What the Celtics need to do with their last roster spot

[BDubs]

With Shaq now officially signed and assuming that Lafayette & Gaffney will be cut based on the fact that they have non guaranteed deals, that leaves one roster spot available to fill, and with Quis and Von Wafer not being the most reliable players due to injury and attitude problems the Celtics really need to add a QUALITY SG/SF and the best one available right now is Tracy McGrady.  It was only 3 years ago when he was averaging 21, 5, & 6 for Houston, is still only 31 years old, and his drop off over the last couple of years has waaay more to do with injury issues than it does a decline in talent.  With those hopefully behind him I think he can prove a lot of people wrong about writing him off this summer.  If the C's can get 70% of what T-Mac was just 3 years ago we'd have a steal at the backup SG/SF spot.  Only if they can get him to do what Shaq has just done:  Leave his ego at the door, take the minimum, and fight for a championship. 

PG  Rajon Rondo   / Nate Robinson / Avery Bradley       
SG  Ray Allen    /  Tracy McGrady / Von Wafer
SF  Paul Pierce  /  Marquis Daniels / Luke Harangody
PF  Kevin Garnett / Jermaine O'Neil / Big Baby
C   Kendrick Perkins / Shaq        / Semih Erden

Imagine having a team come playoff time with Shaq, T-Mac, & Jermaine O'Neil coming off the bench.  What do you guys think?

[ThaPreacher]

   Celtics need another shooter.  If McGrady had the goods, Chicago would have signed him.  Or had negotiations with him.
If he can't score with D'Antoni, likely he is cooked.
Kinda like when CWebb went to Philly.  I think the Celtics would be better off in holding Sheed's contract, and then packaging it at trade deadline.  Question is, will he hold-off on filing retirement papers.

[GreenEnvy]

I would be ok with TMac, I think he is a big enough body to guard wing players if he commits to winning and understands his role. I'd flip 'Quis and TMac as SG and SF, respectively.

I'd like another 3-point shooter ('Sheed? lol)

Erden I wouldn't mind gone at all, and Harangody I don't know if he can play in the NBA as a SF, so I'm not sure his spot is guaranteed.

[Roy Hobbs]

If we're worried about injuries / attitude issues with Marquis and Wafer, we've got to be downright frightened by Tmac's similar issues, right?

[Rashi]

I'd rather take West than T-mac.

[Jon]

I don't know if I'd be thrilled about T-Mac, but while we're assembling the 2000 All Star Team, we might as well. 

Truthfully, while I'd like an upgrade over Wafer and Daniels at the 2/3, with Shaq here, I'm more optimistic.  We don't need our wings to do much more than defend and hit some open shots (Daniels can at least do the former and Wafer the latter).  So if we can't get anyone to bite on Sheed, I wouldn't be opposed to getting McGrady. 

After all, if he sucks, we can always cut him. 

Still, I'd think I'd prefer to trade Sheed's deal. 

[the_Bird]

We've got Nate and Wafer to hit shots.  We need another defensive 3, someone who can defend LeBron reasonably well (or at least give him six hard fouls).  Ideal, of course, would be someone who can defend AND hit a corner 3, like Posey from a couple years back (not sure if this year's model can do either anymore).

[guava_wrench]

  Celtics need another shooter.  If McGrady had the goods, Chicago would have signed him.  Or had negotiations with him.
If he can't score with D'Antoni, likely he is cooked.
Kinda like when CWebb went to Philly.  I think the Celtics would be better off in holding Sheed's contract, and then packaging it at trade deadline.  Question is, will he hold-off on filing retirement papers.

Of course he would hold off. If there was a team willing to pay him over 3 million to sit at home when they didn't have to, why wouldn't he hold off?

The question is whether the team is irresponsible enough to throw away 7 million dollars. I think they are too smart to do that.

[DinTN]

What's the status of Semih Erden, particularly in terms of his contract? Has he been signed, is it guaranteed, can we cut him, can we keep his rights but let him return overseas...?

With Shaq signed it seems like we need to move him off the 15-man roster - if we can.

[houlana]

I'd rather take West than T-mac.

come on man. west is no good.

Get T-Mac or AI.

this team would be sick, make it old school

[PosImpos]

I'd rather pick up a young, athletic guy who can score in bunches from the D-league than sign T-Mac.  I mean, guys like Reggie Williams and Anthony Morrow go undrafted and manage to score 15 points a game in an uptempo system where no defense is required (Golden State).  At least they're young.  T-Mac was in a similar situation last year and he couldn't even score.  He's also old with lingering injury concerns and diminished athleticism.

I'll take a Reggie Williams over T-Mac any day.

[DinTN]

Chicago nor Miami want T-Mac. Rose really wanted him in Chicago. Doesn't give me much encouragement.

[billysan]

I would love to have a young guy like Moon or even Chuck Hayes. A power three or 'extreme' athletic four that can play defense, run the floor, jump through the roof. This is the type of guy we need to aggravate Lebron, Artest, Josh Smith, Carmelo, Durant and so on.

Barring that, Rudy Fernandez or a comparable wing talent.

Dont count out Semih Erden just yet. He just may become a serviceable back up center in a year or two and would then be well worth the modest investment and roster spot. He is likely going to live in the D league this year anyway with Harangody as his room mate.

[rondohondo]

Rasual Butler !! he has the length to Play sg and sf. Pretty good 3Pt shooter [36% career]. He is also a very capable defender, has good athleticism and can get out on the fast break and finish.

he can also be had for the vet min ,he hasn't been signed yet has he?

[Jon]

Rasual Butler !! he has the length to Play sg and sf. Pretty good 3Pt shooter [36% career]. He is also a very capable defender, has good athleticism and can get out on the fast break and finish.

he can also be had for the vet min

He already re-signed with the Clippers.