The reason Daniels was in a green uniform last night instead of playing for the Pacers was purely financial. Indiana declined to pick up his option of some $7.4 million for this season.

“It was too much money for our budget,” said Pacers coach Jim O’Brien. “We loved him and we would have loved to have him back, but the numbers were just too rich for us.”

“We certainly understood him wanting to play for an organization like the Celtics, who are challengers.”

Daniels acknowledged he could have gotten more than the $1.99 million biannual exemption he took with the Celts.

“I mean, I left money on the table with other teams, but I felt like this was a good situation for me,” he said. “I think things will work out.”