Really, no one could have dreamed this up any better.
You have five of the six best players locked up for the next two years (see below). The sixth player, Ray Allen, is unlikely to go anywhere next summer if he performs up to par this year and the Celtics play deep into June 2010. You could argue that Paul Pierce is at risk of exercising his player option next summer, but he's scheduled to make $21m in 2011. Who's gonna have enough dough to pay him more than that and the desire to do so? There is now talk that Pierce will restructure his contract to give the Celtics more flexibility for the free agent market next summer.
Four of the next six players below are definitely in the last year of their contracts, and the other two, Bill Walker and JR Giddens, are in the last year of their contracts unless the team exercises an option to the contrary.
In short, the Celtics may just have the best roster in basketball in roster spots 1-6. After that, everyone else is EXTREMELY TRADEABLE, with only Brian Scalabrine making more than $3m a year, which, at this point in time, is a good thing, in case the Celtics need a larger contract to make a deal work out. Speaking of needing larger contracts, the Celtics also have the right to match any offer made to Glen Davis, which means that if another team offers Baby a ridiculous contract, the Celtics can finagle a sign-and-trade for a player that fills a need better than Baby.
On top of all that, the free agent pool is plush with tall and lanky swingman and the bad economy is forcing many teams to shed good players. Other teams are shedding good players for no other reason than to have a shot at a big name free agent next summer. The Celtics have both a $1.9m and $1.2m slot to offer free agents, and, if the green trades more than a couple of their one-year contracts for a single player, they will have more roster spots to fill with title hungry free agents.
The world is indeed Danny's oyster. I'm not a big fan of the phrase "work in progress" when applied to the Boston Celtics, especially after what happened last season, but Danny is certainly in the driver's seat as the free agent market shakes down.
I'm sure he'll talk to old buddy Kevin McHale along the way, and McHale may have something to say about Rodney Carney, among others.
Rajon Rondo (qualifying offer 2010-11)
Ray Allen (last year)
Paul Pierce (player option 2010-11)
Kevin Garnett (3 more years)
Kendrick Perkins (2 more years)
Rasheed Wallace (2 more years, PO 2011-12)
Eddie House (last year)
Tony Allen (last year)
Brian Scalabrine (last year)
Bill Walker (team option next year)
J.R. Giddens (team option next year)
Gabe Pruitt (team option this year)
Glen Davis (restricted free agent)
Leon Powe (unrestricted free agent)
Lester Hudson (unsigned rookie)
6 comments:
I still would like to see us grab one more decent wing player. Matty Barnes comes to mind. If we don't grab him, you'd better believe Cleveland will..
I agree. Hopefully, we'll get him or someone like him via free agent signing or trade.
I like Barnes, but haven't seen anything about Danny going after him. Rumors are that Danny is trying for sign and trade for Moon or trade for Outlaw. We have over $5 mil in expiring contracts that should be enough to bring in someone good. I'd still like to bring back Powe. Even if he can't play till the All Star Break, he will be invaluable come playoff time when we need him most.
Good analysis Lex!!
Thanks, FCF. I like Moon, but am interested in Carney too. I love Leon, but Danny needs to clear some contracts off the bench to make room for him!
I'm pretty sure McHale got his a** fired this summer. Finally.
With all due respect, of course.
Yes, McHale's tenure in MN is finally over.
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