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

[wiley]

Let's assume the OP's scenario is correct (wise or unwise, realistic or not), that the Celtics are going to go forward in a way that allows them to make a play for free agent Dwight Howard.

If that's the case, is there no way to keep one of Glen Davis/Perk?  (I would think the Celtics would try to hang onto Glen if choosing between he and Perk, mainly due to possible knee setbacks with Perk and the upward curve in Glen's play....

I'd love it if KG and Ray signed for cheap, we started Rondo, Ray, Pierce, KG and Dwight with Baby off the bench.....KG and Ray have stated they would like and are planning to retire as Celtics.....if this is accurate and the team decides to be loyal to these wishes, they will not be traded away.....their choice will be between retiring and giving the Celtics another year (or 2....eventually off the bench.....)

So once more, would keeping one of Glen/Perk automatically kill the Howard scenario, or just make it more difficult? 

And, if the Celtics let both Glen and Perk go and land Howard, are vet. minimum contracts really the only option for Ray and KG?  Could one of them (KG if healthy) make a bit more?

[Who]

So once more, would keeping one of Glen/Perk automatically kill the Howard scenario, or just make it more difficult?

Likely just more difficult ... Edit: Actually, sorry, a Perkins contract would rule it. A BBD contract is harder to say. Depends on the cap. After looking at the numbers closer, it'll likely rule out a move for Dwight too. But it's too early to say definitively.

We'll have a much clearer view of the situation after the new CBA this summer which we should know before any decision on Perk or BBD needs to be made.

Most likely scenario in my mind is a cap around $55-56 million ... with the Celtics having money tied up in Rondo ($11 mil), Pierce ($16.79 mil), Bradley ($1.63 mil) and their first round picks in 2011 and 2012 (another $2 mil). Plus another $3.5 mil in cap holds for empty roster spots. So a total of about $35 million.

Dwight Howard will command a maximum salary whatever that figure may be in the new CBA. Likely in the $17-20 million range.

So the Celtics margin for error could be quite small when it comes to affording a max contract for Dwight ... but we'll know better this summer once the CBA is announced, when we know the cap figures and the max contract figures.

It'll be much clearer then ... and prior to the decisions Danny has to make on Glen and Perk.

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Personally, I'd like to keep the extra few million in cap flexibility (should the C's have it) to pay for a small contract for Kevin Garnett. I think there is a good chance he'd re-up for another season in 2012 if the C's had a legit shot at another title.

[Fafnir]

Personally, I'd like to keep the extra few million in cap flexibility (should the C's have it) to pay for a small contract for Kevin Garnett. I think there is a good chance he'd re-up for another season in 2012 if the C's had a legit shot at another title.

I think if the C's landed Howard and still had Pierce on the team he'd be a near certainty to come back.

Even at his and Pierce's age at that point that'd be a tremendous front court.

[Q_FBE]

According to the Mayan calender - The world ends on December 21, 2012.

So whatever happens beyond this date, simply does not matter.

Uh, OK, I choose not to believe that but there has been strange weather going on and an increase in earthquakes and volcanic activity.

THe Celtics need to prepare for life after Pierce, Garnett, and Ray Allen, also the O'Neal Brothers and Marquis Daniels.

So we have to decide on who to keep - Rondo and Glen Davis and build around these two players. We could go after Dwight Howard, we could trade Perkins out to Portland for Przbilla or Greg Oden. Midlevel candidates - Tyler Hansborough, Roy Hibbert, Lamar Odom, Shane Battier.... There is plenty of help available.

Also we could try to position our selves to make a run at Blake Griffen.

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen can stick around as minimum level players at the very end as well.

The new CBA, I feel will reward teams who live within the hard cap rules and use the draft and free agency wisely to build teams like the NFL does (witness the Patriots). I feel Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers will be the beneficiaries of this new CBA.

The New CBA will punish teams with heavy cap burdens beyond 2012.

[Fafnir]

According to the Mayan calender - The world ends on December 21, 2012.

So whatever happens beyond this date, simply does not matter.

My girlfriends birthday.

We're having a party.

[Kwhit10]

For the reasons that are being put out there for Dwight leaving Orlando, I can't see him joining teams like Indiana and Sacramento.  Washington could become a player, they have a good new owner but right now they aren't in position.

With the reasons out on the internet the Boston franchise with it's ownership, GM and coaching history and players (Rondo and PP) in place, has to be a very desirable location.

[Bankshot]

For the reasons that are being put out there for Dwight leaving Orlando, I can't see him joining teams like Indiana and Sacramento.  Washington could become a player, they have a good new owner but right now they aren't in position.

With the reasons out on the internet the Boston franchise with it's ownership, GM and coaching history and players (Rondo and PP) in place, has to be a very desirable location.

I don't think Rondo and an aging Pierce is enough.

[wdleehi]

For the reasons that are being put out there for Dwight leaving Orlando, I can't see him joining teams like Indiana and Sacramento.  Washington could become a player, they have a good new owner but right now they aren't in position.

With the reasons out on the internet the Boston franchise with it's ownership, GM and coaching history and players (Rondo and PP) in place, has to be a very desirable location.

I don't think Rondo and an aging Pierce is enough.

Rondo, Pierce, Doc as coach and Ainge with a very clear plan to explain to Howard with the track record the 4 of them have at that point could be a very attractive at that point.