Lee: "I turned down more money to join the Celtics"

[lightspeed5]

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/8445409/courtney-lee-says-turned-more-money-join-boston-celtics

someone who WANTED to come and basically paid to come here. His friendship with rondo played a role.

[Jon]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

He's a nice player capable of being a rotation player on a contending team; however, he's clear not anywhere near a star.  Furthermore, if his other offers were so impressive and he really just wanted a shot to win here, I don't know why he didn't sign a 1-2 year deal and then test free agent waters again.  Even a 3 year deal would've allowed him to re-sign here with Bird rights if he really loves Boston as much as he says. 

I think the real story is that he was hoping that someone would offer him more than Boston gave him. 

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

He's a nice player capable of being a rotation player on a contending team; however, he's clear not anywhere near a star.  Furthermore, if his other offers were so impressive and he really just wanted a shot to win here, I don't know why he didn't sign a 1-2 year deal and then test free agent waters again.  Even a 3 year deal would've allowed him to re-sign here with Bird rights if he really loves Boston as much as he says. 

I think the real story is that he was hoping that someone would offer him more than Boston gave him.

You saw what Beasley the headcase got...

[billysan]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

He's a nice player capable of being a rotation player on a contending team; however, he's clear not anywhere near a star.  Furthermore, if his other offers were so impressive and he really just wanted a shot to win here, I don't know why he didn't sign a 1-2 year deal and then test free agent waters again.  Even a 3 year deal would've allowed him to re-sign here with Bird rights if he really loves Boston as much as he says. 

I think the real story is that he was hoping that someone would offer him more than Boston gave him. 

Ahhh the conspiracy. Will we ever know the truth?

Seriously, you could be right I guess. I would hope this guy wanted to find a home for a few years. He has bounced a round a bit his first few years and most players want to get into a 'good' situation and stay for a while.

He has the opportunity to be on a very competitive team that will likely be at a minimum in the playoffs and possibly in the ECF finals discussion for the next three years IMO.

That he would want to do a quick stop for a shot at at 'ship and then on to greener pastures is a little hard to digest for me. Maybe I am just different. I prefer the dynasty situations.

[syfy9]

"I turned down more money - plus, a team that treated me like family + one of the best coaches in the NBA + a top 3 passing PG for me to play with + a 5 year relationship + ubuntu...to join the Heat."


):

[BballTim]

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/8445409/courtney-lee-says-turned-more-money-join-boston-celtics

someone who WANTED to come and basically paid to come here. His friendship with rondo played a role.

  Funny, the number of people here who assured me that Rondo's reputation around the league kept the Celts from signing free agents.

[FatjohnReturns]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

He's a nice player capable of being a rotation player on a contending team; however, he's clear not anywhere near a star.  Furthermore, if his other offers were so impressive and he really just wanted a shot to win here, I don't know why he didn't sign a 1-2 year deal and then test free agent waters again.  Even a 3 year deal would've allowed him to re-sign here with Bird rights if he really loves Boston as much as he says. 

I think the real story is that he was hoping that someone would offer him more than Boston gave him.

Good insight. TP
The article is posturing

[alley oop]

If not for the success of Jeremy Lin in New York, we wouldn’t have Courtney Lee. During Linmania who'd of expected it to indirectly effect the Celtic's roster the following year.

[Roy H.]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

My guess is that Minnesota is the team that was offering more.  They wanted him, and had more cap space.

[Jon]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

My guess is that Minnesota is the team that was offering more.  They wanted him, and had more cap space.

Maybe.  I still don't know why he went 4 years if he thought he was worth more.  I get the idea of taking less money to come to Boston, but I don't know why he didn't do 2 years where he could have had early Bird rights or 3 years when he could have had complete Bird rights and simply extended here for more money. 

It makes me think that there wasn't a better offer, because there's really no reason that Danny would have refused him those options given our need for a starting 2-guard. 

[Roy H.]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

My guess is that Minnesota is the team that was offering more.  They wanted him, and had more cap space.

Maybe.  I still don't know why he went 4 years if he thought he was worth more.  I get the idea of taking less money to come to Boston, but I don't know why he didn't do 2 years where he could have had early Bird rights or 3 years when he could have had complete Bird rights and simply extended here for more money. 

It makes me think that there wasn't a better offer, because there's really no reason that Danny would have refused him those options given our need for a starting 2-guard.

A two year deal wouldn't have been on the table, as S&T deals have to be at least three seasons.  As for a three year deal, who knows what was on the table from both sides?

[kozlodoev]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

He's a nice player capable of being a rotation player on a contending team; however, he's clear not anywhere near a star.  Furthermore, if his other offers were so impressive and he really just wanted a shot to win here, I don't know why he didn't sign a 1-2 year deal and then test free agent waters again.  Even a 3 year deal would've allowed him to re-sign here with Bird rights if he really loves Boston as much as he says. 

I think the real story is that he was hoping that someone would offer him more than Boston gave him.

You saw what Beasley the headcase got...

Beasley may be a headcase, but he's a supremely talented headcase. There's no comparing him to Courtney Lee.

[RJ87]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

He's a nice player capable of being a rotation player on a contending team; however, he's clear not anywhere near a star.  Furthermore, if his other offers were so impressive and he really just wanted a shot to win here, I don't know why he didn't sign a 1-2 year deal and then test free agent waters again.  Even a 3 year deal would've allowed him to re-sign here with Bird rights if he really loves Boston as much as he says. 

I think the real story is that he was hoping that someone would offer him more than Boston gave him.

Good insight. TP
The article is posturing

Posturing for what? The deal's already signed, he's not going to get more money retroactively.

I could def see Minny offering up more money - I mean, they gave Brandon "No Knees" Roy a multi year deal at $5m per. I could also see Phoenix in the mix after missing out on Eric Gordon. It wouldn't surprise me if teams like Indiana and Portland were also in the mix.

[GreenEnvy]

Maybe.  It's a nice story.  But I'm not exactly sure who was going to give him a better deal than that.  Maybe he would've gotten a little more per year on a shorter contract, but I'm not seeing a long line looking to sign him. 

He's a nice player capable of being a rotation player on a contending team; however, he's clear not anywhere near a star.  Furthermore, if his other offers were so impressive and he really just wanted a shot to win here, I don't know why he didn't sign a 1-2 year deal and then test free agent waters again.  Even a 3 year deal would've allowed him to re-sign here with Bird rights if he really loves Boston as much as he says. 

I think the real story is that he was hoping that someone would offer him more than Boston gave him.

I don't see why he would lie. Nobody is claiming he's a star, and his contract is fair value. But you see each and every year multiple role players get paid significantly more than the MLE.

You would only believe him if he signed a one-year non-guaranteed vet min deal.

Entering his physical prime, this may be the best contract he will ever ink. He can't risk an injury losing financial security like that. He passed on more lucrative deals. Maybe not much more, but more. Don't see why you're so skeptical. Seems believable to me.