Boston Celtics - Free Agency (Post Lockout)

[Liam W]

With the Lockout in full effect and not looking likley to be lifted any time soon, I thought I would just make a quick thread about Free Agency + Free Agents.

There are a bunch of Free Agents out there waiting to be signed once the Lockout finally ends.

Its obvious with the retirement of Shaquile O'Neal and the risky health record with Jermaine O'Neal, Size is defintley a priority once Free Agency begins for the Celtics

With a whole host of names out there, I will just pick out a few that could possibly sign with us and help us get back up there in the Eastern Conference

1. Joel Pryzbilla - at 32 he would be a likley candidate to come in and fill our Center posistion, He was pretty decent up in Portland filling in for Greg Oden while he was out injured. He wouldnt cost alot and could be a perfect "Veteran"


2. Leon Powe- I dont need to empathise on what Leon Powe brings to the table. He was a joy to watch in our Championship run and he is currently available. I would defintley have him back on this team if the price was right


3. Greg Oden- If Oden doesnt stay in Portland then if I was in Danny Ainge's shoes I would be doing everything to try and get Oden to Boston. With the Celtics well over the cap (Thanks Kevin) money could be a problem. If we could somehow trade Jermaine O'Neal then with his Salary off the books we could move for Oden, Yes he hasnt had a great deal of luck with injuries, But when healthy, He is a Beast!

He could be our missing link that we so badly need inside.


So thats it guys, I just picked out a few big men that could really help us inside, Of course there are many more good players out there including

Jamal Crawford
Josh Howard
Caron Butler
Tayshaun Prince < Big name right there. I would be looking at him the most

Jason Richardson < another big scorer that could come off the bench

Please let me know below on anyone you would like to see come to Boston during the offseason and what we should be looking at the most.

[slamtheking]

no matter how you slice it, the C's won't be players in the FA market except for vet min players and whatever remains of the MLE in the CBA.  The only 2 players you've listed that could be had for even the MLE are Pryz and Powe and that's because of their injury histories.  Even Oden with his track record of injuries would get more than the MLE if Portland didn't keep him (which I think they will on the off chance they can't take the risk that he gets over his injuries and blossoms elsewhere). 

I think it's far more likely they bring back Green and Delonte where they have a better chance financial control than those FA wingmen. 

[PosImpos]

Keep in mind that per the deal currently on the table (which will have to be accepted in order for there to be a season), the Celtics would only have a $3 million exception plus vet. minimum deals to work with.

Of the names you mention, I think only Przy, Powe, and maybe Josh Howard would be in play.

[Inside-Out]

If we only had $3 mil and minimums to work with, I think I'd be tempted to shoot whatever wad I could muster on a solid, stable, backup PG.  It could solidify the position for the next 3-4 years with a signing like TJ Ford, who might go for $3 mil.

For bigs, unless an impact-talent is coming for $3 million, and I don't think there is, I guess we're stuck with BBD, J3, and whomever we can talk into coming here, including young gambles.  I suppose we're hoping for health and strong performances from JO and KG either way...

so why not solidify one spot for several years rather than waste a MLE on an inadequate big?

[pearljammer10]

Oden's gonna make bank even though he hasnt proven anything.

Powe is another undersized 4 that we don't need.

I would give Pryz the mid level for one year wityh maybe an option on year two.

Im all for signing Iverson at the vet min.

[action781]

TP for you being able to still think positively about a post-lockout scenario...

[KP43]

trade back Semih Erden

[Celtics4ever]

Trouble is when has Oden been healthy?  Try, Never.  Even in college he had hand issues.  Pryzilla I can see but I concur Powe is too small and damaged goods.

[slamtheking]

If we only had $3 mil and minimums to work with, I think I'd be tempted to shoot whatever wad I could muster on a solid, stable, backup PG.  It could solidify the position for the next 3-4 years with a signing like TJ Ford, who might go for $3 mil.

For bigs, unless an impact-talent is coming for $3 million, and I don't think there is, I guess we're stuck with BBD, J3, and whomever we can talk into coming here, including young gambles.  I suppose we're hoping for health and strong performances from JO and KG either way...

so why not solidify one spot for several years rather than waste a MLE on an inadequate big?

um, no.

Backup PG is the least of our worries right now and we have cheaper options that are just as capable available.  Let's get our major deficiencies addressed first.  The frontcourt is woefully thin, if the MLE is available to spend, that's where it needs to be spent.