Would you bring back Bayless and Pressey next season?

[Tr1boy]

Pressey would be an easy yes or no answer. He is going to be cheap to keep for the next several years.  At worse even if he can't shoot consistently/efficiently, he provides energy, nice defense and would be the teams third pg.

Bayless on the other hand was really inconsistent since the trade but as of late has been a scoring machine. When he is dialed in, it seems like he doesn't miss a shot.  Not the best defender and alot of the times you see him not believing the fouls called on him, but the effort is there.  Can play as backup pt also.

So would you bring back both or just one?  What would you offer Bayless to keep him?

OR don't bring back either and bring in another backup pg.  For example, a guy like De Colo.

[More Banners]

This is an easy one for me.

For a 3rd string, all-hustle, spot-minute perimeter depth rotation, it's going to be pretty hard to beat picking up Pressey, Johnson, and Babb for next season.  They might make a total of $1.5M between them.

And for around a market rate of $2-3M ea. for 2 years, team option for a 3rd, Bayless wouldn't be a bad 4th guard at all.  For someone that far down my ideal depth chart, I'd contratuate him, thank him, and wish him well out the door if he got a better deal.

And it's absolutely fantastic that Danny has secured a great 3rd string for short money for next year, since we'll have Joel Anthony and Vitor Faverani next year, at somewhere around $4.5M combined.  $6M for the entire 3rd string, and they're not too shabby in that role.  Add in Colton Iverson at $500K or so, and we're looking big in the deep bench, with the maximum amount possible to commit to the top of the roster.

Under the cap, with Bogans and Hump's combined, what, $16M coming off the books, to be replaced in the salary structure with A) 1st round picks, and B) a veteran with the TPE?  That might leave us pretty close to being under the tax again.

For next year:

1) Rondo full strength,
2) Save $$ with 3rd string as described,
3) Draft at least 1 rotation player, hopefully with impact ability,
4) Use the TPE to fill the starting spot not filled in the draft, preferably a veteran center,
5) Stay under the tax at all costs,
6) Go to Paul Pierce with the full MLE and a chance to play with the next Celtic dynasty,
7) Keep Bradley and Bayless only if we stay under the tax to be able to use full MLE

I think we can make a huge leap next year, and these low-cost guys are not a small part of that.

[guava_wrench]

Pressey is someone you keep around if you can't get anyone to fill your roster. He will still be a minimum guy.

Bayless? Not a guy I want around long term, but we lack talent and beggars can't be choosers.

[Who]

Bayless = nope, too flawed and inconsistent. Not a good enough backup PG.

Pressey = as a third string PG, I am happy to keep him another year. Hoping to see enough development to convince us he can become the main backup PG in year 3 or year 4. Will be very disappointed if Pressey is brought back as main backup PG next year. That is a tanking move. I want a quality backup PG ahead of him.

[clover]

I'm hoping they stuff Pressey in as 3rd string, but it's really early to answer for either of them. What if Bradley comes back cheap, they draft Exum and/or a wing? I want Chris J. back and if money is tight, I could even see Babb as a third-string 2.

[SHAQATTACK]

Bayless has a better price tag,  similar shooting ability , better three ball and decent Defense and Wants to be a Celtic........probably significantly cheaper than AB.  Bayless seems to have found a home and is playing practically good as Lee was cheaper. Good deal DA.

Pressey is a good little back up spark plug ......for the cheap......he may get better ...I think he will.

I'll take Pressey and Bayless salary .......and let Avery slide .

Pressey and Bayless do not seem accident prone and are tuff even though they are small. 

Rondos and Bradley's per numbers together are horrible .....did I read a -23 in an article for this season.

Rather draft a top 20 guard and let AB go.


Next season is another tank deal too I figure , lots of players with short contracts to fill the bench , till Wallace , Anthony , Bass and Green can be chucked off.

[Celtics4ever]

Depends on what we draft really folks , if we get Wiggins, Bradley will be traded I think.  We get Exum or Smart I could see Rondo traded.

Pressey is cheap.  I don't think he will be a problem.  Neither of these guys are what you would call a priority.

[JBcat]

Well it's hard to say without knowing who we are going to draft, you also need to evaluate the free agent list, and possible trade options. 

I wouldn't mind Bayless in a 4th guard Vinnie Johnson type role, especially since he wants to be here.   I also wouldn't mind another year of C Johnson and Pressey to see if they grow as players, but they could also be thrown in's in a deal because of their non guaranteed contract status similar to the trade that brought Courtney Lee here.

If we draft Exum or Smart I would say that Bayless isn't coming back, and we still re-sign Bradley. 

Looking at the free agent of list of point/combo guards I see:

Shaun Livingston
Luke Ridnour
Jimmer Fredette
Kirk Hinrich
Devin Harris
Aaron Brooks
Nate Robinson
Rodney Stuckey
Steve Blake
Darren Collison
Jordan Farmar
Beno Udrih
Mario Chalmers
Ramon Sessions
Mo Williams
Patrick Mills
Kyle Lowry

One under the radar guy that's on this list that you could get for cheap that I always liked is Beno Udrih.  Not sure why he is hardly playing though. 

[2short]

pressey no
like his effort, passing and fast break handle but undersized guy who can't hit the outside shots
i'd like to hope we can upgrade him
bayless depends on who is signed, drafted etc

[vinnie]

Bayless, no. Pressey, maybe, depending on whether they can find a better backup pg. I am not sold yet on Pressey.

[ScoobyDoo]

Pressey - 100% yes. Ideal 3rd guard to me. Hustles, tough, change of pace spark plug and inexpensive.

Bayless - probably not. I'd really prefer to get a legit sized two guard who could be a long term solution for us at the two. if that meant we had to use Bradley and Bayless' money at the two to accomplish that - so be it.

Ideally:

Rondo / Tyler Ennis with the 17th pick / Pressey
Legit two guard / Johnson / Babb

I really like having my 1-2 back up two and my 3rd string point on very inexpensive contracts. Allows us to invest maximum money into our first five.

Maybe you keep one of Johnson and Babb and pick up a bit more seasoned vet at the back up two guard. 

[furball]

Pressey I would absolutely bring back.  At worse he's a good 3rd PG.  If he develops his jumper he can be a good back up PG.  And it's not like he's making a lot of money. 

Bayless depends on the rest of the roster.  He 's not bad as  a back up 2 guard (he  has no court vision) and can score in bunches at times. 

[slamtheking]

Pressey, yes, if he plays summer league and shows a better shot in camp.

Bayless, no.  not contending next year and should be able to find a cheaper option for roster filler

[saltlover]

No to Pressey.  I think there are some PGs in who will go undrafted in June who offer at least as much as Pressey for the long-run, and wouldn't be any worse next year as a 3rd PG.  If Bayless stays at a reduced salary, he's an okay backup if we don't draft a PG.  But not at his current salary.

[gar]

Bayless no, Pressey no. I say you go into full rebuild mode. Bayless is getting abused on defense as is Pressey. Rondo's defense is not what it used to be and Bradley is too injury prone. Need some strong defenders who can also score even if it means going full on youth movement.