Pierce refused an extension? Looking for maximum deal?

[More Banners]

Why couldn't we have just given him an extension at the maximum for 1 year.  That way, he's got some security, and his  $21 million at least just doubled (and he'd probably get close to what he would have with a 3 year deal, and maybe even a 4 year deal.  We're not getting under the cap under any scenario where he comes back, so what does it matter.  And most importantly, his contract would expire at the same time as KG's.

I don't know.  That's what I would've liked to have happened. 

I guess he thinks he can get max bucks for 4 years from someone.  Time will tell. 

I wouldn't discount luxury tax concerns.  Ownership has proven that they are willing to pay for a winner...  but we're kind of in a weird transition right now.  If Pierce signs a 3/$50M deal, it'll save ownership some luxury tax dollars next year versus if Pierce just received a one-year, $20M extension. 

That's the key, isn't it:  With the likely realignment of several teams with at least 2 in-prime superstars in the East, perhaps there is some doubt about squeaking out another run with this group?

I'm pretty sure Paul Pierce is confident that Paul Pierce can hang with Lebron, Wade, or anyone.  That's so 2008...

[Kuberski33]

Whenever you have a market with a lot of things to buy plus a lot of buyers with money to spend -- and factor in that some of the buyers are big spenders and are often clueless -- the chances that someone will outbid you for a known commodity like Pierce - or Ray for that matter - are great.

Patience is the key plus the realization that once the wacky. money gets spent, there will be bargains.  But I think this all points to Pierce and probably Ray being gone from Boston.

[2short]

Its all speculation but here is my take on if PP wants max $.  Hang his number up and bid him adieu.  With his contract and sheeds I'd be looking at joe johnson.  KG, JJ and rondo is a big 3 (and yes that would mean ray is expendable) either sign and trade or walk away

[the_Bird]

Joe Johnson ain't happening, because even if everything falls into place we don't have max-contract dollars available and we've got nothing of interest to Atlanta in a sign-and-trade.

[Chief]

Paul can get his cake and eat it too with the Clippers. They'd probably give him a max deal, he'd be home, and could probably lead that young talented team deep into the playoffs. I would not blame him if he goes.

[More Banners]

Joe Johnson ain't happening, because even if everything falls into place we don't have max-contract dollars available and we've got nothing of interest to Atlanta in a sign-and-trade.

Don't they play in the same division at Orlando?  I'm pretty sure they'd be interested in Perk and BBD to muscle Howard around, combined with Sheed's retirement contract and perhaps a future draft pick to ease the loss.  They replace JJ with Childress to improve their perimeter length and defense, and Perk and BBD improve their interior defense.  If it doesn't look good on the court, BBD and Perk's deals both expire next summer-trade or extend as they wish.  They could use the savings that comes with Sheed's deal to make it easier to sign another bulky FA center with the MLE.

It's their best shot at winning their division.  Yes, a deal with Atlanta is possible, if highly unlikely.

[the_Bird]

Remember, Atlanta's cheap.  Perk would likely walk next summer, they'd have his services for a couple months (and they already have Horford, they aren't lacking for a good center).  Big Game Davis isn't that much of a trade bait.  'Sheed's expiring contract isn't any more attractive on a cost-savings basis than just letting JJ walk.

So, it'd be a half-season of Perk, plus BGD.  I've got to believe that they can get more than that in a S&T for JJ. 

[Moranis]

Joe Johnson ain't happening, because even if everything falls into place we don't have max-contract dollars available and we've got nothing of interest to Atlanta in a sign-and-trade.

Don't they play in the same division at Orlando?  I'm pretty sure they'd be interested in Perk and BBD to muscle Howard around, combined with Sheed's retirement contract and perhaps a future draft pick to ease the loss.  They replace JJ with Childress to improve their perimeter length and defense, and Perk and BBD improve their interior defense.  If it doesn't look good on the court, BBD and Perk's deals both expire next summer-trade or extend as they wish.  They could use the savings that comes with Sheed's deal to make it easier to sign another bulky FA center with the MLE.

It's their best shot at winning their division.  Yes, a deal with Atlanta is possible, if highly unlikely.

Atlanta makes the most sense.  Perhaps you convince Ray Allen to sign there.  Allen, Davis, and Perkins for Johnson and Pachulia.

[Celtics Insider]

Paul Pierce is one of my favorite Celtis of all time. That said, he is worth nowhere near the max contract and if that is what he wants, I hope he finds it, but not with the C's.

TP

[Celtics Insider]

Yes, Paul is my favorite player ever, however, if Ainge gives him a max deal, I will lose all confidence in this front office. Why screw up our present AND future when we could get LeBron or Wade by letting Pierce and Ray walk?

[PosImpos]

Perhaps Pierce knows something more about Doc's decision making process that we don't....

If the players are convinced Doc is leaving, it might cause them to lean much more heavily towards jumping ship.

[bobdelt]

Why couldn't we have just given him an extension at the maximum for 1 year.  That way, he's got some security, and his  $21 million at least just doubled (and he'd probably get close to what he would have with a 3 year deal, and maybe even a 4 year deal.  We're not getting under the cap under any scenario where he comes back, so what does it matter.  And most importantly, his contract would expire at the same time as KG's.

because of the luxury tax... remember ownership pays DOUBLE what is over the cap, so paying pierce $40 million over two years costs Wyc 80 Million!!

[Brendan]

Joe Johnson ain't happening, because even if everything falls into place we don't have max-contract dollars available and we've got nothing of interest to Atlanta in a sign-and-trade.

Don't they play in the same division at Orlando?  I'm pretty sure they'd be interested in Perk and BBD to muscle Howard around, combined with Sheed's retirement contract and perhaps a future draft pick to ease the loss.  They replace JJ with Childress to improve their perimeter length and defense, and Perk and BBD improve their interior defense.  If it doesn't look good on the court, BBD and Perk's deals both expire next summer-trade or extend as they wish.  They could use the savings that comes with Sheed's deal to make it easier to sign another bulky FA center with the MLE.

It's their best shot at winning their division.  Yes, a deal with Atlanta is possible, if highly unlikely.

ATL has rotation issues - Hortford and Smith should both be the starting PF, just on different teams. Given their young talent, I think they should blow things up. They don't have an elite guy (JJ never was one) and the team doesn't fit together very well.

If we end up bringing back Pierce and Ray, I'd like to bring in Marvin Williams. Think he'd be perfect small ball four, plus backup Pierce, and allow Pierce to play some SG when there is a good matchup. Good defender, rebounder, and developing corner three guy. I get the impression ATL isn't in love with him at 6 million for the current contract length - so you might get him for Sheed's expiring. Alternatively you might be able to get him for BBD and S&T of Tony Allen. Depending how much they like Smith, I think Hortford could be a very nice trading piece for them. Would take a ballsy GM and ownership backing though.

[Brendan]

Why couldn't we have just given him an extension at the maximum for 1 year.  That way, he's got some security, and his  $21 million at least just doubled (and he'd probably get close to what he would have with a 3 year deal, and maybe even a 4 year deal.  We're not getting under the cap under any scenario where he comes back, so what does it matter.  And most importantly, his contract would expire at the same time as KG's.

because of the luxury tax... remember ownership pays DOUBLE what is over the cap, so paying pierce $40 million over two years costs Wyc 80 Million!!

False - they aren't 40 million over the luxury tax. The ownership pays (total salary - luxury tax) extra in tax. So it depends as much on everyone else they sign, as it does on Pierce, even then they might be more like 5-10 over.

I also think there is a problem with extensions, where they cannot be for one year and additionally Pierce probably wants some security around his contract after the next CBA - which means a minimum of a three year deal (or two year extension.)

[boscel33]

can we do a sign and trade with atl, to include shelden williams?  oh wait, never mind, they are the ones who screwed up in the first place with him.