NBA.com writer feels it's unlikely Ray stays with the Celtics

[Andy Jick]

And I'm willing to walk away from this discussion...  I can tell I'm getting gang-tackled here (LOL!) and I know when to throw in my chips and walk away...

I guess time will tell, and then all of you can give me a big fat "I told you so" once you're all proven correct.  I don't think Ray is worth any long-term investment, but to each their own.

[fairweatherfan]

So you guys honestly believe Ray's going to take that DRASTIC of a paycut?  Sounds like you guys are saying that to support your conclusions, not mine.  I see NO way Ray will come down well over 50% on a paycut...no way in the world.

I believe he will command a 2-3 year deal at 12-14 million per.  But anyone who thinks he'll give a discount of 8 million per is off base. 

What if some stupid team steps up to the plate and offers Ray a 3 year deal at 12 million and the Celtics say, "no, we'll go 2 years at 8 million per..."  Ray walks...it's that simple. 

I think what everyone is saying is that we do not expect any team to offer him 3 years at $12 million per.  There are only so many teams with that kind of cap space, and there are lots of better options, when you start talking that kind of money. 

The reason teams under the cap would be interested in Ray is because they could get him for a bargain compared to someone like Joe Johnson, but they certainly are not going to start throwing that kind of money at Ray.

So no one is suggesting that he is going to take $8 million from the C's, when $12 million is on the table, we are all arguing that we don't believe $12 million is going to be on the table.

So no one is "off base" here, you are just misunderstanding our argument.

I agree with this - in an ordinary year, maybe someone would make that big of an offer.  But this is the best free agent class in history - LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Dirk, Amare, Johnson, Boozer...Ray's at best the 8th best free agent this summer, and he's much older than everyone ahead of him.  There are only I believe 6-7 teams with significant cap space; some of the big FAs will stay with their teams, but some won't, and there's only so much money out there. 

[Mr October]

And I'm willing to walk away from this discussion...  I can tell I'm getting gang-tackled here (LOL!) and I know when to throw in my chips and walk away...

I guess time will tell, and then all of you can give me a big fat "I told you so" once you're all proven correct.  I don't think Ray is worth any long-term investment, but to each their own.

Fair enough. Lets go get a win tonight and we can all chat about Ray in July! Go Celtics!!

[RJ87]

At this point, I think Ray ends up in a sign and trade package of some sort... There are teams that can use him, but I think Danny will look to make a bold move this offseason.

EDIT:
And I agree with Andy Jick... Marcus Camby and Manu Ginobli pretty much set the standard for aging/still productive vets with their extensions. So I think Ray gets at least 2 years, averaging $10m or more per.

[Who]

So you guys honestly believe Ray's going to take that DRASTIC of a paycut?  Sounds like you guys are saying that to support your conclusions, not mine.  I see NO way Ray will come down well over 50% on a paycut...no way in the world.

I believe he will command a 2-3 year deal at 12-14 million per.  But anyone who thinks he'll give a discount of 8 million per is off base. 

Ray has no choice in the matter. Nobody is going to offer him that much money in free agency.

[Andy Jick]

so are we still ready to pony up that big raise for Ray tonight?