"Though the Celtics failed to reach a resolution with Tony Allen, and paid the price Sunday night when the guard and the Memphis Grizzlies agreed on a three-year contract, talks with the team's other remaining free agent continue to progress.

Aaron Goodwin, the agent for Nate Robinson, said yesterday the two sides could reach a deal by the end of the week.

"Things are going well," Goodwin said. "We're just trying to get something worked out. But both parties are talking."

According to a league source, the Celtics offered Allen an amount similar to the $3 million he will receive annually from Memphis but were unwilling to guarantee the third year as the Grizzlies did."