James Posey, after deciding not to exercise the option on the final year of his contract yesterday, is a free agent with what may be one of the largest markets of the summer.
The fact that there is a limited pool of teams with significant salary cap space (Philadelphia 76ers [team stats], Memphis Grizzlies) does not bode well for the biggest names (unrestricted free agent Gilbert Arenas, restricted free agents Luol Deng and Andre Iguodala) this summer, but Posey’s lower-level aims are likely to draw a bigger crowd.
Posey’s hometown Cleveland Cavaliers are said to be putting together an offer, in addition to the Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. New Jersey, which came close to signing Posey last summer before he was talked into going with the Celtics, also may revisit the situation, though like most teams the Nets are carving out cap space for 2010, when big names like LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade could hit the free agent market.
Posey is now officially an unrestricted free agent, meaning any team can offer him a contract.
Now, did he opt out just to get a heftier contract from the Celtics, or because he really wants to go somewhwere else?
Posey's contract was about 3.2 mill last season. Apparently he is looking for an MLE deal (which the Lakers have to offer) that starts at approximately $5.8 million and carries over 4-5 years. Last season,the Celtics split their MLE between Posey and House. My thinking is they may be reluctant to spend the full amount on one player this time, especially if the exception extends into a long-term deal. But then again, Posey was teh X-Factor in the Finals, and Boston has said he's their top priority this offseason, so you never know.
— Mags
