Danny Ainge HAS made an offer to Ray *link*

[thirstyboots18]

LeBron has been recruiting him, if LeBron stays I think Bosh will join him.  LeBron may hold out too long and lose everyone.

[action781]

Don't forget, Ray let us down in the playoff's
I would rather have JJ Redick, Anthony morrow,play the 2 for us than to sign ray to a 3 year deal.
I think we should invest and trade for Rudy Fernandez, he can be our starting 2. Ray is going to get offers for 40 million in this market, and we know that is not fair after how he played in the finals, guy could not buy a basket.

I, too, would perhaps like to see a transition into JJ Redick or Morrow as the starting 2 for us.  But in order to compete this season, it only makes sense to re-sign Ray.  We have 3 ways of getting quality players:  Sheed's contract, MLE, and Bird rights.  Only 2 of them apply to getting players outside of our current organization.  A backup big and a backup 3 are 2 positions we have nobody in our current organization who can fill (to compete at the top of the league), so we absolutely need to use the MLE and Sheed's contract on those 2 positions.  That leaves us with starting SG and backup SG that we can only fill by either re-signing Ray and Tony or signing vet min guys.  The only alternative to this is if you think there is a vet min big who can come in and start opening day for us (not happening) or you think there is a serviceable backup SF who can be had for the vet min (possible) or Harangody could fill it (a possibility after watching last night's game).  Otherwise, we need to resign Ray.  And Tony.  And maybe Nate too unless Bradley is really good.

[Andy Jick]

Everyone seems nervous about Ray leaving but here are some reasons I think he stays.
1. For his son: who should stay in an area where they have one of the best children's hospitals.

I don't buy this argument...MANY large metropolitan cities have outstanding children's hospitals, as that's becoming a staple of society.  Ray's child will receive great care wherever he goes.

[Jon Niednagel]

Don't forget, Ray let us down in the playoff's
I would rather have JJ Redick, Anthony morrow,play the 2 for us than to sign ray to a 3 year deal.
I think we should invest and trade for Rudy Fernandez, he can be our starting 2. Ray is going to get offers for 40 million in this market, and we know that is not fair after how he played in the finals, guy could not buy a basket.

I, too, would perhaps like to see a transition into JJ Redick or Morrow as the starting 2 for us.  But in order to compete this season, it only makes sense to re-sign Ray.  We have 3 ways of getting quality players:  Sheed's contract, MLE, and Bird rights.  Only 2 of them apply to getting players outside of our current organization.  A backup big and a backup 3 are 2 positions we have nobody in our current organization who can fill (to compete at the top of the league), so we absolutely need to use the MLE and Sheed's contract on those 2 positions.  That leaves us with starting SG and backup SG that we can only fill by either re-signing Ray and Tony or signing vet min guys.  The only alternative to this is if you think there is a vet min big who can come in and start opening day for us (not happening) or you think there is a serviceable backup SF who can be had for the vet min (possible) or Harangody could fill it (a possibility after watching last night's game).  Otherwise, we need to resign Ray.  And Tony.  And maybe Nate too unless Bradley is really good.

Action,

I agree with this. I prefer re-signing Ray to a reasonable contract, but if it doesn't work out I'd be happy give up the two D-Leaguers and maybe a late pick for Rudy. I think he would fit nicely alongside Rondo as they each compliment the other's skill set. Of course, in the dream off-season scenario, Sheed would then be traded to ATL for Marvin Williams, Shaq would sign for the MLE, Nate and Tony would be re-signed, and the C's find a serviceable center for the vet minimum.  

[thirstyboots18]

Everyone seems nervous about Ray leaving but here are some reasons I think he stays.
1. For his son: who should stay in an area where they have one of the best children's hospitals.

I don't buy this argument...MANY large metropolitan cities have outstanding children's hospitals, as that's becoming a staple of society.  Ray's child will receive great care wherever he goes.

This is true, Andy Jick,...the same goes for the University system...others are overtaking and even passing Boston's hallowed halls...hard as it is for some to believe.  Sad as some might find it...Boston is no longer the Hub of the Universe.

[Chris]

Everyone seems nervous about Ray leaving but here are some reasons I think he stays.
1. For his son: who should stay in an area where they have one of the best children's hospitals.

I don't buy this argument...MANY large metropolitan cities have outstanding children's hospitals, as that's becoming a staple of society.  Ray's child will receive great care wherever he goes.

Well, there is a difference between seeing a great doctor, and seeing the kid's doctor.  They already have a relationship there, and that can be very important.  As can not pulling kids out of school, or uprooting the family in general.  Now, it depends on the person, and their personal circumstances to put a price on that.  But it absolutely comes into play. 

[BballTim]

I was thinking along the lines of a 3 way trade with sheed & curry's contracts with us landing Ellis,Arenas,VC,

\

  I'd rather blow it up and start from scratch with just Rondo than trade for Carter and Arenas.

[BballTim]

Pierce contract is going to hurt us in getting Ray back.  We just gave him 15 mil a season...we have been billing the Big Three as equals so long that Ray is going to expect something similar, There's no way he's signing here for 8-10 a year

  I think Paul's contract is more likely to help us get Ray back as it gives Danny $6-7M more to play with this year.

[thirstyboots18]

I am counting on your point being correct, Chris...as I have said, I really want Ray back with the Celts.  I hope they are so comfortable with the doctors that they feel like family now!  And I did not mean to imply that Boston's hospitals and schools have declined, merely that others have caught up or are catching up.

[kozlodoev]

Pierce contract is going to hurt us in getting Ray back.  We just gave him 15 mil a season...we have been billing the Big Three as equals so long that Ray is going to expect something similar, There's no way he's signing here for 8-10 a year

  I think Paul's contract is more likely to help us get Ray back as it gives Danny $6-7M more to play with this year.

There is no way you can give Allen a starting salary of less than 10 million a year, based on what Pierce was signed for. If Pierce had a starting salary of 10 instead of 13 million, it would have been a different story altogether. And I don't think extra millions will help much.

[Jon]

Pierce contract is going to hurt us in getting Ray back.  We just gave him 15 mil a season...we have been billing the Big Three as equals so long that Ray is going to expect something similar, There's no way he's signing here for 8-10 a year

  I think Paul's contract is more likely to help us get Ray back as it gives Danny $6-7M more to play with this year.

Aside from the money freed up, exactly why did Danny and Wyc decide to give PP the extension?  It wasn't just because of loyalty; it was also because they think they can win it all next year.  And there's no way they can win it with letting Ray walk (a S&T could be possible). 

While Ray could be pricey, not signing him is more pricey, as it pretty much begins the decline of the C's right away while still paying Paul and KG like we're contending. 

[BballTim]

Pierce contract is going to hurt us in getting Ray back.  We just gave him 15 mil a season...we have been billing the Big Three as equals so long that Ray is going to expect something similar, There's no way he's signing here for 8-10 a year

  I think Paul's contract is more likely to help us get Ray back as it gives Danny $6-7M more to play with this year.

There is no way you can give Allen a starting salary of less than 10 million a year, based on what Pierce was signed for. If Pierce had a starting salary of 10 instead of 13 million, it would have been a different story altogether. And I don't think extra millions will help much.

  If PP has a salary of $13M that's $8M less than his option, or $16M in savings including the luxury tax. That would give Danny the ability to offer more money to Ray and still stay close to whatever his budget is.

[Andy Jick]

I really believe that Ray's decision is going to come down to two things...

1) MONEY
2) The number of years (3+)

This is his LAST "long-term" contract ever.  He knows this, and he's not like KG or Paul.  I don't think Ray is as tied to the idea of playing for this team because he's already played for two other teams.  I really do not believe the Celtics will pony up a third year, and I also believe that will cause Ray to walk out that door...

[hpantazo]

Everyone seems nervous about Ray leaving but here are some reasons I think he stays.
1. For his son: who should stay in an area where they have one of the best children's hospitals.

I don't buy this argument...MANY large metropolitan cities have outstanding children's hospitals, as that's becoming a staple of society.  Ray's child will receive great care wherever he goes.

This is true, Andy Jick,...the same goes for the University system...others are overtaking and even passing Boston's hallowed halls...hard as it is for some to believe.  Sad as some might find it...Boston is no longer the Hub of the Universe.

I think you are both vastly underrating the quality of the hospitals, universities, and doctors in Boston. The level is still vastly superior to other large cities, and if anything, even more true today than in the past. I think Ray recognizes this, and when you have the money and the freedom to choose what's best for your kid, the choice is easy.

[Chris]

Everyone seems nervous about Ray leaving but here are some reasons I think he stays.
1. For his son: who should stay in an area where they have one of the best children's hospitals.

I don't buy this argument...MANY large metropolitan cities have outstanding children's hospitals, as that's becoming a staple of society.  Ray's child will receive great care wherever he goes.

This is true, Andy Jick,...the same goes for the University system...others are overtaking and even passing Boston's hallowed halls...hard as it is for some to believe.  Sad as some might find it...Boston is no longer the Hub of the Universe.

I think you are both vastly underrating the quality of the hospitals, universities, and doctors in Boston. The level is still vastly superior to other large cities, and if anything, even more true today than in the past. I think Ray recognizes this, and when you have the money and the freedom to choose what's best for your kid, the choice is easy.

As someone who works for one of the best hospitals in Boston, I want to agree with you...but I think you are overstating things.  Boston has great hospitals...but so does NY, and Chicago, and many other major cities.  While some of those cities might not have the same number of great hospitals as Boston, they all have ones that are comparable at the top of the list, and since Ray is certainly only looking at the top of the list that is all that matters.

Now, I do think this will be part of the equation, because it is tough to jump from doctor to doctor, but they will get excellent care no matter where they go.