Big Baby's contract

[BballTim]

  Davis has been playing well but I'd be leery of giving a big contract to a player who, after 2 years in the league, still could stand to lose some weight.

[greg683x]

ugh again with the weight.  he looks the same to me as he did last year.  Hes not lazy, he gives 100% effort.  Some people in life are just big you know?  Im not saying he couldnt lose weight, but its not like he was some skinny player in college who put on weight after getting drafted.  He is who is, hes playing the best basketball hes ever played right now, dont bring him down.

[Eeyore III]

They could have signed BBD to the MLE instead of Pruitt.

I remember it being public knowledge at the time that BBD wasn't interesting in a 3rd year.

I 3rd this as well behind Brick and guava. This is how I remember it as well. Baby's agent was not interested in signing him for 3 years. He'll get a raise for sure but I don't see anyone breaking the bank to get their hands on this kid though. Nor do I see him really wanting to leave if he doesn't have to. I think 2-3mil should keep him here.

If players like Carl Landry and Craig Smith are getting $3 million, what makes you think Baby, who is proving himself to be something like a 15/7 player,is worth less?  Look what a carrer 14/6 big like Al Harrington is getting.  I'm not saying Baby will get $9 million, but he could get something approaching a full MLE offer, depending on how he does against real competition in the playoffs.

[slamtheking]

With the way BBD has improved through this year (only his second and he helped the team to the title as a rookie) don't be suprised to see him get a full MLE offer or something like 3ys/15mill.  I don't think the C's will match that much.

At this point, I think Powe will be the cheaper contract of the 2 this offseason.

[moiso]

Big Baby will get resigned becuase he is just as much as important to the 09 Celtics as Posey to the 08.

That's a bad omen to put out there.

BBD is 23, Posey was 31...

Exactly.  BBD is still really young.  We must re-sign him, because he is someone who will allow KG to play less minutes throughout the season to reserve his body and extend his career.

Anyone hear Tommy on the broadcast last night say that the Celtics must not lose BBD?

Exactly.  KG seems to be breaking down and Baby has been a nice surprise as a replacement.  He's obviously no KG, but I'm very surprised Baby is as good as he is already.  I'm sure his young age will make Ainge far more inclined to pay him than he was to pay Posey.

[BudweiserCeltic]

They could have signed BBD to the MLE instead of Pruitt.

I remember it being public knowledge at the time that BBD wasn't interesting in a 3rd year.

From what I understand, the Celtics also have a policy to negotiate first with their first pick, and then with their second pick. So that Gabe grabbed the 3-year deal, let's us know that Davis had little chance of getting that contract.

That after Davis signed, he and his agent concocted a story so that Davis doesn't lose face by having a two year deal instead of a 3 year deal, and looking at the positives says little of how "greedy" he is and doesn't change the fact that someone was picked before him and depleted the MLE in his contract.

Now, it is possible that Davis and his agent were shooting for a 2 year deal... but who cares? Why do some people get so offended by some player having confidence in his skills and trying to get paid? (This is not directed at you, don't know your position on the matter).

[BballTim]

They could have signed BBD to the MLE instead of Pruitt.

I remember it being public knowledge at the time that BBD wasn't interesting in a 3rd year.

From what I understand, the Celtics also have a policy to negotiate first with their first pick, and then with their second pick. So that Gabe grabbed the 3-year deal, let's us know that Davis had little chance of getting that contract.

That after Davis signed, he and his agent concocted a story so that Davis doesn't lose face by having a two year deal instead of a 3 year deal, and looking at the positives says little of how "greedy" he is and doesn't change the fact that someone was picked before him and depleted the MLE in his contract.

Now, it is possible that Davis and his agent were shooting for a 2 year deal... but who cares? Why do some people get so offended by some player having confidence in his skills and trying to get paid? (This is not directed at you, don't know your position on the matter).

  No, I also remember at the time of the signing that  reporters were saying that Danny wanted to sign him for 3 years but Davis and his agent wanted a 2 year deal.

[BudweiserCeltic]

They could have signed BBD to the MLE instead of Pruitt.

I remember it being public knowledge at the time that BBD wasn't interesting in a 3rd year.

From what I understand, the Celtics also have a policy to negotiate first with their first pick, and then with their second pick. So that Gabe grabbed the 3-year deal, let's us know that Davis had little chance of getting that contract.

That after Davis signed, he and his agent concocted a story so that Davis doesn't lose face by having a two year deal instead of a 3 year deal, and looking at the positives says little of how "greedy" he is and doesn't change the fact that someone was picked before him and depleted the MLE in his contract.

Now, it is possible that Davis and his agent were shooting for a 2 year deal... but who cares? Why do some people get so offended by some player having confidence in his skills and trying to get paid? (This is not directed at you, don't know your position on the matter).

  No, I also remember at the time of the signing that  reporters were saying that Danny wanted to sign him for 3 years but Davis and his agent wanted a 2 year deal.

And where did that leave Pruitt then? Again, only one of the two was going to get a 3 year contract. Danny could want all he wants, but he couldn't sign both of them to 3 year contacts.

[Bankshot]

They could have signed BBD to the MLE instead of Pruitt.

I remember it being public knowledge at the time that BBD wasn't interesting in a 3rd year.

From what I understand, the Celtics also have a policy to negotiate first with their first pick, and then with their second pick. So that Gabe grabbed the 3-year deal, let's us know that Davis had little chance of getting that contract.

That after Davis signed, he and his agent concocted a story so that Davis doesn't lose face by having a two year deal instead of a 3 year deal, and looking at the positives says little of how "greedy" he is and doesn't change the fact that someone was picked before him and depleted the MLE in his contract.

Now, it is possible that Davis and his agent were shooting for a 2 year deal... but who cares? Why do some people get so offended by some player having confidence in his skills and trying to get paid? (This is not directed at you, don't know your position on the matter).

  No, I also remember at the time of the signing that  reporters were saying that Danny wanted to sign him for 3 years but Davis and his agent wanted a 2 year deal.

And where did that leave Pruitt then? Again, only one of the two was going to get a 3 year contract. Danny could want all he wants, but he couldn't sign both of them to 3 year contacts.

Unfortunately, Ainge picked the wrong guy to give the 3 year deal to.

[BballTim]

They could have signed BBD to the MLE instead of Pruitt.

I remember it being public knowledge at the time that BBD wasn't interesting in a 3rd year.

From what I understand, the Celtics also have a policy to negotiate first with their first pick, and then with their second pick. So that Gabe grabbed the 3-year deal, let's us know that Davis had little chance of getting that contract.

That after Davis signed, he and his agent concocted a story so that Davis doesn't lose face by having a two year deal instead of a 3 year deal, and looking at the positives says little of how "greedy" he is and doesn't change the fact that someone was picked before him and depleted the MLE in his contract.

Now, it is possible that Davis and his agent were shooting for a 2 year deal... but who cares? Why do some people get so offended by some player having confidence in his skills and trying to get paid? (This is not directed at you, don't know your position on the matter).

  No, I also remember at the time of the signing that  reporters were saying that Danny wanted to sign him for 3 years but Davis and his agent wanted a 2 year deal.

And where did that leave Pruitt then? Again, only one of the two was going to get a 3 year contract. Danny could want all he wants, but he couldn't sign both of them to 3 year contacts.

  Maybe they were going to offer Posey less money and upped the offer when Davis didn't take the deal. Maybe they'd have offered House less. I'd have to go back and look at the sequence of transactions but it was widely stated that Danny wanted to sign them to 3 year deals like he had 2nd round picks in the past.

[Tr1boy]

bbd is going to shoot for the stars this off season and try to get 5 million per year for 3 years. (after 3 years he can try to get an even bigger contract with improved play)

Doubt he wants to play for non contending teams and would love to stay a celtic. Celtics will need 3 to 4 million per year for 3 years to get bbd to stay prob ending up at 3.5 million a season

Powe won't be offered as much and my guess 2.5 million for 3 years and will walk to say dallas for a better deal

bbd is the guy we need to keep

[BudweiserCeltic]

They could have signed BBD to the MLE instead of Pruitt.

I remember it being public knowledge at the time that BBD wasn't interesting in a 3rd year.

From what I understand, the Celtics also have a policy to negotiate first with their first pick, and then with their second pick. So that Gabe grabbed the 3-year deal, let's us know that Davis had little chance of getting that contract.

That after Davis signed, he and his agent concocted a story so that Davis doesn't lose face by having a two year deal instead of a 3 year deal, and looking at the positives says little of how "greedy" he is and doesn't change the fact that someone was picked before him and depleted the MLE in his contract.

Now, it is possible that Davis and his agent were shooting for a 2 year deal... but who cares? Why do some people get so offended by some player having confidence in his skills and trying to get paid? (This is not directed at you, don't know your position on the matter).

  No, I also remember at the time of the signing that  reporters were saying that Danny wanted to sign him for 3 years but Davis and his agent wanted a 2 year deal.

And where did that leave Pruitt then? Again, only one of the two was going to get a 3 year contract. Danny could want all he wants, but he couldn't sign both of them to 3 year contacts.

  Maybe they were going to offer Posey less money and upped the offer when Davis didn't take the deal. Maybe they'd have offered House less. I'd have to go back and look at the sequence of transactions but it was widely stated that Danny wanted to sign them to 3 year deals like he had 2nd round picks in the past.

Eddie House was the first person they signed, about a month earlier than Posey, Pruitt, Davis.

Sign Posey for even less? Something that was already considered a discount by many, with him having other suitors. Really? This isn't realistic in the least.

Filling the bench with experienced players that could actually play was the number one priority of that offseason, and they would not jeopardize that just so that they could give a fat unproven rookie a 3 year deal. Sorry, but it makes zero sense. You ask to pay Posey about 500,000-650,000 less, and you lose him... guaranteed.

[BballTim]

They could have signed BBD to the MLE instead of Pruitt.

I remember it being public knowledge at the time that BBD wasn't interesting in a 3rd year.

From what I understand, the Celtics also have a policy to negotiate first with their first pick, and then with their second pick. So that Gabe grabbed the 3-year deal, let's us know that Davis had little chance of getting that contract.

That after Davis signed, he and his agent concocted a story so that Davis doesn't lose face by having a two year deal instead of a 3 year deal, and looking at the positives says little of how "greedy" he is and doesn't change the fact that someone was picked before him and depleted the MLE in his contract.

Now, it is possible that Davis and his agent were shooting for a 2 year deal... but who cares? Why do some people get so offended by some player having confidence in his skills and trying to get paid? (This is not directed at you, don't know your position on the matter).

  No, I also remember at the time of the signing that  reporters were saying that Danny wanted to sign him for 3 years but Davis and his agent wanted a 2 year deal.

And where did that leave Pruitt then? Again, only one of the two was going to get a 3 year contract. Danny could want all he wants, but he couldn't sign both of them to 3 year contacts.

  Maybe they were going to offer Posey less money and upped the offer when Davis didn't take the deal. Maybe they'd have offered House less. I'd have to go back and look at the sequence of transactions but it was widely stated that Danny wanted to sign them to 3 year deals like he had 2nd round picks in the past.

Eddie House was the first person they signed, about a month earlier than Posey, Pruitt, Davis.

Sign Posey for even less? Something that was already considered a discount by many, with him having other suitors. Really? This isn't realistic in the least.

Filling the bench with experienced players that could actually play was the number one priority of that offseason, and they would not jeopardize that just so that they could give a fat unproven rookie a 3 year deal. Sorry, but it makes zero sense. You ask to pay Posey about 500,000-650,000 less, and you lose him... guaranteed.

  Right. All the reports from the time were wrong, you're the expert. It's an absolute guarantee that Posey wouldn't take less, just like it's a guarantee that he wouldn't be sitting around unsigned about 2 months into free agency and willing to sign a 1 year deal for short money. If you don't believe nay of the reports that came out at the time it's of no concern to me.

[Roy Hobbs]

Big Baby will get resigned becuase he is just as much as important to the 09 Celtics as Posey to the 08.

Since the Celts do not have bird rights on BBD, he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and the C's would have to sign him with the MLE if they want him back. Similar to what happened with Carlos Boozer and Gilbert Arenas except BBD won't command that much money.

Ok, I did some more research. It looks like BBD is a restricted free agent. If another team wants to sign BBD, the Celts can match but they would have to use a portion of their MLE to do so. Also another team can not offer BBD more than the MLE for the 1st year of the contract.

I don't think this is completely accurate, either.  BBD is an early-Bird free agent.  That means we can sign BBD to 175% of his current salary, or the average player salary (or, in other words, the MLE).  We don't need to use any portion of the MLE to sign him.

[BudweiserCeltic]

They could have signed BBD to the MLE instead of Pruitt.

I remember it being public knowledge at the time that BBD wasn't interesting in a 3rd year.

From what I understand, the Celtics also have a policy to negotiate first with their first pick, and then with their second pick. So that Gabe grabbed the 3-year deal, let's us know that Davis had little chance of getting that contract.

That after Davis signed, he and his agent concocted a story so that Davis doesn't lose face by having a two year deal instead of a 3 year deal, and looking at the positives says little of how "greedy" he is and doesn't change the fact that someone was picked before him and depleted the MLE in his contract.

Now, it is possible that Davis and his agent were shooting for a 2 year deal... but who cares? Why do some people get so offended by some player having confidence in his skills and trying to get paid? (This is not directed at you, don't know your position on the matter).

  No, I also remember at the time of the signing that  reporters were saying that Danny wanted to sign him for 3 years but Davis and his agent wanted a 2 year deal.

And where did that leave Pruitt then? Again, only one of the two was going to get a 3 year contract. Danny could want all he wants, but he couldn't sign both of them to 3 year contacts.

  Maybe they were going to offer Posey less money and upped the offer when Davis didn't take the deal. Maybe they'd have offered House less. I'd have to go back and look at the sequence of transactions but it was widely stated that Danny wanted to sign them to 3 year deals like he had 2nd round picks in the past.

Eddie House was the first person they signed, about a month earlier than Posey, Pruitt, Davis.

Sign Posey for even less? Something that was already considered a discount by many, with him having other suitors. Really? This isn't realistic in the least.

Filling the bench with experienced players that could actually play was the number one priority of that offseason, and they would not jeopardize that just so that they could give a fat unproven rookie a 3 year deal. Sorry, but it makes zero sense. You ask to pay Posey about 500,000-650,000 less, and you lose him... guaranteed.

  Right. All the reports from the time were wrong, you're the expert. It's an absolute guarantee that Posey wouldn't take less, just like it's a guarantee that he wouldn't be sitting around unsigned about 2 months into free agency and willing to sign a 1 year deal for short money. If you don't believe nay of the reports that came out at the time it's of no concern to me.

So, you're also ignoring some of the reports that they didn't expect to sign Posey? That they were quite surprised that he chose them? Really, offering about half a million less to Posey would be quite disastrous, our offer was already low as it was (and there were reports that he had better offers in other places, or are we ignoring those?). It's no mystery why rookies are left to be signed at the end... they're signed with what's left over.

If Danny went "Sorry Posey, we won't offer you any more because we need to leave some for Big Baby... in fact, we need to offer you even less" I would've smacked him in the head.

It's not that I'm an expert. Is that first, I'm doubting your full recollection of things. I also know that reports are often inaccurate or wrong. I also don't need reports to know what makes sense or what doesn't.