Grousbeck: We can offer a 'max contract' next year

[JSD]

According to Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck, they will have the financial flexibility to offer someone a full max contract next summer. Speaking with “Dale & Holley” Monday, Grousbeck did not give specifics, but he reiterated this fact by saying “there is a situation under which we could do that.” Several high-profile players who would command a max contract are currently set to become free agents in 2010, including LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, and Chris Bosh. For more Celtics' updates, check out our basketball blog, "Green Street."

WEEI.com

[bobdelt]

That's interesting...

How is this possible? I believe - that even if we keep RA and let his contract expire it doesnt really free up any cap space for next year? Does this mean RA must be moved to make this possible?

[Roy Hobbs]

I'd love to know what the "situation under which they could do that" is.  It's got to involve Pierce opting out, because otherwise the contracts of just KG, Pierce, and Perk would preclude a max offer.  That's without even discussing Rondo's salary, cap holds, etc.

[JSD]

According to Hoopshype Pierce would need to opt out and an extension would not be given to Rondo...

Could Wyc be referring to landing one of the 2010 Players with Ray Allen's expiring?

[JSD]

Nice Roy, you beat me to it...

[Roy Hobbs]

According to Hoopshype Pierce would need to opt out and an extension would not be given to Rondo...

Yeah, I'm not really in love with that idea at all.  Having Pierce, Ray, and Rondo all free agents in the same off-season doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me.

[JSD]

According to Hoopshype Pierce would need to opt out and an extension would not be given to Rondo...

Yeah, I'm not really in love with that idea at all.  Having Pierce, Ray, and Rondo all free agents in the same off-season doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me.

If Paul, Ray and Rajon were to become unrestricted we would waive our Bird rights if we sign (lets say) Wade correct?

[CelticsWhat35]

I think there's a reason why ownership pays someone to be the general manager. 

[Jeff]

don't we have to renounce Paul if he opts out?  or is that his choice so it doesn't matter?

in other words, could we make a wink-wink deal with Paul to sign him after we sign the max contract player?

if we renounce Ray (to avoid the cap hold) can we still sign him after the fact?

[Roy Hobbs]

According to Hoopshype Pierce would need to opt out and an extension would not be given to Rondo...

Yeah, I'm not really in love with that idea at all.  Having Pierce, Ray, and Rondo all free agents in the same off-season doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me.

If Paul, Ray and Rajon were to become unrestricted we would waive our Bird rights if we sign (lets say) Wade correct?

We'd probably give Rondo his qualifying offer, making him restricted.  However, you're correct:  in order to clear room, we'd either have to 1) sign them to cheaper deals quickly, or 2) renounce them, meaning we couldn't use any exceptions (other than the minimum salary exception) to sign them later.

[JSD]

Here's the Audio:

http://audio.weei.com/m/22589052/wyc-grousbeck-celtics-managing-partner-governor-and-ceo.htm

[Roy Hobbs]

don't we have to renounce Paul if he opts out?  or is that his choice so it doesn't matter?

We wouldn't have to renounce Paul.  He'd have a "cap hold" taking up a huge chunk of our salary cap, however, until we signed him, we renounced him, or he signed elsewhere.

in other words, could we make a wink-wink deal with Paul to sign him after we sign the max contract player?

Only if Paul was taking a huge pay cut.  We could sign him so long as we could fit both his deal and the new player's deal under the salary cap (plus all of the other players on the roster, including cap holds).

if we renounce Ray (to avoid the cap hold) can we still sign him after the fact?

We could sign him for the minimum, or we could sign him with any money we had under the cap.  We wouldn't have his Bird rights, the MLE, etc.

[Jon Niednagel]

According to Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck, they will have the financial flexibility to offer someone a full max contract next summer. Speaking with “Dale & Holley” Monday, Grousbeck did not give specifics, but he reiterated this fact by saying “there is a situation under which we could do that.” Several high-profile players who would command a max contract are currently set to become free agents in 2010, including LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, and Chris Bosh. For more Celtics' updates, check out our basketball blog, "Green Street."

WEEI.com

I'm probably misreading the quote, but Wyc could be referring to Rondo when he says "offer someone a full max contract next summer." That would be one situation feasible under the CBA wouldn't it? It seems like WEEI, or who ever reported this, just assumed he was talking about the free agents.

[Jeff]

what if Paul and Ray are both willing to take less annual money in order to re-sign for more years?

in Paul's case, he could opt out (of $21M), take 5M in year one, and $13M in years 2 and 3 for a net gain of $11M which would be about the same he could get with a 2 year MLE offer after his contract is up

(please check my math)

[JSD]

Listen to the Audio! He is indeed reffering to be under the cap enough to offer a Max deal!