North Carolina Tar Heels: Zeller and Felton Sign Deals
The North Carolina Tar Heels will have more players on NBA rosters for training camp after two inked deals this week.
The North Carolina Tar Heels got a couple more players on NBA rosters over the last couple of days. The Boston Celtics reached out and re-signed Tyler Zeller. Yesterday the Los Angeles Clippers signed unrestricted free agent Raymond Felton as well.
Zeller had settled in Boston courtesy of a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers two years ago. The Cavs were trying to empty cap space to sign LeBron James at that time. Zeller started a fair number of games for the Celtics the first year while coming off the bench last season. He represents a lot of the size that the Celtics had to work with.
Zeller might not get too comfortable with Boston as the team is constantly predicted to make some kind of big move. If such a move happens, Zeller might well be one of the assets that gets sent along in such a trade. Adding Al Horford likely did not enhance his minutes in any event.
More from North Carolina Tar Heels
- NC Colleges Provide Coronavirus Results from Athletic Departments
- UNC Football gets Commitment from Top Cornerback
- Four North Carolina players selected in first round of MLB Draft
- UNC Destroyed by Coach Duggs and Tennessee in NCAA Football 14
- UNC Basketball: Former Tar Heel star calls out Roy Williams
As for Felton, that is a bit of a different story. There was a story that back in 2002-3 that there was a dialogue between Chris Paul and soon to depart coach Matt Doherty. Doherty had reservations of bringing Paul on the team. He had Felton already and no open scholarships. He did suggest Paul walk-on for a year, but that only sent Paul to Wake Forest.
More from Old North Banter
- Carolina Panthers: Secondary battles to watch in training camp 2020
- Carolina Panthers: 2020 training camp kicks off on Tuesday
- NC Colleges Provide Coronavirus Results from Athletic Departments
- Court alleges Zion’s Stepfather received $400k
- UNC Football gets Commitment from Top Cornerback
Felton got a collegiate title, but no one will argue now that Paul was not a better player. So as Felton joins Paul’s Clippers, it is Paul who is the max contract player and Felton who is coming in for something near the minimum. It is not even certain that Felton will be the second option at point guard.
The Clippers brought back combo guard Austin Rivers and combo Jamal Crawford and both of those players can take minutes at the point. That leaves not much for Felton, though it does mean that he will be one of the handful of rosters expected to make a run in the playoffs this season.
Given Paul’s injury status, there might be opportunities for Felton to see some time. If anything he offers stability to the point guard depth that the team has been lacking for two years or more.