Can we outright sign melo/who can we sign?

[rasta1]

Looking at the list of free agents

There's a few interesting names

Lebron (<1% change)
Melo
Greg Monroe
Pau Gasol
Lance Stevenson (Imagine him and Rondo backcourt?)
Gortat

Any of them we can sign outright (without S&T)

[Fafnir]

None, we're not going to have cap space.

[hwangjini_1]

None, we're not going to have cap space.

nor will the celtics have space for a star player for at least 2 more years. this is a 3-4 year rebuild minimum.

once wallace is off the books, then the celtics can really have the space for a free agent. until then, be patient my herd of little grasshoppers.

[freshinthehouse]

None, we're not going to have cap space.

nor will the celtics have space for a star player for at least 2 more years. this is a 3-4 year rebuild minimum.

once wallace is off the books, then the celtics can really have the space for a free agent. until then, be patient my herd of little grasshoppers.

I think we will have the cap room in 2015 to sign a max deal (depending if Rondo/Bradley resign).  Whether we should or not is another matter.

[LarBrd33]

no/Paul Pierce for the vet minimum.

[LooseCannon]

Any of them we can sign outright (without S&T)

If Joel Anthony exercises his player option, the Celtics have about $48.5 million in guaranteed money for eight players.  The cap is projected to be around $62 million.  There are cap holds for first round picks, likely around $4-6m for the two 2014 picks the Celtics own.  There are also cap holds for not having at least twelve players.

If the Celtics can trade picks and contracts out for smaller (or no) contracts coming back and renounce all free agents, the Celtics can theoretically clear the cap space to sign any free agent who wants to come to Boston.  The draft picks that would have to be sent out (and Bird rights to players such as Bradley and Humphries) might be worth more than any player you can sign with that space, however.

[JBcat]

Any of them we can sign outright (without S&T)

If Joel Anthony exercises his player option, the Celtics have about $48.5 million in guaranteed money for eight players.  The cap is projected to be around $62 million.  There are cap holds for first round picks, likely around $4-6m for the two 2014 picks the Celtics own.  There are also cap holds for not having at least twelve players.

If the Celtics can trade picks and contracts out for smaller (or no) contracts coming back and renounce all free agents, the Celtics can theoretically clear the cap space to sign any free agent who wants to come to Boston.  The draft picks that would have to be sent out (and Bird rights to players such as Bradley and Humphries) might be worth more than any player you can sign with that space, however.

If we use the stretch provision on Wallace that would clear more space too.  Also say if it's a sign and trade with Melo coming here we can send out more outgoing salary.  Saying all this I think it's very unlikely. 

[LarBrd33]

if melo WANTS to come to Boston, we can probably work out a sign-and-trade.  Knicks would probably take Jeff Green, Bass and some future picks instead of get left with nothing.

But I don't think that will happen.  He will stay in New YOrk probably.

[HomerSapien]

I wonder what Okafor will be able to command as a FA coming off a knee injury. He's a guy I'm wondering about as a low budget defensive center option.

[crimson_stallion]

I wonder what Okafor will be able to command as a FA coming off a knee injury. He's a guy I'm wondering about as a low budget defensive center option.

Been thinking this myself. He's a nice player who is reasonably affordable.

IMHO Okafor is about 3x better than Asik (who everyone here is somehow obsessed with) and would probably cost 1/2 the money.

[hwangjini_1]

I wonder what Okafor will be able to command as a FA coming off a knee injury. He's a guy I'm wondering about as a low budget defensive center option.

Been thinking this myself. He's a nice player who is reasonably affordable.

IMHO Okafor is about 3x better than Asik (who everyone here is somehow obsessed with) and would probably cost 1/2 the money.

true, but he is also on the wrong side of 30 (31 to be precise) and his last two years have show a decline in his important stats. this rebuild by ainge is a 2-3 year minimum process. by the time the celtics are ready to contend, okafor, i fear, will have lost most of his basketball value due to age and injury.

so why would the celtics want okafor for the next 2-3 years? true, he would improve the team at the center position, but he is not the future of the team. i worry he might push the celtics to mediocrity in the short term, waylaying the rebuild without providing a foundation for the future.

then again, maybe ainge is planning a "instant rebuild" as in 2007 by obaining a star player or two in the next year. if the celtics are about to content now, then yes, signing okafor makes sense. but otherwise i dont see the wisdom of having okafor.

[Fafnir]

None, we're not going to have cap space.

nor will the celtics have space for a star player for at least 2 more years. this is a 3-4 year rebuild minimum.

once wallace is off the books, then the celtics can really have the space for a free agent. until then, be patient my herd of little grasshoppers.

This isn't true.

We will have quite a lot of cap space after next year. When Rondo's a FA we currently only have around $21 million in salary committed. Add in Sullinger's/Olynyk's options and we have $25 committed. Roster charges and subsequent draft pick's salary will eat into that, but the C's are looking at having room to be a player in the 2015 FA class.

[BleedGreen1989]

None, we're not going to have cap space.

nor will the celtics have space for a star player for at least 2 more years. this is a 3-4 year rebuild minimum.

once wallace is off the books, then the celtics can really have the space for a free agent. until then, be patient my herd of little grasshoppers.

This isn't true.

We will have quite a lot of cap space after next year. When Rondo's a FA we currently only have around $21 million in salary committed. Add in Sullinger's/Olynyk's options and we have $25 committed. Roster charges and subsequent draft pick's salary will eat into that, but the C's are looking at having room to be a player in the 2015 FA class.

Especially if Ainge uses the stretch provision on Wallace that summer. Would open up an additional $5mill.

Or perhaps he dumps him with a pick. 

[PaulAllen]

Boston has never been effective at signing free agents other than their own. Danny is stock piling picks to make that big move... Forget about Lebron or Melo or even Bosh.. none will be coming here... Ainge might take a look at some up and comers and a name I would love to see is Eric Bledsoe who is resticted meaning there is no gurantee he can even leave PHX. Overall this team needs to rely on draft picks and trades while making small splashes in the FA market.

[GreenWarrior]

thank god for having no cap space...