Andrew Bogut to be cleared for full return, possible signing next week
The wait might be over at long last - Andrew Bogut could be returning in an NBA uniform this season.
According to the Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach, Bogut, who has maintained silence in recent days on the topic of his free agency, will get his final bone scan. There are expectations for a full clearance, allowing him to return to the game with no restrictions.
Himmelsbach's source also mentioned that four teams are still interested, and that a possible Bogut signing might surface next week. No teams were named, but the undersized, youthful Boston Celtics are likely still in the running for a veteran big man like Bogut, who along with fellow Boomer Aron Baynes, would provide a tough edge on rebounding and rim protection.
Despite the league's growing preference for big men who space the floor with 3-point shooting, Bogut's talents --especially his role as a facilitator on offense-- remain a valuable asset for any NBA team.
"If you look at a lot of the teams with stretch 5s, a lot of them have rebounding issues generally," Bogut told Steve Aschburner back in June. "I know it's not a max market for big guys, but you can still make a decent living from doing the little things. I like to think I do a lot of good things that go unnoticed as well. Teams I've played for, teams that have played against me know the value I have."
Bogut had played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and was waived following a leg injury on his debut game. Prior to that, he was with the Dallas Mavericks, who traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia subsequently waived him, allowing Bogut to sign with Cleveland in March.
With training camp fast approaching, Bogut's returning at exactly the right time. Here's hoping he inks an NBA deal next week.