Celtics "bucket list"

[OhioGreen]

Maybe we've been going at this FA thing all wrong! Instead of trying to target players we really want maybe we should just make a list of guys that are experienced NBA players that would just be happy for someone to give them a paycheck next season. Not the greatest options, but 5 or 6 of them on the bench could give you a handful of minutes per game, and not look too bad doing it. Doc would sure love it as he'd never have to play a young guy!
Here are a few names to get started:

Tony Battie
Tim Thomas
Kurt Thomas
Adonal Foyle
Jerry Stackhouse
TMac
AI
Chucky Atkins
Francisco Elson
Fabricio Oberto
Theo Ratliff
Brian Skinner
Joe Smith
Jason Williams

With our finances being what they are it's either guys like these or a bunch of SL or DL players to fill out the roster.  At least these "bucket listers" are less prone to mistakes, if not also good play.

[Jeff]

yeah, but all these guys will be available in August for the Vet min, so no hurry

I'd take a flyer on TMac and Oberto and maybe Joe Smith if he can still walk

[moiso]

I'd sign Kurt Thomas right now.  His numbers don't show it, but I believe he would contribute to winning much more than Jermaine Oneal.

I'd also sign TMac if he would come off the bench for a reasonable salary.  I've been a big basher of TMac the star player in recent years, but I think he'd make a great bench player if he is willing.  However, I wouldn't be surprised if he still has delusions of grandeur.

[Cman]

Nice list.  I'd go with Oberto or Ratliff to begin, since big men are a big need for the Celtics with Perk not playing most of the year, and KG and JO's injury history.  Plus big men tend to go more quickly than guards.

More importantly, if Danny's plan is to fill out the rest of the roster with vet min guys, the Cs are not winning a championship.  Period. 

It is very important for the Celtics to have quality bench players, who can play 25+ minutes a night, because the bench players will get a lot of minutes during the year so as to keep the wear and tear off the big three. 

[Who]

Theo Ratliff would be a nice third string center. He still plays solid defense.

[billysan]

Pretty sure J Will is going to join the Heat. He still has South Beach connections and likes the idea of a Florida Gators reunion with Haslem, et al.

The problem with these vet min lists (and I have made a few) is that it is very difficult to find players that will really fit into a rotation role and play 15 plus minutes. Most of these guys will be 11-15 names on any roster and not see the floor. That doesnt help our starters or depth much IMO.

As previously stated, we need an athletic wing and a long big that are capable of decent, productive minutes. Nice effort, but I dont see any here beyond Kurt Thomas or maybe Oberto.

I still hold out hope that we trade Sheeds contract for a decent player or that he just dceides not to retire. He is a better bench big option than most of these.

[Jon]

Well the luxury we have at the 5 spot is that Perk will eventually be back.  So even if we went with an older player like Ratliff, Thomas, Smith, or even Tony Battie, that player would only be expected to hold the fort down until about the All Star break and then would more or less become Shelden Williams for us.  

So I'd really just wait to see who will take the minimum.  Most of those guys will be adequate.  

Small forward is a different story.  Hopefully this Howard thing goes down.  If not, I might roll the dice on T-Mac or Stack.  Both score well enough to take pressure of PP and Ray and hopefully entice Doc to leave them on the bench for a few more minutes a game.   

[footey]

I'd bring Scal  back for the vet minimum. He is a good spot starter, if KG or Baby has time off for any reason. Solid defender.  Last year's team proved we just need to finish top 4 in East, and be fresh for the play-offs. Scal can help keep the other guys fresh. Plus he knows the defensive rotations as well as anyone, and might be a good bench coach some day.

[OhioGreen]

Nice list.  I'd go with Oberto or Ratliff to begin, since big men are a big need for the Celtics with Perk not playing most of the year, and KG and JO's injury history.  Plus big men tend to go more quickly than guards.

More importantly, if Danny's plan is to fill out the rest of the roster with vet min guys, the Cs are not winning a championship.  Period. 

It is very important for the Celtics to have quality bench players, who can play 25+ minutes a night, because the bench players will get a lot of minutes during the year so as to keep the wear and tear off the big three. 

Pretty sure J Will is going to join the Heat. He still has South Beach connections and likes the idea of a Florida Gators reunion with Haslem, et al.

The problem with these vet min lists (and I have made a few) is that it is very difficult to find players that will really fit into a rotation role and play 15 plus minutes. Most of these guys will be 11-15 names on any roster and not see the floor. That doesnt help our starters or depth much IMO.

As previously stated, we need an athletic wing and a long big that are capable of decent, productive minutes. Nice effort, but I dont see any here beyond Kurt Thomas or maybe Oberto.

I still hold out hope that we trade Sheeds contract for a decent player or that he just dceides not to retire. He is a better bench big option than most of these.

Agreed, if these guys are our bench we're in deep trouble, but it appears that is what we're gonna be left with.  The tier of players just above this is out of our price range!

[by19]

"Stack" & Oberto...those 2 tough savvy players...still in good physical shape and play physially.  Each are more than decent glass cleaners, play the "D" and have range on their shots.  Just as importantly they'd definitely be hungry to win it all. Plus we have "AP' & Harangody waiting to throw their game around...