Chris Webber said Ray will leave Boston this summer

[Jon]

Ginobili signed for 6 yrs 52M and is 2 years younger than Ray. That said, I don't think it's unreasonable for Allen's agent to initially request something like 4 yrs at 34- 35M. If he gets that kind of deal from someone then things look bleak in him re-signing unless we raise the ante, and offer him a 2 yr deal for about 12M per year. We might be forced to overpay in order to prevent his contract affecting our summer of 2012 plans and to offset a longer type deal by other teams.

I believe Manu's extension was 3 years, $40 million, wasn't it?

I think 2 years, $21 million would be more than adequate compensation for Ray.  It's overly generous, but it's worth it to keep the core together for the next two years, until we can begin the rebuild in earnest via free agency.

I agree with this sentiment.  And as Roy says, it's probably overly generous.  However, I think it's worth it for three reasons.

1) As Roy states, no real rebuilding is going to take place until KG and Rasheed are done, so there's no rush to get rid of Ray.

2) Though the oldest of the Big Three, he's probably in the best shape.  In fact, outside of Rondo, he's probably the most fit player on the team.  

3) Could we get away with a few million less?  Sure.  But why mess with the guy's pride.  It was already probably tough for him to swallow that he missed the All Star team and it'll be tough for him from a pride perspective to be making less than KG and PP.  So there's no reason to really try to undercut him and p--- him off.  

[BballTim]

now in no way do i want to sound like celticthug.......but a coworker of mine is a close friend with a sportswriter for one of the local papers.  he was told by the writer during the season that there were some issues in the locker room concerning rondo and ray.  this was earlier in the season and has since been rectified.  the issue was that ray wanted more looks and shots and was on rondo to give him the ball more....the reason, to increase his value on the market.  take it for what it is worth.  i dont even know how true this is, but my coworker is a friend and a fan of the team, and i can validate his friendship with the writer.  

That story doesn't make sense.  I mean, Ray wanting more shots might, and friction between he and Rondo is plausible.  But the part about wanting to "increase his value on the market"?  That's got to be speculation, either by your buddy or the sportswriter.  I mean, why would Ray say that to anybody, even if it were true?

EDIT:  Exactly what Bud said.

  I don't think he said that Ray said it to the sportswriter. It could be speculation, but it could be true. I think that if you read "earlier this season" to mean "before the trade deadline" and consider the abrupt change in Ray's demeanor and play after he wasn't dealt it's hard to say that he *wasn't* concerned with his future.

[BballTim]

The problem really is not Ray really maybe having some motivation for this being so. The problem comes from a scenario in which it would become known. Knowing what you know of Ray Allen, can you envision a conversation between Ray and Rondo in which Ray would state "Rondo give me more shots, I need to make more MONEY!!!!"? Or would you imagine Ray Allen in this particular Celtic team, looking for a championship, in this stage of his career making some sort of proclamation where he might be heard of being displeased because he's not adding to his market value for free-agency?

  It's likely this all happened while he was assuming the Celts were going to dump him on the Warriors or the Wizards. And Ray wouldn't be concerned about money, but he'd want to be desirable to contending teams this summer.

[Brendan]

now in no way do i want to sound like celticthug.......but a coworker of mine is a close friend with a sportswriter for one of the local papers.  he was told by the writer during the season that there were some issues in the locker room concerning rondo and ray.  this was earlier in the season and has since been rectified.  the issue was that ray wanted more looks and shots and was on rondo to give him the ball more....the reason, to increase his value on the market.  take it for what it is worth.  i dont even know how true this is, but my coworker is a friend and a fan of the team, and i can validate his friendship with the writer. 

You don't sound like Celticsthug, you sound like the chick in Ferris Bueller's day off "my brother's friend ... heard Ferris might die."

Save Ferris!!

[nickagneta]

The problem here is the way it's being presented just doesn't fit because it simply makes zero sense how it's being construed. And it simply diminishes and overlooks all other factors for him asking for more shots.

Doesn't fit what?

It doesn't fit your perception of Ray Allen that is created through media interviews, media stories and the way he plays. For all any of us know for sure Ray could be the single biggest egomaniac and jerk in that locker room. Sure we hear all these stories of professionalism and getting out to the gym early and such. But we don't KNOW the guy.

All I'm saying is is that Ray saying something like this, in whatever context(because the context of the quote never was discussed), isn't impossible. And like BBall alludes to, could it be that he said it before the deadline as some sort of joke?? Who knows.

[BudweiserCeltic]

The problem here is the way it's being presented just doesn't fit because it simply makes zero sense how it's being construed. And it simply diminishes and overlooks all other factors for him asking for more shots.

Doesn't fit what?

It doesn't fit your perception of Ray Allen that is created through media interviews, media stories and the way he plays. For all any of us know for sure Ray could be the single biggest egomaniac and jerk in that locker room. Sure we hear all these stories of professionalism and getting out to the gym early and such. But we don't KNOW the guy.

All I'm saying is is that Ray saying something like this, in whatever context(because the context of the quote never was discussed), isn't impossible. And like BBall alludes to, could it be that he said it before the deadline as some sort of joke?? Who knows.

Again, zero problem with Ray being concerned with his future or with money. It doesn't fit in that Ray's concerns about either of those things would become known or that he would make declarations that would be constructed as such. As an extension, it being THE reason why he might ask for more shots.

EVERYONE considers Ray an excellent role model, hardworker, etc. for any sort of concern that Ray might have for his future to simply be summarized into a "yep, he wants more shots to increase his market value". He plays 35 minutes a game, I'm sure that if that was his main concern he could've easily jacked up more shots than than 12 a game. Hell, Sheed managed 8 a game with just 22 minutes a game.

Again, that he wanted more shots BECAUSE he wanted to increase his market value doesn't fit in the way he carries himself, in how he plays the game, on how he has been a role model to those around him, and how he has led by example as both a teammate and human being. And it doesn't fit how he has sacrificed his body in the last 3 years just to try and win a championship.

If Ray cheating to his wife on the side, it still doesn't make sense in how he paints himself to his teammates and the public eye.

So if Ray's good will and nature is all and act, as it could happen, I'd say it's even more ludicrous that he'd make his feelings about his future known. He's a well spoken very intelligent man.

I just don't see that scenario happening, and as such I think people are just constructing this rumor in a very flawed manner.

Let me just say this... is it possible? Sure, just like "anything is possible!", but it is the least likely scenario of all the multiple reasons for Ray to ask for more shots. Not dismissing it as an element, but I really really don't see any scenario in which Ray would use his concerns of market value as a gambit to get more shots.

When he also clashed with Rondo in 2008 and 2009... was it also for market value purposes? This is not the first time we have heard of Rondo and Ray not seeing eye to eye in how he's distributing the ball. And it has come into focus quite a few times in the playoffs.

[Brendan]

This is a silly debate... I think DL's story, is third or fourth hand. It's easy for someone's analysis to get injected into the story by that point.

Let's assume the elements of Ray wanting more shots and Rondo bristling at that are true.

Team source says to writer: "Yeah they are having arguments about getting Ray the ball, Ray wants more shots."

Writer: "Why? Is it because he thinks the C's are dumping him and he wants to be able to make one more big contract?"

Team source: "I guess... not sure, didn't hear the whole thing."

Writer to DL's friend: "Looks like Ray might be worried about his contract next year, he and Rondo are fighting because Ray isn't getting enough shots. I think Ray will get less money if teams think he can't carry a significant offensive load."

DL's friend to DL: "Ray and Rondo have some fight going on. Ray wants more shots because he is worried about his contract."

Knowing what I know about word of mouth anonymous conversations, I think this is likely. Knowing what I know about Ray the professional, he's not beyond getting into it (look at his spat with Kobe) - but he works very hard at portraying a straight lace / honest guy image. He's also recognized as intelligent especially about the sport and business of basketball. So why would he ever admit he wants shots because of 2011 money? He'd just say its better for the team.

In terms of what to do about Ray Allen, assuming ownership won't blink it's worth giving him some extra dough on a two year to keep him. I don't see the risk of him taking an MLE to play somehwere - and the teams with cap space seem like they are a bit away.

Scariest thing would be for something a team that has enough to sign 2 max guys and some money left over. Ray would make a nice extra guy on a 2 or 3 year deal to get them in contention right away and then transition to other supporting players over the next couple of years.

The optimal deal if the C's have to pay Ray, might be a two year deal declining with a team option for a third year.

So 12 (year 1) + 10.8 (year 2) + 9.6 (team option) - depending on where the C's are two years from now and where Ray is in his career that extra year could be very useful for the team and that lets a 23 million dollar deal make sense now.

[Brendan]

In response to Who's concerns about the direction of the team. I think Ray is the easy choice. The C's will be able to come back with this core and make the playoffs and you can hope to turn it on then again. With the collapse of the Hawks team and depending on how the Lebron thing plays out (and Wade too) - there could be only one real contender in the East next year (ORL.) So you'd be in position to get the conf semis and maybe conf finals without playing a team as good as CLE '08, ORL '09, or CLE '10.

So I think as long as it won't effect the team's position for after KG and Sheed run out in 2012, any move is low risk. Ray for two is the ultimate example of that. The hard thing would be Pierce opting out or Pierce after 2011. What do you give that guy? Signing a one year deal is very unlikely. It might be better if the team got Pierce to opt out and gave him a two year deal of 15 million (way overpaying to compensate for the pass on his high deal.) Then they could deal with all the Vets together.

I think Perk, BBD are both going to be shopped aggressively... the team needs some elite scoring, and the post game is an obvious place to look.

[Greeny]

Gotta resign him.
Clutch- ever since the 3 vs Bobcats in '07
I know he likes Boston.

AND, I got his signed NIKE Jordans.

[GreenFaith1819]

Gotta resign him.
Clutch- ever since the 3 vs Bobcats in '07
I know he likes Boston.

AND, I got his signed NIKE Jordans.

That was Great Stuff, Right?

"Ray Allen for the Game - Got It..At The Buzzer!!"

He's one of the few players I know that can go 2 for 13 in a game but hit a GameWinner, lol...

[Greeny]

Ray, never injured Ray, never a distraction Ray, has been as great player for the Celtics.

Just what the Doc ordered.
Just as long as the Doc returns...so may Ray,

[dark_lord]

AND, I got his signed NIKE Jordans.

post pic!!!!