Guys we could go after that might sign for the Veteran's Minimum?

[slam]

I'd take any of these guys for the vet min and I think they might go for it.

Ben Wallace - career is going downhill, but is still productive, especially on the boards and defensively.  Has probably made enough over the years that he'd be willing to accept the vet min to have another chance at a championship.

Josh Howard - coming off ankle surgery and unlikely to be ready for the start of the season.  Might he accept the vet min for a year so he can prove himself again?

Tracy McGrady - has already stated he'd sign for the vet min if he had a chance at a championship.  Has a lot of question marks like recent injuries, and how much he still has left in the tank, but you'd have to think it would still be a steal for the vet min.

Brad Miller - this might be the most unlikely one on the list, but I would never even consider going near him with the MLE (those rumors are scaring me).  He's declining as fast as anyone in the league, but would still be good value at the vet min.  Would the chance at a championship entice him to accept less than he could get elsewhere?

Shaun Livingston - not sure he's proven he's come back enough from injury to warrant more than the vet min, but there's still so much potential there and would be a solid back up point for us.

And hey, maybe we get them all, and there's our entire second unit

[lon3lytoaster]

Tracy McGrady is a terrible idea, imo. He should never see the court in the NBA again. The dude doesn't even want to play anymore and probably wouldn't even be happy with the MLE.

And Josh Howard is coming off ACL surgery, probably the last thing we need right now and I doubt he'd take the mininum, either.

I'm ok with the others, though.

[celticsclay]

I think the only two guys on that list that are really possible for the minimum are livingston and Ben Wallace. Unfortunately, I think Wallace is going to retire.

[slam]

Tracy McGrady is a terrible idea, imo. He should never see the court in the NBA again. The dude doesn't even want to play anymore and probably wouldn't even be happy with the MLE.

haha, yeah I can't believe I put Tmac on the list either, but celticshub sold me on him somewhat.  I'd be praying for improved shot selection, sacrifice, and some defense, but he's a good passer, and can still score.  Wouldn't hurt coming off the bench, even if it's only 15 minutes a game.

[More Banners]

I'd hope like heck that Matt Bonner comes for the minimum, but the Spurs would likely keep him for that, and there is no state income tax in Texas...

[Jon]

Tracy McGrady is a terrible idea, imo. He should never see the court in the NBA again. The dude doesn't even want to play anymore and probably wouldn't even be happy with the MLE.

haha, yeah I can't believe I put Tmac on the list either, but celticshub sold me on him somewhat.  I'd be praying for improved shot selection, sacrifice, and some defense, but he's a good passer, and can still score.  Wouldn't hurt coming off the bench, even if it's only 15 minutes a game.

Really?  I thought he played pretty darn well in New York.  And assuming Ray and Paul stay, we're not talking about a McGrady needing to be his old self.  All we're talking about is a guy who really would only have to play 10-15 mpg if Tony Allen stayed (though McGrady could take TA's minutes if he played well) and be instant offense off the bench.  I don't see any reason why McGrady couldn't do that.  

And this doesn't seem like a Marbury retread.  Marbury had clearly lost most of his game.  McGrady actually looked very good at times last year.  He still had game, and certainly as a reserve.  

If we can't get a Mike Miller, McGrady would be a nice backup plan.  

Miller and Wallace would be incredible at the minimum.  I'd love to have both of them.  

With Howard, I'm not sure he'd want to come here.  As Marquis proved this year, playing behind two superstars at the 2/3 is hardly a way to raise your value.  

Livingston might be OK, but I'd prefer more of a scorer.  

[slam]

Tracy McGrady is a terrible idea, imo. He should never see the court in the NBA again. The dude doesn't even want to play anymore and probably wouldn't even be happy with the MLE.

haha, yeah I can't believe I put Tmac on the list either, but celticshub sold me on him somewhat.  I'd be praying for improved shot selection, sacrifice, and some defense, but he's a good passer, and can still score.  Wouldn't hurt coming off the bench, even if it's only 15 minutes a game.

Really?  I thought he played pretty darn well in New York.  And assuming Ray and Paul stay, we're not talking about a McGrady needing to be his old self.  All we're talking about is a guy who really would only have to play 10-15 mpg if Tony Allen stayed (though McGrady could take TA's minutes if he played well) and be instant offense off the bench.  I don't see any reason why McGrady couldn't do that.  

And this doesn't seem like a Marbury retread.  Marbury had clearly lost most of his game.  McGrady actually looked very good at times last year.  He still had game, and certainly as a reserve.  

If we can't get a Mike Miller, McGrady would be a nice backup plan.  

Miller and Wallace would be incredible at the minimum.  I'd love to have both of them.  

With Howard, I'm not sure he'd want to come here.  As Marquis proved this year, playing behind two superstars at the 2/3 is hardly a way to raise your value.  

Livingston might be OK, but I'd prefer more of a scorer.  

I think Livingston is exactly what our second unit needs - someone who can get us into our offense.  I think when the starters were on the bench the last 3 years, our offense bacame too stagnant.  I think Livingston could generate some easy baskets for the other guys.  And I don't think he's offensively challenged.  He had a nice string of scoring games toward the end of last season with the Wizards.

[the_Bird]

Brad Miller's probably the best of the second-tier free agent centers (maybe he and Shaq); he'll at least command a portion of the MLE. 

I'd love Ben Wallace, and think he might come aboard for one last chance at a ring.  Doesn't strike me as a guy who would hold out for the MLE, but if the right situation doesn't arise I could see him retiring.  Think Boston would be a good spot for him.

[Bankshot]

We probably won't get out of the first round with McGrady on the team.

[lon3lytoaster]

Tracy McGrady is a terrible idea, imo. He should never see the court in the NBA again. The dude doesn't even want to play anymore and probably wouldn't even be happy with the MLE.

haha, yeah I can't believe I put Tmac on the list either, but celticshub sold me on him somewhat.  I'd be praying for improved shot selection, sacrifice, and some defense, but he's a good passer, and can still score.  Wouldn't hurt coming off the bench, even if it's only 15 minutes a game.

Really?  I thought he played pretty darn well in New York.  And assuming Ray and Paul stay, we're not talking about a McGrady needing to be his old self.  All we're talking about is a guy who really would only have to play 10-15 mpg if Tony Allen stayed (though McGrady could take TA's minutes if he played well) and be instant offense off the bench.  I don't see any reason why McGrady couldn't do that. 

And this doesn't seem like a Marbury retread.  Marbury had clearly lost most of his game.  McGrady actually looked very good at times last year.  He still had game, and certainly as a reserve. 

If we can't get a Mike Miller, McGrady would be a nice backup plan. 

Miller and Wallace would be incredible at the minimum.  I'd love to have both of them. 

With Howard, I'm not sure he'd want to come here.  As Marquis proved this year, playing behind two superstars at the 2/3 is hardly a way to raise your value. 

Livingston might be OK, but I'd prefer more of a scorer. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjbkXewxlGI

Yea, nothing else needs to be said.

[the_Bird]

Wow! 

No wonder Houston was basically refusing to play him last year.   

[Finkelskyhook]

Yea, nothing else needs to be said.

Yeah, but somebody will say that "KG will get in his face".  Like he'll start playing then.

LOL.

The best team for the tanker McGrady and/or his tanker cousin, or Jermaine O'Neal is one of our rivals.  

[Cman]

I'd rather sign Michael Finley for the min than T-Mac.
Finley has proven that he's a reliable backup.  The only thing T-Mac has proven over the course of his career is that he is unreliable.

[the_Bird]

Meh...  Finley's proven that he can't stay on the court because his D is so atrocious.  C's desperately needed shooting against the Lakers, but couldn't put Fin in because he was so bad defensively.  He's done.

[Jon]

I don't get this.  We're talking about a guy who used to be one of the best players in the NBA at the league minimum.  And he proved he can still put up 20+ points at times last year. 

I'd understand the reaction if I was proposing a sign and trade of Ray for him or even offering him the MLE.  But for the minimum knowing that we could cut him at any time?  It's absurd to not think that's a good idea.