Hold that thought: Rasheed might not retire after all?

[winsomme]

With an ailing back, I'd prefer he retire and allow the Celtics to use his contract in a trade. The longer he remains a Celtic the worse that signing becomes.

TP.  We all knew the 3rd year was going to be trouble.  The first season doesn't make me excited about the second.

Honestly, I think his "injuries" were the result of his [pee]-poor conditioning as much as age or health, or a combination of age and conditioning.  Younger people can go at it without as much of the aches and pains, but older guys need to take care of themselves better than Sheed did this year.

This is really what it comes down to for me. If Sheed's back is actually not that bad, then I have no problem with him coming back.

Just like when we signed him, he fits our system so well. Plus, (with a fairly healthy back) he's better than many of the names that we hear about being possible replacements.

My hope is that Sheed only comes back if his body is actually well enough to handle it. I'd hate to lose him during the season.

[Brendan]

Back's get better.

I think it has more to do with Sheed wanting a buy out. If he *might* not retire then it behooves the team acquiring Sheed to get a buyout in place.

I don't know if a buyout will be spread over two or one years (does the player option count as a season for cap purposes or not?) - but even a team getting him to help the cap can afford a ~2 million buy out and still save a lot of cap spaces. For a team just trying to help cash flow, since the Celts will likely be sending the buyout cash, it doesn't matter. Then Sheed can decide if and when he wants to play next year at his own choosing. (Whereas if he retires he cannot come back unless all the teams agree.)

[Bankshot]

- With Doc Rivers deciding to return to the Celtics next season, and Boston close to re-signing Paul Pierce to a four-year deal, a source said Saturday night that there is a "possibility" that veteran forward Rasheed Wallace could re-think his decision last month to retire after 15 NBA seasons. The Celtics believed Wallace would retire after the team's seven-game Finals loss to the Lakers, and he appeared to make the decision final a week or so later.

Because Wallace had two years and $13 million (including $6.32 million next season) remaining on his deal when he retired, the Celtics have been looking into moving his contract to another team, which would then get the savings from Wallace's cap number, in exchange for assets. But obviously, if Wallace decides to play next season, that team wouldn't get the money off of its cap.

Rivers decided to return for the last year of his contract last week, after his family members encouraged him to come back and give it one more try with his veteran team next year. That was followed by Pierce quickly getting close to a four-year contract worth more than $60 million with Boston.

http://www.nba.com/news/features/aldridge.2010.freeagency//?ls=iref:nbahpt1

Good or bad?  I think it's good because I don't think we'll get a better big on the market.  We need him to fill in for Perk.

[Kiorrik]

I'm praying he stays, especially if he gets a starting spot on our squad; I'd like him right there in the thick of it.

[celticinorlando]

he is going to have be in much better shape b/c his minutes will be going up

[billysan]

I hope he does play another year and then we can trade him as expiring next summer. Unless we can somehow trade for a better big then he is the best available. The minimum FA big market is weak IMO and David Lee is not walking through that door.

[wiley]

I think it's good too, under the following model.

Sheed-comes-back-rendered-good-model:  He plays very short minutes all year, almost like a retired person.  During those tiny minutes, he plays stellar, kick arse defense, almost playoff level.  He stays in shape with a rigorous off-court work-out plan, including strengthening of back thru Yoga or physical therapy.  The young centers:  Erden, Art P., et. Al, are allowed to play significant minutes despite screw-ups, until Perk gets back.  Ben Wallace for vet min. over Brad Miller for MLE.  And finally, Sheed keeps his end of year shaved look, a great look for him, young and fresh looking....For next year's playoffs, Sheed the re-sculpted 3-point nailing defensive force of nature returns for big minutes and another ring.

Okay, welcome back Sheed.

[ThaPreacher]

I'm praying he stays, especially if he gets a starting spot on our squad; I'd like him right there in the thick of it.

Sheed remains an enigma,  one whose predictability remains entirely unpredictable!

[hpantazo]

I think it's been discussed somewhere but I can't find it. Is there any rule against trading him, having him retire, and then come back to the celtics in time for the playoffs? This of course would be with a strict provision that he works out non-stop to get in great shape for the playoffs.

[hpantazo]

The ne constant thing here, as the vote shows, some people think here that there is always a magic "someone" we can just sign, and make us great again.....first, for the longest time, players didn't want to come to the celtics (why i don't know) B; who is out there we want and is better than we have, and X; do we really have the $$$ for a good player, they want the world, just to play hoop...!

They didn't want to come because the team was terrible or mediocre for a long time.  Players just want to win.
There was a perception for a long time too that Boston was a racist town.  While there are certainly plenty of racist people in the Boston area, I don't think it's a higher percentage than any other city.  Every city has dummies.

This is the single biggest reason why KG coming here and being happy is huge, worth every penny he will make in the next 2 years even if he plays poorly. He has changed the reputation of boston to future FA's.

[hpantazo]

With Doc Rivers deciding to return to the Celtics next season, and Boston close to re-signing Paul Pierce to a four-year deal, a source said Saturday night that there is a "possibility" that veteran forward Rasheed Wallace could re-think his decision last month to retire after 15 NBA seasons. The Celtics believed Wallace would retire after the team's seven-game Finals loss to the Lakers, and he appeared to make the decision final a week or so later.

Because Wallace had two years and $13 million (including $6.32 million next season) remaining on his deal when he retired, the Celtics have been looking into moving his contract to another team, which would then get the savings from Wallace's cap number, in exchange for assets. But obviously, if Wallace decides to play next season, that team wouldn't get the money off of its cap.

Link.

I have mixed feelings about this.  I like what Rasheed brings to the table when he's healthy and motivated.  On the other hand, I'm fairly excited with the possibilities of having up to $9.9 million in cap flexibility (assuming a retiring Rasheed, Gaffney, and LaFayette could be included in a trade.)

Maybe we'll get the best case scenario:  Rasheed says he's retiring, moves to another team where he's bought out for nothing (ala Derek Fisher), and then he decides to come back for the playoffs.  (Although one wonders what type of shape Rasheed would be in after taking the regular season off.)

excellent case Roy, but is there any rule that Stern can potentially throw at us if the celtics try to do that?

[Jon Niednagel]

I think as long as he is bought out and doesn't retire he could return after a month. I think if he retires he has to be out of the leage for a year, but I could be wrong.

[hpantazo]

I think as long as he is bought out and doesn't retire he could return after a month. I think if he retires he has to be out of the leage for a year, but I could be wrong.

interesting. what would then be Sheed's incentive to take a buy out?

[Chris]

I think as long as he is bought out and doesn't retire he could return after a month. I think if he retires he has to be out of the leage for a year, but I could be wrong.

interesting. what would then be Sheed's incentive to take a buy out?

Exactly.  If he has any interest at all in playing again, it makes no sense for him to take a buy out. 

Personally, I think this is all speculation, and Sheed is already on his couch with a bag of funyans, preparing for next years hot dog eating championship...not thinking at all of ever stepping foot on a court again.

[snowball]

Guys, I think Sheed is coming back.
You need to remember how upset he was with the officiating in Game 7. He stormed the refs locker room and was ejected by security, disallowed to even change back into street clothes !
His decision to retire was nothing more than an emotional knee-jerk reaction to the dissapointment the whole team experienced and the uncertainties concerning what the Celtics would be next year. Sheed is very fussy at his age about what coach and players surround him. He's built a bond with the KG, Doc, Ray and Paul. Did you see KG hugging him in Game 6 ? I bet you that KG is talking him into playing again.
Sheed will be back now that it looks like everyone he wants back is also. He knew what he was doing with the 3-yr contract. Expect the announcement after the Ray deal.