The Celtics’ interest in Wallace is not for the long term, though. Wallace, 34, might be the most intriguing of free agent candidates, his relationship with Celtics forward Kevin Garnett a possible advantage.
Strickland confirmed the Celtics’ contact with Wallace with a text message: “The interest is mutual.’’
Asked if Wallace, who earned $13 million with the Pistons last season, could join the Celtics as a mid-level exception, Strickland said: “We will see how things work out.’’
Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando, and San Antonio have also shown interest in Wallace.
Ainge said he did not contact any players directly, nor has he made contract offers. Ainge said he has been on the receiving end of many more inquiries from agents in recent days than he has proferred.
“We’ll just continue to stay in contact with free agents to see if there is something we can do,’’ Ainge said. “That could take some time. Free agents are talking to several teams. I don’t anticipate anything dramatic happening any time soon. We have plenty of time left.
“We have an interest in a lot of free agents, on different levels. We have different needs. I think everybody’s trying to get a feel to where the market is. I think a lot of players start on July 1st with big dollar signs in their eyes, and then some of them get it, and some of them don’t. And some of them come looking for anything later in the summer.
“So, it will be interesting to see how the summer goes. There’s always guys who have big dollar signs who don’t get what they’re hoping for. That’s their agents’ job, to ask for whatever they can, and settle for what’s available.’’
Asked if the economic climate will affect the free agent market, Ainge said: “I’m not sure it’s that much different, but it might be. I think the whole pool is going to be less this year. But, again, there are going to be some that get paid and some that don’t.
