So Who's this Player Wyc talks about???

[RockinRyA]

how about a tech party lineup.. sheed kg perk artest and cassell

[clover]

Sheed and McDyess both turn 35 in September and though undeoubtedly good players, are on the downside of their careers.  I think the challenge is not having next year's team be too old before you add either of them to the equation.

Zaza and Gortat, by contrast both are 25.  They've got the size and bulk that is hard for a good team to draft, and either could probably be had for what the C's can pay.  As big men, both are still bound to improve, are credible backups to Perk and his balky shoulder, and add much-needed size.

Doc doesn't want any near-rookie players, as we've all seen, but these guys are beyond that stage and in my view would be a good addition to the current and next-generation team that Danny's constructing.

[Bankshot]

What about Artest or Marion?

Marion...ehhhh

Id love Artest.....his intensity with KG, oh mannnnnn,,,,

if we put out a lineup at any point with Rondo, PP, Ron Ron, KG and Perk....points would be hard to come by...thats a  lineup id love to see out  there

Dang right, bring on Ron-Ron. Him, Perk and KG, let the tech's and intensity flyyyy.

Ron Ron is overrated.  He's terrible and he was terrible in the playoffs for Houston.  No thanks.  He wouldn't come off the bench anyway.

[WeMadeIt17]

I think its Shawn Marion he is a guy who could come in against Orlando and cover Rashard Lewis after KG does and would be a perfect fit for the Celts i really hope he is the player that Wyc is talking about

[acieEarl]

Ron Artest

I'd like to see it. Got that defense mind set and on the right team he'll play under control.

[Fan from VT]

Remember, we also have to present the best offer on the table:
By my estimation, the following seven teams will have cap room to throw around:

Thunder

Grizzlies

Pistons

Hawks

Wolves

Blazers

Toronto



Detroit is the team that could screw up everyone else's free agency plans. They have a respected GM, 2 veteran players (Hamilton, Prince), some respected young pieces (Stuckey, Maxiell), and they have a lot of money to throw around: about 22 million minus whatever Maxiell's extension was worth.

Atlanta has some room, but I think that will quickly disappear as they keep Marvin Williams and, since they'll really need a point guard, either blow the rest overbidding on Felton or spend it on keeping Bibby.

Minnesota will have a small amount of room, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them wait for Mike MIller to expire and combine all that space for 2010.

Toronto could have about 10 million if they let o'bryant and Graham go. I could see either of 2 paths for them: they could wait until 2010 and try to get a guy in case Bosh walks or they could blow it now in an effort to keep Bosh happy through next year.

Grizzlies are notoriously cheap.

Thunder are unpredictable. They have about 13 million to spare, but Presti seems to be very cautious, and I don't see them weighing themselves down with big long contracts that would inhibit their ability to afford to keep Durant, Green and Westbrook together.

Blazers will have about 5 million if they let Frye walk. They're a playoff team and have a ton of money coming off the books in 2010, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them overbid for a useful guy now.



So looking at that, I'd say that Detroit, Portland, and Toronto are all in a position to outbid us for similar players. This makes me think that younger, restricted free agents like Gortat are an impossibility, as the Celtics would not only need to outbid the player's current team, which can match any offer, but also outbid any interested team with space.  Also, the Celtics need to decide if they are going after one main MLE type free agent and some little pieces, or 2-3 equal lower MLE types.

Some of the main MLE types include:
Pachulia
Felton
Artest
Marion
Gordon, Possibly

One team whose restricted free agents might be able to be had is New York's, since they are supposedly waiting for 2010. I don't know if Toronto would throw the whole book at him, or Portland either; would New York match if Boston threw the full MLE at him? Would you do that, knowing that you would have to fill in the backup wing spot with vet min contracts? Of course, if you already had Hill signed for the min., then no problem. Who knows.


Last year I said my dream free agency would have been to add Dooling/Pietrus/Andersen. Looks pretty good in retrospect.

This year, we'll see. If you could come away with Hill and Lee, that would be great. Let Baby walk, save that money. I'm looking for a backup ball handler (Hill could run the point forward), and some athleticism in the frontcourt, and some backup 2/3. If you could get Hill and Sheed on small deals, do it. I also wouldn't mind seeing Wilcox here for a couple million a year; I think the Celtics miss a guy that can dunk with ease near the hoop and run the floor for some easy transition baskets. I'd love Ariza, but he'll probably be kept by LA. Is Andre Miller ready for a pay cut?We'll see.

[Gainesville Celtic]

I think its Shawn Marion he is a guy who could come in against Orlando and cover Rashard Lewis after KG does and would be a perfect fit for the Celts i really hope he is the player that Wyc is talking about

I mentioned Marion above too. The more I think about it the more I wonder if it isn't someone like he or Artest --- though I'd take Marion 100 times out of 100 over Artest.

Everyone knows we need a big, so why be so coy about "having someone in mind" unless it's someone that folks wouldn't expect like Marion. If he'd accept being a do-everything 6th man on a championship team, I'd love to have him.

FWIW, I think also think Jamario Moon would be a great plan B --- defends well, shoots the 3, has the size to deal with taller 3s and skinny 4s.

[Fafnir]

I think its Shawn Marion he is a guy who could come in against Orlando and cover Rashard Lewis after KG does and would be a perfect fit for the Celts i really hope he is the player that Wyc is talking about

I mentioned Marion above too. The more I think about it the more I wonder if it isn't someone like he or Artest --- though I'd take Marion 100 times out of 100 over Artest.

Everyone knows we need a big, so why be so coy about "having someone in mind" unless it's someone that folks wouldn't expect like Marion. If he'd accept being a do-everything 6th man on a championship team, I'd love to have him.

FWIW, I think also think Jamario Moon would be a great plan B --- defends well, shoots the 3, has the size to deal with taller 3s and skinny 4s.

Marion couldn't handle being the third player behind Nash and Amare. You really think he'll come here to be a bench player, who'd be a fourth banana? Not likely.

[biggs]

"I just hope it's not someone beneath Hill, like an Anthony Parker, who would be nice, but hardly qualifies as the missing piece."

Anthony Parker?  Are you Serious?  Wyc hints that he'll spend over the full MLE and you think we're targeting Parker?

"I mentioned Marion above too. The more I think about it the more I wonder if it isn't someone like he or Artest --- though I'd take Marion 100 times out of 100 over Artest.

Everyone knows we need a big, so why be so coy about "having someone in mind" unless it's someone that folks wouldn't expect like Marion. If he'd accept being a do-everything 6th man on a championship team, I'd love to have him."


FWIW, I think also think Jamario Moon would be a great plan B --- defends well, shoots the 3, has the size to deal with taller 3s and skinny 4s.
[/quote]

I agree with almost everything you said.  WIth Sheed and Dice both aging quickly and looking for a final decent contract (ala Posey last summer) , it seems more likely that the targets that Wyc is talking about are more in the likes of Marion or Artest.  The question is- Would either of them be willing to come off of the bench? 

I think that AI, Artest, Marion all would expect to be starters, where the older fellows wouldn't mind coming off the bench, however they are old, and want $.  I also agree that Moon would be great, as he's like a poor man's Matrix. 

So with that said- Sheed/McDyess to old, and Artest/Marion wanting minutes, who would the actual target be?  Maybe it is someone younger?

[cordobes]

Why is Gortat one-dimensional?

I've been seeing Gortat playing for 5 years, he's tested enough.

Gortat's offensive game is virtually non-existent. Outside of layup range, he is useless.

Even if that was true, it'd mean that Howard and Powe, for example, are also one-dimensional players. However, it's not even true. Gortat has a solid mid-range game and he's very good in the pick'n'roll. He's not an offensive force, but he's decent enough. I don't think you can get a backup big who can score 25 ppg anyway.

I will, however, admit that he gives good energy and it usually translates to solid defense. But I fail to see how a former second round pick who has played a total of sixty nine career NBA regular season games is "tested". Sorry, that's not good enough for me. Yes, he has had his moments in this year's playoffs. But let's not get carried away. Gortat is what he is, a hustle player with limited ability, who may or may not be playing above himself for a contract (Big Baby anyone)? I think we can do better.

With that reasoning, Scola or Fernandez aren't tested either. For a backup, Gortat has showed more than enough in his years playing pro-basketball to be considered tested. Who cares if he's a former second round pick? It only shows that some GMs are clueless when evaluating international players. I think NBA GMs will disagree with you and Gortat will eventually get a much better contract than you seemingly would.

[RAcker]

Ron Artest

I'd like to see it. Got that defense mind set and on the right team he'll play under control.

And the Celtic logo carved into the side of his head would be a nice touch.  I bet they are ordering an extra small pair of shorts for next season right now.   

[silvershamrocker]

Ron Artest? Wow.... how cool would that be? He probably wants to stay in Houston, though.

I'm not big on either Dice or Grant Hill. They're both too old IMO.

[cordobes]

I think there are some truths that are pretty much self-evident:

- Artest and Marion would never accept the MLE to play as backups here. I strongly suspect this is also true for Gortat.

- McDyess has a lot more in the tank than Sheed. To assume Wallace is still the better player of the two is a leap of faith. Maybe it can happen, but the signs, while inconclusive, clearly point otherwise.

- We don't need Iverson. We need a better backup wing than Jamario Moon (who isn't a good 3pt shooter and is a terrible slasher). Parker would be a better backup wing than Jamario Moon. Grant Hill would be a much better backup wing than anyone else realistically available.

[Tr1boy]

Two players he will keep an eye for is a lamar odom type of player and 2 a backup centre

The two best avail then would be Trevor Ariza and Pachulia/andersen

both will take 4 million dollars. Plus signing big baby to 3 - 4 million dollars we would slightly over the cap.

I can see wyc not caring much going 5 million over the cap to get the support he needs next season

[crownsy]

Two players he will keep an eye for is a lamar odom type of player and 2 a backup centre

The two best avail then would be Trevor Ariza and Pachulia/andersen

both will take 4 million dollars. Plus signing big baby to 3 - 4 million dollars we would slightly over the cap.

I can see wyc not caring much going 5 million over the cap to get the support he needs next season

what makes you think ariza is 4 million dollars? why wouldn't the lakers match that incredibly low offer for his services?

how would we sign both of them in the first place, being as we only have the MLE to play with. you cant randomly sign two guys to 4 million dollar contracts.

This post doesn't reflect the salary cap or our options...at all. its imposable salary cap wise.

We could get one of the 4 million dollar players you list, but IMO ariza has no shot of only being 4 million. He's going to get a full MLE offer, and the lakers are going to match, he's there starting 3 and they are e static about his play this year.