Long shot but...

[bleedGREENdon]

It's a long shot but if there's even the slightest chance, Danny Needs to offer a 1 year max and promise Khawi Leonard, we will give him the max in 16 under the new CBA. This guy plays the definition of winning basketball and it is because he just adopted the Spurs way. He'll be able to show all of our young guys Pops system( in which Stevens semi runs). We would be all set at the SF position with him and crowder and just need to worry about Center and would have a contending team. Khaki is Lebrons thorn, and we need to beat LeBron to win the east.

[incoherent]

Danny will make a pitch for sure but you are right its a huge long shot.

[bleedGREENdon]

I think offering a max for 1 year and then promise them a complete max in 2016 when the cap goes up... Say 30mill... I don't see how any player says no. Khawi can't get that in SA, unless Duncan and Parker get the minimum.

[jonaslopes]

SA will match any offers. We can try, obviously, but we should forget the wishful thinking.

Justise Winslow reminds a little bit of Kawhi, by the way. It's a good name for us.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Another thread about giving a max to Leonard. OK.

[BornReady]

Doubt we will get him even with the max
No way Spurs let this guy go

[droopdog7]

I think offering a max for 1 year and then promise them a complete max in 2016 when the cap goes up... Say 30mill... I don't see how any player says no. Khawi can't get that in SA, unless Duncan and Parker get the minimum.

You're right.  Pretty much any player would say hell no.  You're not going to take a chance on a 1-year deal when you can get a lot more.

Plus, he is not the kind of guy I want to max anyway.  I only want to max a true star.  Anything less and you're setting yourself up for failure.

[saltlover]

The proper offer to Leonard (or Butler) is a 4-year max deal with a player option after year 1.
 This lets the player get the best of both worlds -- long-term security as well as the opportunity to re-enter free agency next year when the cap spikes.  Spurs or Bulls probably match that as well, but it's a nasty offer to match.

The following year, offer a 5-year deal with a player option after year 2.  This allows the player to get a new max deal in summer of 2018 when the new CBA has kicked in, and at which point the Celtics would have Bird rights.  It means long-term commitment from the player isn't guaranteed, but it gets him in the door, which hopefully is enough to keep him when he realizes how great Boston is to play in.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

It's a long shot but if there's even the slightest chance, Danny Needs to offer a 1 year max and promise Khawi Leonard, we will give him the max in 16 under the new CBA. This guy plays the definition of winning basketball and it is because he just adopted the Spurs way. He'll be able to show all of our young guys Pops system( in which Stevens semi runs). We would be all set at the SF position with him and crowder and just need to worry about Center and would have a contending team. Khaki is Lebrons thorn, and we need to beat LeBron to win the east.

Except he struggles making clutch free throws. 

[KeepRondo]

The proper offer to Leonard (or Butler) is a 4-year max deal with a player option after year 1.
 This lets the player get the best of both worlds -- long-term security as well as the opportunity to re-enter free agency next year when the cap spikes.  Spurs or Bulls probably match that as well, but it's a nasty offer to match.

The following year, offer a 5-year deal with a player option after year 2.  This allows the player to get a new max deal in summer of 2018 when the new CBA has kicked in, and at which point the Celtics would have Bird rights.  It means long-term commitment from the player isn't guaranteed, but it gets him in the door, which hopefully is enough to keep him when he realizes how great Boston is to play in.

Interesting. Is this even possible? I would think if it was then Lebron would had done this contract.

[CFAN38]

The proper offer to Leonard (or Butler) is a 4-year max deal with a player option after year 1.
 This lets the player get the best of both worlds -- long-term security as well as the opportunity to re-enter free agency next year when the cap spikes.  Spurs or Bulls probably match that as well, but it's a nasty offer to match.

The following year, offer a 5-year deal with a player option after year 2.  This allows the player to get a new max deal in summer of 2018 when the new CBA has kicked in, and at which point the Celtics would have Bird rights.  It means long-term commitment from the player isn't guaranteed, but it gets him in the door, which hopefully is enough to keep him when he realizes how great Boston is to play in.

Good post, this is likely the type on ammunition DA will unload to try to steal a big name FA . Not sure it will work but its a great shot. His bargain basket back-court will allow the cap flexibility to make something like this viable. With all 3 guards locked up for a while DA doesn't have to worry about any big resigns in the next couple of years.

[saltlover]

The proper offer to Leonard (or Butler) is a 4-year max deal with a player option after year 1.
 This lets the player get the best of both worlds -- long-term security as well as the opportunity to re-enter free agency next year when the cap spikes.  Spurs or Bulls probably match that as well, but it's a nasty offer to match.

The following year, offer a 5-year deal with a player option after year 2.  This allows the player to get a new max deal in summer of 2018 when the new CBA has kicked in, and at which point the Celtics would have Bird rights.  It means long-term commitment from the player isn't guaranteed, but it gets him in the door, which hopefully is enough to keep him when he realizes how great Boston is to play in.

Interesting. Is this even possible? I would think if it was then Lebron would had done this contract.

Yeah, that's my mistake.  It's spring training and my mind is on baseball contracts I guess.  You can only have one option year, and it must be the last year of a contract.  So you could offer a free agent a Lebron contract (2-years, option in year 2), and then 3 years, option in year 3.  But not what I said about 4 years, option after year 1.  Which is what Ainge should do.  Thanks for catching that.

[LooseCannon]

As a restricted free agent, to sign Leonard to an offer sheet, the Celtics must offer a contract that is at least two years long, not including option years.  If the Spurs gave Leonard a maximum qualifying offer, the offer sheet would have to include three non-option years.

[saltlover]

As a restricted free agent, to sign Leonard to an offer sheet, the Celtics must offer a contract that is at least two years long, not including option years.  If the Spurs gave Leonard a maximum qualifying offer, the offer sheet would have to include three non-option years.

Never noticed that part of the rule.  Thanks for pointing it out.. It would appear a Chandler Parsons offer sheet is the worst we could make the Spurs match (3 years, option year 3.)

Looks like trying to work out a sign-and-trade with San Antonio is the best option if Leonard could be convinced to come to Boston.