Celtics, Timberwolves remain frontrunners for Stiemsma

[LEHGOCELTICS]

- A. Sherrod Blakely

ORLANDO — The Boston Celtics remain Greg Stiemsma's top choice, but the Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as a close second.

Portland and New Orleans are also possibilities, although they are not under serious consideration at the moment according to a league source.

Talks between Stiemsma and Minnesota were put on hold until Saturday as the Timberwolves try to sort out their salary cap situation which is a bit unsettled after getting Portland's Nicolas Batum to sign a four-year, $45 million offer sheet that with bonuses, can reportedly balloon to be worth $50 million.

In addition, Minnesota has already come to terms on a two-year, $10.4 million deal with one of Batum's teammates in Portland, Brandon Roy.

So what does that mean to Stiemsma?

How the Batum situation shakes out will heavily impact the kind of offer sheet the Timberwolves are likely to make to Stiemsma.

By all indications, the Roy deal will become official on Wednesday when the moratorium is lifted and teams can sign binding contracts that have been agreed upon during the free agency period which began July 1.

For the C's, the Batum-to-Minnesota would make it more likely that the 26-year-old Stiemsma would return to Boston because the Timberwolves would not be in position to offer more money than the Celtics.

Stiemsma's agent Mike Naiditch reiterated to CSNNE.com on Friday that his client's first choice remains Boston, but the Timberwolves - a team Stiemsma signed with in April, 2010 but never played in a game - are very much in the picture.

However longer he lasts on the market, the more likely suitors for Stiemsma will grow.

Houston, Chicago, Indiana and Portland are all teams that are involved with restricted free agents centers (Pacers Roy Hibbert and Chicago's Omer Asik) who received larger-than-expected offer sheets.

"Two of those teams won't get the guy they want," Naiditch said. "I don't think they'll spend time pursuing back-up plans right now. But I'm sure they're going to see how things pan out and I'm sure at some point they'll turn to Greg, if he hasn't already committed to somebody."

Like most agents, Naiditch would love to get his client signed sooner rather than later. But he understands that this is a process that, for him to find the right team and right fit for his client, will take some time.

"Right now, Greg's hope is to play for the Celtics or the Timberwolves," Naiditch said. "We're not thinking about those other teams right now."

Naiditch added, "With Greg's situation, teams know who he is. They know he wants to be with the Celtics. I suppose if they wanted to offer more money and had the room to offer more money, then they would. Right now, teams are looking to see where they're at with their own free agents and players that they're sending offer sheets to. We know as each day passes, Greg's value goes up. That's apparent with every big guy that signs, … each one is going for maybe more than the perceived market value might be. So Greg's perceived value is also going up. So we're in no hurry."

With Batum's offer most likely being matched by Portland, I see Minnesota making a big offer on Stiemsma. Can we get Randolph out of him?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gj8IXhxnK8

[MBunge]

I'd love to see Steamer stay in Boston, but I'm happy that a guy who took the tough road to the NBA is going to get rewarded with a decent slice o' cabbage.

mike

[celticinorlando]

rather have wilcox..but would take steamer to add depth up front

[clover]

Sounds promising--I hope Minny gets Batum.

Says something that the other NBA organization he was involved with also wants him back.

[LEHGOCELTICS]

rather have wilcox..but would take steamer to add depth up front

Could have them both, Randolph with BAE and Wilcox with vet's min. And Steamer looks like he's gone anyways. The boy looked ridiculously lost in the postseason.

[Evantime34]

I'm pretty sure Batum's offer will be matched by Portland. Which to me means that Stiemsma goes to the T-Wolves. If we could get someone as part of a sign and trade that would be great.

Stiemsma is going to look a lot worse not playing in Boston.

[clover]

rather have wilcox..but would take steamer to add depth up front

Could have them both, Randolph with BAE and Wilcox with vet's min. And Steamer looks like he's gone anyways. The boy looked ridiculously lost in the postseason.

Stiemer wasn't lost, he was hobbled with bad feet.  And as it is, he led the team in rebounding and block rates and FG% through the playoffs.  He's a smart player and a full preseason would do him a world of good.

[Celtics Fan]

Yea I like stiez I think he can come back and do great thing. He did more above I expected last years.

[Jack_Frost]

Sorry, i don't know: can we arrange a s&t with stiemsma or not?

[LEHGOCELTICS]

Sorry, i don't know: can we arrange a s&t with stiemsma or not?

We can.

[ScottHow]

It was pretty cool having a guy who has the same timing as Russell, but I think I'm okay with Stiemsma moving on.

[pearljammer10]

I would rather have Wilcox as our back up center but would keep Steamah as a third back up if the price was right. I dont see Portland matching nearly 11 mil a year for Batum. Whatever happens I'll be happy for Steamah and be rooting for him.

[Jack_Frost]

Sorry, i don't know: can we arrange a s&t with stiemsma or not?

We can.

Nice news,maybe we can arrange something useful

[LarBrd33]

I'd be thrilled if we S&T Stiesma for Randolph.

[LEHGOCELTICS]

I would rather have Wilcox as our back up center but would keep Steamah as a third back up if the price was right. I dont see Portland matching nearly 11 mil a year for Batum. Whatever happens I'll be happy for Steamah and be rooting for him.

Nope, Batum is staying in Portland.

A trio of Blazers executives, led by general manager Neil Olshey, met with Batum and agent Bouna Ndiaye and told the 23-year-old forward that they intend to keep him in a Blazers uniform no matter what other teams offer him or propose to the team in trades.

-Jason Quick | The Oregonian