Celtics were close to signing David West

[Roy H.]

3 years? please tell me there is another shoe to drop in all this. killing the cap space for next year for a over 30 with knee problems is not cool.

The shoe that's dropping is that we're getting an all-star caliber player on a bargain contract.  We were unlikely to get a player as good as David West with our cap space, and hey, if Dwight Howard really wants to come here, we have options to make room (like trading him to the other 20+ teams that would give West this deal).

[j804]

So how does this effect going after a big FA next year like we all planned to?

It doesn't if you amnesty Pierce to make it work

That won't happen.  I think Wyc is too loyal to Pierce to allow him to be waived to sign somewhere else.

So that would leave the C's with the following salaries:

• Paul Pierce = $16.79 million
• Rajon Rondo = $11 million
• David West ~~ $9 million
• JaJuan Johnson = $1.4 million
• Avery Bradley = $1.6 million
• Clippers pick ~~ $2 million
• C's 2012 pick ~~ $1.2 million
• Cap holds for five empty roster spots = $2.5 million

A sub-total of $45.5 million versus a cap of $58-61 million.

So $13-16 million in cap room to sign free agents. They'd have no problem freeing up an extra couple of million by moving some mix of JJ, Bradley and the 2012 pick to give them enough to sign a max contract if necessary (and if a high cap figure).

Stretching West could also get us more room if he doesn't work

So West would be owed $18 million over two years so that would be $4.4 million over five years if stretched, right?

That would free up an extra $4.6 million. That would be enough for Boston to sign a max contract free agent.

Nice break down Roy, right on. I'm still not happy about being the domino that lands the Lakers CP3 but pretty sure it was going to happen anyway. I'm also a bit skeptical about the whole West thing his knee is not going to be healed this year the whole season he'll be rehabbing. I hope I'm wrong but I'm not expecting much from him this year and it's our last chance but it is what it is.

[Who]

This is great news for KG, too - he's got the best backup PF in the league to spell him during the compressed season.

Second best. I prefer Lamar Odom to David West.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

Says he can't get off the ground right now... All the stats of years past doesn't help us this year if he can't play. Remember how long it took KG to come back. Something else must be up.

Who said this??  Care to elaborate / link??

[PosImpos]

This is great news for KG, too - he's got the best backup PF in the league to spell him during the compressed season.

Second best. I prefer Lamar Odom to David West.

again, i'd be really surprised if west isn't starting.  brandon bass and wilcox will be the big man backups.

[Prof. Clutch]

Not saying we could afford him but isn't Dalembert still out there too?

[Roy H.]

So how does this effect going after a big FA next year like we all planned to?

It doesn't if you amnesty Pierce to make it work

That won't happen.  I think Wyc is too loyal to Pierce to allow him to be waived to sign somewhere else.

So that would leave the C's with the following salaries:

• Paul Pierce = $16.79 million
• Rajon Rondo = $11 million
• David West ~~ $9 million
• JaJuan Johnson = $1.4 million
• Avery Bradley = $1.6 million
• Clippers pick ~~ $2 million
• C's 2012 pick ~~ $1.2 million
• Cap holds for five empty roster spots = $2.5 million

A sub-total of $45.5 million versus a cap of $58-61 million.

So $13-16 million in cap room to sign free agents. They'd have no problem freeing up an extra couple of million by moving some mix of JJ, Bradley and the 2012 pick to give them enough to sign a max contract if necessary (and if a high cap figure).

Stretching West could also get us more room if he doesn't work

So West would be owed $18 million over two years so that would be $4.4 million over five years if stretched, right?

That would free up an extra $4.6 million. That would be enough for Boston to sign a max contract free agent.

Nice break down Roy, right on. I'm still not happy about being the domino that lands the Lakers CP3 but pretty sure it was going to happen anyway. I'm also a bit skeptical about the whole West thing his knee is not going to be healed this year the whole season he'll be rehabbing. I hope I'm wrong but I'm not expecting much from him this year and it's our last chance but it is what it is.

"Who" gets the credit, not me.    (Hard to write that without it looking like an Abbott and Costello joke.)

[barefacedmonk]

Not saying we could afford him but isn't Dalembert still out there too?

Houston will target him if they can't get Gasol. Kings are in the running to resign him as well.

[Who]

I have to believe that a Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and David West combination would be very attractive to Dwight Howard next summer.

The playmaking and all-round menace of Rondo combined with the scoring of Pierce and West at the forward positions alongside the ultimate facilitator (defender/rebounder) in today's game in Dwight Howard. Beautiful.

That foursome would immediately be one of the best in the league and Rondo would give Howard a young star entering his prime to build a new team with him as David West and Paul Pierce age and leave the C's.

[gar]

Good Point. Start West w/ KG @ Center and sub in Wilcox

[Who]

This is great news for KG, too - he's got the best backup PF in the league to spell him during the compressed season.

Second best. I prefer Lamar Odom to David West.

again, i'd be really surprised if west isn't starting.  brandon bass and wilcox will be the big man backups.

Agreed -- starting David West + Kevin Garnett is best option.

[jc3celticsphan]

just imagin the floor spacing with west and kg out on that floor its going to be crazy how do u guard that miami sure cant

[KCattheStripe]

Trade Jeff Green for Al Jefferson! I know we can't actually do it, but do it anyway!

[Who]

just imagin the floor spacing with west and kg out on that floor its going to be crazy how do u guard that miami sure cant

Rondo is going to be at his devilish best

[gar]

This is great news for KG, too - he's got the best backup PF in the league to spell him during the compressed season.

Second best. I prefer Lamar Odom to David West.

I know he played at URI but come on. West is a more solid defender and plays within himself. Lamar Odom (like Gasol)is very skilled; but lacks toughness. Rather have West.