Danny says the C's want to bring TA and Nate back ; the interest is mutual

[CoachBo]

He's not some midget chucking threes indiscriminately.  He has real value

The problem is he tends to play like one way too often. He can be a valuable rotation player, but "tremendous talent" is pushing it slightly.

Yeah. I chuckled at the hyperbole myself.

[birdwatcher]

I would love to have both back. TA played great D last year and Nate showed what he can do in the playoffs. I think we would need a scoring man behind Pierce like Rasual Butler but then who could we trade Sheed for? But I am not crying about that situation because its a good one to be in. I think we could have one of the best if not best bench in the league.

Nate-Scorer
TA-Nothing but D
Butler-3 point special
BBD-Beast in the paint
J Oneal-Good defense and Decent offense

I would really like this team if we can get something like that to go so we will see!

I don't see how Butler is a scorer. He has low shooting %, low scoring avg, doesn't rebound and it's unlikely he can play D on the level TA can. I think we need to keep TA here as he knows the system and his role. He may even be able to expand upon his role in the regular season when he isn't asked to play ridiculous D on the opposing teams best player every game. Nate...I just don't see why. We'd have the smallest back court in the league.

[LooseCannon]

I don't see how Butler is a scorer.

He's not a scorer.  He's a defensive specialist whose 36% career 3-point percentage is enough to spread the floor a little.  That isn't enough to make up the difference between Butler being a good defender and TA being a great defender, however.

I don't think people get that Nate Robinson is an above-average NBA player despite his size.  His athleticism means that he can be an adequate defender if he puts forth the effort and plays within the system.  In a vacuum, I think he's a better player than Glen Davis, but Boston needs Big Baby more than Little Nate due to the personnel currently in place.  They're both useful players whose flaws, including lack of height, make them better suited to bench roles.

[jr_3421]

We need to bring back both otherwise we are counting on Bradley or a vet min guy as our main back up at the 1 or 2.

You want Bradley to seize the job but you don't want to start the season counting on him as your main back up

I agree 100%. Remember Bradley is only 19 years old and coming off of ankle surgery.

[ForexPirate]

you need nate - you can't plan on him for 40 minutes for 110+- games per year.  

[erisred]

Can someone enlighten me on the salary cap rules?  I thought that since Nate was only signed to a 1-yr deal, we didn't have his "Bird" rights, which means we could only sign him to a vet min contract if over the cap.  Is that true?  And do we have Tony's "Bird" rights?

The C's can offer Nate a salary up to 120% of his last year's contract.

I think, not sure but think, that we can make or match an offer for Tony up to the MLE.

[Jon]

We should have Bird rights on Tony, so we should be able to offer him whatever. 

As for Nate, does he really need a raise on the 3 million+ he earned last year?  Is anyone actually going to pay him that?  I feel like we can get him cheaper.  And to be honest, unless Wyc's feeling very generous and still wants to take on more salary for another big and another 3, I'd rather just try my chances on Avery Bradley at the 1.  If Rondo goes down for the year, Nate's not going to matter anyway.  And if Rondo's healthy, he will play 40+ mpg come playoff time, Nate or no.  So I'm not sure 3-4 million a year makes much sense for him. 

[Jon]

Apparently TA is re-signed.  Despite the fact that he and Bradley could probably hold down the fort, I think I'd still like another 3.  With LeBron and Wade together, we're going to need plenty of reserves. 

[Celtics Insider]

We should have resigned Nate Robinson instead of Allen. I think Bradley can step right in at SG.

[Jon]

We should have resigned Nate Robinson instead of Allen. I think Bradley can step right in at SG.

Well, I don't think that it should be ruled out that Nate comes back.  So TA might just be insurance.  Plus, Danny might just be content to play TA and Bradley play together, and let the official ballhandler be [dang]ed.  We'll have to see.

Even if Bradley beats him out, TA is nice insurance.

P.S. I think the title of this thread should be changed to "It's official: Tony Allen re-signs with the Celtics."

[Celtics Insider]

We should have resigned Nate Robinson instead of Allen. I think Bradley can step right in at SG.

Well, I don't think that it should be ruled out that Nate comes back.  So TA might just be insurance.  Plus, Danny might just be content to play TA and Bradley play together, and let the official ballhandler be [dang]ed.  We'll have to see.

Even if Bradley beats him out, TA is nice insurance.

P.S. I think the title of this thread should be changed to "It's official: Tony Allen re-signs with the Celtics."

Yeah, I wouldn't mind Tony and Bradley each splitting time. I'd much rather pair Bradley with Rondo and Tony with Nate, though.

[guava_wrench]

We should have resigned Nate Robinson instead of Allen. I think Bradley can step right in at SG.

Step right in at SG on a team hoping to make a deep run in the playoffs? Even if you are correct, it would take an irresponsible GM to count on that if he could get Nate and TA at reasonable contracts.

[Evantime34]

We just need to resign Nate, then get someone with with Sheeds contract.

We will not be getting the top level vet min guys unless they want to stick it to Lebron, Wade and Bosh.

[Jon]

We should have resigned Nate Robinson instead of Allen. I think Bradley can step right in at SG.

Step right in at SG on a team hoping to make a deep run in the playoffs? Even if you are correct, it would take an irresponsible GM to count on that if he could get Nate and TA at reasonable contracts.

I think point guard would be the safer bet for him as it would a) require fewer minutes of him and b) match him up against weaker competition.  The road the the Finals isn't paved with too many elite point guards, and especially not defensively strong ones.  So he shouldn't have too much trouble bringing the ball up.  And defense is his strength, so he should be able to stick with the Jameer Nelson's of the world. 

[Celtics Insider]

We should have resigned Nate Robinson instead of Allen. I think Bradley can step right in at SG.

Step right in at SG on a team hoping to make a deep run in the playoffs? Even if you are correct, it would take an irresponsible GM to count on that if he could get Nate and TA at reasonable contracts.

I think point guard would be the safer bet for him as it would a) require fewer minutes of him and b) match him up against weaker competition.  The road the the Finals isn't paved with too many elite point guards, and especially not defensively strong ones.  So he shouldn't have too much trouble bringing the ball up.  And defense is his strength, so he should be able to stick with the Jameer Nelson's of the world. 

I still think Bradley has All-Star potential at SG. Yes, he COULD play, PG, but he has a better chance at SG, especially with Rondo already being in Boston.