[6] Giddens had worked out with the Celtics before the draft for three days, and received praises from head coach Doc Rivers, who thought he could fight for minutes on the team right away.
Walker was considered a lottery pick,[7] but suffered the third knee injury in his career during a workout at the Golden State Warriors facility on June 15.
Brown, who made key contributions during the 2008 NBA Playoffs, was leaning towards retirement,[15] and the status of restricted free agent Tony Allen remained uncertain after the first-round selection of J. R. Giddens, who was seen as a possible replacement.
[18] On July 11, the Celtics addressed their need for a backup center by signing Patrick O'Bryant to a 2-year, $3 million contract,[19] after he had an impressive workout with the team a week earlier,[20] and consequently ruled out the return of Scot Pollard and P.J.
[19] Eventually, James Posey signed with the New Orleans Hornets on July 16, since the Celtics were reluctant to offer him more than a three-year deal at the mid-level exception.
[24] On August 22, the Celtics signed small forward Darius Miles, who was forced to sit out the previous two seasons due to microfracture surgery on his right knee and thought to have a career-ending injury,[25] to a non-guaranteed contract,[26] and expected him to fight for a roster spot at training camp.
[27] He worked out twice with the team and impressed with his health and attitude,[27] but would sit out the first ten games of the regular season for violating the league's substance abuse policy if he made the roster.