Why haven't JR G & B Walker been signed?

[bring BIG AL back]

Have these 2 draft picks been signed yet?  They need to be signed so they can begin to learn our dfensive schemes, get into NBA shape, etc.  This is valuable time for them to learn our system/culture if we hope to have them make any kind of an impact this year.  I'm afraid losing Posey will make one of these 2 (if not both) more needed than expected. I really don't want to lean on Scalabrine as the back up 3.  That is just silly. 

[Chris]

Well, they can learn our defensive schemes and get into NBA shape whether they are signed or not.  If they are not doing that, then they are making a very bad decision.

I am guessing you are referring to the fact that Giddens agent told him not to participate in the FA camp.  That was different than going to team workouts, or working out in general.  He didn't want him to go there unsigned, and get injured...not to mention, he wanted to tweak the C's management a bit.

Unsigned players ofter work out with the team prior to signing the contract.  Right now the C's are just trying to work out all of their options.  There is absolutely no rush to sign these guys, since they have them in their control no matter what, but as soon as they sign them, they lose some of their flexibility (they have to wait 30 days if they want to trade them).

[jpd985]

I believe Walker has stayed in Boston and working out and practicing at the Waltham center.

[CelticBalla32]

I believe Walker has stayed in Boston and working out and practicing at the Waltham center.

That's what I heard, too. After his surgery , he has been doing light work in Waltham. But don't be surprised if we don't sign Walker this year. He could very well go to Europe, and then join our roster next season.

Giddens... well, his agent just seems to be mishandling the situation.

[Chris]

I believe Walker has stayed in Boston and working out and practicing at the Waltham center.

That's what I heard, too. After his surgery , he has been doing light work in Waltham. But don't be surprised if we don't sign Walker this year. He could very well go to Europe, and then join our roster next season.

Giddens... well, his agent just seems to be mishandling the situation.

Why is he mishandling the situation?  He is trying to get the best deal possible for his player.  There is nothing wrong with that, and I am sure Danny respects it.  Danny has a good working relationship with Bartlestein, and if he really wanted Giddens to play in the camp, then he should have signed him then, but he did what he felt was best for the team.

This is a non-story IMO.

[zerophase]

I believe Walker has stayed in Boston and working out and practicing at the Waltham center.

That's what I heard, too. After his surgery , he has been doing light work in Waltham. But don't be surprised if we don't sign Walker this year. He could very well go to Europe, and then join our roster next season.

Giddens... well, his agent just seems to be mishandling the situation.

Why is he mishandling the situation?  He is trying to get the best deal possible for his player.  There is nothing wrong with that, and I am sure Danny respects it.  Danny has a good working relationship with Bartlestein, and if he really wanted Giddens to play in the camp, then he should have signed him then, but he did what he felt was best for the team.

This is a non-story IMO.

yep. business.

[bring BIG AL back]

Danny drafted these 2 knowing there was a chance Posey may leave.  And he was right.  Currently, we have no clear back up to defend a BIG 3.  I'm not sure the Celts can afford to have Bill Walker play a year in Europe.  Unless Ainge plans on using Scalabrine at the 3 (which is sad) or a FA with what is left with the MLE, we are really thin at that back up position ... as well as a back up C when we want to stay in our big lineup.  I hope these 2 draft picks get signed soon.  I guess I have been spoiled with the Celtics participating in past Vegas Summer leagues so we got a sneak preview of the rookies. 

[CelticBalla32]

I believe Walker has stayed in Boston and working out and practicing at the Waltham center.

That's what I heard, too. After his surgery , he has been doing light work in Waltham. But don't be surprised if we don't sign Walker this year. He could very well go to Europe, and then join our roster next season.

Giddens... well, his agent just seems to be mishandling the situation.

Why is he mishandling the situation?  He is trying to get the best deal possible for his player.  There is nothing wrong with that, and I am sure Danny respects it.  Danny has a good working relationship with Bartlestein, and if he really wanted Giddens to play in the camp, then he should have signed him then, but he did what he felt was best for the team.

This is a non-story IMO.

There's nothing wrong with trying to get the best deal possible, but he does not have much flexibility with the negotiations. There is a set scale as to how much each first round draft pick makes. I just don't think holding him from working out with the organization is the right move.

[Chris]

I believe Walker has stayed in Boston and working out and practicing at the Waltham center.

That's what I heard, too. After his surgery , he has been doing light work in Waltham. But don't be surprised if we don't sign Walker this year. He could very well go to Europe, and then join our roster next season.

Giddens... well, his agent just seems to be mishandling the situation.

Why is he mishandling the situation?  He is trying to get the best deal possible for his player.  There is nothing wrong with that, and I am sure Danny respects it.  Danny has a good working relationship with Bartlestein, and if he really wanted Giddens to play in the camp, then he should have signed him then, but he did what he felt was best for the team.

This is a non-story IMO.

There's nothing wrong with trying to get the best deal possible, but he does not have much flexibility with the negotiations. There is a set scale as to how much each first round draft pick makes. I just don't think holding him from working out with the organization is the right move.

Well, there are a couple issues here.  First off, if he gets injured during that camp, the C's could then just not sign him, and he is out of luck.  He is just protecting his client.

But also, there is some flexibility there.  As Roy has pointed out, there is a set scale, however teams have the option of offering from 80%-120% of that scale.  It is pretty standards that teams will offer 120%, however, some theorize that the C's are refusing to offer that entire 120%, because they are already over the tax threshold. 

[VT Hillbilly]

I would assume that the Cs are waiting to find out if they can sign someone significantly better than either of these two players with the MLE money that is left.  If not, they will sign both and hope that someone out of the bunch (TA, Pruit, JR G and Walker) pans out as the back up wing.

[TrueGreen]

Last year Big Baby signed very late, but he was working before he signed. I think he also wanted a 2 year deal where he could be an unrestricted free agent after this year. I don't think not signing the 2 draft picks yet means anything. As to Walker he had his knee surgery done by the Celtic doctors at New England Baptist and I'm sure he'll do his rehab as soon as he can at Waltham.

[guava_wrench]

Danny drafted these 2 knowing there was a chance Posey may leave.  And he was right.  Currently, we have no clear back up to defend a BIG 3.  I'm not sure the Celts can afford to have Bill Walker play a year in Europe.  Unless Ainge plans on using Scalabrine at the 3 (which is sad) or a FA with what is left with the MLE, we are really thin at that back up position ... as well as a back up C when we want to stay in our big lineup.  I hope these 2 draft picks get signed soon.  I guess I have been spoiled with the Celtics participating in past Vegas Summer leagues so we got a sneak preview of the rookies. 

I don't think Danny is expecting anything from the rookies this year. At least that's what he says.

The idea that 2 rookies are going to learn our defense quickly and defend much taller SFs like Melo and Lebron might be unrealistic.

[gar]

Danny drafted these 2 knowing there was a chance Posey may leave.  And he was right.  Currently, we have no clear back up to defend a BIG 3.  I'm not sure the Celts can afford to have Bill Walker play a year in Europe.  Unless Ainge plans on using Scalabrine at the 3 (which is sad) or a FA with what is left with the MLE, we are really thin at that back up position ... as well as a back up C when we want to stay in our big lineup.  I hope these 2 draft picks get signed soon.  I guess I have been spoiled with the Celtics participating in past Vegas Summer leagues so we got a sneak preview of the rookies. 

I don't think Danny is expecting anything from the rookies this year. At least that's what he says.

The idea that 2 rookies are going to learn our defense quickly and defend much taller SFs like Melo and Lebron might be unrealistic.

And the option is?

If they can't help this year, and you think we need a 6'8" guy to defend LeBron and Melo, that would suggest that one or both do not get signed and that Danny is not finished. Only problem is that Danny has said nothing about a 6'-8" wing guy and  aside from a casual mention of picking up another big, seems to think he his done. So we may be looking at Scal and TA backing up at the 3. Not promising. Would rather see a promising youngster have a shot at it; but not sure Walker is up it. Both he and Giddens are a little undersized. We could try an entire lineup between 6-4 and 6-8. TA, RA, PP, LP, BBD

[timepiece33]

Isn't Danny on vacation now?  This will happen soon enough.

[guava_wrench]

Danny drafted these 2 knowing there was a chance Posey may leave.  And he was right.  Currently, we have no clear back up to defend a BIG 3.  I'm not sure the Celts can afford to have Bill Walker play a year in Europe.  Unless Ainge plans on using Scalabrine at the 3 (which is sad) or a FA with what is left with the MLE, we are really thin at that back up position ... as well as a back up C when we want to stay in our big lineup.  I hope these 2 draft picks get signed soon.  I guess I have been spoiled with the Celtics participating in past Vegas Summer leagues so we got a sneak preview of the rookies. 

I don't think Danny is expecting anything from the rookies this year. At least that's what he says.

The idea that 2 rookies are going to learn our defense quickly and defend much taller SFs like Melo and Lebron might be unrealistic.

And the option is?

If they can't help this year, and you think we need a 6'8" guy to defend LeBron and Melo, that would suggest that one or both do not get signed and that Danny is not finished. Only problem is that Danny has said nothing about a 6'-8" wing guy and  aside from a casual mention of picking up another big, seems to think he his done. So we may be looking at Scal and TA backing up at the 3. Not promising. Would rather see a promising youngster have a shot at it; but not sure Walker is up it. Both he and Giddens are a little undersized. We could try an entire lineup between 6-4 and 6-8. TA, RA, PP, LP, BBD

Obviously, Pierce defends those guys. I don't really care whether it's a young guy or an old guy who comes on for the 12 minutes when Pierce is on the bench. All I care about is that our team defense is effective.

A lot of people have put words into Danny's mouth while he has said the opposite. He has clearly stated he does not expect our draftees to make up for Posey's loss by covering SFs. I would love to see the young guys make a contribution, but people speak as if that is Danny's plan though he says it isn't.

I imagine the Celtics haven't decided yet whether to try to get Walker to Europe or keep him here. Of course, if Walker isn't healthy and no one is interested in signing him abroad, than we would be forced to sign him and lose a roster spot.