The real reason why the Celtics need to not sign contracts past 2012. (opinion)

[wdleehi]

In 2012, the Celtics are only on the hook for 27 million dollar for three players.  They should have a lot of FA moves in them that year. 



They also need to be smart next year.  They can not give up that cap space.  That means making hard decisions about Perk and Davis. 



The reason, look who might be ready to bolt Florida if his team fails.  Dwight Howard.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AoMZ_CyGP6o27WO8PoNNfo28vLYF?slug=aw-magictrade121910

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14461388/blockbuster-deal-a-bigger-deal-for-magics-howard



Howard could be looking for a bigger city with a better chance to win.  Of course the article mentions LA and NY (as they are required to do whenever a player wants to leave his team), but what about Boston?



Boston will have the cap space.  They have the management and coaching that has proven capable leading a team to a title.  They will have one of the top 5 PGs in the league ready to make Howards life easier.  They will have a main scoring threat.  They will likely have space to another top weapon and solid roll players.   



I know this is just a dream and far away.  Boston should do nothing to try and position themselves better for that season.




But you get the feeling Boston wouldn't mind winning a title this season and seeing a lock out take out next season so they are not forced to have to sign Perk and/or Davis next season as to leave all that space available?

[Who]

I know this is just a dream and far away.  Boston should do nothing to try and position themselves better for that season.

I think Boston are the team best positioned to steal Dwight Howard away from the Magic.

There are no other teams shaped up (currently) to make a serious run for him. No up and coming teams with bevy's of cap space. No other teams with a talent like Rondo in the offering. No other teams with cap space with the recent history of the Celtics.

The Boston Celtics would have a tremendously attractive offer in 2012.

It is a very real opportunity ... one that should be their prime medium + long term focus.

[Birdbrain]

I was with you until the lockout point.  I want this group to have as many chances to win a ring as they can and if there is a lockout KG might retire.   And without KG and with Howard Boston is worse.

[dpaps]

 And without KG and with Howard Boston is worse.

I don't know about this...

[GreenEnvy]

This team is obviously a contender, and with most players (sans West, Perkins, Davis) on board for next season, they should be elite next season too.

Why risk ruining a title chance for a slim chance at a good player. D12 is pretty great defensively (I still prefer KG's all-around defensive presence for this team more), but he offers little offensively still. He worked with Ewing his whole career basically, so a couple weeks with Hakeem can't change him all that much.

Ask the Knicks what happens when you sacrifice seasons for a potential FA.


Also, at $27M for Rondo and Pierce ($29M with AB), even if you are able to convince Howard (at ~$13M+ starting salary) to come here, that is not a lot of money to fill out the team, unless you have KG/Ray come back on vet minimum deals. We would lose their rights and have no MLE.

Way too risky a proposition right now.

[Q_FBE]

I see your point but that also comes with risks too. Is Dwight Howard an upgrade over Perkins and BBD? Maybe. Do we need to start planning for the future after KG, PP, and RA? Definitely but not immediately.

I think Magic did well to bring back Hedo Turkoglu but not Gilbert Arenas who has to be the #1 option on a bad team. So it will be very interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out down in Orlando.

[pearljammer10]

Is Howard an upgrade over Perk and BBD? Um obviously... Is that even a question?

I like the position we are in for Howard. Rondo and Howard would be a crazy good combo and with Pierce at the age he will be he can post and pop with him nicely. After the big three era, Howard would be the perfect addition/replacement.

[wdleehi]

And I am not against bringing back some of the other Celtics at that point. 


If they can convince KG to keep playing and to play at a smaller dollar amount. 


But neither Davis nor Perk is talented enough to give up to much future cap space when Howard could be available. 



Remember, none of this hurts the Celtics chance to win this season.  It impacts next year. 

[MBunge]

But neither Davis nor Perk is talented enough to give up to much future cap space when Howard could be available. 

Obviously, you'd rather have Howard than Perk and Davis, even though Howard's offensive limitations are still troubling.  But Perk and Davis are a very good combination and not something you just let walk away because you "might" have a shot at Howard.

Mike

[Jeff]

no question - it has to be on their minds

[Brendan]

makes sense to me... rondo and howard in the pick and roll with a bunch of shooters... I could see Ray and Pierce staying around on reasonable deals to play with Howie... KG too.

It's about 100x more realistic the Elrond's Rivers Jr fantasy.

[housecall]

My thoughts have been what did the GM and coach of the Hornets say to CP3 to make him back down so fast from trying to leave NO.There has to be something more down the road they saw or planning to do that is bigger than what we see now with their team,could it be D.Howard in the future to NO?Remember CP3 and Howard,Melo were teammates and became good friends that summer when they won gold.

[wdleehi]

But neither Davis nor Perk is talented enough to give up to much future cap space when Howard could be available. 

Obviously, you'd rather have Howard than Perk and Davis, even though Howard's offensive limitations are still troubling.  But Perk and Davis are a very good combination and not something you just let walk away because you "might" have a shot at Howard.

Mike

Yes.  Without a doubt.  Top 2 player in the NBA.  He took a team with the next two best playing players being Lewis and Hedo to the Finals.  A team that beat the starting big man lineup of Davis and Perk.  He is the reason the Celtics need so much size in the East.  


A team built around Howard, Rondo and a star offensive player is the foundation of a multi-title team.  



With that said, if the NBA is locked out next year, neither Perk nor Davis will have signed with anyone.  One or both could be brought back to rejoin a Celtics team that has Howard (though Perk would be highly unlikely).


No lockout, the Celtics might not be willing to spend the same level to keep either.  

[wdleehi]

My thoughts have been what did the GM and coach of the Hornets say to CP3 to make him back down so fast from trying to leave NO.There has to be something more down the road they saw or planning to do that is bigger than what we see now with their team,could it be D.Howard in the future to NO?Remember CP3 and Howard,Melo were teammates and became good friends that summer when they won gold.

They started out the season winning.  Paul also saw some of the backlash.  Who says he is happy and going to stay?  Heck, with the NBA owning the team, who says it stays in NO?

[housecall]

My thoughts have been what did the GM and coach of the Hornets say to CP3 to make him back down so fast from trying to leave NO.There has to be something more down the road they saw or planning to do that is bigger than what we see now with their team,could it be D.Howard in the future to NO?Remember CP3 and Howard,Melo were teammates and became good friends that summer when they won gold.

They started out the season winning.  Paul also saw some of the backlash.  Who says he is happy and going to stay?  Heck, with the NBA owning the team, who says it stays in NO?

Maybe Orlando go after CP3 in the long run and dump Nelson?