Regardless of Danny's decision to either blow it up or stay the course, the team (provided they don't take on salary in any trades) is going to have plenty of cash to spend this offseason. According to Ainge, that's even more valuable since the new Collective Bargaining Agreement was put into place.
Checking out a possible shopping list for Celtics - The Boston Globe
That means they will have about $25 million to spend, and under the new collective bargaining agreement, they must spend at least 85 percent of the yet-to-be-announced salary cap number. "I have always said cap space is a little overrated, but with the new collective bargaining agreement, cap space allows you more flexibility than it has in the past,’’ said Ainge. "Again, people look at cap space as an opportunity to go get a great player as a free agent. But there really aren’t franchise-changing players in the free agent market - other than a couple of guys, and there will be a lot of teams vying for them. "But it will be a different world than we’ve lived in the last four or five years, that’s for sure.’’
I've said all along, even if the team strikes out on Dwight or any other big name free agents, they've got a lot to work with in terms of cap space flexibility. How well Ainge uses it will determine how quickly we move on from the Big 3 era.
0 recs | 60 comments
What the C's need now is...
Love, sweet Love.
Pork n Beans - January 22, 2012
Is it possible
to get K. Love and D. Howard with $25 million to spend?
GreenSlime - January 22, 2012
no
its not possible to get K. Love at all. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a fool. The Wolves will match any offer he gets.
You could theoretically use that cap space to bring in Dwight Howard (making 20 mil next year), but then you’re saying goodbye to KG, Ray, Jeff Green and Brandon Bass.
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
right...
will it work with Ray and KG coming back on vet mins?
GreenSlime - January 22, 2012
Yes
But do you really think they would sign for the vet minimum?
It’s the ultimate pipe dream. I’m on board with it ;)
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
well..
KG is 36 at the end of the season, and he is starting to look it….so, i can maybe see him coming back for min. vet…but Ray…doubt it
GreenSlime - January 22, 2012
If you get a chance to bring in DH you do it--
—even it means saying goodbye to KG and Ray and amnestying Pierce.
clover - January 22, 2012
It is possible, Minnesota isn’t a big market team, and they have a lot of young talent with expering contracts in the next couple of years. You never know if they are willing to give him a max contract. It’s a long shot though that the C’s get him. Howard is not coming here either, best to look into a trade or through the draft.
Drew Berg - January 22, 2012
green slime!
I’ve been heavily pondering this the last few days, but haven’t had a chance to post. Can someone explain to me how that wouldn’t be possible if say Danny talked to them behind the scenes and convinced Howard and Love to join forces here in Boston (keeping it under tight wraps for the time being obviously)? Even if Minnesota can match any offer, isn’t it ultimately Love’s choice where he wants to play? Or is he a prisoner to Minnesota? I don’t understand why people say “no chance, Minnesota will match any offer” like that’s the end of the discussion, am I missing something?
Mikey Bizzle - January 22, 2012 via iPhone app
yes
you are missing the fact that kevin love is a restricted free agent and they can match any offer he gets. Would you lose him for nothing if he was on Boston?.. or lock him up to a max deal against his will?
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
The Problem with that cap space
The Problem with that 24 mil in cap space is that you need to renounce the rights to Jeff Green, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to get it.
So you might be able to land a star player, but you’re probably saying goodbye to KG and Ray. If you have faith in this squad and want to keep it together… 24 mil might be JUST ENOUGH to sign Ray, KG and Green… and then that’s it. Nobody else comes.
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
so...
on that note. Since our “best case scenario” is using that 24 mil in cap space to sign young talent… we might as well get rid of Ray for a draft pick while we can…. since he’s not a part of this team in the “best case scenario” regardless.
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
Theoretically
You can renounce them and resign them to a more cap friendly contract. We don’t have to necessarily get rid of them
prov1ml - January 22, 2012
yes
You can renounce them and resign them to a more cap friendly contract… what would that cap friendly contract be?
9 mil for Ray?
8 mil for KG?
7 mil for Jeff Green?
That’s all of your cap space
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
also
… I should also mention that the “25 mil” number doesn’t count the two first rounders we have. It’s more like 23-24 mil… And that’s not including Brandon Bass either. If Bass takes his 4 mil player option we have about 20 mil in cap space.
If we have 25 mil in cap space, it means we could MAYBE sign Bass, KG, Ray and Jeff Green… or let them all walk and sign new guys
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
Those aren't cap friendly in my opinion
I would hope they sign Dwight and then worry about resigning the likes of Ray and/or Garnett afterwards
prov1ml - January 22, 2012
right, im sure that is how it will work...sign the non Celtics first, see whats left
wahz - January 22, 2012
Cap friendly means
You can bring back Ray and KG for one-year deals and have a boatload of cap space in 2013 if there is no good use for the space this summer.
LooseCannon - January 22, 2012
Sure
I’m on board with that too. Sign Ray and KG to 12 mil each. That’s all the cap room. Then in 2013 the entire big 3 comes off our books and we can attack free agency.
So in other words… plan for another 1.5 years of mediocre also-ran play.
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
you realize we could go over the cap some too, right?
If your math is right, and it may be, I don’t think KG and Ray get a total of 17…Id hope for more like 10-12, and Green coming off surgery? Maybe he signs very cheap. I could see resigning everyone and still having 5-8 million before paying tax.
wahz - January 22, 2012
that's fine
that’s fine too… You can sign Ray and KG for 10-12 mil each (that’s what I’d expect them to get)… and then that’s it. No money left for free agents.
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
Jeff Green (to me) I might offer Vet Min...if he can get more somewhere else...let him.. lots of fish in the sea like Jeff Green
Master Po - January 22, 2012
we need some money for a shooting coach for AB ...who seems to be a worse shooter than Rondo
and I suspect KG will just retire after this year. Just a hunch
Master Po - January 22, 2012
Bradley takes good shots in general though...
which is what you want to see from a developing player. Effort, athleticism, and shot selection. Bradley does alright in those areas.
As far as his shot goes I see good elevation, consistent motion, and a smooth release. Where he lacks is in hesitation and confidence of stepping into the shot consistently. With more experience, minutes and opportunities to shoot we’ll see Bradley start to hit a groove and he won’t look back.
The kid has scorer written all over him from where I sit.
IanMello - January 22, 2012
I like the kid...but so far good form is all he has....I hope you're right
Master Po - January 22, 2012
Haha, me too!
IanMello - January 23, 2012
I heard somewhere KG was going to retire
After this year, and I don’t think if he comes back then he’ll want more than 8 million, that’s idiotic and Danny wouldn’t do it looking at his numbers this year. As for Ray is expect mid level money, as a player, you realize what means more. Money vs Winning most vets 33 and older take winning, example: shaq signing for less with us over Hawks
So I think KG and Ray get signed for no more than 11 million total, I see Jeff coming back because he feels probably guilty for what has happened and will come back for cheaper money and not the original 9mil. So 17 million locked up in those three leaving us to Bass with his 4 million dollar option, id let him walk and grab Darrel Arthur instead who’s coming off an ACL tear I think and would take cheap money, plus he’s two years younger and has more time to develop. Plus he was one of the best players on Memphis in the playoffs. I’d spend 2-3million on him leaving us at about 19 or 20 million taken up.
That being said, I’d take a shot at Javale McGee instead of DH. Call me crazy but he’s got rediculous shot block ability and is becoming a great rebounder. I could see us using the final 5 or 6 million on him and make it a back loaded contract and in his final year he could make like 12 million or so.
RotB_MattR - January 22, 2012 via mobile
I have a feeling that if K.G. feels that if he can't play at desired his level, he'll retire.
lygafe - January 23, 2012
'at his desired level'
lygafe - January 23, 2012
Offer Green 1 year with a player option... $5-7 million per...
If you can’t sign Dwight, of course.
Green is a perfect “buy low” option who could pay some big dividends. At worst it’s a two year commitment, so minimal risk, potentially high reward. Plus Green gives you some post game, which we sorely lack and he can run on the break with Rondo and provide “some” spacing with his shot.
IanMello - January 22, 2012
so far ..what I've seen from Jeff Green....is not a post game...not anywhere close to playing good with his back to the basket
Master Po - January 22, 2012
Wow...
I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree then.
IanMello - January 22, 2012
Those numbers might be their "high end" potential earnings...
BUT they’re likely in the ball park of what those guys could earn based on the market. The hope, if Ainge intends to keep those guys, (which I’m not advocating he do) is to get them in that $5-6 million range.
As I’ve stated elsewhere, if you have the opportunity to get Dwight, then you go get him and hope he helps to work out a way to keep some key role players.
IanMello - January 22, 2012
I'll renounce anyone not named Rondo if it means Dwight will sign here.
IanMello - January 22, 2012
I wouldn't
Master Po - January 22, 2012
Why?
From my seat, Rondo and Dwight is the core of a championship contending team for the next 7+ years.
Dominant interior defense and rebounding, outlets to Rondo? That’d be a straight NIGHTMARE for opposing teams. Mix in shooters and guys who can run and you have a team that could be lethal. Plus the Celtics would be strong where the Heatles are weak, Point Guard and Pivot.
Plus you might convince Ray and KG to come back on minimum wink wink we’ll give you a contract next year deals.
IanMello - January 22, 2012
I would never put most of my chips on one player.....
Master Po - January 22, 2012
Even when it's the best big man in the game in the prime of his career?
IanMello - January 22, 2012
So would I, Ian.
clover - January 22, 2012
the real problem with the big 3 era was that once that title was won, Danny made every decision based on this summers cap space
In case I didn’t say it clearly enough, our GM made every decision the last 3 1/2 years, with this summer in mind.
For example, the first decision was not sacrficing overpaying Posey for 2 years in order to keep the champs intact
disagree or agree, this summer IS what he has waited for. Fingers crossed that some earth shaking stuff goes down that makes us contenders for years to come
wahz - January 22, 2012
Bulls fan here
Who would you take off the Bulls bench for Ray Allen?
And how could any trade for a young player work with Allen making 10 million this season?
bobslob - January 22, 2012
no one
Sports Guy - January 22, 2012
realistically
Realistically you can have Ray Allen for Korver, CJ Miles (both are unguarenteed next year) + a 1st rounder. You guys own Charlotte’s PROTECTED 1st rounder… (top 14 protected in 2012, top 12 protected in 2013, top 10 protected in 2014, top 8 protected in 2015, unprotected in 2016) … That pick would probably do it.
Your only other competition would likely be Utah who has a 10.8 mil trade exception (from the Okur trade) that they could send us for Ray … if they included one of their young prospects or a draft pick, we’d have to take it.
Most Celtic fans don’t know what the hell they are talking about. Boston’s best course of action is to get some kind of value for Ray now while they can. Your team is one of the only teams that makes sense for Ray, but we will NOT take back salary…
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
...
FYI. I have no interest in Korver/Miles as players. Those are just the only two players on your roster who would make sense simply because they don’t have guaranteed deals next year. The Celtics don’t want to sacrifice cap space… so in trading for Ray Allen you need to match his 10 mil expiring contract with 10 mil in expiring contracts. Korver and Miles essentially equal 10 mil in “expiring contracts”, because their contracts are unguaranteed.
Then it’s simply about getting something of value back for giving you Ray. A 1st rounder will probably do the trick since we need as much young assets/draft picks as possible for our rebuild.
LarBrd33 - January 22, 2012
I agree.
As far as the “future” goes I’d rather trade Ray to get a potentially valuable #1 pick and give his minutes to Bradley and Pietrus. Bring back Green next year and you’ll still have Rondo, Bradley, Pietrus, Jeff Green, and of course Pierce.
Those two picks in next year’s draft could net a guy like River’s kid or Lamb for Connecticut… I haven’t been watching college ball but just citing some familiar names.
The Celtics need to get younger and add assets for the future whenever and wherever they can.
IanMello - January 22, 2012
Exactly.
clover - January 22, 2012
I think you mean CJ Watson
I think the Bulls would make that trade in a heartbeat. Especially with Rip out yet again with his groin injury.
I was assuming you’d want one of our bigs. Like Gibson or Asik. Those are the young guys with potential for the future. But like I said, I couldn’t figure out how to get any trades to work.
I don’t think the Celts would part with Ray for a protected draft pick.
bobslob - January 27, 2012
I think....
Ainge should be praised for the way he structured Rays and KG’s big contracts to come off the books at the same time this year along with JO’s and all the other miscellaneous players who have smaller contracts but Ainge has designed to come off the payroll also, which will allow the C’s alot of financial flexibility $$$ to go out and try to rebuild the club next summer.
fordescort - January 22, 2012
All Hail Danny! hahaha...sorry couldn't resist
Master Po - January 22, 2012
JO's should have never been on the books to begin with at the huge amount
Master Po - January 22, 2012
NIce, tons of money to spend....
and no free agent willing to take it to play in Boston. Hey, if Danny still has all this money, I’ll take it. I can be the mascot for a season. And I’ll only demand $1 million. That’s $24 less million than what Howard would take. Hometown discount! Whooo!
gpap - January 22, 2012
Is your name
Brian Scalabrine?
AussieGreen - January 22, 2012
Geez marshon brooks is looking really good
Hind sight is 20/20
vgarcia890 - January 22, 2012
WOW!!
I still can’t believe that so many people are still clinging on to hope that howard will play for the celtics!..He does not,will not be a celtic..Why is everyone still dreaming of this??
seze70 - January 22, 2012
Anything's possible.
There was a time when KG said he had no interest in joining the Celtics.
Pork n Beans - January 22, 2012
Yep there is that.
AussieGreen - January 22, 2012
Jason Thompson and Ryan Anderson for 16-18 total
KG and Ray and Green for 10-12 total
Bass for 5…we pay tax or we let Ray or KG go
we get two rookies. I’ll leave those to DA
Wed have a ton of guys taller than 6’10 and we sure as heck would be able to run.
KG, Thompson, Rookie
Bass, Anderson, Johnson
PP, Green, Pietrus
Ray, Moore, Dooling
Rondo, Bradley, Rookie
Thompson, Anderson KG Pietrus Bradley and Rondo are all scrappy and tough defenders. Are rebounding gets way better with more athleticism. Thompson is a good offensive rebounder. Anderson is starting to do everything well.
The bulk of the minutes go to Anderson PP Ray, Rondo Bradley Green Pietrus Bass Thompson KG
IF its just more guys and more tax than we really need, you let some combo of Bass and KG Green walk. Rays importance is diminished with Anderson spreading the floor with peitrus but I suspect he’d come back cheap, maybe as little as 4
wahz - January 22, 2012
Who can they get?
No major free agent will sign here. Other than Travis Knight, have the Celtics signed any major free agent in the past 25 years?
slamdunk1 - January 22, 2012
I don't understand all of this talk
of Jeff Green, KG, Ray, etc.
We’ve got piles of money to spend, and some people seem to be advocating putting together last year’s team, only older. Does anyone see such a team being able to keep up with Chicago? Miami?
If (as seems likely) we’re not going to be able to get a major free agent, why wouldn’t they use this opportunity to get much younger?
Draft picks + Rondo + PP + our rookies + a few young role players seems a lot better to me than resigning the current team and adding Jeff frickin Green. And also presents a situation where we can possibly trade off a big chunk of those young players for an impact player — much like we did for KG.
bboisvert - January 23, 2012
'Only reason I can understand for re-upping 'the aging core'
is if Danny decides to delay going deep into the FA market until the following year.
For instance, right now there is still ‘technically’ the possibility (however razor slim) of getting either DH12 or K-Love as max-contract FAs this summer. The latter only if Minnesota decides not to match on a max contract, of course. So as long as they are ‘technically’ a possibility, Danny is and should be trying to preserve cap room to be able to go after them. Get one of them and THEN worry about filling out the rest of the roster with whatever cap room remains and then minimum contracts when that runs out.
However, there is a very high probability that neither of those two guys will actually be available.
Outside of those two, suddenly the FA pickings for this summer drop off in quality. So maybe Danny thinks, “Fine. I’m not going to buy mediocrity. I’ll just re-up Ray & KG & other guys on one-more-year-before-blowing-it-up.”
So we’d be having this same conversations at this time next year. Does the FA market for 2013 look any better?
Its a stretch – and painfully so – but that sort of plan MIGHT make sense IF the 2013 FA market looks promising.
Otherwise, yeah, if you can’t get a long-term max-stud-super guy, then buy young but possibly-tradable-in-the-future assets and repeat what we went through in the years leading up to 2007.
mmmmm - January 23, 2012
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