MKRob Sports

The only obstacle, according to a league source, is the manner in which Daniels will actually arrive in Boston.

Daniels is expected to sign with the Celtics in one of two ways – either for the $1.9 million biannual exception, or in a sign-and-trade deal with Indiana. The Celtics and Pacers are still hashing out those details.

The source added that a sign-and-trade deal – with the Celtics able to offer a number of players with expiring contracts, including Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine – is still a very real possibility.

Though often injured, with a 74-game run with the Pacers two years ago his career high, Daniels has sparkled in stretches as a valuable role player, one who averaged a career-high 13.8 points for Indiana last season. The problem is that Daniels played in only 54 games last season due to a wrist injury that ended his season in mid-March.

The Pacers decided not to pick up his option in June.

He has also come in for some criticism. Two years ago, when Pacers president Larry Bird criticized his team for its inconsistency, he singled out Daniels.

“I look at Marquis Daniels and Marquis is not playing at a level I thought he would play at,” Bird told the Indianapolis media. “He’s been up and down.”

Daniels, however, has shown the ability to defend his position, a quality that should go a long way in cementing a position as Pierce’s relief.

Daniels’ commitment, however, brings into question the status of second-year forward Bill Walker and swingman J.R. Giddens.