Terry Rozier on free agency: 'I still want to keep my options open'

[ozgod]

Interesting comments from Terry on Rick Pitino's podcast. Here's his response when Pitino asked him if it was really important to him that he starts, going into a contract year.

“Winning is the most important thing, it’s not about stats with you, but sooner or later, you’re gonna sign a contract—and hopefully it’s with the Boston Celtics—is it really important to you personally that you start?” The coach asked.

Rozier responded, "Nah, it’s not so much about starting, it’s really not… I’m going into my fifth year after this, so, you know, I would love to start. I don’t look at myself—and nothing is wrong with it, being a sixth man, coming off the bench—but I don’t really look at myself as that, but that’s not my main focus.

Of course I want to win, I’ve been a winner all my life… I like winning, I don’t know how I can adjust if I try to take a starting job somewhere but I’m playing for an awful team and we’re not winning no more. It’s just like something that I don’t think I can adjust to, being around people that’s okay with losing, but at the same time, I still want to keep my options open. I feel like I’ve seen a lot in these four years, how much a business this is, I think I should get everything that I deserve.

So with that being said, it’s not so much all about starting and not so much about the money, but it’s all about getting everything I deserve, and like I said, I’ve seen a lot. I feel like I’m gonna get everything I deserve, that’s all."

https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2018/11/27/terry-rozier-on-free-agency-i-still-want-to-keep-my-options-open/

Says he doesn't care about starting, but he would love to start. But he might not want to start for a losing team. But regardless he wants what he deserves.

So what does everything think Terry deserves, contract wise?

[SHAQATTACK]

get ready to pack your bags bud

[tazzmaniac]

When you talk about "everything I deserve", that means you want to start and get paid.  If I was in his shoes, that's what I'd want to. 

[Kuberski33]

He can probably start for most (though not all) of the teams in the bottom half of the league. What's that worth? $10 to $12 million a year?  He's not going to get that here.

You can't fault a guy for wanting to maximize is earning potential but his career goals may not jibe with what the Celtics need from him this season.

[Androslav]

When you talk about "everything I deserve", that means you want to start and get paid.  If I was in his shoes, that's what I'd want to.

Yeah, you can't blame a guy that wants to sign his first big contract.
His rookie deal is peanuts compared to the guys he plays with and against each night.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

get ready to pack your bags bud

yup

ROZIER IS GONE only a matter of when TRADER DANNY PULLS THE PLUG

[boscel33]

Nothing against Kyrie, but I'd like to see TR with the starters for a few games and see if he is not the person we would rather keep over Kyrie.  TR led this team to the ECF last year while Kyrie was out.  It seems as though the team responded to him.  Who knows???

[tarheelsxxiii]

Nothing against Kyrie, but I'd like to see TR with the starters for a few games and see if he is not the person we would rather keep over Kyrie.  TR led this team to the ECF last year while Kyrie was out.  It seems as though the team responded to him.  Who knows???

How many TPs would you like, my friend? I will wear it my index finger to make you happy. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

He said what I would have said. I think he would resign in Boston if they offered him a reasonable contract for the market he'll receive. I think he likes Boston, CBS, and his teammates.

But I also think he won't take a discount. He doesn't want to play for a losing team for just the money. He wants a winning situation where he will get compensated fairly.

That's what I would want too.

[RJ87]

Nothing against Kyrie, but I'd like to see TR with the starters for a few games and see if he is not the person we would rather keep over Kyrie. TR led this team to the ECF last year while Kyrie was out.  It seems as though the team responded to him.  Who knows???

Jayson Tatum says "hi".

I have nothing against Rozier, but I'm not sure why his decidedly terrible play this year so far should be rewarded with a starting job. This board is funny. On one end, you have the "Brad Stevens needs to be tougher and stop playing guys that don't play well." On the other, there's the "BuT TeRrY nEeDs MoAr mInUtEs" crowd.

[johnnygreen]

Nothing against Kyrie, but I'd like to see TR with the starters for a few games and see if he is not the person we would rather keep over Kyrie.  TR led this team to the ECF last year while Kyrie was out.  It seems as though the team responded to him.  Who knows???

While you’re at it, you should also add Brad Wanamaker, Semi Ojeleye, Guerschon Yabusele, and Robert Williams to the starting unit. I swear, if the Celtics had an in his prime Michael Jordan, that some of you would have been arguing that Harold Miner should be starting ahead on him too.

[#1P4P]

He wants the best contract to be a starter for a winning team. If that were possible here, he'd stay, but the Celtics roster and the salary structure of the NBA is going to make it impossible.

Terry would accept 2 out of 3 (contract+winning). The issue there is this season is basically a competition between Terry and Marcus. The player with the most impact on winning, in their respective roles, will be the one to stay. Thus far, Marcus has a lead on him, but it's not insurmountable if the salaries are in the same ballpark.

[Roy H.]

He said what I would have said. I think he would resign in Boston if they offered him a reasonable contract for the market he'll receive. I think he likes Boston, CBS, and his teammates.

But I also think he won't take a discount. He doesn't want to play for a losing team for just the money. He wants a winning situation where he will get compensated fairly.

That's what I would want too.

I think every player in the league wants to get paid as much as possible while both winning and starting.

My guess, though, is that Terry's first priority is money, just like it is with most players.  I expect that he'll sign with whichever team gives him the best contract, regardless of whether they're a likely playoff franchise or not.

[SHAQATTACK]

resigning Morris is far more important than Rozier.

[Roy H.]

resigning Morris is far more important than Rozier.

I agree.  It's harder to replace what Morris brings.