free agents to target this summer

[arctic 3.0]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=09FreeAgents-090226

I think Marrion would be the optimal pick up. long, athletic, 3bomb thrower. he would be a great sixth man swing forward for us.

also think ben gordon would be a solid pick up. he can back up both guard spots, and maybe slid into the starting 2 roll if we trade R. Allen or let him walk.

we probably could not sign both. however with these two  additions we could run a tight 7 or 8 man rotation that would dominate until the end of the Garnet era. dominate!

[MMacOH]

Isn't this usually what fans of teams who have no chance at a title talk about right now?

[BrickJames]

Sheed.

[Roy Hobbs]

We won't have the money to sign either Marion or Gordon; the only realistic way we could bring them aboard would be a sign-and-trade using Ray Allen's expiring contract.  I wouldn't make that trade, especially for two guys with apparent attitude issues.

I'd be okay with a lot of the guys who should be cheaper.  Rasheed, McDyess, Anthony Parker, Zaza Puchulia, Brandon Bass, Joe Smith, Grant Hill, etc., etc. would all fit this team.

The only real weakness in next year's market seems to be backup point guard.  Bobby Jackson might not be bad.

[Lucky17]

No way Marion signs with a team to be a 6th man.

This is a more comprehensive list of RFAs and UFAs for 2009 and 2010.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-09-10

[CelticsWhat35]

Isn't this usually what fans of teams who have no chance at a title talk about right now?

Amen.

[Evantime34]

Allen Iverson ready to sign for the cheap (MLE) in order to win a championship. He would be one of the best 6th men we've had in recent memory.

[Lucky17]

I think people need to temper expectations a bit.

Next year's guaranteed payroll is already north of $72 million, and this is before exercising the team option on Pruitt (jury's out) and before determining whether to resign Powe and Davis, both of whom are restricted free agents. They either walk, are resigned by the team using Bird Rights, or signed and traded to bring in other players.

It's quite likely that payroll will exceed $75 million before thoughts of using the MLE are entertained. And given the reduction in salary cap and luxury tax threshold for next year, it's possible the front office won't consider anything but vet minimum or other cheap deals. That means no max MLE deals for high-profile FAs.

[Roy Hobbs]

I think people need to temper expectations a bit.

Next year's guaranteed payroll is already north of $72 million, and this is before exercising the team option on Pruitt (jury's out) and before determining whether to resign Powe and Davis, both of whom are restricted free agents. They either walk, are resigned by the team using Bird Rights, or signed and traded to bring in other players.

It's quite likely that payroll will exceed $75 million before thoughts of using the MLE are entertained. And given the reduction in salary cap and luxury tax threshold for next year, it's possible the front office won't consider anything but vet minimum or other cheap deals. That means no max MLE deals for high-profile FAs.

And that would mean, no championships in the foreseeable future.

Next year's payroll is about $5 - $6 million lower than this year's.  If the team doesn't spend money on anybody other than Powe and/or BBD, I'll be disappointed.

[Roy Hobbs]

Allen Iverson ready to sign for the cheap (MLE) in order to win a championship. He would be one of the best 6th men we've had in recent memory.

After watching the Detroit experiment, I'm not sure how much AI could contribute to a title contender.  He doesn't seem willing to come off of the bench, and he doesn't seem to defer to his teammates.  I want no part of him.

[Lucky17]

I think people need to temper expectations a bit.

Next year's guaranteed payroll is already north of $72 million, and this is before exercising the team option on Pruitt (jury's out) and before determining whether to resign Powe and Davis, both of whom are restricted free agents. They either walk, are resigned by the team using Bird Rights, or signed and traded to bring in other players.

It's quite likely that payroll will exceed $75 million before thoughts of using the MLE are entertained. And given the reduction in salary cap and luxury tax threshold for next year, it's possible the front office won't consider anything but vet minimum or other cheap deals. That means no max MLE deals for high-profile FAs.

And that would mean, no championships in the foreseeable future.

Next year's payroll is about $5 - $6 million lower than this year's.  If the team doesn't spend money on anybody other than Powe and/or BBD, I'll be disappointed.

We'll see how this season unfolds. If we win, I expect a repeat of this past offseason. If we lose, it may convince Wyc and company to spend.

[nickagneta]

I think resigning BBD would be good as he has appeared to have lost some weight as the year has progressed and added some muscle definition. His jumper is falling regularly and he's dunking the ball semi regularly where last year he had to be on a fast break just to get that height. I think Ainge sees him here long term. Sadly his signing would mean saying goodbye to Leon.

Zaza Pachulia would be the next guy I would add. He has a toughness and defensive mindedness that this team requires out of it's center coming off the bench. The backup center position is key and if he's not available I would look towards Nestorovic.

If Eddie returns that pretty much means that Tony, Eddie, Walker and Giddens will all be fighting for time at the backup 2-3 positions as I think the Celtics will add a veteran PG. Who? Not sure. Maybe they make a minor deal and package some of the flotsam and jetsam in the lineup(Eddie, Tony, Giddens, Walker, Scal) for a PG or a wing and keep Eddie at the back up PG. Aagain, I'm not sure.

Pruitt, Marbury, and Moore will be let loose and a second round project will be brought on board.

Rasheed or Ariza would make a nice pet project to target. Especially Ariza.

[Roy Hobbs]

Rasheed or Ariza would make a nice pet project to target. Especially Ariza.

Apparently, Ariza hates the Celtics, and has said he wouldn't sign here.  Of course, that could be a Johnny Damon / Yankees thing, but I think the Celts would have to make a bigger offer than anybody else.

[ThreadCrasher]

I think people need to temper expectations a bit.

Next year's guaranteed payroll is already north of $72 million, and this is before exercising the team option on Pruitt (jury's out) and before determining whether to resign Powe and Davis, both of whom are restricted free agents. They either walk, are resigned by the team using Bird Rights, or signed and traded to bring in other players.

It's quite likely that payroll will exceed $75 million before thoughts of using the MLE are entertained. And given the reduction in salary cap and luxury tax threshold for next year, it's possible the front office won't consider anything but vet minimum or other cheap deals. That means no max MLE deals for high-profile FAs.

And that would mean, no championships in the foreseeable future.

Next year's payroll is about $5 - $6 million lower than this year's.  If the team doesn't spend money on anybody other than Powe and/or BBD, I'll be disappointed.

With the salary cap coming down 3-5 million for the next two seasons, it appears as though cutting salary is an option.  Something to keep our eyes on.

[BballTim]

I think people need to temper expectations a bit.

Next year's guaranteed payroll is already north of $72 million, and this is before exercising the team option on Pruitt (jury's out) and before determining whether to resign Powe and Davis, both of whom are restricted free agents. They either walk, are resigned by the team using Bird Rights, or signed and traded to bring in other players.

It's quite likely that payroll will exceed $75 million before thoughts of using the MLE are entertained. And given the reduction in salary cap and luxury tax threshold for next year, it's possible the front office won't consider anything but vet minimum or other cheap deals. That means no max MLE deals for high-profile FAs.

And that would mean, no championships in the foreseeable future.

  I don't know if that's true. The other contenders are also going to have to worry about money. Cleveland and Portland just let big contracts expire instead of flipping them for good players on longer deals.