With the MLE this off season I want the Celtics to sign....

[nickagneta]

Put down who you would like the Celtics to sign with the MLE but my choice would be for the Celtics to trade away Jeff Green and sign

PAUL PIERCE.

Bring back the captain. Let him have his swan song in Boston. Let him have his retiring tour in Boston. Let him end his career in Boston. Pierce is still a better player than Green regardless of the age. He had maybe his best shooting season of his career this year. And with two possible rookies coming in, he and Rondo in tandem could do wonders to teach these young players the best way to be a pro.

Also, could the Celtics really get any other player of Pierce's quality to come here for just the MLE?

[Birdman]

Would PP come back to a team that is rebuilding or sign with a team that in the running to win a championship??

[nickagneta]

Would PP come back to a team that is rebuilding or sign with a team that in the running to win a championship??

Good question. Another is what contenders would be willing to give Pierce the money Boston could? I am not sure which contenders are over the luxury tax threshold and so can only offer the mini-MLE. Which contenders would even offer Pierce a contract?

My guess is Pierce will probably desire a chance to win another title but if its going to be his last year, would ending it in Boston be what he would want?

[Monkhouse]

Would PP come back to a team that is rebuilding or sign with a team that in the running to win a championship??

Good question. Another is what contenders would be willing to give Pierce the money Boston could? I am not sure which contenders are over the luxury tax threshold and so can only offer the mini-MLE. Which contenders would even offer Pierce a contract?

My guess is Pierce will probably desire a chance to win another title but if its going to be his last year, would ending it in Boston be what he would want?

If we can make some fireworks this summer, I don't see why Pierce wouldn't want to at least be a part of the Celtics.

Realistically the only teams I can see him going to would be Clippers or Nets.

[slamtheking]

Would PP come back to a team that is rebuilding or sign with a team that in the running to win a championship??

Good question. Another is what contenders would be willing to give Pierce the money Boston could? I am not sure which contenders are over the luxury tax threshold and so can only offer the mini-MLE. Which contenders would even offer Pierce a contract?

My guess is Pierce will probably desire a chance to win another title but if its going to be his last year, would ending it in Boston be what he would want?

If we can make some fireworks this summer, I don't see why Pierce wouldn't want to at least be a part of the Celtics.

Realistically the only teams I can see him going to would be Clippers or Nets.

agreed, I think this coming year he's either playing with the Nets or Clips.  I think he'll want to play at least one more year with a team that has a shot at the title and possibly after next year, sign that 1-day (or maybe a full year since I think C's will be making moves to really improve after next year's draft) contract to retire a Celtic. 

[McHales Pits]

I'd be interested in using a portion of the MLE to lure Emeka Okafor - assuming his rehab goes well and is healthy enough to contribute. He is an extremely heady, high character defensive big man that could be an instant leader. He only needs to play 20-24 minutes a night at this point in his career, but he would be a great supplement to what our young bigs currently offer. He is a great defender, rebounder, and can knock down a mid-range jumper in a pinch.

** I should add that he is expected to be very inexpensive

[pearljammer10]

Would PP come back to a team that is rebuilding or sign with a team that in the running to win a championship??

Good question. Another is what contenders would be willing to give Pierce the money Boston could? I am not sure which contenders are over the luxury tax threshold and so can only offer the mini-MLE. Which contenders would even offer Pierce a contract?

My guess is Pierce will probably desire a chance to win another title but if its going to be his last year, would ending it in Boston be what he would want?

If we can make some fireworks this summer, I don't see why Pierce wouldn't want to at least be a part of the Celtics.

Realistically the only teams I can see him going to would be Clippers or Nets.

Depends on who we add. If we can rebuild a contender on the fly then there is no reason Pierce wouldn't want to come back.

Trade exception for Asik and Lin

Bradley and a first for Aflallo

Sully, 2014 1st, 2 future firsts, Anthony's expiring, non guaranteed contracts for Love

Rondo
Afflalo
Green
Love
Asik

with Pierce as a 6th man
Wallace
Bass
Lin
#18 in 2014

That team makes noise in the East.

[fairweatherfan]

If we got a star wing in the draft, I could see Pierce wanting to come back to take him under his wing like Toine did for him back in the day.

But I think it's more likely he continues to seek a title, probably with the Clippers.

[Who]

Emeka Okafor on a one year MLE contract.

[sofutomygaha]

If I were Paul Pierce, I would either sign with the highest bidder or join the Clippers. The Celtics that I left aren't the Celtics that would be waiting there for me when I return.

I would look forward to coming back to Boston for my jersey retirement.

[slamtheking]

Would PP come back to a team that is rebuilding or sign with a team that in the running to win a championship??

Good question. Another is what contenders would be willing to give Pierce the money Boston could? I am not sure which contenders are over the luxury tax threshold and so can only offer the mini-MLE. Which contenders would even offer Pierce a contract?

My guess is Pierce will probably desire a chance to win another title but if its going to be his last year, would ending it in Boston be what he would want?

If we can make some fireworks this summer, I don't see why Pierce wouldn't want to at least be a part of the Celtics.

Realistically the only teams I can see him going to would be Clippers or Nets.

Depends on who we add. If we can rebuild a contender on the fly then there is no reason Pierce wouldn't want to come back.

Trade exception for Asik and Lin

Bradley and a first for Aflallo

Sully, 2014 1st, 2 future firsts, Anthony's expiring, non guaranteed contracts for Love

Rondo
Afflalo
Green
Love
Asik

with Pierce as a 6th man
Wallace
Bass
Lin
#18 in 2014

That team makes noise in the East.

that team only makes a squeak in the playoffs.  that bench is paper thin regardless of PP.

[Who]

Emeka Okafor on a one year MLE contract.

If not Okafor, I don't think there is anyone I'd want to spend the whole MLE on.

So I would split it on two players. A quality backup PG (Sessions, Ridnour, Farmar, D.Collison ...) would be my priority. Then a second player. Maybe a backup SG to replace Courtney Lee (CJ Miles? Jodie Meeks mentioned in another thread). Or possibly a backup center if any useful ones are available in that leftover MLE price range.

[gpap]

If Danny can pull a rabbit out of a hat and land a big name fish like Love or Marc Gasol, then I do think Pierce would consider coming back to Boston for the MLE, absolutely.

[LooseCannon]

If Ainge can put together a solid playoff team, I hope Pierce would be willing to come back for the minimum so that the team could use the MLE on someone else.

[saltlover]

Would PP come back to a team that is rebuilding or sign with a team that in the running to win a championship??

Good question. Another is what contenders would be willing to give Pierce the money Boston could? I am not sure which contenders are over the luxury tax threshold and so can only offer the mini-MLE. Which contenders would even offer Pierce a contract?

My guess is Pierce will probably desire a chance to win another title but if its going to be his last year, would ending it in Boston be what he would want?

If we can make some fireworks this summer, I don't see why Pierce wouldn't want to at least be a part of the Celtics.

Realistically the only teams I can see him going to would be Clippers or Nets.

Depends on who we add. If we can rebuild a contender on the fly then there is no reason Pierce wouldn't want to come back.

Trade exception for Asik and Lin

Bradley and a first for Aflallo

Sully, 2014 1st, 2 future firsts, Anthony's expiring, non guaranteed contracts for Love

Rondo
Afflalo
Green
Love
Asik

with Pierce as a 6th man
Wallace
Bass
Lin
#18 in 2014

That team makes noise in the East.

That team is missing Olynyk.  It's also way over the hard cap, which would mean that Pierce could only be offered the mini-MLE.  It probably costs near $120 million once you factor in the balloon payments to Asik and Lin, and a sizable luxury tax bill of between $15-$20 million.

Also, to get both Asik and Lin, you'd need to use the non-guaranteed contracts for one and the Pierce exception for the other.  This means you wouldn't have the Bogans contract as filler for the Love deal.  Depending where Hump winds up, it's possible you could involve whichever team gets him in a 3-way S&T with either Houston or Minny, and make up some of the salary that way.