NBA.com writer feels it's unlikely Ray stays with the Celtics

[wdleehi]

I'd sign and trade him to Chicago for Hinrich (I'd prefer Deng, but that isn't happening).  Gives Chicago a better complimentary piece to go with Rose and gives us a younger player that can play both SG and PG who while not an elite shooter (like allen) is definately a very good shooter.

I think Hinrich is too overpayed (especially when being asked to be a SG, not a PG) to bring in. 

Deng on the other hand...

Yeah.  Hinrich is overpaid, and out of position.  He is a PG, who has been masquerading as a SG.  Unless they gave us some real sweetener, I wouldn't consider it. 

Hinrich is a solid 6'3", sure that isn't ideal for a SG, but he isn't that small especially when you look around the league at starting SG's (West, Wade, Ray, etc. aren't exactly Kobe or Joe Johnson in the size department).  He is a career 38% shooter from 3, which isn't elite, but is good.  His salary next year is 9 million and the year after that is 8.5 million.  Not exactly overpriced in the scheme of things (I mean seriously look around the league and that is well within range for someone in his range). 

If Ray is going to leave, Hinrich, while not an ideal replacement, would certainly be a good replacement.

At that price and position, I rather they just keep Ray over Hinrich.

[Chris]

I'd sign and trade him to Chicago for Hinrich (I'd prefer Deng, but that isn't happening).  Gives Chicago a better complimentary piece to go with Rose and gives us a younger player that can play both SG and PG who while not an elite shooter (like allen) is definately a very good shooter.

I think Hinrich is too overpayed (especially when being asked to be a SG, not a PG) to bring in. 

Deng on the other hand...

Yeah.  Hinrich is overpaid, and out of position.  He is a PG, who has been masquerading as a SG.  Unless they gave us some real sweetener, I wouldn't consider it. 

Hinrich is a solid 6'3", sure that isn't ideal for a SG, but he isn't that small especially when you look around the league at starting SG's (West, Wade, Ray, etc. aren't exactly Kobe or Joe Johnson in the size department).  He is a career 38% shooter from 3, which isn't elite, but is good.  His salary next year is 9 million and the year after that is 8.5 million.  Not exactly overpriced in the scheme of things (I mean seriously look around the league and that is well within range for someone in his range). 

If Ray is going to leave, Hinrich, while not an ideal replacement, would certainly be a good replacement.

I am not talking about size, I am talking about game.  Hinrich is a PG, and always has been.  He has had some success playing as a combo guard at times in Chicago, but he has always been a better PG than SG. 

I would imagine we could get Ray for a similar price, and I think Ray is a significantly better investment for that price, than paying Hinrich to play out of position.  If we were looking for a starting PG, it would be different.

[MBz]

I think we give him something like a 2 year deal, maybe a mutual option on a 3rd year.  Something around 7-9 mil a year.  I see him sticking around.  I believe he has a home in CT.  Also, wouldn't resigning him be better for us?  We do have his bird rights I believe so we won't lose the MLE in signing him.  We don't have much cap space so for free agents all we really have is the MLE to offer.  Maybe we can get Mike Miller with that, but with only having 6 guys under contract for next year, I'm assuming we're going to see a lot of minimum contracts at the end of that bench.

[incoherent]

What are the chances Ray, Pierce, or KG will be coming off the bench if they all retire with us?

I don't want these guys being our starters 2 years from now.

[jdpapa3]

I honestly think a team is going to freak out after they missed on everyone else (hello Nets?) and offer him a 3 year/$30-33 million dollar deal. He might have to choose between that and a year less with less money with us. Reggie Miller's longevity isn't helping our cause.

[Chris]

What are the chances Ray, Pierce, or KG will be coming off the bench if they all retire with us?

I don't want these guys being our starters 2 years from now.

If they are all still here 2 years from now, I would be surprised if any of them are coming off the bench, and absolutely shocked if all 3 of them are.  But if they are still here in 3-4 years, then its a possibility. 

The issue is, they need to find replacements for them, before they make them bench players, and that is easier said than done.

[droopdog7]

If you beleieve that the window will close after this year, the smart thing to do with Ray would be a sign and trade.  I love Ray as much as any other fan but the goal is to improve the team going forward.  If this team does not have a chance for a title AND we can get better trading Ray then there is no reason to resign and keep him. 

Same goes for PP and KG.  If the Celts are overly sentimental here, the future could be comprimised.

[Chris]

If you beleieve that the window will close after this year, the smart thing to do with Ray would be a sign and trade.  I love Ray as much as any other fan but the goal is to improve the team going forward.  If this team does not have a chance for a title AND we can get better trading Ray then there is no reason to resign and keep him. 

Same goes for PP and KG.  If the Celts are overly sentimental here, the future could be comprimised.

Thats all good and fine, but you need a partner for a trade.  If you cannot get good value, then you are better off keeping the effective player for a reasonable price IMO.

But I agree that they are all on the market after this season for the right price.

[Mr October]

I really don't think Ray is going anywhere. There is no incentive for a team like the Nets who miss out on the big names to spend series bread on a 35 year old shooting guard. And at this stage of his career (and after he's earned all his money and individual stats) there is no reason to think Ray would want to play the last couple years on a non-contender.

I'm guessing a $16-20/2 years deal will get it done. If you can sign and trade him for an upgrade, you do it. But again I doubt it happens. A trade partner has to want him AND Ray has to want that partner.

I think Danny will explore all trade possibilites, but ultimately the best choice may be to go for the whole enchilada one more time, and add some young legs.

[Andy Jick]

First off, any idea that Ray or Paul or taking paycuts is hilarious...  Guys don't take paycuts...just won't happen.

Secondly, the Celtics would be foolish to re-sign Ray for anything more than ONE year.  You don't sign aging shooting guards to long-term deals.

Rondo needs a youthful back-court mate, and Ray would be a nice addition off the bench as the 6th man, but I'm guessing Ray isn't ready for that just yet. 

Face it...THIS is the year for this team.  Either they get it done this year or Danny would be wise to move into a "retooling" mode. 

[Chris]

First off, any idea that Ray or Paul or taking paycuts is hilarious...  Guys don't take paycuts...just won't happen.

Well, Ray is taking a pay cut, no matter where he goes.  He is not a max player anymore, and won't be paid like one.  But if your point is that he won't give a hometown discount...you may be right.  But I think his market value right now, is probably somewhere between 8-12 million per year.

Secondly, the Celtics would be foolish to re-sign Ray for anything more than ONE year.  You don't sign aging shooting guards to long-term deals.

Ray keeps himself in tremendous shape, has been remarkably durable, and has been very effective again this season.  He may not be an All-Star anymore, but I think there is reason to believe he has at least 2-3 more excellent seasons in him.

Rondo needs a youthful back-court mate, and Ray would be a nice addition off the bench as the 6th man, but I'm guessing Ray isn't ready for that just yet. 

Thats all fine and dandy, but finding a "youthful back-court mate" who is even half the player Ray is, even at his advanced age, given the C's current cap situation is much easier said than done.  Their best way to do that is to try to draft someone this year, and then develop them over the next few years, with Ray bridging the gap.

Face it...THIS is the year for this team.  Either they get it done this year or Danny would be wise to move into a "retooling" mode. 

I don't disagree with this.  And I don't think it's an and/or.  Whether they get it done this year or not, Danny needs to be starting to retool.  However, retooling is also about value.  And if they can sign Ray to a contract that gives them good value (and I think a 2 year/ $18 million deal is good value...I understand if you disagree though), and cannot get any value for him in a sign and trade, then it makes more sense to sign him, and retool around him.

[Mr October]

First off, any idea that Ray or Paul or taking paycuts is hilarious...  Guys don't take paycuts...just won't happen.

Secondly, the Celtics would be foolish to re-sign Ray for anything more than ONE year.  You don't sign aging shooting guards to long-term deals.

Rondo needs a youthful back-court mate, and Ray would be a nice addition off the bench as the 6th man, but I'm guessing Ray isn't ready for that just yet. 

Face it...THIS is the year for this team.  Either they get it done this year or Danny would be wise to move into a "retooling" mode. 

Ray himself has said he expected to paid paid less next year. No one is going to match his current salary of 19.8 million - not even close to that.

I don't advocate a long term deal for any of these guys. But considering that the C's wont have cap space until 2012, I see no harm in 2 year deals at market value price.

[Chris]

I don't advocate a long term deal for any of these guys. But considering that the C's wont have cap space until 2012, I see no harm in 2 year deals at market value price.

Not to mention, if you believe the lockout hype, then a 2 year deal, may only be a 1 year deal anyways.

[droopdog7]

If you beleieve that the window will close after this year, the smart thing to do with Ray would be a sign and trade.  I love Ray as much as any other fan but the goal is to improve the team going forward.  If this team does not have a chance for a title AND we can get better trading Ray then there is no reason to resign and keep him. 

Same goes for PP and KG.  If the Celts are overly sentimental here, the future could be comprimised.

Thats all good and fine, but you need a partner for a trade.  If you cannot get good value, then you are better off keeping the effective player for a reasonable price IMO.

But I agree that they are all on the market after this season for the right price.

Oh, I understand that.  As far as value, I don't think there is any question that contending teams would covet Ray.  He obviously can still play and would really help a team looking to take the next step.  So the interest will be there.

For our part, the team has to determine what is reasonable value considering the place it will find itself in next year (again, assuming the window has closed).  Since contending teams will likely not want to give up good players, the most likely scenerio is the Celts receive picks for Ray (in addition to cap fillers).  Would the 18th pick be enough for Ray if he were traded to a team like Miami? 

Or maybe a three-way trade could bring a more sensible trade?  Not sure one can even do a three-way sign and trade but just thinking of different possibilities.

[Andy Jick]

The problem is how much "less" will it take to keep Ray?  I honestly don't believe he's worth more than the MLE.  I know that sounds cold, but I don't want a 36 year shooting guard on this team next season for, say, 3 years and 12-14 million per.  I believe that's what it will take, and that's just too much money...