Looking ahead. Which FA's on this years class should the Celtics pursue?

[RJ87]

I think we should take a serious look at OJ Mayo - I don't see the Grizz matching an offersheet for him with so much money tied up in Z.Bo/Gay/Gasol. A guard rotation Rondo/Mayo/Bradley would be pretty good.

[letsgoblue86]

I think we should take a serious look at OJ Mayo - I don't see the Grizz matching an offersheet for him with so much money tied up in Z.Bo/Gay/Gasol. A guard rotation Rondo/Mayo/Bradley would be pretty good.

Mayo is ridiculously overrated.  Shoots a low percentage from the field and plays poor defense.

[celticslove]

I say we go with Ilyasova, hawes or gray this offseason.

[clover]

I think we should take a serious look at OJ Mayo - I don't see the Grizz matching an offersheet for him with so much money tied up in Z.Bo/Gay/Gasol. A guard rotation Rondo/Mayo/Bradley would be pretty good.

Mayo is ridiculously overrated.  Shoots a low percentage from the field and plays poor defense.

I agree.  And a bit of a knucklehead.

[LooseCannon]

I want Bradley to get most of his minutes as a 2 next year.  With the possibility of Ray Allen and/or Mickael Pietrus coming off the bench next season, I think the Celtics would be better off getting a true back-up point guard than signing someone like Mayo.  I would be satisfied if that role was taken by a pass-first D-Leaguer who was overlooked because he came from a small school, was seen as a bit undersized, and lacked elite athleticism.

Is Mayo the kind of player who would sign with a team that won't commit to him being a starter?  I don't see the Celtics as a team that should make that promise.  He shouldn't be starting over Bradley at the 2 next season.

[Evantime34]

I want Bradley to get most of his minutes as a 2 next year.  With the possibility of Ray Allen and/or Mickael Pietrus coming off the bench next season, I think the Celtics would be better off getting a true back-up point guard than signing someone like Mayo.  I would be satisfied if that role was taken by a pass-first D-Leaguer who was overlooked because he came from a small school, was seen as a bit undersized, and lacked elite athleticism.

Is Mayo the kind of player who would sign with a team that won't commit to him being a starter?  I don't see the Celtics as a team that should make that promise.  He shouldn't be starting over Bradley at the 2 next season.

I'm all for starting Bradley and giving him big minutes. If that's what happens i'd like an offensive spark off the bench. Jason Terry, Oj Mayo and Lou williams would also fit. We could also have a rookie fill that role but it's unlikely.

[guava_wrench]

I feel that looking ahead is difficult without having insight into the team's overall plans. Especially with the pipe dream of getting Howard a year from now.

[ManUp]

Ilyasova I'd be willing to give him Jeff Green's money. 

[Smutzy#9]

bring back KG on an 7-8 mil per year 2 year contract. Bring Bass Pietrus and Green Back. Then with what we have left, aim to get a decent C in the draft or pick up one, A big paint presence that isnt too concerned about scoring, just shut the paint down. Then you have Bass Green and Pietrus coming off the bench with some fire power. Either train Moore up to be the back up point and run pavlovic at the 2. I have actually been fairly please with pavs minor minutes the past couple of games, and he played the 2 spot at the Cavs. Can knock down the shot when needed and he knows the defence and puts in the hardwork. Have him playing 12 mins a night to rest bradley and its all good.

So you have something along the lines of

Rondo/Moore
Bradley/Pietrus/Pav
Pierce/Green
KG/Bass
Draft Pick (pick up)/Steimsma

Or you go with KG staying at the 5 and playing him around 30 minutes a night and hopefully steimsma gets better over the off season as does Hollins. If that is the case.

Rondo/Moore
Bradley/pietrus/pav
Pierce/Green/
Bass/JJJ
KG/Steimsma/Hollins

[RJ87]

I want Bradley to get most of his minutes as a 2 next year.  With the possibility of Ray Allen and/or Mickael Pietrus coming off the bench next season, I think the Celtics would be better off getting a true back-up point guard than signing someone like Mayo.  I would be satisfied if that role was taken by a pass-first D-Leaguer who was overlooked because he came from a small school, was seen as a bit undersized, and lacked elite athleticism.

Is Mayo the kind of player who would sign with a team that won't commit to him being a starter?  I don't see the Celtics as a team that should make that promise.  He shouldn't be starting over Bradley at the 2 next season.

I disagree - I think Bradley isn't really a 2. He's a combo guard; despite his hot streak lately, his lack of size still gives me pause about penciling him in as our starting 2 guard of the future. Of all the flak Mayo gets, he's still a better offensive option at the 2 than Bradley. I think if you bring him in, he'd be the starting 2 with Bradley being the primary backup for both guard positions.

[Who]

I want Bradley to get most of his minutes as a 2 next year.  With the possibility of Ray Allen and/or Mickael Pietrus coming off the bench next season, I think the Celtics would be better off getting a true back-up point guard than signing someone like Mayo.  I would be satisfied if that role was taken by a pass-first D-Leaguer who was overlooked because he came from a small school, was seen as a bit undersized, and lacked elite athleticism.

Is Mayo the kind of player who would sign with a team that won't commit to him being a starter?  I don't see the Celtics as a team that should make that promise.  He shouldn't be starting over Bradley at the 2 next season.

I disagree - I think Bradley isn't really a 2. He's a combo guard; despite his hot streak lately, his lack of size still gives me pause about penciling him in as our starting 2 guard of the future. Of all the flak Mayo gets, he's still a better offensive option at the 2 than Bradley. I think if you bring him in, he'd be the starting 2 with Bradley being the primary backup for both guard positions.

I don't think OJ Mayo is any bigger than Bradley. He has an inch on Bradley but Mayo lacks Bradley's length. I'd say they are pretty comparable size wise.

I looked up their pre-draft measurements. OJ Mayo was 6-4 and a quarter with a 6-6 wingspan giving him a 8-3 and a half inch standing reach. Bradley was 6-3 and a quarter (inch smaller) with a 6-7 and a half wingspan and a 8-4 and a half inch standing reach (inch higher than Mayo). Mayo was 200lbs to Bradley's 180lbs but it looks like Bradley has added a fair bit of bulk since then.

[Celts Fan 92]

this free agent class is weak nd the best players are all restricted free agents i wouldnt overpay for anyone in dis class but i'm glad some of yall aint GM's rofl @ givin Jordan Hill a MLE deal when Greg Stiemsma is way better and will come at a cheaper price. I would bring back KG Bass Steimsma nd look at signing Jeff Green every other free agents we have I can see them departing wit it'll be interesting cuz we dont need a complete overhaul to contend but if we can mix youth wit experience we can build a solid team

[Who]

I disagree - I think Bradley isn't really a 2. He's a combo guard; despite his hot streak lately, his lack of size still gives me pause about penciling him in as our starting 2 guard of the future.

Yeah, I am not fully convinced by Bradley at the two yet either.

He has been terrific lately but I'd like to see him sustain this strong play before locking him into that starting two spot long term. Early returns are very promising though.

[goCeltics]

this free agent class is weak nd the best players are all restricted free agents i wouldnt overpay for anyone in dis class but i'm glad some of yall aint GM's rofl @ givin Jordan Hill a MLE deal when Greg Stiemsma is way better and will come at a cheaper price. I would bring back KG Bass Steimsma nd look at signing Jeff Green every other free agents we have I can see them departing wit it'll be interesting cuz we dont need a complete overhaul to contend but if we can mix youth wit experience we can build a solid team

much rather hill than humphries as he can play the 5

rather him than kaman, cos kaman is awful, TS% of 48% for a center with 5 TO's per 48 minutes

camby not worthwile getting cos his on the DL 80% of the time.

[LooseCannon]

I'm not afraid to start an undersized 2 guard, although there would be some wisdom in having a taller shooting guard on the bench.  I think that being too concerned with having players fit ideal height/weight is a bit like over-emphasizing veteran-ness.  I've been advocating that Bradley's future lies in being a shooting guard since last season and I'm not going to stop now.  Bradley as the long-term starting 2 seems more likely to me than Stiemsma developing into your long-term guy as a starting, role-playing center.

I don't think the idea of having an offensive sparkplug of the bench fits this team.  The bench needs to be filled with guys who can maintain defensive continuity.  I'm not saying every bench scorer is a sieve on defense, but I firmly believe that a guy who can score but doesn't buy into the defensive schemes or can't understand them is going to end up getting his playing time reduced.