Likely? No. Probable? Hardly. Within the realm of realistic realization? You want two doors down. This is a never in a million years kinda thought. Possible though.
Shawn Marion, Boston Celtic.
Bam. I know, blew your mind.
Now in the summer of 2007, there was some speculation this would be a reality. However, back then it would've cost us Al Jefferson. We're both in very different places now.
Shawn Marion, career salary up until 2009: $74,859,845
Shawn Marion, career finals appearances: 0
Shawn Marion, record last two seasons: 66-94(.413)
Shawn Marion, PER last 3 seasons (oldest first): 20.87, 19.10, 16.02
We're 1 year removed from a NBA Championship, and 1 game away from beating the Eastern Conference Finals winner. We're one healthy player away from a possible to likely finals appearance, and possible second, and consecutive championship.
Then, the recent quote:
As for Marion, after ten years in the league, he's focused on winning a championship. 'Right now, I gotta weigh every option that's possible for me to put me in a situation to succeed,' Marion said in an interview with Hardcore Sports on Sirius Radio. 'I gotta look at every situation point by point in terms of what I want to do, what I can bring to that team, where I can help in that situation. Also, you gotta realize, I finished my tenth season in the league. I do want to win a ring before I'm done playing. You know, I want to see what's my best opportunity and what's my best chance to do that.'"
Marion can play defense on 3 positions, he is a capable offensive player. He can rebound, he can block shots. He's got the size to play the 4 in a small ball lineup, and not hobble us (better than Pierce can).
Marion also hasn't been playing at the level he used to (in Phoenix). He's only played 27 games in Toronto. He's perceived as a headache, and a prima donna who wants everything to be about him.
The Celtics gave James Posey the role and playing time he needed to restore his reputation and get the winning swagger and contract he wanted.
The Celtics gave Stephon Marbury a shot, and while how much he can really contribute on the floor is a bit of a mystery, his "locker room cancer" persona is at least somewhat restored. He's not going to win any sportsmanship awards, but he's not crazy Stephon anymore.
The Celtics could easily give Marion 20-25 mins a night between the 3 and the 4 spot. He'll have to adapt to a new role as a supporting player, but at age 31, playing less minutes and restoring his reputation might very well be just as lucrative financially as signing another contract at his current state.
Reasons why he almost 100% won't come here:
Money. We can't offer anything above the MLE, and I doubt we even offer that, we've just got too many needs to fill. Also, if Marion signs with another team, he loses his Bird Rights, which means he cannot sign any deal above the midlevel exception with a team that is above the cap after he's done with us. So basically if money talks louder than wins for Shawn Marion, he stays in Toronto.
The Raptors: This is a team that is inches away from exploding. Between Jose Calderon, and Chris Bosh, they have a top 10 positional talent and a top 5 positional talent respectively. However, Toronto soon learned that those two top tier players is just not enough. Chris Bosh looks like he's ready to bolt. Calderon without a superstar to feed is just a good point guard on a bad team. Bargnani is a flop. Shawn Marion almost looks like a guy they HAVE to retain, if only to keep the status quo in confidence.
Consider this quote from ESPN's Chad Ford:
Marion is a super-talented forward who can score, defend and rebound. But he turns 31 in May and has seen his production slip the past two years. Even if he starts putting up big numbers in Toronto, how much will a team be willing to spend on him given his age and reputation for being difficult? The Raptors seem to be his best chance of landing more than a midlevel deal.
And this quote from Bryan Colangelo
Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo recently told HOOPSWORLD that he's confident the Raptors and the Marion camp will be able to come to an agreement that keeps Marion in town.
So will Shawn Marion come to Boston to restore his tarnished rep and help himself and a team of cagey vets take another shot at immortality? Will he sign with another contender so we can accuse him of being "just another ring chaser" because he didn't sign with us? Will he sign a 4 year fifty million dollar contract with Toronto that ultimately dooms him to mediocrity?
Find out next week on "Dark Horse? I Got Your Dark Horse Right He-ah"
Topic: where does Shawn Marion land? (Merged) (Read 6481 times)