Posey will opt out of his contract

[campybatman]

It isn't about the inclusion of the player option. I meant that I didn't like that he'd already decided to exercise it before the season began. Players usually (or so I'd thought) wait until that time comes at the end of the season or he and agent will discuss it prior to the season as far as discussing a contract extension. Posey, has every right to exercise his option. But, he never planned to honor both years unless he'd received a promise from Celtics management that he'll resign for a significant raise if he performs better than expected. Which he did this season. I guess, I view this as a player who could've simply signed to an one-year contract. Because House and Pollard didn't see the need to sign a two-year or more contract. Then too, Pollard did sustain a season ending injury. So, Posey has a point. Because Pollard's without a team right now.

[sully00]

What are you talking about? Just because you want him to sign with the Celtics for cheap doesn't mean he can't command more than what he'd be making. He's due $3.4 million this year and he's opting out. He's not going somewhere to sign for $3.8 million/yr.

Just about every contender who needs a big contributor off the bench will be going after him. 3.8/yr for 3? Dream on. He's proven that he is a big game performer and he's shown everyone in the league how valuable he can be for a team going for a championship. You don't think teams like the Lakers, Spurs, Rockets, Cavs, Pistons, Magic, and even Dallas, GS, Atlanta, etc. will be going after him? Look around the league and see how much players make and you'll realize that there is no chance in hell he's signing for that. FYI, Sasha Pavlovic and Luke Walton are making around $5 million/yr.

You do realize James Posey was a FA last year and nobody offered him more than Boston?

He is not a qualifying FA it is not worth comparing those types of contracts.

Almost all of those contenders are either against or over the lux tax as is Boston.

This is comparable list of players and money and notice what S.A. does and it is not a coincidence.

Bruce Bowen - $4 million
Grant Hill - $1.9 million
Eddie Jones - $2 million
Steve Francis - $2.6 million
Steve Blake - $ 4.5 million
Reggie Evans - $4.6 million

But you are right Tombattor I don't know what I am talking about.

[tombattor]

You do realize James Posey was a FA last year and nobody offered him more than Boston?

He is not a qualifying FA it is not worth comparing those types of contracts.

Almost all of those contenders are either against or over the lux tax as is Boston.

This is comparable list of players and money and notice what S.A. does and it is not a coincidence.

Bruce Bowen - $4 million
Grant Hill - $1.9 million
Eddie Jones - $2 million
Steve Francis - $2.6 million
Steve Blake - $ 4.5 million
Reggie Evans - $4.6 million

But you are right Tombattor I don't know what I am talking about.

As you said, I'm right and you don't know what you're talking about.

Do you not understand that Posey's entering this and last year's FA market differently? Last year, Miami was trash and he was a guy coming off the bench for a trash team who got bounced out of first round. This year, he's coming off a year in which he was a vital cog to a championship team.

And I don't see how that list of trash and the salaries you posted does anything but help my argument.

Are you really saying that Posey will seek a contract below Reggie Evans and Steve Blake? And what the hell has Steve Francis done recently that makes you think he's any sort of guide for how much Posey would be seeking in FA market? Grant Hill? Eddie Jones? You know it's 2008, right? Not 1998...

[sully00]

That "list of trash" put up better numbers than Posey. Intangibles are great but production is what teams pay for. This isn't about what Posey is going to take this about what another team is going to give him. Those are the contracts that are being given out by contending teams. Grant Hill scored 13 ppg last season and Boston offered him the same deal they ended up giving Posey he just chose PHX for less money.

Reggie Evans and Steve Blake were NBA starters and more productive than Posey. Posey has had the same numbers for 4 years in a row 7ppg 4.5 rpg that isn't going to change no matter how much money you pay him. One year he is a champion and the next he is trash? Maybe in your eyes not to a gm who has a clue.

What do you really think is out there for Posey? Tell me the number and tell me the team. What team is even going to give Posey a full MLE deal or do you really think that team is going to sign him with cap space? I love how we love him because he is our Bowen or Horry but he can't play for their money.

[tombattor]

That "list of trash" put up better numbers than Posey. Intangibles are great but production is what teams pay for. This isn't about what Posey is going to take this about what another team is going to give him. Those are the contracts that are being given out by contending teams. Grant Hill scored 13 ppg last season and Boston offered him the same deal they ended up giving Posey he just chose PHX for less money.

Reggie Evans and Steve Blake were NBA starters and more productive than Posey. Posey has had the same numbers for 4 years in a row 7ppg 4.5 rpg that isn't going to change no matter how much money you pay him. One year he is a champion and the next he is trash? Maybe in your eyes not to a gm who has a clue.

What do you really think is out there for Posey? Tell me the number and tell me the team. What team is even going to give Posey a full MLE deal or do you really think that team is going to sign him with cap space? I love how we love him because he is our Bowen or Horry but he can't play for their money.

Bro, are you doing this "better numbers" thing? Like how Big Al put up better numbers than KG?

A team like the Lakers or the Rockets, who have the core in place and feel like they just need some tough role player that can make open shots and defend, will be going for him hard. Maybe he didn't score as many points or grabbed as many rebounds as guys like Reggie Evans or Steve Blake, but Posey has proven that he can be a great 6th man for a championship team.

And why would he opt out of $3.4 million contract to sign a $3.8 million/yr deal? The MLE is around $5 million and he's going to get that from somebody.

[Prophet_C]

I thought I heard New Jersey offered him more $ than us. I could be wrong.

[sully00]

Bro, are you doing this "better numbers" thing? Like how Big Al put up better numbers than KG?

A team like the Lakers or the Rockets, who have the core in place and feel like they just need some tough role player that can make open shots and defend, will be going for him hard. Maybe he didn't score as many points or grabbed as many rebounds as guys like Reggie Evans or Steve Blake, but Posey has proven that he can be a great 6th man for a championship team.

And why would he opt out of $3.4 million contract to sign a $3.8 million/yr deal? The MLE is around $5 million and he's going to get that from somebody.

What is that about?

But no I am talking about production and money. You are right that teams will want him they just aren't going to pay him starter money to come off the bench.

But more importantly look at the two teams you brought up the Lakers have Odom, Walton and Vlad Rad they can't go blow big money on Posey with the contracts they have.

The Rockets have Shane Battier why would they want James Posey?

But continue to play the game. Pick another team that would want Posey and then look at their rosters and money.

The reason he would opt out of his contract to take an extension that is only $600,000 is that he can get 4 more years guaranteed and not have to hustle up a contract every year but the dude is going to be 32 years old not 22.

[Rocky5000]

If Posey goes, which I don't want to happen, look for us to bring back the guy we didn't want to trade: Ryan Gomes. What can Ryan do? He can shoot the 3, he can bang inside and get boards, he can backup the 3/4, he can hit clutch shots, and he's a professional who won't cause any chemistry issues.

Minnesota has Corey Brewer, Al Jefferson, Craig Smith, and are looking to add a starting big up front with one of their picks. They also have McCants, Telfair, Foye, Jaric and likely Mayo all fighting for minutes at the guard spot.

[Gomes3PC]

Not to mention Gomes is from New England, LOVES it here, loves Doc/Danny, and would kill to play for a championship-caliber team. The only problem is he is an RFA, the TWolves like him, and would likely match any offer he gets unless it is unreasonably large (which the C's can't afford). My bet is Gomes sticks in Minny one more year for the RFA tender and then goes for bigger money as a UFA.

But, he would be a great fit, except for the D. He is not the defender that Posey is, although he is developing. His game is slowly evolving from a hybrid 3/4 to a true SF. He improved substantially on his jumper and moved his range out to the 3 PT line. Perhaps with some time under Tom Thibodeau he could grow into a solid defender as well. He's only 25 (26 in September), so signing him this year basically ensures you have him during his prime years.

As others pointed out, Pietrus would be a good option as well, although I think he'll look for full MLE money, which I might balk at. He doesn't seem to make players better, and Don Nelson always seemed to be trying to find someone to replace him with, although Nelson is one fickle coach and who knows if Pietrus even did anything to upset him. He's a good shooter (48% eFG on jumpers), a high flyer (13% of his points come on dunks), and his length and athleticism make him a potentially tough defender. If he could be coaxed into taking a decent chunk of the MLE, I'd be intrigued.

[sully00]

As much as I would love to get Ryan back I think he is the exact opposite of Posey at this point. He is a guy production wise who is a capable starter at the SF spot. He is the kind of player who may well get an offer sheet from a team with cap space. I think MINN would like to keep him as well. But he is going to cost you the full MLE and for that you can obviously bring back Posey.

[campybatman]

Finley remains my top choice and perhaps Hill. He'll have to be acquired via a trade but I like Mike Miller too. There was talk that Boston could inquire about Artest. But, Ordway saw it as being tough to convince Artest to accept fewer minutes than what he might be accustomed to and finding minutes for him on the Celtics with Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen likely having to have their minutes reduced some to accommodate his addition. Still, Maxwell raised a good point: Artest could help extend the career of a player like Pierce. Preferably, I would take Miller over Artest only because I view him [Artest] more as a starter and less of a sixth man. Miller could replace Posey's perimeter shooting but probably isn't as clutch. Nevertheless, Miller would be a welcome addition to offset the combined losses of Posey and House, if they each sign elsewhere. Boston needs shooters to help create spacing and room for their post players to work down low. Plus, Miller is only twenty-eight with two years remaining on a somewhat pricey contract for him. Still, I'd rather pay him $9M+ for two seasons than the $13M Szczerbiak will get for one season.

[armageddon]

If the big 3 want to repeat - talk Pose into resigning for 3 years and each can throw 1/2 mil into the pot each year.

[campybatman]

I don't think anyone should be concern about the Lakers being the leading candidate to sign Posey during the off season. Because I believe that Artest will emerge as their top target now and leading up to the trade deadline next season.

I'd read now that Artest could decide to opt out of his contract instead and sign with Dallas or with either Houston or San Antonio. I can see him with Dallas if Howard is traded.

Edit: Artest has stated that he won't opt out for less salary.

So, Ireland mentions to Artest that they’d like to see him in the Lakers line-up with Kobe Bryant & Lamar Odom. As such, John asks Ron if he would give up a chunk of his paycheck to be on a championship-caliber team - and gets a frugal response: Ireland: “Would you be willing to take less money to go to a contender?” Artest: “Oh, never. Not in a million years. Actually, not in 10 million years.” Ireland: “Really?” Artest: “Make that more like 3 million years.” SportsByBooks

[campybatman]

I was thinking that Ainge could trade Posey if not resigned until I see that he has a trade kicker. So, it'll make more sense to extend him a contract offer.

[Celts17Pride]

Finley remains my top choice and perhaps Hill. He'll have to be acquired via a trade but I like Mike Miller too. There was talk that Boston could inquire about Artest. But, Ordway saw it as being tough to convince Artest to accept fewer minutes than what he might be accustomed to and finding minutes for him on the Celtics with Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen likely having to have their minutes reduced some to accommodate his addition. Still, Maxwell raised a good point: Artest could help extend the career of a player like Pierce. Preferably, I would take Miller over Artest only because I view him [Artest] more as a starter and less of a sixth man. Miller could replace Posey's perimeter shooting but probably isn't as clutch. Nevertheless, Miller would be a welcome addition to offset the combined losses of Posey and House, if they each sign elsewhere. Boston needs shooters to help create spacing and room for their post players to work down low. Plus, Miller is only twenty-eight with two years remaining on a somewhat pricey contract for him. Still, I'd rather pay him $9M+ for two seasons than the $13M Szczerbiak will get for one season.

Celtics have no way of getting Mike Miller without moving KG, Pierce or Ray Allen.

[campybatman]

Toronto will live to regret this. I personally wouldn't have traded for J. O'Neal. I can't wait to read the reactions from Raptor fans tomorrow.

Ford's a steal for Indiana.