Celtics likely to be in tough spot with new CBA

[mloyko]

http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/11/26/the-mid-level-and-bird-rights/

this is a really good article explaining the new midlevel exception and tax level.. they use the celtics as the example..

basically it looks like the celtics will have the option to either use the full MLE or resign their own FA they wont be able to do both

[indeedproceed]

http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/11/26/the-mid-level-and-bird-rights/

this is a really good article explaining the new midlevel exception and tax level.. they use the celtics as the example..

basically it looks like the celtics will have the option to either use the full MLE or resign their own FA they wont be able to do both

Yeah, it looks like the Celtics are going to be shooting for Bugle Boy jeans, not Polo.

[snively]

So it's basically a question of whether we'd rather have Green and Baby back, or a shiny new MLE signing.  Anyone out there better than Green and Baby combined? 

Maybe a few guys: AK-47, Kenyon Martin, Vince Carter...

On paper Green+Baby is better value than most full MLE signings, in terms of production and team needs, but they are such a poor fit together (no rebounding, shot-blocking) and they really need to come together (signing Jeff Green would put us over the tax, likely taking away our full MLE, making retaining Baby for our shaky big rotation even more important). 

It's probably the safest bet to retain them both and hope that the mini-MLE will procure a big of sufficient quality (and that JO will hold together long enough) to relegate Baby to the 5th big/trade bait role that he deserves.

[hpantazo]

So it's basically a question of whether we'd rather have Green and Baby back, or a shiny new MLE signing.  Anyone out there better than Green and Baby combined? 

Maybe a few guys: AK-47, Kenyon Martin, Vince Carter...

On paper Green+Baby is better value than most full MLE signings, in terms of production and team needs, but they are such a poor fit together (no rebounding, shot-blocking) and they really need to come together (signing Jeff Green would put us over the tax, likely taking away our full MLE, making retaining Baby for our shaky big rotation even more important). 

It's probably the safest bet to retain them both and hope that the mini-MLE will procure a big of sufficient quality (and that JO will hold together long enough) to relegate Baby to the 5th big/trade bait role that he deserves.

I think keeping them both is our best bet as well. There is no one we can realistically get with the MLE that is worth it anyway.

[GranTur]

Here's what I said in a FanPost on the topic:

It seems like the new CBA is a disdvantage for big market teams...
...but the Celtics hugely benefit from the new provisions, at least for the next few years.

Considering they will be massively under the salary cap, they have a great chance to restock talent while all teams over the salary cap will take a very long time to rebuild with all the new restrictions.

Danny definitely prepared for this to happen exactly like it did. At the very least, the Lakers, Magic, Spurs, Hawks, and Dallas are a little screwed.

So it may hinder the Celtics this season, but for years to come the Celtics are in prime position.

[gift]

yes, keep in mind too that with fewer teams giving out full mle contracts, there should be a better pool of talent willing to play for less than the mle than there has been in the past.

[RebusRankin]

I am just happy to watch the NBA again. I mean I've got the Winnipeg Jets but need my NBA.

[mloyko]

I should have changed the title to "this year" they will have a tough time signing FA this year. Next year they will have a ton of room to do what they want. I am also not sure how much they can go over the cap using the bird rights.. I think 4 million? I dont think anyway they dont bring Jeff Green back they already tendered him and noway they traded for him with the intention of him walking at the end of the year

[mloyko]

I also think that signing and trading big baby for a 1st round draft pick or a body would be the best move. Draft picks are likely to be much more valuable in this new CBA since signing FA and spending over the cap is much more taxing

[Who]

So that gives the C's three options

(1) Sign Jeff Green and Glen Davis and lose the MLE
(2) Sign Glen Davis ($3mil or under) and an MLE signing and lose Jeff Green
(3) Use the MLE, jettison Glen Davis and lose Jeff Green

Option two looks the most fruitful short term option.

[snively]

So that gives the C's three options

(1) Sign Jeff Green and Glen Davis and lose the MLE
(2) Sign Glen Davis ($3mil or under) and an MLE signing and lose Jeff Green
(3) Use the MLE, jettison Glen Davis and lose Jeff Green

Option two looks the most fruitful short term option.

I hadn't considered that possibility.  Who would your MLE target be in option 2: a 4/5 to solidify the big man rotation or a wing to fill Green's shoes?

[Who]

So that gives the C's three options

(1) Sign Jeff Green and Glen Davis and lose the MLE
(2) Sign Glen Davis ($3mil or under) and an MLE signing and lose Jeff Green
(3) Use the MLE, jettison Glen Davis and lose Jeff Green

Option two looks the most fruitful short term option.

Wait, I am confused. The article states the full midlevel several times.

Does that mean that that mini-midlevel exception is still in the deal? That the C's would get that if they signed G.Davis and J.Green?

I am having trouble finding out whether that still exists or not.

[Who]

So that gives the C's three options

(1) Sign Jeff Green and Glen Davis and lose the MLE
(2) Sign Glen Davis ($3mil or under) and an MLE signing and lose Jeff Green
(3) Use the MLE, jettison Glen Davis and lose Jeff Green

Option two looks the most fruitful short term option.

I hadn't considered that possibility.  Who would your MLE target be in option 2: a 4/5 to solidify the big man rotation or a wing to fill Green's shoes?

I don't have any preference at this point. I think you could go either way comfortably enough.

MLE wings/forwards = Kirilenko, Battier, Prince, JR Smith
MLE big men = Kenyon, Przybilla, Foster, Landry, Kwame

Split the MLE = Chuck Hayes + Mike Dunleavy

Minimum wings/forwards = R.Butler, J.Moon, R.Carney, M.Daniels, A.Thornton, T.McGrady, K.Azubuike, Mo Evans,
MInimum bigs = Wilcox, Fesenko, J.Collins, J.Powell, J.Jeffries

It looks like there is better value in the minimum contracts on the wing than for backup bigs. I would open to a dual signing of Tracy McGrady (ball-handling, passing, some scoring and rebounding) and Rodney Carney (defensive stopper, athleticism). I think those two would offer a nice blend of skills to backup Pierce and Ray.

[cman88]

I think our best bet is to resign our main free agents and just use the lesser MLE to grab a center.

we arent going to find players at 2 positions with the calibar of  Green/BBD with the full MLE

and with a shortened offseason/crammed schedule(I am guessing) we are going to need Green to play extended minutes in the regular season

[snively]

So that gives the C's three options

(1) Sign Jeff Green and Glen Davis and lose the MLE
(2) Sign Glen Davis ($3mil or under) and an MLE signing and lose Jeff Green
(3) Use the MLE, jettison Glen Davis and lose Jeff Green

Option two looks the most fruitful short term option.

Wait, I am confused. The article states the full midlevel several times.

Does that mean that that mini-midlevel exception is still in the deal? That the C's would get that if they signed G.Davis and J.Green?

I am having trouble finding out whether that still exists or not.

From what I gleaned from that author's twitter, all teams get an MLE to use each year, but if you're on the verge of crossing the $4 mil over the tax threshold, the MLE gets reduced to $3 mil. 

So it's a case of Green, Baby + $3 mil MLE vs $5+ MLE. no Green, and maybe Baby on the cheap.