The only issue I have here would be if the Celtics went with an open roster spot to start the season.
If that's the case, why not keep Christmas around, if we're going to be paying him $250k regardless?
There's probably a good answer for that, though. Like, for instance, we're filling the slot.
He could be requesting to leave if we're planning on ditching him for the first emergency PG we see and tell him so upfront.
Hopefully they'll use it, but who knows.
While this is a possibility, I would hope Danny would point to his guaranteed contract for half the season, and tell him to go pound sand.
Since there is no one to fill that roster spot now (I assume), and since XMas was already paid for half a season, it makes no sense to cut him, unless there is someone Danny and Doc absolutely love on the training camp roster (doubt it), or they are preparing for someone being cut from other teams.
I think the latter is true. Even though we paid him, XMas did't play well enough to even warrant keeping him for that half season. The open roster spot is essentially more valuable - that is Danny's M.O. (see Erden, Semih).