We NEED to resign Powe and Baby...

[slamtheking]

What is limiting us is the wages of the "Big Three".  When Allen´s contract is up in 2010 we need to either

a)  Keep this trend and sign a star instead of Allen who most likely retires at that point. Snapping up a free agent star at that point would be great and Chris Bosh is a player I like and could come into the picture as well as many others, of course.

b)  We could easily snap up two qualified NBA players on Allen´s wages, and that would be a better option IMO. 

I cant see our rookies we got today be in our future teams but you never know.  Big Baby and Powe should be signed up in an ideal world but money makes the world spin and I would not be surprised if they accept higher offers elsewhere when they become free agents. They deserve higher wages.

1. Ray's not retiring after next year.  Still too productive to retire.  Even if the C's get 3 consecutive rings (fingers crossed), he's not retiring.  Taking a smaller contract, certainly, but most likely still in the 8-10 million/year range for another 3 years.

2. Even if the C's didn't resign Ray after his contract expired, they still have a lot of money tied up such that they wouldn't be able to offer a KG/PP level contract to another FA -- especially since they'd still need $ to fill out the roster.

3. Rondo's contract is coming up for renegotiation shortly and he'll be getting a hefty increase to keep him.  Yet another reason a high-priced FA is not in the cards for the C's.

Hopes of getting Bosh or even a couple of very solid FAs isn't going to happen.  Danny rolled the dice with the Big-3 -- mortgaging the future for the now.  It's worked so far but the C's will be taking a major hit when the big-3 get to the end of their run unless Danny moves their expiring deals for lots of picks and good young players which isn't likely.  PP will retire a C, KG too probably.  If anyone gets moved it would be Ray but I don't even see that happening. 

[Bankshot]

Could the C's pay 3 years $9mil for each (Powe and Baby), or would they only be able to pay one of them?

[Who]

I think need is a bad word to describe the situation.

Resigning both Powe and Davis is a good option .... but not necessarily the best option since there are quite a few talented bigs on the market this summer. So need isn't a word I'd use to describe the situation.

Could the C's pay 3 years $9mil for each (Powe and Baby), or would they only be able to pay one of them?

I can't see Glen Davis commanding that type of money. Where's the competition coming from?

Powe, yeah he'll have interest at that type of coin .... but I can't see Davis getting that type of interest? I just don't see it.

I think the Celtics have a good shot at offering only a one or two year deal to Davis, which will doubly lower any negative cap implications.

[Chris]

Could the C's pay 3 years $9mil for each (Powe and Baby), or would they only be able to pay one of them?

They COULD pay them both, without having to use any exceptions.  They could pay Powe any amount up to the max (they have full bird rights on him), and Davis, any amount up to the MLE (they have early bird rights on him).

The issue of course is can they afford the actual dollar amounts.  Given the economy, and the fact they are in luxury tax land, I don't expect them to go that high for them.  In fact, I doubt they go much higher than $3 million for BOTH of them combined, unless they do not plan on using the MLE.

[ManUp]

I keep reading these Sheed comments.  Do people think he's going to sign for the MLE?  I have to believe someone will overpay for him.  It wouldn't break my heart in the least.  I would rather keep both they compliment each other and I like the Perk/BBD KG/Powe combination.

They compliment each other? since when.

If anything they are one of our worst player combos.

It's like they each do better when the other isn't playing.

Really? I have read that around here a few times and I'm not sure where it originated from but, I disagree with the premise.  One is suited to play along the perimeter and the other never leaves the block.  I think the notion that they don't play well together comes out of some need to compare and decide which one we should keep.  Their games couldn't be anymore different but, they both are considered undersized so maybe that's why people think we can only keep one?  

I hope DA doesn’t let one go to sign someone for one year.  That seems fool hearted to me.

It's not a notion I picked up, it's a something I've noticed while watching the games. Admittedly as a combo they might work well together at this point, but that wasn't the case earlier in the season. BBD wasn't hitting that 15/16 footer consistently, and he was just clogging things up for Powe. Another part of the problem is that Powe is a reluctant passer when he's playing with the bench.

It might work at this point because it "seems" BBD has found consistency with that shot, and that Powe has learned to pass. The only thing that makes me skeptical is that I don't think Powe is as willing a passer when the starters aren't out there. Their games should be complimentary, but they haven't been in the past.

[CoachBo]

We'e not going to spend - I suspect - the kind of money it will take to sign both of them. And we've got to find a competent backup wing.

[Birdbrain]

I keep reading these Sheed comments.  Do people think he's going to sign for the MLE?  I have to believe someone will overpay for him.  It wouldn't break my heart in the least.  I would rather keep both they compliment each other and I like the Perk/BBD KG/Powe combination.

They compliment each other? since when.

If anything they are one of our worst player combos.

It's like they each do better when the other isn't playing.

Really? I have read that around here a few times and I'm not sure where it originated from but, I disagree with the premise.  One is suited to play along the perimeter and the other never leaves the block.  I think the notion that they don't play well together comes out of some need to compare and decide which one we should keep.  Their games couldn't be anymore different but, they both are considered undersized so maybe that's why people think we can only keep one?  

I hope DA doesn’t let one go to sign someone for one year.  That seems fool hearted to me.

It's not a notion I picked up, it's a something I've noticed while watching the games. Admittedly as a combo they might work well together at this point, but that wasn't the case earlier in the season. BBD wasn't hitting that 15/16 footer consistently, and he was just clogging things up for Powe. Another part of the problem is that Powe is a reluctant passer when he's playing with the bench.

It might work at this point because it "seems" BBD has found consistency with that shot, and that Powe has learned to pass. The only thing that makes me skeptical is that I don't think Powe is as willing a passer when the starters aren't out there. Their games should be complimentary, but they haven't been in the past.

I suppose if you want them to provide the same amount of results you get from KG and Perk than maybe you would think they struggle playing together.  They are perfectly suited as backups to Perk and KG and that's all they need to be.  I'm assuming/hoping Boston find a way to keep both.  I also think BBD is being underrated by the 'stats' crowd.  If the players are playing roles 'stats' are pretty much useless to determine a players effectiveness.  Danny understands this so I'll back any move he makes since it will come from a more fact based opinion.

[Chris]

We'e not going to spend - I suspect - the kind of money it will take to sign both of them. And we've got to find a competent backup wing.

I wouldn't hold my breath about the wing.  They may feel that the combination of a healthy Tony Allen, and Scalabrine, plus Walker with a year under his belt might be enough to hold down the fort.    That's why this time Walker is getting right now is so important.  He likely won't see the floor much in the playoffs this year, but they are evaluating him to see if he will be ready for a bigger role next year.

[wdleehi]

Could the C's pay 3 years $9mil for each (Powe and Baby), or would they only be able to pay one of them?

No way the Celtics spend that much money on two backup PFs that do not compliment each other. 


I can see one of them getting a 2-3 year deal worth 2 to 2.5 million a year (Max, but I can also see them making closer to 1 million a year) while bringing in another C for less.  (I know, not going to get an exciting name with that type of money)



As someone else said, there are a ton of good 6'8 PF in the league now with quite a few impresive 6'8 college C that will be joining the NBA in the next few years.  There is no need to overpay the two that are now on the Celtics, no matter how much they impress us. 

[wdleehi]

We'e not going to spend - I suspect - the kind of money it will take to sign both of them. And we've got to find a competent backup wing.

I wouldn't hold my breath about the wing.  They may feel that the combination of a healthy Tony Allen, and Scalabrine, plus Walker with a year under his belt might be enough to hold down the fort.    That's why this time Walker is getting right now is so important.  He likely won't see the floor much in the playoffs this year, but they are evaluating him to see if he will be ready for a bigger role next year.

Agreed.  JR, Pruitt and Walker will get their chance to earn a bigger roll in the offseason before they spend more money on a FA swing. 

[MBz]

I'm thinking they'll resign Davis and let go Powe.  Davis can cover 5's while Powe cannot.  Also, Davis is a better a passer and ball handler in my opinion, but I think the most important thing is that I think Powe is going to be looking for more money and will probably be offered more money by other teams.  He definitely has the more sexier game.  He's a better low post scorer and a lot of teams would like a low post scorer off the bench.  I really expect the Celtics to try to buy another 2nd round pick like we did with Walker last year and grab a guy like Dante Cunningham or Taj Gibson.

[wdleehi]

I'm thinking they'll resign Davis and let go Powe.  Davis can cover 5's while Powe cannot.  Also, Davis is a better a passer and ball handler in my opinion, but I think the most important thing is that I think Powe is going to be looking for more money and will probably be offered more money by other teams.  He definitely has the more sexier game.  He's a better low post scorer and a lot of teams would like a low post scorer off the bench.  I really expect the Celtics to try to buy another 2nd round pick like we did with Walker last year and grab a guy like Dante Cunningham or Taj Gibson.

Really depends on who else they could add to the front court and how much money each wants. 

If they can get a 6'10 guy that could play C for them 10-15 minutes a game, Davis being able to guard a C will not matter as much.

[CoachBo]

We'e not going to spend - I suspect - the kind of money it will take to sign both of them. And we've got to find a competent backup wing.

I wouldn't hold my breath about the wing.  They may feel that the combination of a healthy Tony Allen, and Scalabrine, plus Walker with a year under his belt might be enough to hold down the fort.    That's why this time Walker is getting right now is so important.  He likely won't see the floor much in the playoffs this year, but they are evaluating him to see if he will be ready for a bigger role next year.

Really a poor plan, then, IMHO. The Allen experiment has failed; time to move on. In fact, it failed a couple of years ago. Why we persist in hanging onto the notion that he'll develop any perimeter game whatsoever and play with any intelligence escapes me. Not sure how you can count on Scal with the concussions. Walker is the only part of that trifecta that I see with ANY potential to morph into a useable wing.

And next year's unlikely for him; he's still a kid who should have stayed in college.

This becomes a "window maximization" issue for the Celtics in the now, and I'd submit they don't have a workable option at the wing for next season.

[Chris]

We'e not going to spend - I suspect - the kind of money it will take to sign both of them. And we've got to find a competent backup wing.

I wouldn't hold my breath about the wing.  They may feel that the combination of a healthy Tony Allen, and Scalabrine, plus Walker with a year under his belt might be enough to hold down the fort.    That's why this time Walker is getting right now is so important.  He likely won't see the floor much in the playoffs this year, but they are evaluating him to see if he will be ready for a bigger role next year.

Really a poor plan, then, IMHO. The Allen experiment has failed; time to move on. Not sure how you can count on Scal with the concussions. Walker is the only part of that trifecta that I see with ANY potential to morph into a useable wing.

And next year's unlikely for him; he's still a kid who should have stayed in college.

This becomes a "window maximization" issue for the Celtics in the now, and I'd submit they don't have a workable option at the wing for next season.

I don't disagree, but I don't know if they have much of a choice, unless a better option is willing to come for the vet minimum.

The fact is, the C's will have a greater need up front (especially if they don't bring back Powe AND Davis), and possibly at PG (if they decide Pruitt isn't the answer next year), and they already have too much money tied up in the wings.

Now, if they are able to make a trade, where they are not taking on significantly more money, I think they will jump on it.  But I think their first priority in the FA market will be going after an upgrade up front to replace Davis or Powe (Wallace, Zaza, etc). 

Of course if Scal's injury doesn't get better, and he ends up being out for next year, or retiring (they won't admit it, but I think its a legit possibility), they may be more willing to throw a little more money at a wing, because of the insurance money, but I just don't think its a top priority.

[wdleehi]

We'e not going to spend - I suspect - the kind of money it will take to sign both of them. And we've got to find a competent backup wing.

I wouldn't hold my breath about the wing.  They may feel that the combination of a healthy Tony Allen, and Scalabrine, plus Walker with a year under his belt might be enough to hold down the fort.    That's why this time Walker is getting right now is so important.  He likely won't see the floor much in the playoffs this year, but they are evaluating him to see if he will be ready for a bigger role next year.

Really a poor plan, then, IMHO. The Allen experiment has failed; time to move on. Not sure how you can count on Scal with the concussions. Walker is the only part of that trifecta that I see with ANY potential to morph into a useable wing.

And next year's unlikely for him; he's still a kid who should have stayed in college.

This becomes a "window maximization" issue for the Celtics in the now, and I'd submit they don't have a workable option at the wing for next season.

I don't disagree, but I don't know if they have much of a choice, unless a better option is willing to come for the vet minimum.

The fact is, the C's will have a greater need up front (especially if they don't bring back Powe AND Davis), and possibly at PG (if they decide Pruitt isn't the answer next year), and they already have too much money tied up in the wings.

Now, if they are able to make a trade, where they are not taking on significantly more money, I think they will jump on it.  But I think their first priority in the FA market will be going after an upgrade up front to replace Davis or Powe (Wallace, Zaza, etc). 

Of course if Scal's injury doesn't get better, and he ends up being out for next year, or retiring (they won't admit it, but I think its a legit possibility), they may be more willing to throw a little more money at a wing, because of the insurance money, but I just don't think its a top priority.

That's what I was thinking to.  Marbury will be gone.  It looks like they have decided that House/Pruitt does not work for what they want out of the back PG spot.  The signing of Moore was a clear sign that they want more height off the bench.   


They clearly are high on Walker's potential (and to a lesser degree, JR)  I could see them start the season with those two expected to fill a single roll off the bench with the combination of House/Prutt and Scali taking the other swing roll.  If it doesn't work out, looking for someone during the season.