Pietrus has already agreed to sign with someone

[karmacop]

This link from the Miami Herald says that Pietrus has already agreed to terms with an unnamed team:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/597615.html

We know it's not the Heat, but the article lists a ton of others including the Celtics: "New Jersey, New York, Detroit, San Antonio, Seattle, Atlanta, Orlando, Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers."

This news is not good as far as I'm concerned, since I think it's highly unlikely that the Celtics are the team he's agreed with.  It's doubtful that the Cs would make any move before they know how the Posey/Maggette situation plays out.  But it is consistent with my worst case scenario where Pietrus is already off the market, and then both Posey (New Orleans, Lakers) and Maggette (San Antonio) go elsewhere.  If we couldn't get Posey or Maggette, Pietrus was BY FAR the best alternative in my book.  If we miss out on all three, then what?  Matt Barnes??

[johnnyrondo]

There's a reason we signed Posey last Summer. That is because he was cheap (well and a good player too). The C's are way over the cap and have luxury tax issues. I think they might be doing the same thing they did last Summer which is wait until almost everyone is signed and then sign the player who missed out on the long term  big bucks deal he was looking for (like Posey last Summer).

[Brickowski]

I hope it's not Boston. Pietrus has no handle and he can't shoot. 

[indeedproceed]

I hope it's not Boston. Pietrus has no handle and he can't shoot. 

Thats not true. Pietrus can shoot, 36% this season compared to 38 from posey.

[fairweatherfan06]

Matt Barnes is the next best option.  In fact he is a superior player to Pietrus by all accounts EXCEPT for his 3-pt shooting.  He may come cheaper than Pietrus, ,but if we sign him we will definitely to go after House stronger as an option at the 2, 3-pt shooting is a big weapon for this team.    I think the only other place that is realiticic for Posey to go is NO but I think few places he'll go he'll be as effective here.   I don't see Maggette going to the sixers (who have Iguadola already) and I'm not sure what use he will be on the Warriors.  The spurs are our main comp for Maggette (I think they may win out) with Orlando being a dark horse.  Barnes is realistic for us though.

[Roy Hobbs]

I hope it's not Boston. Pietrus has no handle and he can't shoot. 

He's not that bad of a shooter, Brick, especially from outside.  He's definitely streaky, though.

My guess is that some team gave him close to the full MLE, which to me is just silly.

[Chris]

Pietrus, a Heat target the past year, is close to reaching a deal with another team, according to his agent, Bill McCandless.

This is code for "hurry up and make an offer".  This wreaks of an agent trying to drub up some interest in his player.  I just don't buy it.

[Cman]

There's a reason we signed Posey last Summer. That is because he was cheap (well and a good player too). The C's are way over the cap and have luxury tax issues. I think they might be doing the same thing they did last Summer which is wait until almost everyone is signed and then sign the player who missed out on the long term  big bucks deal he was looking for (like Posey last Summer).

Cs are over the cap, which will restrain their spending a bit. 

On the other hand, having just won the NBA championship, the Celtics have a bargaining chip: it is a team that will be attractive to FAs wanting to win a ring.  From the point of view of the Cs, the time to cash in on this is right now/ this summer.  While I hope the Cs win #18 next year, there is certainly no guarantee.... so if there ever was a time to break the bank it is right now, when a player who might require more money to play elsewhere may be willing to play for a little less coin if it is for a contender.  I think it is the ideal time to lock in a couple of younger players with upside to a multi year contract (I am thinking of the Maggettes, J. Joneses, Pietruses, Pargos of the NBA).  The old vets with one or two years left in the tank will sign for the vet min later in the fall; now is not the time to focus on them....

[cordobes]

Pietrus is not the defensive stopper who need and he's dumb. Not giving Posey the full MLE to waste it on Pietrus would be insane.

Our best option after Posey is James Jones, IMO. I'd rather take Ross and his non-existent offensive game than Pietrus.

[P2]

Maurice Evans, Quinton Ross, James Jones and Matt Barnes will all still be available, and Danny has said about a week ago that he has a backup plan if we lose out on Maggette/Posey. Who knows, maybe we are the team Pietrus has agreed to sign with. Maybe Danny has decided that Posey will not accept our offer and we won't give him more, and Maggette will sign with another team because he won't start in Boston. Maybe we have set sights on other free agents already a couple of days ago. Tomorrow will give us the first hint.

[Chris]

Pietrus is not the defensive stopper who need and he's dumb. Not giving Posey the full MLE to waste it on Pietrus would be insane.

Our best option after Posey is James Jones, IMO. I'd rather take Ross and his non-existent offensive game than Pietrus.

I am higher on Pietrus than you are, but I agree that Jones would be a better target.  I also think that Barnes would be an excellent target.  He brings much of the same intangibles as Posey, and I think if you put him on a better team, he would be the one getting the offers of the full MLE.

[indeedproceed]

Pietrus is not the defensive stopper who need and he's dumb. Not giving Posey the full MLE to waste it on Pietrus would be insane.

Our best option after Posey is James Jones, IMO. I'd rather take Ross and his non-existent offensive game than Pietrus.

I am higher on Pietrus than you are, but I agree that Jones would be a better target.  I also think that Barnes would be an excellent target.  He brings much of the same intangibles as Posey, and I think if you put him on a better team, he would be the one getting the offers of the full MLE.

Lot of people are saying Barnes is a system guy only, and that on another squad he'd go all Jerred Jefferies on you

[Reyquila]

Dont worry, Guys. We still got Scal.

[cordobes]

Pietrus is not the defensive stopper who need and he's dumb. Not giving Posey the full MLE to waste it on Pietrus would be insane.

Our best option after Posey is James Jones, IMO. I'd rather take Ross and his non-existent offensive game than Pietrus.

I am higher on Pietrus than you are, but I agree that Jones would be a better target.  I also think that Barnes would be an excellent target.  He brings much of the same intangibles as Posey, and I think if you put him on a better team, he would be the one getting the offers of the full MLE.

Oh, I don't have Barnes as a priority, it's not even close. I like Barnes, but not as a wing defender and I don't want us to fast the tempo. I said Ross and Jones, not Barnes.

[Chris]

Pietrus is not the defensive stopper who need and he's dumb. Not giving Posey the full MLE to waste it on Pietrus would be insane.

Our best option after Posey is James Jones, IMO. I'd rather take Ross and his non-existent offensive game than Pietrus.

I am higher on Pietrus than you are, but I agree that Jones would be a better target.  I also think that Barnes would be an excellent target.  He brings much of the same intangibles as Posey, and I think if you put him on a better team, he would be the one getting the offers of the full MLE.

Lot of people are saying Barnes is a system guy only, and that on another squad he'd go all Jerred Jefferies on you

I don't see how he is any more of a system guy than Posey or say, Bruce Bowen.  He is a big wing, who is a good defender, can shoot, and does all of the little things. 

And for the record, I would take Jefferies in a second, who I think is a very good player, stuck in a terrible situation.