Chris Webber said Ray will leave Boston this summer

[shookones99]

I think Ray Allen is pretty much a certainty to return.

I'm not sure I'm happy about that ... but that's the way I believe it'll play out.

I really don't get how that could make you unhappy.

I understand wanting to get younger.  But what would you prefer?  Just let him walk?  Sign and trade?

I see no obvious scenario in which losing Ray Allen makes us a better team.

[RAcker]

Has anyone asked Webber's buddy GP what he thinks of Rondo now?  Tea bag.

[Kwhit10]

Webber also thought that Michigan had another timeout remaining.   

HAHA, TP!

[celticinorlando]

i think ray stays in boston. at this point it isn;t about money for ray. he is big in the community and his family likes boston.

ray has 2-3 more good years left and needs to retire a C

[Coach]

I'd give Ray a Two year deal, with a team option 3rd:

2010-2011 - 8.0 Million
2011-2012 - 6.5 Million
2012-2013 - 4.5 Million (Team Option)

Total 19 Million.

This contract would almost guarantee He'd retire a Celtic, and be wearing Green when he brakes Reggie Miller's Record.  

Or we could trade him at the 2011-2012 Deadline for junk like Nate Robinson

6-8 weeks ago I would have agreed with this, now, I don't think so.

Ray, IMO, seemed to be effected mentally by the prospect of being traded away. It effected his game. What I saw as possible game decay due to age could very well have been mental fatigue and wear over the uncertainty of remaining in an area and in a situation that is perfect for him both personally and professionally.

Since his sit down with Danny and his wife, Ray's game has been different and his outside shooting touch has returned.

I think some of that is probably due to age but I am revising my opinion and now think it was mostly in his head. Once the deadline passed, he's been a better overall and all around player, playing , at times, some of the best defense I have seen him play in a Celtics uniform.

I say because of that his price has skyrocketed.

2 years - $24 million with a team option of a third year at $10 million.

Man, I don't know.  I agree with all your reasoning, and as a fan, I say pay the man.  But if I were ownership, I'd think twice about over paying for him at this stage.  At some point, he's gotta slow down.  That is max contract land.  I don't think teams with that kind of cap space, no matter how desparate they are to make a splash in freeagency, will pay Ray Allen, a 36 year old shooting guard, that kind of money.  I think the most he would get on the open market, is full Mid Level, 4 years.  Even that is a huge stretch.  He'd then be a 40 year old shooting guard.  Name one player that was an effective shooting guard after 38, and I'd be shocked.

As an aside, I wonder if some teams will gamble on salary in the 2011-2012 year with the lock-out looming.  For example, say the Celtics were willing to do the deal I said above, 8 first year, then 6.5 next.  But they know a lockout is probably happening.  So they say fine, lets go 8 mil first year - 10.5 next, hoping for a lockout.  A little far fetched, I know, but it's got to be in the back of everyone's mind?

[Who]

I think Ray Allen is pretty much a certainty to return.

I'm not sure I'm happy about that ... but that's the way I believe it'll play out.

I really don't get how that could make you unhappy.

I understand wanting to get younger.  But what would you prefer?  Just let him walk?  Sign and trade?

I see no obvious scenario in which losing Ray Allen makes us a better team.

I don't think there is any chance for a sign and trade.

So, yeah, letting him walk is the other option.

----------------------------------------------------

To repeat my earlier stance, I haven't fully decided whether or not I want the Celtics to re-sign Ray Allen.

I am seriously concerned about keeping another older player with suspect levels of athleticism, defense and rebounding.

[Roy Hobbs]

I'd give Ray a Two year deal, with a team option 3rd:

2010-2011 - 8.0 Million
2011-2012 - 6.5 Million
2012-2013 - 4.5 Million (Team Option)

Just for the record, salaries can't decrease more than 10.5% (of the value of the first year of the contract) each season.

[RAcker]

I'd give Ray a Two year deal, with a team option 3rd:

2010-2011 - 8.0 Million
2011-2012 - 6.5 Million
2012-2013 - 4.5 Million (Team Option)

Just for the record, salaries can't decrease more than 10.5% (of the value of the first year of the contract) each season.

I'm assuming that would mean they would start him off a good bit lower in that first year?

[celticinorlando]

i have less concerns about ray allen than i do Paul Pierce. ray is defending well against the MVP...he is running younger guys ragged....he is shooting the best he ever has. ray can start still and at the WORST..you bring him off the bench. you gotta bring him back

if you don't another team like the cavs or lakers or a contender will sign him and he will perform for them

[Roy Hobbs]

if you don't another team like the cavs or lakers or a contender will sign him and he will perform for them

Yep.  It would be truly scary if Ray went to Cleveland (assuming Lebron re-upped there).

[celticinorlando]

if you don't another team like the cavs or lakers or a contender will sign him and he will perform for them

Yep.  It would be truly scary if Ray went to Cleveland (assuming Lebron re-upped there).

he is the one guy that would put this group of the top IMO. sign him to keep him away from some contenders..plus the guy can still play at the highest level out there

[bruinsandceltics]

I think Ray Allen is pretty much a certainty to return.

I'm not sure I'm happy about that ... but that's the way I believe it'll play out.

I really don't get how that could make you unhappy.

I understand wanting to get younger.  But what would you prefer?  Just let him walk?  Sign and trade?

I see no obvious scenario in which losing Ray Allen makes us a better team.

I don't think there is any chance for a sign and trade.

So, yeah, letting him walk is the other option.

----------------------------------------------------

To repeat my earlier stance, I haven't fully decided whether or not I want the Celtics to re-sign Ray Allen.

I am seriously concerned about keeping another older player with suspect levels of athleticism, defense and rebounding.

But you aren't concerned with letting our only legit SG walk, while having no cap space and no real assets to get another legit SG?

Sounds like a brilliant plan.

[celticinorlando]

I think Ray Allen is pretty much a certainty to return.

I'm not sure I'm happy about that ... but that's the way I believe it'll play out.

I really don't get how that could make you unhappy.

I understand wanting to get younger.  But what would you prefer?  Just let him walk?  Sign and trade?

I see no obvious scenario in which losing Ray Allen makes us a better team.

I don't think there is any chance for a sign and trade.

So, yeah, letting him walk is the other option.

----------------------------------------------------

To repeat my earlier stance, I haven't fully decided whether or not I want the Celtics to re-sign Ray Allen.

I am seriously concerned about keeping another older player with suspect levels of athleticism, defense and rebounding.

But you aren't concerned with letting our only legit SG walk, while having no cap space and no real assets to get another legit SG?

Sounds like a brilliant plan.

i agree...so you let ray allen walk...who out there that they can realistically bring in is going to be any better? i don't see any

[Who]

I think Ray Allen is pretty much a certainty to return.

I'm not sure I'm happy about that ... but that's the way I believe it'll play out.

I really don't get how that could make you unhappy.

I understand wanting to get younger.  But what would you prefer?  Just let him walk?  Sign and trade?

I see no obvious scenario in which losing Ray Allen makes us a better team.

I don't think there is any chance for a sign and trade.

So, yeah, letting him walk is the other option.

----------------------------------------------------

To repeat my earlier stance, I haven't fully decided whether or not I want the Celtics to re-sign Ray Allen.

I am seriously concerned about keeping another older player with suspect levels of athleticism, defense and rebounding.

But you aren't concerned with letting our only legit SG walk, while having no cap space and no real assets to get another legit SG?

Sounds like a brilliant plan.

Walking blind ... definitely, walking blind. Wandering down a road with no clear path to an ending.

I have some concerns about that but not large concerns. I think between the draft pick, the MLE, minimum contracts and possibly a BBD trade the Celtics have some solid flexibility to acquire useful role players to seal up that hole.

[celticinorlando]

again...of the big 3..ray allen my least biggest concern. i think ray can and will play at a high level for 3 more years. now i agree boston has to get younger at the 3 and the 4 as well as the bench...i would love to see ray groom a young SG to take over for him...but i worry more about PP and KG then ray