Detroit, a team with clear interest, has $3.2 million to offer, and is reportedly hesitant to send Davis an offer sheet with the knowledge that the Celtics will gladly match that amount. The Pistons, rather than have their cash placed in limbo by the seven-day period the Celtics would have to match the offer, are instead pursuing other options.

Three league sources close to negotiations confirmed that the Celtics explored a now-dead sign-and-trade deal that would have sent Davis to Miami in exchange for restricted free agent Jamario Moon. The plan never got off the ground because both young players fall into a dreaded category known as base-year compensation.

With both coming out of their respective first contracts, only half of the money in the first year of their new deals could be used as a match for trade purposes. In turn, a match wasn't able to work because both the first-year salaries of Davis and Moon are expected to differ.

One intent of the base-year compensation rule was to discourage young players from leaving their original teams, and that aim appears to be limiting Davis now.

This would seem to end the Celtics' interest in Moon, who is aiming higher than the $1.9 million biannual exception the Celtics can offer in a straight-up signing.

The Celtics , as a result, are now exploring other sign-and-trade possibilities, as well as other free agents who might be more amenable to a $1.9 million starting point. NBA rules restrict players who sign for the biannual exception to only two-year contracts.

Davis' market is slow to develop. Now that Orlando has matched a mid-level offer sheet sent by the Mavericks to center Marcin Gortat, the Mavs - initially said to be interested in Davis - are once again a potential suitor.

New Orleans has also expressed interest in Davis, but lacks the salary cap space to put together an offer that the Celtics won't match. Utah, now mulling whether to match an expensive offer sheet from Portland for power forward Paul Millsap, may also get into the game, especially since the Jazz are also attempting to trade veteran power forward Carlos Boozer.

Celtics notes

Lester Hudson, who broke the ring finger on his left hand during the Orlando Summer League, recently had successful surgery to have a pin inserted.

Now all the rookie guard has to worry about is a contract. The Celtics have yet to sign him, and may not for at least the rest of the month.

GM Danny Ainge said via text message that the team is still uncertain about whether to sign Hudson. One consideration is the contract of Gabe Pruitt, who may be competing with Hudson for a roster spot. The team has until Aug. 1 to pick up the option on the last year of Pruitt's contract.

- mrmurphy@bostonherald.com