Is DA intending to use the mini-MLE later during the season?

[Drucci]

It's been kind of suprising to see that Danny has not used the mini-MLE (worth 3M$) yet. Of course, he should take his time and only use it on a valuable player since it's our last real big asset to acquire good talent.

However I'm starting to wonder if he simply intends to keep it for later in the season, and particulary in March, when players like JR Smith, Kenyon Martin and others will (supposedly) be back from China and eager to come back in the NBA.

Do you think it's a good idea to wait and integrate these kind of players, considering it will be late in the season and they won't have much time to learn the system or fit in the team (a la Jeff Green last year)? Will the mini-MLE will be enough to sign one of them? And finally, shouldn't we use it now on a big, instead?

[Fafnir]

I hope not, given that it depreciates with value as the season goes along it won't be too much larger than the minimum for too long.

[Kane3387]

I hope not, given that it depreciates with value as the season goes along it won't be too much larger than the minimum for too long.

Great point.

[Lucky17]

I do think Ainge needs to save the MMLE bullet for later.

Taking Doc at his word, we'll see a C rotation this season of JO/KG/Wilcox. Those three should probably combine for 48 minutes at the 5.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I hope we use it on a big, but it seems that all the worthwhile options would cost more than $3M/per, and I don't want to overspend just to get another big.

[Drucci]

I hope not, given that it depreciates with value as the season goes along it won't be too much larger than the minimum for too long.

Is it in the new CBA Rules? I didn't heard of this but if it's true we definitely should use it now.

[pearljammer10]

Id love to see Martin in Green for half the season.

[Chris]

I think its very possible (I had a thread about this the other day as well).  But, I also think the market is still shaking out, so he could still use it sooner rather than later.

[LB3533]

I don't think Danny will use the MMLE this year at all.

[Fafnir]

I hope not, given that it depreciates with value as the season goes along it won't be too much larger than the minimum for too long.

Is it in the new CBA Rules? I didn't heard of this but if it's true we definitely should use it now.

I can't find a good link for the new CBA rules, but in the old CBA the MLE shrunk as the season went on (in proportion to the length left in the season)

I thought that feature remained.

[snively]

I don't think Danny will use the MMLE this year at all.

Why not? Lack of quality players to give it to?

I may be a little out of date so forgive me if I mention someone who was recently signed, but I wouldn't rule out Kwame, Przybilla (I know he's considering retirement), Troy Murphy or Eric Dampier (offering him maybe $2 mil might come in handy if a lot of contenders are coming with vet min offers). 

If nothing else, a mini-MLE signing could be packaged as expiring salary filler in a midseason trade.

[Lucky17]

I hope not, given that it depreciates with value as the season goes along it won't be too much larger than the minimum for too long.

Is it in the new CBA Rules? I didn't heard of this but if it's true we definitely should use it now.

I can't find a good link for the new CBA rules, but in the old CBA the MLE shrunk as the season went on (in proportion to the length left in the season)

I thought that feature remained.

I'm sure the vet min is pro-rated.

I'm not sure about the MLE under the old CBA, or the new.

[LooseCannon]

Ainge won't use it for the sake of using it.  If no one is worthy and it doesn't get used, then fine.

Centers worth more than the minimum are probably in a bit of a holding pattern until the top free agents gets signed and you get some desperate teams willing to overpay to get something.