What Does Nate Do?

[Tai]

It's safe to say we were better off with Eddie.

Honestly, the idea that people were moaning about him not getting his playoff bonus was laughable. Implying he actually earned it was laughable.

[the_Bird]

I don't think Eddie would be playing now either.  TA's proven himself to be a much more valuable contributor than either of those guys.  If Eddie *were* getting minutes, TA would still be sitting on the end of the bench and we'd be worse off.

I love Eddie Money more than most, but at the end of the day the Eddie-for-Nate swap is irrelevant.  If there's ever a full--blown brawl on the court, I'd rather have Nate on our side, but hopefully that doesn't come to be. 

I still dislike that we gave up Billy Walker in the deal, but that's an issue for 2011 (not a prayer he would have earned a spot in the playoff rotaion).

[Chief]

It's safe to say we were better off with Eddie.

I don't think this is true. Trading Eddie and Nate not working out forced Doc to play Tony more. And that has worked out beautifully.

[acieEarl]

If the Celt do offer him a contract it will be a base lowball offer that Nate won't take. Some team like the Clippers who got some cash to spend and won't get any decent free agents will give him a better offer.

[celts55]

I think he'll move on.  Hopefully we can sign-and-trade him and pick up some sort of asset, although that may be unlikely after Nate's year (where he seemed to fall out of favor with two separate coaching staffs.)

And by most reports isn't fitting in well with the Celtics players either.

Where have you seen these reports? I haven't heard anything about him not fitting in and he seems to be cheering them on while on the bench. He's the first one out there to greet them during timeouts. I'm not arguing, I'm just wondering where you're heard thet?

[Who]

Nate Robinson will want playing time. Unless Ainge promises him playing time next season, he will not want to return.

As for the Celtics, the minimum contract options for a backup guard aren't great (Anthony Carter, Carlos Arroyo, Anthony Johnson, Flip Murray) so if they want to spend the MLE on other positions ... there are good reasons for wanting to bring Nate Robinson back next season.

A contract around $3 million sounds like a solid deal for both parties. Nate may be able to push that up to $4 million if there is enough interest in him.

[More Banners]

Nate Robinson will want playing time. Unless Ainge promises him playing time next season, he will not want to return.

As for the Celtics, the minimum contract options for a backup guard aren't great (Anthony Carter, Carlos Arroyo, Anthony Johnson, Flip Murray) so if they want to spend the MLE on other positions ... there are good reasons for wanting to bring Nate Robinson back next season.

A contract around $3 million sounds like a solid deal for both parties. Nate may be able to push that up to $4 million if there is enough interest in him.

A reasonable committment to fill a 12-15min/gm backup PG spot is 3 mil, tops, per year.  The expectation at that level would be someone who could step up and start here and there as needed competently.  Nate hasn't proven to be able to do that, and, to my thinking, is consequently not worth that much.  Let's hope for a sign-and-trade for someone who might actually fill a role.

I'd rather give Shaun Livingston a 2-year guaranteed deal for the minimum, or take a veteran for a one year minimum deal.

I wouldn't waste MLE money (or part of it) on those in between the min and MLE unless I had to, guys like Earl Watson or Luke Ridnour, prefering to save the cash for a wing.  There won't be enough minutes behind Rondo to make it worth the opportunity cost.  If Danny's patient, I think someone will fall to the minimum, especially these days.  The recent influx of PG's in recent drafts should make it easier to get a backup PG at a reasonable deal.

[BballTim]

I think he'll move on.  Hopefully we can sign-and-trade him and pick up some sort of asset, although that may be unlikely after Nate's year (where he seemed to fall out of favor with two separate coaching staffs.)

And by most reports isn't fitting in well with the Celtics players either.

Where have you seen these reports? I haven't heard anything about him not fitting in and he seems to be cheering them on while on the bench. He's the first one out there to greet them during timeouts. I'm not arguing, I'm just wondering where you're heard thet?

  I haven't heard them either but they don't surprise me in the least.

[Cman]

Hopefully, Nate does very little for the Cs from here on out (ie: over the next 6 wins ).

Nate was brought here for insurance at the PG position (and SG position, to an extent), and thankfully we haven't needed that.  If Rondo goes down with an injury (heaven help us), then we'll see if the Nate signing made sense or not.

[FallGuy]

I want a real, full-sized point guard next year. Someone who can dribble, defend and preferably someone with a decent BBIQ. That's all we really need.

But no more Tony (in this role). And no more Nate.

[Jon]

The problem, of course, is that any PG we get next year is going to be largely relegated to the bench come playoff time.  Moreover, no good point guard is going to want to come into that situation.  So I'm not seeing things getting much better any time soon.  Ultimately, the most we can hope for is an aging vet who can put in 10 mpg in the regular season and then is OK with largely becoming insignificant come playoff time.  Maybe we get lucky and get some sort of super combo guard who can play some 2 two (a Delonte type); however, at this point I wonder how much time there's going to be there with Ray and Paul likely back and TA looking for more minutes. 

Ultimately, I don't hate Nate and what he brings.  I don't think Eddie House would be doing anything differently right now (sitting on the bench).  Moreover, if Rondo went down for a game, Nate would probably give us more in a starting role than Eddie would.  And let's face it, no backup we ever will get is going to be good enough for us to win a title if Rondo goes down for the season. 

[Cman]

The problem, of course, is that any PG we get next year is going to be largely relegated to the bench come playoff time.  Moreover, no good point guard is going to want to come into that situation.  So I'm not seeing things getting much better any time soon.  Ultimately, the most we can hope for is an aging vet who can put in 10 mpg in the regular season and then is OK with largely becoming insignificant come playoff time.  Maybe we get lucky and get some sort of super combo guard who can play some 2 two (a Delonte type); however, at this point I wonder how much time there's going to be there with Ray and Paul likely back and TA looking for more minutes. 

Ultimately, I don't hate Nate and what he brings.  I don't think Eddie House would be doing anything differently right now (sitting on the bench).  Moreover, if Rondo went down for a game, Nate would probably give us more in a starting role than Eddie would.  And let's face it, no backup we ever will get is going to be good enough for us to win a title if Rondo goes down for the season. 

TP, i think this is spot on.  The only thing I would add, is that if Nate comes back, it should be on less money than he currently makes (closer to $3M per year tops).

[cdif911]

This is a topic that is very big to me. I really wish that Nate would get some clock and I think he could help this team a lot! Saying that he hasn't played a lick of time in the playoffs.. I was wondering does anyone think he will return to the Celtics next season? It seems like he likes it here but I know its tough for him not being able to contribute. So what do you think. I think we should take him back if possible and get a training camp under his belt ya know.

I'm so befuddled by the Nate vs. House debate - both camps say their guy could help the team more than the other more or less, but wait

Celtics are in ECF up 2-0...what kind of help do they need?  Has there been a play where you said, man we need a guy to knock down a 3 and we don't have one?  Answer is no...Celtics are 8 deep and leading the ECF, fine by me

[thebat]

If the Celts win banner 18, then Nate should pay for the ring! I'll hate it when he gets his free!

[Tai]

The problem, of course, is that any PG we get next year is going to be largely relegated to the bench come playoff time.  Moreover, no good point guard is going to want to come into that situation.  So I'm not seeing things getting much better any time soon.  Ultimately, the most we can hope for is an aging vet who can put in 10 mpg in the regular season and then is OK with largely becoming insignificant come playoff time.  Maybe we get lucky and get some sort of super combo guard who can play some 2 two (a Delonte type); however, at this point I wonder how much time there's going to be there with Ray and Paul likely back and TA looking for more minutes. 

Ultimately, I don't hate Nate and what he brings.  I don't think Eddie House would be doing anything differently right now (sitting on the bench).  Moreover, if Rondo went down for a game, Nate would probably give us more in a starting role than Eddie would.  And let's face it, no backup we ever will get is going to be good enough for us to win a title if Rondo goes down for the season. 

I agree, especially as far as your last sentence; I'm sure Doc sees that at this point, too. Fact of the matter is, when Nelson went down for the season last year for the Magic, the Magic had to trade for a PG capable of starting. I dunno if we could do that on the fly if Rondo went down, but that basically sums up how we'd have to handle that.