So without a large trade next years Celtics...

[Mr October]

Currently have 7 players under contract for next season and are already over the cap.  So they have little choice but to try and contend with the same old team a year older.  Maybe they bring Ray back or Tony Allen but otherwise we are looking at alot of veteran minimum type of players.  This was the Chance for the C's to position themselves for the future.  Now they are looking at the New Big 3 ending the same way the original Big 3 did.

That was my mode of thought all through the season but I'm wavering on it now.

I think the Celtics should strongly consider spending their MLE on younger talent who can stick with the franchise after the Big Three. Even if that younger talent isn't the type of player, or position, that the Celtics need most. And even if that young talent isn't quite as good as a veteran player in the immediate future.

I think I agree. The C's bench is fully stocked with players at all positions. Just for best talent available in the draft and free agency. Get some up tempo guys who can play with Rondo.

In the meantime, if KG's legs come back, we're back in business.

[ssspence]

Currently have 7 players under contract for next season and are already over the cap.  So they have little choice but to try and contend with the same old team a year older.  Maybe they bring Ray back or Tony Allen but otherwise we are looking at alot of veteran minimum type of players.  This was the Chance for the C's to position themselves for the future.  Now they are looking at the New Big 3 ending the same way the original Big 3 did.

That was my mode of thought all through the season but I'm wavering on it now.

I think the Celtics should strongly consider spending their MLE on younger talent who can stick with the franchise after the Big Three. Even if that younger talent isn't the type of player, or position, that the Celtics need most. And even if that young talent isn't quite as good as a veteran player in the immediate future.

I think I agree. The C's bench is fully stocked with players at all positions. Just for best talent available in the draft and free agency. Get some up tempo guys who can play with Rondo.

In the meantime, if KG's legs come back, we're back in business.

Bench players under contract for next year:

Baby
Sheed

Bench players who don't have their Bird Rights (therefore requiring the MLE to re-sign them):

Daniels
Nate

Our bench for next year sucks right now.

[Neurotic Guy]

3 months ago the prevailing mantra on this blog was -- if healthy, this team is the best team in basketball.  This thinking was buoyed by a stong start despite not being at full strength.  There were folks (not just Sheed) talking about 72 wins.  While many folks here didn't buy the 70+ win talk, but few were talking doom and gloom.

Sorry, but I still haven't accepted that KG is as good as he's going to get.  And what's more, I think Danny's lack of a major move this week tells me that he really believes that this team is at championship level when healthy (and he believes that health is possible).  Otherwise, he would have pulled the trigger on a move for the future (there would have been no reason not to and a future move had to be available).  The lack of a move signals that Danny thinks it's possible this year to win with the current roster.  Since he knows more than I do, I remain cautiously optimistic.

[Jon]

I don't get the panic.  The free agent market (with the exception of for superstars) isn't going to be that great.  I wouldn't be surprised to see TA, Nate, and maybe even Daniels back here for fairly cheap.  I also expect Ray back.  He'll only get MLE offers from contenders and 1-year offers from teams with cap room who didn't get a big FA this year.  If he wants anything other than that, he'll have to come back here. 

I'm really not too worried.  This team obviously has the talent to be an elite team.  If everyone gets back to their December level of health, this team can still win it all. 

[More Banners]

Currently have 7 players under contract for next season and are already over the cap.  So they have little choice but to try and contend with the same old team a year older.  Maybe they bring Ray back or Tony Allen but otherwise we are looking at alot of veteran minimum type of players.  This was the Chance for the C's to position themselves for the future.  Now they are looking at the New Big 3 ending the same way the original Big 3 did.

That was my mode of thought all through the season but I'm wavering on it now.

I think the Celtics should strongly consider spending their MLE on younger talent who can stick with the franchise after the Big Three. Even if that younger talent isn't the type of player, or position, that the Celtics need most. And even if that young talent isn't quite as good as a veteran player in the immediate future.

I think I agree. The C's bench is fully stocked with players at all positions. Just for best talent available in the draft and free agency. Get some up tempo guys who can play with Rondo.

In the meantime, if KG's legs come back, we're back in business.

Bench players under contract for next year:

Baby
Sheed

Bench players who don't have their Bird Rights (therefore requiring the MLE to re-sign them):

Daniels
Nate

Our bench for next year sucks right now.

I don't believe that's true.  A team can offer a 20% raise w/o Bird rights and not need to use the MLE to do it (right, CBA aficionados?).  Since Nate makes plenty for the backup PG/6th-7th man that he is, we have the option of keeping him for around 4 million w/o using the MLE.  Daniels could garner just shy of $2.4 million, plus 15% raises and, I think, incentives on top of that (trade kickers for sure).

So...we could perhaps use the MLE for a starting SG, and keep Ray on a cheaper deal with Bird rights, and have a rotation that looks fairly solid of

Rondo/Nate
MLE/Ray
Pierce/Daniels
KG/BBD
Perk/Sheed

And I'm fairly sure that TA, Scal, and Shelden would be glad to come back for close to the minimum.

So it's not hopeless.  Willingness to use the MLE, and what kind of player would be selected with it, will be important signs of where we're headed for the next couple of years.

(and whatever happens with PP, too, of course)

[ssspence]

I don't get the panic.  The free agent market (with the exception of for superstars) isn't going to be that great.  I wouldn't be surprised to see TA, Nate, and maybe even Daniels back here for fairly cheap.  I also expect Ray back.  He'll only get MLE offers from contenders and 1-year offers from teams with cap room who didn't get a big FA this year.  If he wants anything other than that, he'll have to come back here. 

I'm really not too worried.  This team obviously has the talent to be an elite team.  If everyone gets back to their December level of health, this team can still win it all. 

What are you going to pay them with? The Cs have to fill out the bench strictly with the MLE, vet min deals, and their two (poor) draft picks. So let's say we:

1) resign Ray and TA;

2) then split the MLE between Nate and Daniels (good luck with that);

3) sign two draft picks.

That's your team. It's this year's team IF you can actually sign the players to contracts you want. If you can't, they're worse than this year. Yikes.   

[Eeyore III]

Bench players under contract for next year:

Baby
Sheed

Bench players who don't have their Bird Rights (therefore requiring the MLE to re-sign them):

Daniels
Nate

Our bench for next year sucks right now.

I'm content with those guys at roster spots #6 through #9.  Plus, the Cs are a desirable vet-min destination.  It's the health of the Old Three that holds the key.

[Jon]

I don't get the panic.  The free agent market (with the exception of for superstars) isn't going to be that great.  I wouldn't be surprised to see TA, Nate, and maybe even Daniels back here for fairly cheap.  I also expect Ray back.  He'll only get MLE offers from contenders and 1-year offers from teams with cap room who didn't get a big FA this year.  If he wants anything other than that, he'll have to come back here. 

I'm really not too worried.  This team obviously has the talent to be an elite team.  If everyone gets back to their December level of health, this team can still win it all. 

What are you going to pay them with? The Cs have to fill out the bench strictly with the MLE, vet min deals, and their two (poor) draft picks. So let's say we:

1) resign Ray and TA;

2) then split the MLE between Nate and Daniels (good luck with that);

3) sign two draft picks.

That's your team. It's this year's team IF you can actually sign the players to contracts you want. If you can't, they're worse than this year. Yikes.   

Now that Nate's a Celtic, we should inherit his Bird rights.  So he shouldn't affect the MLE. 

As for Daniels, unless he has a stellar playoffs series, what has he done this year to prove he deserves much more than the 2 million he's making this year?  I believe we're allowed to give him a 20% raise (or something to that effect) without even touching MLE money.  Given the NBA's money issues, I wouldn't be shocked to see that get done. 

So we resign Nate, TA, and Ray without touching MLE, and possibly Daniels too.  

[RJ87]

I don't get the panic.  The free agent market (with the exception of for superstars) isn't going to be that great.  I wouldn't be surprised to see TA, Nate, and maybe even Daniels back here for fairly cheap.  I also expect Ray back.  He'll only get MLE offers from contenders and 1-year offers from teams with cap room who didn't get a big FA this year.  If he wants anything other than that, he'll have to come back here. 

I'm really not too worried.  This team obviously has the talent to be an elite team.  If everyone gets back to their December level of health, this team can still win it all. 

What are you going to pay them with? The Cs have to fill out the bench strictly with the MLE, vet min deals, and their two (poor) draft picks. So let's say we:

1) resign Ray and TA;

2) then split the MLE between Nate and Daniels (good luck with that);

3) sign two draft picks.

That's your team. It's this year's team IF you can actually sign the players to contracts you want. If you can't, they're worse than this year. Yikes.   

Now that Nate's a Celtic, we should inherit his Bird rights.  So he shouldn't affect the MLE. 

As for Daniels, unless he has a stellar playoffs series, what has he done this year to prove he deserves much more than the 2 million he's making this year?  I believe we're allowed to give him a 20% raise (or something to that effect) without even touching MLE money.  Given the NBA's money issues, I wouldn't be shocked to see that get done. 

So we resign Nate, TA, and Ray without touching MLE, and possibly Daniels too.  

Nate signed a 1yr deal after going to restricted free agency, he automatically waives his birdrights by accepting a trade.

So no, we don't have his birdrights - he's a rental.

We also don't have Quis' birdrights, so unless we give him the MLE - or even if we do - he's likely a goner.

[Lucky17]

Now that Nate's a Celtic, we should inherit his Bird rights.  So he shouldn't affect the MLE. 

As for Daniels, unless he has a stellar playoffs series, what has he done this year to prove he deserves much more than the 2 million he's making this year?  I believe we're allowed to give him a 20% raise (or something to that effect) without even touching MLE money.  Given the NBA's money issues, I wouldn't be shocked to see that get done. 

So we resign Nate, TA, and Ray without touching MLE, and possibly Daniels too.  And if we bring Landry back, we can conceivably trade BBD. 

We do not inherit Robinson's Bird Rights.

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-091220/daily-dime

Robinson has the right to veto any trade (because he would be forfeiting his Larry Bird rights by accepting a trade) . . .

[ssspence]

I don't get the panic.  The free agent market (with the exception of for superstars) isn't going to be that great.  I wouldn't be surprised to see TA, Nate, and maybe even Daniels back here for fairly cheap.  I also expect Ray back.  He'll only get MLE offers from contenders and 1-year offers from teams with cap room who didn't get a big FA this year.  If he wants anything other than that, he'll have to come back here. 

I'm really not too worried.  This team obviously has the talent to be an elite team.  If everyone gets back to their December level of health, this team can still win it all. 

What are you going to pay them with? The Cs have to fill out the bench strictly with the MLE, vet min deals, and their two (poor) draft picks. So let's say we:

1) resign Ray and TA;

2) then split the MLE between Nate and Daniels (good luck with that);

3) sign two draft picks.

That's your team. It's this year's team IF you can actually sign the players to contracts you want. If you can't, they're worse than this year. Yikes.   

Now that Nate's a Celtic, we should inherit his Bird rights.  So he shouldn't affect the MLE. 

As for Daniels, unless he has a stellar playoffs series, what has he done this year to prove he deserves much more than the 2 million he's making this year?  I believe we're allowed to give him a 20% raise (or something to that effect) without even touching MLE money.  Given the NBA's money issues, I wouldn't be shocked to see that get done. 

So we resign Nate, TA, and Ray without touching MLE, and possibly Daniels too.  And if we bring Landry back, we can conceivably trade BBD. 

Nate had to give up his Bird Rights to come to the Cs. I can't speak to this 20% rule, I've not heard of it and can't seem to locate it in Larry Coon's FAQ. Anyone see anything about it?

If true, I can see Nate playing for $5mil. I cannot see Marquis playing for under $3mil again.

[RJ87]

I don't get the panic.  The free agent market (with the exception of for superstars) isn't going to be that great.  I wouldn't be surprised to see TA, Nate, and maybe even Daniels back here for fairly cheap.  I also expect Ray back.  He'll only get MLE offers from contenders and 1-year offers from teams with cap room who didn't get a big FA this year.  If he wants anything other than that, he'll have to come back here. 

I'm really not too worried.  This team obviously has the talent to be an elite team.  If everyone gets back to their December level of health, this team can still win it all. 

What are you going to pay them with? The Cs have to fill out the bench strictly with the MLE, vet min deals, and their two (poor) draft picks. So let's say we:

1) resign Ray and TA;

2) then split the MLE between Nate and Daniels (good luck with that);

3) sign two draft picks.

That's your team. It's this year's team IF you can actually sign the players to contracts you want. If you can't, they're worse than this year. Yikes.   

Now that Nate's a Celtic, we should inherit his Bird rights.  So he shouldn't affect the MLE. 

As for Daniels, unless he has a stellar playoffs series, what has he done this year to prove he deserves much more than the 2 million he's making this year?  I believe we're allowed to give him a 20% raise (or something to that effect) without even touching MLE money.  Given the NBA's money issues, I wouldn't be shocked to see that get done. 

So we resign Nate, TA, and Ray without touching MLE, and possibly Daniels too.  And if we bring Landry back, we can conceivably trade BBD. 

Nate had to give up his Bird Rights to come to the Cs. I can't speak to this 20% rule, I've not heard of it and can't seem to locate it in Larry Coon's FAQ. Anyone see anything about it?

If true, I can see Nate playing for $5mil. I cannot see Marquis playing for under $3mil again.

I agree, Quis won't play for under $3m again - he only took the discount to come here to play for a title.

Given our roster situation next year and no cap flexibility, I don't foresee us seriously contending for a title.

[Mr October]

Yeah Nate can be resigned starting at about 5 million if the C's want to.

Daniels probably isn't worth the MLE to anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if he can be retained at 2.4 million. I can't imagine him being worth any more than 3 or 4.

I'm not too worried about the bench next year. Wallace and Davis are already signed, and Nate is signable. Swing men are easier to find, especially with the MLE to dangle.

Ray Allen is probably worth 8 million a year for 2 years max.

[celticinorlando]

the only certain players are PP, rondo, perk, KG, baby and sheed...there are a lot of spots to fill and not a lot of money to do it

[RJ87]

Yeah Nate can be resigned starting at about 5 million if the C's want to.

Daniels probably isn't worth the MLE to anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if he can be retained at 2.4 million. I can't imagine him being worth any more than 3 or 4.

I'm not too worried about the bench next year. Wallace and Davis are already signed, and Nate is signable. Swing men are easier to find, especially with the MLE to dangle.

Ray Allen is probably worth 8 million a year for 2 years max.

do you have a source regarding us resigning Nate?? We don't have his birdrights, so I'd really like to know how that works (not being sarcastic here, btw).

Before coming to the Celts, Quis was making over $5m a year - so I def think he can get a nice offer somewhere else. I don't think he takes another discount to come back here to make the playoffs, but not win it all.

So yea... PP, KG, Rondo, Perk, Baby, and Sheed are the only guarantees for next year. After that, we only have the MLE (which I don't think Wyc will sign off on using) and veteran's exceptions.

Its ugly no matter how you slice it.