Kris Humphries and Jerryd Bayless (Free Agents)?

[Phantom255x]

Both of these players are the only free agents in the market from the Celtics' side. So far, Humphries has been on the interest of 5 teams INCLUDING the Celtics, and Bayless has not drawn interest on any team besides the 76ers (though its unlikely they sign him). So my question here, is do you guys think the Celtics may re-sign both Humphries and Bayless, one of the two, or neither? The Celtics can use bird rights on both players in order to re-sign them and it wouldn't hurt them even if they are over the cap space.

Personally, I would love to re-sign Humphries, he averaged nearly 9 points and 6 rebounds a game in a span of 20 minutes per game. He was the only real bright spot on the celtics last season, with his hustle, confidence and sportsmanship. Of course, he would have to take a salary way lower than 12M a year. If the Celtics can give him a 2/3 year contract averaging 5-6M a year and Humphries agrees, it would be a great move IMO.

As for Bayless, we already have a lot of guards on the roster, and I personally feel we don't need Bayless back. However, if we are unable to make a great move during FA I think we should re-sign Bayless on likely a short term deal averaging 3-4M. He can provide 10-15 points per game, and can be a good guy off the bench. That is, of course, if we don't make any significant signings in FA, which I'm confident we will make soon, as knowing Ainge, he doesn't rush into things. Instead, he makes methodical decisions as FA progresses, and he has the ability to make fireworks happen during FA, even when unexpected.

What do you guys think?

[Jiri Welsch]

I've been saying this in other posts, but:

I think we should let them both walk. I understand that we have these guys' Bird Rights, and therefore they are one of a few legitimate options for signing players this offseason. I also understand that they may make things easier in the future if we are trying to match salaries in a trade.

However, we still have the TPE to use which could bump our cap number for a player that may actually take our team in a direction slightly different than last year's. I also think not resigning these two and remaining hovering around the cap gives us more flexibility for the '15 offseason. Wallace will be an expiring, Rondo will be a FA, I am fairly sure Green will be a FA. Not having these two on the books may hurt our team next year (which I personally think is good), but it will give us more flexibility the year after.

[Surferdad]

I don't see a place for Bayless on this team. He only gives you 10-15 points if you play him a lot, and I don't see that happening with all the guards on this team (I consider Young's best position as SG.). I see Bayless as a little like Steven Drew on the Red Sox: He gives you one good skill on one side of the ball and nothing on the other side. Wait as long as possible and see if you need a vet to fill the last roster spot. Of course don't make the Sox mistake of giving a guy like that $10M!  Strictly vet min for Bayless.

[Celtics251]

I don't see a place for Bayless on this team. He only gives you 10-15 points if you play him a lot, and I don't see that happening with all the guards on this team (I consider Young's best position as SG.). I see Bayless as a little like Steven Drew on the Red Sox: He gives you one good skill on one side of the ball and nothing on the other side. Wait as long as possible and see if you need a vet to fill the last roster spot. Of course don't make the Sox mistake of giving a guy like that $10M!  Strictly vet min for Bayless.

I agree, don't make the Steven Drew mistake the Sox made, UNLESS no signings are made and Bayless agrees for a minimum salary to stay at Beantown. I am a supporter of Humphries staying but it's not my call. Not supporting Bayless much as I feel we get flexibility next year if we don't re sign him, but if it comes down to it, I wouldn't mind too much, would just hope he can come out and score some points each game at a decent rate and not 10 points every 35 minutes.

[JBcat]

I've been saying this in other posts, but:

I think we should let them both walk. I understand that we have these guys' Bird Rights, and therefore they are one of a few legitimate options for signing players this offseason. I also understand that they may make things easier in the future if we are trying to match salaries in a trade.

However, we still have the TPE to use which could bump our cap number for a player that may actually take our team in a direction slightly different than last year's. I also think not resigning these two and remaining hovering around the cap gives us more flexibility for the '15 offseason. Wallace will be an expiring, Rondo will be a FA, I am fairly sure Green will be a FA. Not having these two on the books may hurt our team next year (which I personally think is good), but it will give us more flexibility the year after.

I look at it the other way.  I wouldn't mind both on reasonable deals as I like having the salary slots to use in trades especially if we remain under the luxury tax.   I think it's easier to aquire talent in trades verses free agency.  I bet Melo stays with the Knicks, Lebron stays with the Heat, and Dirk has already committed to the Mavs.  I think stars are more often traded than signed as a free agent.  Many teams with lots of cap space are left scrambling overpaying for players.

[vjcsmoke]

With Smart and Young on-board, I don't see a place for Bayless to get minutes.

As for Humphries, I'd love to have him back on the cheap, but with 5 different teams interested there's no way we can afford him.  Too bad.

[JBcat]

With Smart and Young on-board, I don't see a place for Bayless to get minutes.

As for Humphries, I'd love to have him back on the cheap, but with 5 different teams interested there's no way we can afford him.  Too bad.

I'm not sure Young will get many minutes his first year.  He is very young.  He may need some D league time to develop.  We'll see.

[Beat LA]

With Smart and Young on-board, I don't see a place for Bayless to get minutes.

As for Humphries, I'd love to have him back on the cheap, but with 5 different teams interested there's no way we can afford him.  Too bad.

I'm not sure Young will get many minutes his first year.  He is very young.  He may need some D league time to develop.  We'll see.

Um, he better play next year.  I know he's young, no pun intended, but it's not like we're contending and can't spare the minutes on a 19 year old.  We're rebuilding.  Throw him out there and let him grow.  Boston is going to look like a d-league team anyway for the next few years, at least imo

[Beat LA]

I've been saying this in other posts, but:

I think we should let them both walk. I understand that we have these guys' Bird Rights, and therefore they are one of a few legitimate options for signing players this offseason. I also understand that they may make things easier in the future if we are trying to match salaries in a trade.

However, we still have the TPE to use which could bump our cap number for a player that may actually take our team in a direction slightly different than last year's. I also think not resigning these two and remaining hovering around the cap gives us more flexibility for the '15 offseason. Wallace will be an expiring, Rondo will be a FA, I am fairly sure Green will be a FA. Not having these two on the books may hurt our team next year (which I personally think is good), but it will give us more flexibility the year after.

I agree, TP.  We need to develop our young guys, and having veterans taking minutes away from them just doesn't make any sense, imo.  Maybe we could get someone and/or something for them in a sign and trade of some kind.  Who knows?  Humphries will land on a contender, presumably, but I'm interested to see where Bayless ends up.  Why not go back to Indiana?  Bird drafted the guy and then traded him for some reason before JB ever got to play a game for the Pacers.  They'd need to move Watson and Hill, especially Hill, for it to work, but I like how Bayless wants the ball in the big moments and can really be an assassin in the 4th quarter.  He's very competitive, but also young, and that fits in perfectly with what Bird is trying to build there, imo. 

On another front, who gives George Hill $40 million dollars over 5 years?  WOW

[BleedGreen1989]

Bayless/No.

Humphries, if one of our other PF's are moved or he can bring something back in a S&T.

I really hope Hump isn't extended to more than 1 year (maybe 2nd partially guaranteed) regardless of what happens.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

hump is trade bait