What if KG doesn't retire after this year?

[FrDrake]

Most Celtics and NBA fans are assuming that KG will ride off into the sunset after his current contract runs out, and the Celtics will then have cap room and flexibility to build around Rondo and PP.

But what if KG doesn't retire?  The man is an athletic freak of nature and has probably never been out of shape in his entire adult life.  He's the captain of the defense and the heart and soul of the team.  Why not resign him but at a more reasonable cost?  Imagine the benefits he would give the team when recruiting free agents.

My question for the board: How much would you pay KG to remain with the Cs after this year and how long would he be an effective player in the league?

[Moranis]

I'd give him a 2 year deal at 5-6 million a year and he would have to be willing to come off the bench and play center (if necessary for both).  Even is ok with the last two, I'd probably give him a bit more money.

Of course all of that depends on what happens with the CBA and what the cap number is, the flexibility in it, etc.

[Fafnir]

I'd give him a 2 year deal at 5-6 million a year and he would have to be willing to come off the bench and play center (if necessary for both).  Even is ok with the last two, I'd probably give him a bit more money.

Of course all of that depends on what happens with the CBA and what the cap number is, the flexibility in it, etc.

Yeah KG will still be worth a current MLE size deal for a few more years even under the new CBA.

Under the current CBA he'd be a Ray Allen type contract. (two years 10 million something like that)

[Chris]

I think it all depends on how everything else plays out.  I think Danny would love to keep KG and Ray around after next year, but his main priority will be restocking the shelves with younger players.  Obviously, the ideal scenario would involve Danny being able to get another star or two either via trade of free agency in 2012, but still being able to resign KG and/or Ray to smaller deals to help with the transition, and bring some leadership and still some skills in smaller roles.

[pearljammer10]

See how he plays this year. He isnt the same old KG. He lost his step and can no longer back up his trash talk. He has a lot of mileage on those legs and that tank is running close to empty...In a much smaller role coming off the bench i would consider keeping him. But I dont think he sticks around. He has had an unbelievable career and I would like to see him go out as best as he can. I dont think coming off the bench for a few minutes per game really does much for his legacy.

[Mike-Dub]

I think it all depends on how everything else plays out.  I think Danny would love to keep KG and Ray around after next year, but his main priority will be restocking the shelves with younger players.  Obviously, the ideal scenario would involve Danny being able to get another star or two either via trade of free agency in 2012, but still being able to resign KG and/or Ray to smaller deals to help with the transition, and bring some leadership and still some skills in smaller roles.

Would love for this to happen.

[mctyson]

The main issue with KG is the knee.  I think he can play another 5 years if he limits his minutes appropriately.  He has one of the best inside-out games of any 4/5 in the league.  He will always have value so long as Rondo can play pick-and-pop with him.  He's money from 20 feet.

And his team defense will never subside.

[Marcus13]

It's REALLY hard to say.

Im sure Danny has a plan on what he's trying to do after next season but Im also sure we'd love to have KG back.

It's going to be a difficult position

[BballTim]

The main issue with KG is the knee.  I think he can play another 5 years if he limits his minutes appropriately.  He has one of the best inside-out games of any 4/5 in the league.  He will always have value so long as Rondo can play pick-and-pop with him.  He's money from 20 feet.

And his team defense will never subside.

  I don't know about 5 years but he isn't done yet. The guy's still a deserving all-star. I'd say a Ray Allen type of deal (meaning 2 years or so) would be reasonable next summer.

[southshorematt]

I would take him for 2 years at teh MLE. He would be a great player to help groom/coach up whatever young talent we aquire next summer.

[jambr380]

I also agree that a two year deal seems reasonable, as he should have that much left in the tank. If we somehow are able to sign Dwight Howard (or another deserving max contract guy), then he will have to settle for the MLE. If not, and we can only re-tool, maybe he gets 8 mill a year or so. He wants to win as much as anybody, so he would be willing to take a slight paycut.

[greenpride32]

If not for that knee injury in 2009 I'd say he would easily go 5 more if he wanted to.  But it's quite obvious he plays in pain on a lot of nights.  I think the pain, how well he can peform, and how competitive the team is will dictate how long he wants to stick around.

[LilRip]

i would go nuts if both he and Ray Allen accept vet min. deals. We sign DH12 long-term. Acquire Josh Smith (or something). and then sign RA and KG to vet min??? ho-ley-cuh-rap!

[GreenEnvy]

It all depends on two things - the new CBA and the FA class of 2012.

If we can get Howard (doubtful), we wouldn't be able to afford him for anything more than the vet min.

If the CBA isn't significantly different than this one (doubtful), give him the Ray special, 2-year, $20 million w/ the second being a player option.

If things change drastically or we are in a position to get Howard, I still really want to see KG here. I can't envision ever seeing him in another uniform anymore.

[action781]

I also agree that a two year deal seems reasonable, as he should have that much left in the tank. If we somehow are able to sign Dwight Howard (or another deserving max contract guy), then he will have to settle for the MLE. If not, and we can only re-tool, maybe he gets 8 mill a year or so. He wants to win as much as anybody, so he would be willing to take a slight paycut.

Perhaps somebody can verify this, but I'm nearly certain that if we get Dwight Howard, we almost certainly can ONLY offer Ray and KG minimum contracts to come back or very close to it.

We will first need to renounce their Bird Rights in order to free up the cap space to sign Howard.  With cap holds, rookies, additional signings this offseason, etc. signing Howard will almost take us up to the cap limit.

Most importantly, if we go under the cap in order to sign Howard, we no longer have the MLE available to us.  The MLE is only available for teams who start the offseason over the cap (or within the MLE of the cap).

So all we can offer KG and Ray in '12 are whatever cap space we have left or minimum contracts after we renounce their Bird Rights.