My prediction on who Wyc and Danny are targeting: Marion

[ssspence]

To me Marion is the FA who is flying under the radar right now. Who may pursue him over the MLE is a complete mystery at the moment -- teams with that amount of cap space are not in a true 'win now' mode, or at least in a win this year mode. It's not clear that he's worth more than the MLE now anyway.

Where might he take a discount to compete for a championship? He's not going to CLE to play behind LeBron. He's not going to Orlando. He's not going to back to Miami, or to Atlanta. I think Toronto is going to be shy about long-term contracts until they know what Bosh is doing. I don't see any other appropriate fits in the East.

The West is more complicated. Dallas? maybe. LAL? Certainly possible, though likely they'll focus on Ariza. Portland? possible. NOH? No. Denver? No. etc etc etc. I don't see MANY champion caliber fits out there. He could of course take a little more money to sign with a mediocre team, but would the Cs pay him the full MLE for 3, 4 years, then resign Baby, and add a couple of vets with the LLE and vet minimum?

The guy is the most versitile vet on the market, and versitility is what we need on this team considering our lack of flexibility. I wonder if he's the guy Wyc's been talking about.

[PosImpos]

If we sign Sheed I can't imagine we'd have money for Marion unless he really did sign for the minimum (not happening) or for the LLE (extremely unlikely).

[bobdelt]

I'd much rather have Marion than Sheed. Or Charlie V instead of Sheed.

[Roy Hobbs]

Marion has been a bit of an underachiever lately, but he's an intriguing player and has the skills to be a good fit.  I wonder, though, if the MLE will be enough.  Also, of course, spending the full MLE on a SF/PF would require us to fill the center hole using only the LLE and vet minimum, which might be tough.

[Lucky17]

Just curious as to why he wouldn't go to Atlanta. They have cap room, and could use a starting SF.

Crawford, Johnson, Marion, Josh Smith, and Horford makes for a pretty potent offense.

[ssspence]

Just curious as to why he wouldn't go to Atlanta. They have cap room, and could use a starting SF.

Crawford, Johnson, Marion, Josh Smith, and Horford makes for a pretty potent offense.

Good point. My reasoning is I've read they're targeting Jarret Jack, and they'll likely make some attempt to resign Williams.

[Who]

Just curious as to why he wouldn't go to Atlanta. They have cap room, and could use a starting SF.

Crawford, Johnson, Marion, Josh Smith, and Horford makes for a pretty potent offense.

I think Marvin Williams is a better player than Marion. Much better offensive player, and a much better defensive player, Marion has him beat on the backboards though.

Marion would be an interesting replacement for Josh Smith should Atlanta trade him.

[QuinielaBox]

Marion would work too but Sheed would be a lot more fun.

[ssspence]

Marion has been a bit of an underachiever lately, but he's an intriguing player and has the skills to be a good fit.  I wonder, though, if the MLE will be enough.  Also, of course, spending the full MLE on a SF/PF would require us to fill the center hole using only the LLE and vet minimum, which might be tough.

I'm living in a hazy dream that involves camby coming over via trade -- which would help that problem.

Thinking, Marbury, Rondo, Allen, Ross or Bogans (vet min), Walker, PP, Marion (MLE), KG, Baby (resigned), maybe Leon (resigned), Perk, Camby, one additional vet big like Rasho, Collins, Sheldon Williams, Mihm (vet min or LLE). TA, Scal Giddens, House and a pick go the Clips for Camby.

[Drucci]

I would love to have Marion as Pierce's backup but it sounds like an impossible scenario.

First, Marion will want to be paid with the MLE, at least, and the C's probably won't use it all on a wing backup since it would prevent them from signing a good big man.

Second, I don't think that Boston is the first destination that Marion has in mind. I can understand your point that he isn't going to Cleveland (too much "egos" already) but why wouldn't he go to Orlando? He could even be in the Magic starting lineup if we assume that they don't resign Hedo! He would be in Florida, could party often, and live under the sun, both hobbies that Marion is keen on.

If, somehow, we could get Marion for almost nothing money wise I'd say it's a no brainer but unfortunately all elements point out that he isn't going to sign with the Celtics, and I'm sure Danny and Doc aren't going to give up other free agents just to give Marion the MLE. Though, he could be one of their first choices, maybe you're right, we'll see!

[Jeff]

good topic

somebody is going to have to settle for the MLE and Marion is one guy that might fit the mold

in related news, did anyone see that Andre Miller is seeking 10M a year for 3 years or more?  I think he'll be disappointed

[Prof. Clutch]

Marion, if motivated, would be an even better James Posey than James Posey.  Great defender, can score a lot of points when in the right flow of the offense, and his crazy looking 3 point shot has been trustworthy in the past.  Plus he can do that SF/PF thing to give Pierce a blow or come in and make Garnett the 5.

My biggest worry is about all that stuff over the past few years where we wanted "to be the man" with two better options on that Phoenix team (Nash and Amare) That ain't gonna work over here in the bean...

[Gainesville Celtic]

I agree i think their MLE targets are Marion and Rasheed ... maybe in that order.

the question will be will he be OK with 35 mpg if its coming off the bench... it'd be a great opportunity for him IMO...

[ssspence]

Marion, if motivated, would be an even better James Posey than James Posey.  Great defender, can score a lot of points when in the right flow of the offense, and his crazy looking 3 point shot has been trustworthy in the past.  Plus he can do that SF/PF thing to give Pierce a blow or come in and make Garnett the 5.

My biggest worry is about all that stuff over the past few years where we wanted "to be the man" with two better options on that Phoenix team (Nash and Amare) That ain't gonna work over here in the bean...

i'd like to think maybe he's been humbled by a tour through MIA and TOR. He's never going to be the man on KG and Paul's team, so he'd have to know that coming in.

[lon3lytoaster]

good topic

somebody is going to have to settle for the MLE and Marion is one guy that might fit the mold

in related news, did anyone see that Andre Miller is seeking 10M a year for 3 years or more?  I think he'll be disappointed

Really? I like Miller, but that's ridiculous. Thank God we didn't trade Rondo with hopes of signing Miller, I guess.

Anyway, Marion would kill two birds with one stone. Could fill both forward spots. Can shoot from outside a little, and is still pretty athletic. His production has declined over the last two years, hopefully enough now so he will be attainable by the MLE. He seems like a perfect fit here and could probably get over 30 minutes off the bench coming in for KG and Paul.

Then get another guard in free agency, a seven footer and trade Tony and Scal's expirings for something useful.