Celtics looking at wings, losing some confidence on resigning Ray

[guava_wrench]

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67938/20100707/celtics_have_inquired_about_rasual_butler_antoine_wright/#

The Celtics are losing some of their confidence about re-signing Ray Allen and have begun kicking the tires on possible replacements.

A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England reports that Boston has had discussions with the representatives for wing players Rasual Butler and Antoine Wright.

"I don't know," Rivers said when asked about Boston's backup plan. "But none of them can really replace Ray."

Please stay Ray... Please stay.

Honestly, it doesn't make ANY sense letting Ray walk.

None.

At all.

Life isn't that simple.

The NBA has these things called contracts. When you sign a player to them, you have to pay them for the length of the contract. The way the NBA works is the players tend to go to the team that is willing to overpay.

Players also have the right to choose which team they want to play on. Teams cannot kidnap the players nor force them to accept a contract.

[celticinorlando]

we need wings off the bench

[Jon]

I think if Ray leaves we’ll be able to survive. i’m not a fan of the JJ Reddick plan because he’s just a shooter and a very lackluster defender. I’d like a shooting guard who is a little bit more of a complete guy.

Ray is that more complete guy.  And it's easy to say that "we'll survive."  It's much harder to explain how we're going to do that with only the MLE and Sheed's deal. 

That is of course you mean we'll survive as a team destined for a second round playoff exit.  In that case, yes, we'll survive. 

[Jaycelt]

Interesting there are actually people who think Pierce is replaceable but Ray is not?

Hey, I hope they sign Ray too but it's become obvious to me that Ray has decided he's just not that into us and I personally wouldn't hold out just to stroke his ego.
As I said before, if Ray really wanted to stay with the Celtics he wouldn't be talking to other teams and he wouldn't be holding out for the post Lebron sweepstakes highest bidder.
So far he's talked the talk about staying but walked the walk about walking.

[Jon]

Interesting there are actually people who think Pierce is replaceable but Ray is not?

Hey, I hope they sign Ray too but it's become obvious to me that Ray has decided he's just not that into us and I personally wouldn't hold out just to stroke his ego.
As I said before, if Ray really wanted to stay with the Celtics he wouldn't be talking to other teams and he wouldn't be holding out for the post Lebron sweepstakes highest bidder.
So far he's talked the talk about staying but walked the walk about walking.

The free agent signing period hasn't even begun yet.  I think it's a little premature to start talking about Ray stringing us along. 

[Mike-Dub]

we need wings off the bench

That's how I feel and I've heard that is why they are looking at those guys.  Not to replace Ray.  RealGM just spun the article to make it sound like we were trying to get those guys to replace Ray.

[Jon]

we need wings off the bench

That's how I feel and I've heard that is why they are looking at those guys.  Not to replace Ray.  RealGM just spun the article to make it sound like we were trying to get those guys to replace Ray.

If the Celtics intended to replace Ray Allen with Rasual Butler, they wouldn't have bothered to re-sign Paul Pierce. 

[Mike-Dub]

we need wings off the bench

That's how I feel and I've heard that is why they are looking at those guys.  Not to replace Ray.  RealGM just spun the article to make it sound like we were trying to get those guys to replace Ray.

If the Celtics intended to replace Ray Allen with Rasual Butler, they wouldn't have bothered to re-sign Paul Pierce. 

Exactly that's why they're looking at them to be back up players.

[ForexPirate]

first of all - you guys forget that avery bradley is going to be rookie of the year.  He can't be that if Ray is hogging all his minutes ...

secondly, the way  the free agents are landing, clubs are going to overpay not only for ray allen but mike miller as well - why should miller take a max deal when he knows its going to be his pay day ...

[gar]

sorry, but ray's not this irreplaceable guy anymore.  if he leaves, he leaves.  we'll move one and we'll be fine.

Not according to Doc. The whole offense revolves around running him off screens and playing of the space he opens up in the process. There is no way to replace a guy like Ray.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

The only good thing about losing Ray is that Doc would no longer be able to lean on him like a crutch.  There was no reason for Ray to play as many minutes as he did in the Finals, given how terribly he was shooting the ball in every game except #2.

mike

Doc freezes up in crunch time..he has a few ideas, when they fasil, he goes with the starting 5..he is a very good instant play maker,,but he is terrible at seeing the future, near one and far one.....Walker or TA could have given Ray time to heal that HACK from artest (knee to the thigh), see his role from the bench, and get his game back on..!

[Who]

Tell me who we'll replace Ray with then.

I'd be fine if they could bring in Mike Miller.  He'll give you the same production from the perimeter and provide rebounding (6.2) as well.

Mike Miller rejected a max MLE deal from the Lakers. Why should he accept one from us?

  I'm not saying he'll sign a max MLE deal with anyone, but one reason he'd sign with us if Ray was leaving was for more playing time than LA would offer.

Agreed -- Ray Allen leaving puts Mike Miller back on the table.

The C's chances would increase further if LeBron does indeed leave Cleveland. I think that would make Boston the frontrunner for Miller should he end up signing an MLE deal.