2019 Summer Rumors official thread

[tazzmaniac]

I’m confused why al would not want to come back

Money.  I doubt Ainge would give him a 4 year deal. 

[sahara]

I really really hope we're still bringing back Horford after all this.

The full MLE is fine, but dang it I want Big Al back here... 

If we end up with KEMBERR and Big Al..

[Valid]

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1145446189795610625

Sources: The Boston Celtics do not have a commitment from Al Horford to re-sign, but know they can't get one without the ability to offer him a deal at market value. Thus, they are arranging S&T deals to even be able to make the offer to Horford, while maintaining full MLE.

[Vermont Green]

Don't know if posted, but Middleton back with MIL on a max-deal (as expected).

Does anybody else think it's a lot of Money for Middleton?
He did not play consistently well in the Toronto series. I don't think he is a true number 2 on a championship team

Makes you feel better about the deal for Kemba though, doesn't it.  Middleton and Kemba Walker are the same tier in my opinion but I like Kemba a little better, especially if you consider we already have Brown, Tatum, Hayward.

[jpotter33]

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1145446189795610625

Sources: The Boston Celtics do not have a commitment from Al Horford to re-sign, but know they can't get one without the ability to offer him a deal at market value. Thus, they are arranging S&T deals to even be able to make the offer to Horford, while maintaining full MLE.

Yeah, a hard "no" from Horford makes absolutely no sense and I'm not buying it. It's always been about money and long-term contract security with him leaving, which the C's now seem willing to give him. Still think this is a negotiating tactic.

[Pvictor11]

Don't know if posted, but Middleton back with MIL on a max-deal (as expected).

Does anybody else think it's a lot of Money for Middleton?
He did not play consistently well in the Toronto series. I don't think he is a true number 2 on a championship team

Makes you feel better about the deal for Kemba though, doesn't it.  Middleton and Kemba Walker are the same tier in my opinion but I like Kemba a little better, especially if you consider we already have Brown, Tatum, Hayward.

I agree. If we retain Horford and get the MLE, I don't see why we are not contender next year. It's basically the same team everybody was regarding as contender, with a probably better Hayward and without the extra stuff of Kyrie

[Valid]

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1145446189795610625

Sources: The Boston Celtics do not have a commitment from Al Horford to re-sign, but know they can't get one without the ability to offer him a deal at market value. Thus, they are arranging S&T deals to even be able to make the offer to Horford, while maintaining full MLE.

Yeah, a hard "no" from Horford makes absolutely no sense and I'm not buying it. It's always been about money and long-term contract security with him leaving, which the C's now seem willing to give him. Still think this is a negotiating tactic.

Yeah I find it very hard to believe he leaves if we offer him a market value deal.

[cltc5]

Great my only hookup for nets tickets moved to Hawaii 

[mef730]

I’m confused why al would not want to come back

Burnt bridges or hurt feelings? Could be either one, although he doesn't strike me as a big ego guy.

Mike

[mef730]

I don't think I disliked Terry as much as everyone else, but I am beyond shocked that we're hearing a 3/58 discussion.

Mike

[Kuberski33]

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1145446189795610625

Sources: The Boston Celtics do not have a commitment from Al Horford to re-sign, but know they can't get one without the ability to offer him a deal at market value. Thus, they are arranging S&T deals to even be able to make the offer to Horford, while maintaining full MLE.

Yeah, a hard "no" from Horford makes absolutely no sense and I'm not buying it. It's always been about money and long-term contract security with him leaving, which the C's now seem willing to give him. Still think this is a negotiating tactic.

There will be no discounts given today - by anyone.  I'm guessing they have about 3 or 4 different scenarios on the table - this being one of them.  But it also may not be the one the Celtics choose. 

I'd be fine with someone younger who they could get at a more reasonable number with the room they have.

[RJ87]

Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
 
Source close to Horford says that even after all the Celtics' cap gymnastics, he will not be winding up back in Boston.

Negotiation tactic I'm guessing. Probably still trying to get a bit more out of Boston. It wouldn't make sense with Al's character to go to a place like Sacramento or NOLA for only  abit more money with having no chance of winning.

Or.... he just doesn't want to come back.

But that doesn't really make sense. He's been consistent that he wants to come back here if the money is right. Unless there's either (a) a significant difference in salary - which is doubtful now with Kemba onboard - or, (b) a chance to go to a place like LAC with Kawhi for a better chance at a title, then I don't see him leaving. It just doesn't make sense with what is known about his priorities.

I mean, we don't know about his priorities other than what people claim from sources. Bulpett is pretty plugged in, I think we can all agree on that - and I just think such a definitive statement is a hard stance to take even as a negotiation tactic. Something like, "Horford isn't ruling out a Boston return, but plans to meet with other teams" still sends the message of I'm not taking a hometown discount, pay me.

[Phantom255x]

I’m confused why al would not want to come back

Burnt bridges or hurt feelings? Could be either one, although he doesn't strike me as a big ego guy.

Mike

Guessing it could be the next deal. If Horford is getting 4/100M+ offers elsewhere, would we want to match? Maybe they don't want to go past 3 years to keep him.

[Monkhouse]

Being a Knicks fan must suck..

Not only did they miss out on Zion, KD, Kyrie, and a multitude of other free agents, but they also missed out on Rozier LOL.

[Pvictor11]

Being a Knicks fan must suck..

Not only did they miss out on Zion, KD, Kyrie, and a multitude of other free agents, but they also missed out on Rozier LOL.

Calm down. They may sign Julius Randle. Hahhaha