Is Ray Allen Playing His Way Out Of Boston?

[Who]

I think the ceiling is a Manu Ginobili type offer of 3 years $35-40 million (league wide for Ray).

[The Walker Wiggle]

I'm not so sure we'll be able to put together another healthy post season with this core.

Timing is everything with a veteran team like this, and KG/Ray/PP all are going to decline some next year.

But that was the majority opinion this time last season and look where we are now.

[RJ87]

I'm not so sure we'll be able to put together another healthy post season with this core.

Timing is everything with a veteran team like this, and KG/Ray/PP all are going to decline some next year.

But that was the majority opinion this time last season and look where we are now.

Yes, look at KG now... He's right, the may be the last hurrah.

This version of the Big Three was originally assembled for a 3 year championship window - we're right there now.

[Mr October]

The idea of the Knicks giving Ray the max is silly. If he's your franchise's number 2 option for the next 5 years at the max, your team is doomed.

I think 10 million per year makes sense. And certainly no one should go above 3 years.

I'm all for going for it one more time with this Celtic team. Clearly they have the ability to contend.

[celticinorlando]

i agree with mr october...3 years at 10 mil a season

[LooseCannon]

Who can see that rich Russian dude in New Jersey being willing to over-pay for Ray Allen if he doesn't get a bigger name free agent?

[vinnie]

I think the ceiling is a Manu Ginobili type offer of 3 years $35-40 million (league wide for Ray).

I just don't see Ray getting as much as Manu got. Manu is a much better all around player and was 2 years younger than Ray when he signed that deal.

[the_Bird]

I'm not so sure we'll be able to put together another healthy post season with this core.

Timing is everything with a veteran team like this, and KG/Ray/PP all are going to decline some next year.

But that was the majority opinion this time last season and look where we are now.

That's why you spend the money and bring in someone like Mike Miller (assuming you can get him for a 'Sheed-like contract).  Let him play 25-30 minutes a game.  Keep Pierce and Ray Allen under 30/gm, keep them as fresh as you can for the postseason.   You've got to expect KG/PP/Ray to keep declining some, but you should be able to slow that down by having someone like Miller basically as a sixth starter.  

It may well be that the decline is such that we can't make it back to the finals, but what's the alternative?  Start sucking in 2012, get a draft pick, hope we can get a free agent, and maybe be competitive again in 2013 or 2014?  No reason this team's core - complemented with a Mike Miller - can't again be one of the three or four best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Take your chances while you've got them.  

[Who]

I think the ceiling is a Manu Ginobili type offer of 3 years $35-40 million (league wide for Ray).

I just don't see Ray getting as much as Manu got. Manu is a much better all around player and was 2 years younger than Ray when he signed that deal.

A Championship and a Finals MVP performance or close to it can change a lot.

I agree that Ray won't deserve it but ... perception can be greater than reality ... and that type of achievement brings a lot of attention.

[Jon]

While I'd go to 3 if push really came to shove; however, I hope (and don't think) we'll need to.  Having him here at 38 past when KG is here, could be a real pain in the butt. 

I'd rather give him 2 years 25 million than 3 years 30 million.

I don't know if Wyc feels that way though. 

[More Banners]

So we know that, due to the over-36 rule, that Ray won't get anything more than a 3 year deal.  I think the $30-36 million range for 3 years is a reasonable value, perhaps with part of that being a signing bonus paid in the first year if a deep-pocketed owner wanted to lure him away with upfront money.

The challenge to the C's (read:  Wyc's checkbook) will be to offer Ray that same amount of money, but over only TWO years.  Then, of course, he'd probably stay, but the C's would pay luxury tax up the wahzoo, as payroll would stay rather high for the next two years, with Rondo coming into some money soon, and Perk making a pretty good living next year.

I think, if this season is similar to the 1969 title team, I sure hope next year isn't like 1970.  We can make much of a team of vets pulling together to squeak out one more title, but that can't happen year after year.  At some point, the run ends.  If Ray commands the cash we're talking in this thread, I could see Danny and Wyc calling it a run and working a S&T if they can, but it may depend as much on KG's explosiveness and PP's ability to create offense and get to the rim as much as Ray's value.

[Who]

I'd rather give him 2 years 25 million than 3 years 30 million.

I would rather give Ray 2 years $30 million than 3 years $30 million.

Amount can be the same as a longer deal, just get rid of that extra year and keep that flexibility open.

[ForexPirate]

Ray is in great shape.  He is like Miller - he is going to be good for a long time still.  The need to keep him. 

[Spilling Green Dye]

Whelp.. Ray Allen is playing his way back into a mild contract.

[Roy Hobbs]

So, based upon this game, Ray's asking price is a non-guaranteed minimum deal, right? 

Get 'em next time, Ray.