Aug. 2, 2026, 6:01 a.m. ET
Today in Boston Celtics history, in 2005, the team signed Brian Scalabrine during free agency. The native of Enumclaw, Washington, entered into a five-year contract with the Celtics valued at $15 million.
An alum of the University of Southern California, Scalabrine, often called the “White Mamba,” was selected 34th overall in the NBA Draft by the then New Jersey Nets (now the Brooklyn Nets). He played four seasons with the Nets before joining the Celtics as an unrestricted free agent. Scalabrine spent an additional five seasons with the Celtics, contributing to the team’s championship victory in 2008. He later transitioned to the Chicago Bulls, where he concluded his playing career.
He then tried his hand at assistant coaching and broadcasting, where he still works today with NBC Boston Sports.
It was also on this date that former Celtics center Greg Stiemsma left the team in free agency to join the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played his college ball at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and spent time overseas and in developmental league play before joining Boston late in 2011. Stiemsma would play just one season with the Celtics, averaging 2.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. It was enough to get him on Minnesota’s radar, where he would play one more season of his four years in the NBA.
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Today is also the day that the team sent forward Antoine Walker to the Miami Heat for Curtis Borchardt, Qyntel Woods, Albert Miralles, and two future second-round picks in 2005. Miralles would subsequently be dealt for Keyon Dooling and additional draft assets as Walker’s second stint with the Celtics would draw to an end. He logged 16.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game that past season.