Cap Space for 2010.

[Chris]

Hasn't there been talk of Pierce opting out and then re-signing for a lesser annual salary in exchange for a longer contract?

Even if he did, it wouldn't affect the cap space.  The C's would still be well over the cap.  All that would do is help to lessen the luxury tax for the C's over the next few years. 

Really, it has all been speculation anyways, based on a comment by Pierce saying he would be open to it.  But I don't think it is realistic, unless Danny gives Pierce all of the money he would be giving up next year back at the end of the deal...and I don't think Danny will be interested in that.

[Fafnir]

Use their bird rights to resign Ray


Use the MLE to sign roll players. 

If you think Ray looks bad this year, wait until you see him in two years. Think Mitch Richmond on the Lakers.

Well, I think Ray has looked worse in the last few weeks than he really is.  He is in a slump.  He will come out of it.

But the key with signing him is that you would have to eventually phase him into a different role.  They would need to find someone who can help to lower his minutes, and help him become something closer to Reggie Miller at the end of his career.  Basically a shooting specialist, and a part-time player.  

Basically he'd be a better version of Michael Finley's last few years at that point.

I worry that he won't be able to match Reggie's longevity though, still its worth a shot as long as they can find a competant SG to take over starting and more minutes.

[Chief]

Use their bird rights to resign Ray


Use the MLE to sign roll players. 

If you think Ray looks bad this year, wait until you see him in two years. Think Mitch Richmond on the Lakers.

Well, I think Ray has looked worse in the last few weeks than he really is.  He is in a slump.  He will come out of it.

But the key with signing him is that you would have to eventually phase him into a different role.  They would need to find someone who can help to lower his minutes, and help him become something closer to Reggie Miller at the end of his career.  Basically a shooting specialist, and a part-time player.  

What type of money would you be willing to pay a shooting specialist?

[Chris]

Use their bird rights to resign Ray


Use the MLE to sign roll players. 

If you think Ray looks bad this year, wait until you see him in two years. Think Mitch Richmond on the Lakers.

Well, I think Ray has looked worse in the last few weeks than he really is.  He is in a slump.  He will come out of it.

But the key with signing him is that you would have to eventually phase him into a different role.  They would need to find someone who can help to lower his minutes, and help him become something closer to Reggie Miller at the end of his career.  Basically a shooting specialist, and a part-time player.  

What type of money would you be willing to pay a shooting specialist?

Hmm, maybe 2 years, $15 million?  He is still better than a shooting specialist.  This is not Kyle Korver.  But he is also not a star anymore. 

[PLamb]

With the MLE I would be willing to look at these players

BIGS
Louis Amundson
Craig Smith
Udonis Haslem
Brendan Haywood


WINGS
Rasual Butler
Travis Outlaw
Josh Childress(if he returns)
Linas Kleiza(same here)
Raja Bell
Anthony Morrow
Dorrell Wright
Quentin Richardson
Bobby Simmons

POINT GUARDS
Steve Blake
Flip Murray
CJ Watson
Allen Iverson(lots of restrictions and a long long talk with him beforehand)
Luke Ridnour

[PLamb]

Use their bird rights to resign Ray


Use the MLE to sign roll players. 

If you think Ray looks bad this year, wait until you see him in two years. Think Mitch Richmond on the Lakers.

Well, I think Ray has looked worse in the last few weeks than he really is.  He is in a slump.  He will come out of it.

But the key with signing him is that you would have to eventually phase him into a different role.  They would need to find someone who can help to lower his minutes, and help him become something closer to Reggie Miller at the end of his career.  Basically a shooting specialist, and a part-time player.  

What type of money would you be willing to pay a shooting specialist?

Hmm, maybe 2 years, $15 million?  He is still better than a shooting specialist.  This is not Kyle Korver.  But he is also not a star anymore. 

Team option second year with automatic guaranteers for three point %, games played, FG%, etc.

[Chris]

Use their bird rights to resign Ray


Use the MLE to sign roll players. 

If you think Ray looks bad this year, wait until you see him in two years. Think Mitch Richmond on the Lakers.

Well, I think Ray has looked worse in the last few weeks than he really is.  He is in a slump.  He will come out of it.

But the key with signing him is that you would have to eventually phase him into a different role.  They would need to find someone who can help to lower his minutes, and help him become something closer to Reggie Miller at the end of his career.  Basically a shooting specialist, and a part-time player.  

What type of money would you be willing to pay a shooting specialist?

Hmm, maybe 2 years, $15 million?  He is still better than a shooting specialist.  This is not Kyle Korver.  But he is also not a star anymore. 

Team option second year with automatic guaranteers for three point %, games played, FG%, etc.

I don't think Danny offends him with something like that.  I think two years at reasonable money like that is a very good deal for Ray.  Ray is still one of the top 5-10 best SG's in the league, despite his recent struggles, and some team will pay him.  The key will be finding a deal that is reasonable on both sides, and I think two years guaranteed is well within that range.

[hpantazo]

With the MLE I would be willing to look at these players

BIGS
Louis Amundson
Craig Smith
Udonis Haslem
Brendan Haywood


WINGS
Rasual Butler
Travis Outlaw
Josh Childress(if he returns)
Linas Kleiza(same here)
Raja Bell
Anthony Morrow
Dorrell Wright
Quentin Richardson
Bobby Simmons

POINT GUARDS
Steve Blake
Flip Murray
CJ Watson
Allen Iverson(lots of restrictions and a long long talk with him beforehand)
Luke Ridnour

I'd go after Brendan Haywood from that list, with Ridnour and Keliza as backup options.

[PLamb]

Use their bird rights to resign Ray


Use the MLE to sign roll players. 

If you think Ray looks bad this year, wait until you see him in two years. Think Mitch Richmond on the Lakers.

Well, I think Ray has looked worse in the last few weeks than he really is.  He is in a slump.  He will come out of it.

But the key with signing him is that you would have to eventually phase him into a different role.  They would need to find someone who can help to lower his minutes, and help him become something closer to Reggie Miller at the end of his career.  Basically a shooting specialist, and a part-time player.  

What type of money would you be willing to pay a shooting specialist?

Hmm, maybe 2 years, $15 million?  He is still better than a shooting specialist.  This is not Kyle Korver.  But he is also not a star anymore. 

Team option second year with automatic guaranteers for three point %, games played, FG%, etc.

I don't think Danny offends him with something like that.  I think two years at reasonable money like that is a very good deal for Ray.  Ray is still one of the top 5-10 best SG's in the league, despite his recent struggles, and some team will pay him.  The key will be finding a deal that is reasonable on both sides, and I think two years guaranteed is well within that range.

Sorry as a good business man Danny would be smarter to not guarantee the second year and insult Ray

If Ray is insulted that a GM doesn't want to guarantee nearly $8 million to a 36 going on 37 year old shooting guard then he doesn't understand business and he should go see who will guarantee him that second year at that money

In today's NBA economy, after the big, big name free agents sign and eat up people's cap space in the contending, big market, good hospital for diabetes for children areas of the country, good luck for Ray getting a taker to guarantee him that much money in his second year

[Fan from VT]

With the MLE I would be willing to look at these players

BIGS
Louis Amundson
Craig Smith
Udonis Haslem
Brendan Haywood


WINGS
Rasual Butler
Travis Outlaw
Josh Childress(if he returns)
Linas Kleiza(same here)
Raja Bell
Anthony Morrow
Dorrell Wright
Quentin Richardson
Bobby Simmons

POINT GUARDS
Steve Blake
Flip Murray
CJ Watson
Allen Iverson(lots of restrictions and a long long talk with him beforehand)
Luke Ridnour

I'd go after Brendan Haywood from that list, with Ridnour and Keliza as backup options.

I would love morrow here, but he'll be an RFA I believe (he has a QO for next year).

maybe a S&T somehow this offseason; for instance I'd do a re-signed Ray plus Baby for a Morrow/Azubuike package or something.

[moiso]

Get Iverson off of that list!

[Chris]

Use their bird rights to resign Ray


Use the MLE to sign roll players. 

If you think Ray looks bad this year, wait until you see him in two years. Think Mitch Richmond on the Lakers.

Well, I think Ray has looked worse in the last few weeks than he really is.  He is in a slump.  He will come out of it.

But the key with signing him is that you would have to eventually phase him into a different role.  They would need to find someone who can help to lower his minutes, and help him become something closer to Reggie Miller at the end of his career.  Basically a shooting specialist, and a part-time player.  

What type of money would you be willing to pay a shooting specialist?

Hmm, maybe 2 years, $15 million?  He is still better than a shooting specialist.  This is not Kyle Korver.  But he is also not a star anymore. 

Team option second year with automatic guaranteers for three point %, games played, FG%, etc.

I don't think Danny offends him with something like that.  I think two years at reasonable money like that is a very good deal for Ray.  Ray is still one of the top 5-10 best SG's in the league, despite his recent struggles, and some team will pay him.  The key will be finding a deal that is reasonable on both sides, and I think two years guaranteed is well within that range.

Sorry as a good business man Danny would be smarter to not guarantee the second year and insult Ray

If Ray is insulted that a GM doesn't want to guarantee nearly $8 million to a 36 going on 37 year old shooting guard then he doesn't understand business and he should go see who will guarantee him that second year at that money

In today's NBA economy, after the big, big name free agents sign and eat up people's cap space in the contending, big market, good hospital for diabetes for children areas of the country, good luck for Ray getting a taker to guarantee him that much money in his second year

Ray Allen is currently averaging 16 points per game, shooting 46/35/90 and playing 36 minutes per game at the age of 34.  He has started every game this season (I believe), and only missed 3 games last season. 

I think there is much more evidence pointing to Ray being a steal at $7.5 million in two years than to him being a liability. 

I really think people are overreacting dramatically to Ray's struggles of late. 

[Who]

Ray Allen is currently averaging 16 points per game, shooting 46/35/90 and playing 36 minutes per game at the age of 34.  He has started every game this season (I believe), and only missed 3 games last season.

I think there is much more evidence pointing to Ray being a steal at $7.5 million in two years than to him being a liability.

I really think people are overreacting dramatically to Ray's struggles of late. 

It depends on (1) How real that defensive decline is (2) how reliable Ray is offensively against high quality defensive teams like Cleveland and Orlando.

If those answers are negative and Ray's declines again next season ... not a pretty picture.

[Chris]

Ray Allen is currently averaging 16 points per game, shooting 46/35/90 and playing 36 minutes per game at the age of 34.  He has started every game this season (I believe), and only missed 3 games last season.

I think there is much more evidence pointing to Ray being a steal at $7.5 million in two years than to him being a liability.

I really think people are overreacting dramatically to Ray's struggles of late. 

It depends on (1) How real that defensive decline is (2) how reliable Ray is offensively against high quality defensive teams like Cleveland and Orlando.

If those answers are negative and Ray's declines again next season ... not a pretty picture.

I think the fact that defenses like Cleveland and Orlando gameplan to take him out of the game is enough to make him worth that kind of money.  If he cannot score against a zone designed to take him away, that is not his problem as a $7 million player, that is the problem of the guys who are supposed to be the stars, who are not picking up the slack.

And while he is not a great defensive player, he never was.  He really has not declined too much, he just is not getting as much help from other guys on the floor this year.

[Who]

I think Ray has played himself into a two year $6 million per year offer.

If Danny is being unnecessarily nice he'll go up to $8 million.