I've been thinking about this for awhile and if I'm a top tier free agent, there is no way I sign with a Danny Ainge run team assuming money is the same. Here is why. I would have to believe that the odds of me making the end of a 4 year contract in Boston is less than 10%. This afterall is the guy that traded for and then away Kevin Garnett. A guy whose tinkering was so much that Ray Allen choose to leave for half the money. A guy that traded away Paul Pierce and who has said multiple times would have traded Larry Bird. A guy who couldn't stand Antoine Walker's game so much that he immediately trades him away and then re-acquires him a few years a later, only to let him walk again. A guy that wouldn't re-sign James Posey because he wanted an extra year on a mid-level contract. Who acquires, re-signs, and then trades away Jeff Green who had a very reasonable contract. Who consistently tried to move Rajon Rondo before finally pulling the trigger.
So I'm Marc Gasol or some other top tier free agent, why on earth would I willingly choose Boston when I know I will be constantly in trade rumors before ultimately getting traded at some point in time? Heck Garnett even had a no trade clause and that didn't stop Ainge from trying to and ultimately trading him away. Why would I want to put up with that headache? I mean the money is the same and it isn't like Boston is set up to win titles for the next ten years. There is no incentive for me to sign for Ainge and in fact Ainge would be the biggest reason to not sign in Boston if I was a free agent (and don't get me started on the crappy weather, high taxes, etc.).
I think you have made a number of good points here. And the thought has crossed my mind that free agents might consider this before they are even willing to look at the Celtics.
When you actually look at it objectively, Ainge is always looking to trade. From that 2008 Championship Team: Posey, and both Allens (Tony and Ray) left on their own accord. Perk, Rondo, Pierce and KG were traded. Ouch. That is really something. The only other true face of the franchise-Walker- years before was traded and then let go. Ooooh.
(I never thought we did right by Walker. I think that had he had a strong coach that molded him, his career would have ended differently. )
If you are a free agent, there is a good chance you will be dealt at some point. Or you will sign elsewhere. What player have we kept?
I think in this day and age with free agency, this is part of the modern equation. However, I think that the question for a player is the stability of the franchise. No one wants to be uprooted every few years.
A solution for players might be to have options to opt out. Or a no trade clause for the first few years.
Look back at that 2008 Celtics Team and I think its revealing.
in what way is that 2008 team revealing?
Which of those traded players were signed as FA's? none. they were all either originally drafted by the C's or acquired via trade. Also, each of the trades sending out those high-profile players have a sensible foundation behind them.
Topic: Why would any top tier free agent sign for a team run by Ainge (Read 15374 times)