The deal is fine. This basically ensures that Pierce will not be traded or amnestied. If it's a 2 year deal, with a player option for a 3rd, it will expire with Pierce's, if he doesn't opt in. If it's a 3 year deal, and he does play all 3, it will be expire with Rondo's.
This also means that we will not be looking at the FA market the next 2 or 3 years. Ainge said that is just a recipe that doesn't work. It's only worked for one team (Miami), as most players sign extensions and don't ever make it to free agency. This means that the likelihood of Allen returning for a 2 or 3 year deal just shot through the roof. Just like I now expect Green to sign a multi-year deal as well.
If Allen does return, I expect us to target a true center with our MLE (Kaman) in order to preserve KG. So a 3 year deal for the just turned 30 year old 7 footer, at yearly increases each year seems likely.
why does it mean Paul wont be traded?
and why does this mean that we have more chance of resigning Green and Ray? is it just because we are not going into rebuilding mode?
Are you saying we will have the full MLE this year? that would be great.
Excellent news!
Paul won't be traded because he was only being traded in the "blow it up" scenario. KG resigning means no blowing it up.
We will not have the full MLE this year, only the $3 million version. Unlike the other poster, I don't think there's a chance that gets Kaman, unless he really just wants to play here. I do think there's a small chance that a 1-year use of the mid-level gets Jeff Green on a make-good contract -- to show he's recovered to sign a bigger deal next year with either the C's or someone else, if the offers aren't as high as he'd hope. But more likely we get two of the following three: Ray, Jeff Green, or a free agent center worth having.
EDIT: I'm seeing conflicting reports about the taxpayer mid-level. When the CBA was first signed, Larry Coon reported for ESPN that you received the lower MLE if the signed contract puts you above the apron, OR you paid the tax the prior season. In his FAQ, it does not make that second distinction, although it does not deny it either. Therefore, I am personally uncertain as to what size MLE the Celtics have, and also whether or not they have access to the biennial exception, which again may or may not apply as the Celtics paid the tax last year. If they have the full MLE, they could possibly get Kaman. I'd prefer they offer that to Ray, and use much of their space to go after Hibbert in the hope that the Pacers can't afford to match, but that's just me.
