Rafer Alston Bought Out - Heat/Cavs front runners

[soap07]

The way to look at this - is there any better potential FA that will become available for the rest of the year? Doubtful. Alston fills a hole for the Celtics. He's a better player than House in almost every facet of the game except long-range shooting and even then, he's pretty good.

In terms of chemistry, doubt it'd be an issue, and again, he can be cut. Alston was the starting PG on a team that went to the Finals last year. I think he'd be fine.  

[soap07]

"The thing you worry about with Alston is whether he'd accept a backup role.  Alston has never exactly been a leader in the locker room, so bringing him in could be a feast or famine type of move."

True. However, he can be cut if needed. Also, if this locker room handled bigger personality guys like Cassell and Starbury, I don't think Alston would be that big of a problem.

[housecall]

There must be a reason(s)why the Rockets let him go,and then the Magic?...and i don't think its just because they decide to go with the rookie as the key reason in Houston either,and the Magic could easily have brought him back instead of going with Jason Williams.There's something we obviously don't know.

[Tough Juice]

yeah and the reason was that they need a change, they don't want to part ways with Alston but it's business

[Chris]

Theres muust some be a reason(s)why the Rockets let him go,and then the Magic?

Well, the Rockets let him go because they had a better PG waiting in the wings, and were able to get an expiring contract, and a nice player (Lowry) for him.

The Magic let him go because their starting PG returned from injury, and they needed his contract to bring in Vince Carter.

While there may be questions about him, he was traded by those teams for basketball reasons.

[MaxwellSmart86]

Man, I was thinking of Alston last week---wondering if we could work out a trade for him...Would suck if Clev got him---I think Orlando would have given the Lakers a LOT more trouble if they had not activated Jameer Nelson....Screwed up their chemistry.

[Redz]

He's streaky as can be, but I'm a fan. 

He'll add something to any competitor in a backup role.

[housecall]

Theres muust some be a reason(s)why the Rockets let him go,and then the Magic?

Well, the Rockets let him go because they had a better PG waiting in the wings, and were able to get an expiring contract, and a nice player (Lowry) for him.

The Magic let him go because their starting PG returned from injury, and they needed his contract to bring in Vince Carter.

While there may be questions about him, he was traded by those teams for basketball reasons.

I think that trade with the Magic could have been made without using Alston and if you already have pg(D.Harris),it wasn't an urgent need at the time.  

[nickagneta]

Unless this team is extremely high on Lester Hudson, I can't see not wanting to upgrade the team's "Rondo" insurance in case something were to happen to Rajon. I would at least explore the possibility very seriously. Alston has already proven he can step into an emergency situation and lead a team deep into the playoffs.

His shooting from inside the three point line is pretty atrocious but he can definitely run an offense, play the point, penetrate and dish, and be a positive influence on the court. I'm not so sure the same can be said or ever will be said about Hudson.

[Tough Juice]

Theres muust some be a reason(s)why the Rockets let him go,and then the Magic?

Well, the Rockets let him go because they had a better PG waiting in the wings, and were able to get an expiring contract, and a nice player (Lowry) for him.

The Magic let him go because their starting PG returned from injury, and they needed his contract to bring in Vince Carter.

While there may be questions about him, he was traded by those teams for basketball reasons.

exactly

[Bankshot]

The thing you worry about with Alston is whether he'd accept a backup role.  Alston has never exactly been a leader in the locker room, so bringing him in could be a feast or famine type of move.

If he signs with the Celtics, wouldn't that mean he has agreed to a backup role?

[housecall]

Man, I was thinking of Alston last week---wondering if we could work out a trade for him...Would suck if Clev got him---I think Orlando would have given the Lakers a LOT more trouble if they had not activated Jameer Nelson....Screwed up their chemistry.

I agree but Alston ran hot/cold in the finals...could be that lack of consistent minutes but he seems very streaky.tp

[Roy Hobbs]

The thing you worry about with Alston is whether he'd accept a backup role.  Alston has never exactly been a leader in the locker room, so bringing him in could be a feast or famine type of move.

If he signs with the Celtics, wouldn't that mean he has agreed to a backup role?

Well, at one time Iverson agreed to a backup role with the Grizzlies, too.  If Alston was seeing 15 minutes per night (and 5-10 in the playoffs), one wonders how happy he'd truly be.

If Danny thinks it's worth the gamble, I'd be on board.  I don't think that this is the no-brainer that others do, though.  This is a guy with a history of problems in the locker room and off-the-court, and he may be too volatile to bring in.

[Drucci]

The thing you worry about with Alston is whether he'd accept a backup role.  Alston has never exactly been a leader in the locker room, so bringing him in could be a feast or famine type of move.

That's my concern too, but I think every team interested in his services will give him a backup role, except for Miami. But every other contender will offer him a backup role so it shouldn't be a problem for him if he wants to win a ring.

But like I said, I don't see Danny offering him a contract, although I think he should. And I'm not sure Rafer would get along Eddie and Rondo.

As for the problems in the locker room or off the court... we did well with Marbury and he went absolutely crazy the following summer, when he was no more a Celtic, so I think Rafer wouldn't be a problem. And in the worst case, you can cut him.

[Mike-Dub]

This is from one of espn.com's NBA chats from the 28th... Could just example of a point guard to get bought out (bought out now) or one that the C's may go after.

Pedro (LA)


Are the Celtics going to try to find a true pointguard to backup Rondo?

Chris Sheridan  (4:01 PM)


That will be Topic A in the time between the end of the trade deadline and March 1, when players must be waived to still retain playoff eligibility. There will be some buyout guys out there (Rafer Alston comes to mind as a prime example), and I don;t think the Celts are as confident in what Marquis Daniels can provide as they were going into the season.