When the Boston Celtics shape their roster for upcoming seasons, former members of the team often emerge as possibilities. Leon Powe has been one of them since leaving the Cs two years ago.
Powe told CSNNE.com in a telephone interview on Thursday night there have been discussions with the Celtics as well as other teams around the league (one that may jump out to Boston fans) regarding this season.
We have been talking to the Celtics, the (Los Angeles) Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and the (Sacramento) Kings, said the unrestricted free agent. Thats all we have been talking to right now. Ive been working out, staying in shape, just getting ready for whatever team Im going to go to. Theyre all pretty good teams and were just trying to see where to go from here. Were waiting to hear back from all of them and hopefully Ill get something going in the next few days because training camp starts tomorrow.
Powe, a California native, has been working out in Los Angeles but still has interest in returning to Boston.
Id love to be back there, he said. I already told my agent (Aaron Goodwin), if everythings right, yeah I would love to be back again. Its where I called home for three years. Everybody out there has been very nice to me, very kind and Ive got much love for them. Its just a matter of situation, everything shaping up the right way, yeah I would love to come back.
Powe will hit the gym on Friday as others begin training camp. Hampered by knee injuries at points in his career, he has made his health a priority while he prepares for his sixth NBA season.
Feeling good, feeling good, he said. My health was the number one thing I was working on. Im 100 percent and ready to go. Ive just been putting in a lot of work on my body and on my game too in the summer this offseason, so its been great all around.
Boston Celtics
The 6-8 forward has also worked on expanding his offense away from the basket. He has focused on developing a consistent 15-foot jumpshot -- You have to mix it up, he said -- and looks forward to contributing his new skills to whichever teams he plays for.
I hope once I get to a team I want to show all Ive been working on, how much my game improved, and how much I got better, he said. I can help the team as a sixth man, you can put me in there 25, 30 minutes, and Im going to produce. Im just trying to make sure once I get that opportunity, Im ready to go.
While it remains to be seen where Powe will sign this season, one thing is clear.
Im 100 percent healthy, he said. Feeling good, ready to play some ball, and ready to go.