle wasn’t 100 percent.
The Celtics' addition of Shelden Williams to a one-year deal on Monday afternoon doesn’t alter Boston’s mindset with Davis at all. Williams has been brought on as an insurance policy, especially after Ainge watched his frontline decimated with injuries last season.
According to sources close to the situation, the Celtics brass believes that Davis will be back in Boston next season – either with a multi-year deal worth in the neighborhood of $2 million per year or for a qualifying offer in which Davis would still remain a restricted free agent after next season.
"I’m just waiting to get signed," Davis said. "It’s tough not knowing what’s going on."
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