Agent puts Celtics and Lakers in the same boat

[campybatman]

Boston wants to resign their FA and the Lakers desire to resign their RFA. However, both players are represented by the same agent, Mark Bartelstein. Coincidence. Unlikely, but both Posey and Turiaf are coming off the same season in which their teams made the NBA finals. It's more likely that the Lakers will lose Turiaf to the Warriors. However, the sticking point for Ainge is a fourth year. For both teams, that could be too rich for their [Ainge and Kupchak] blood. I wonder which of them will blink first. But, they both were the top two executives this season so you've to believe neither wants to make the wrong decision here. They both value their player but at what cost will it be to retain them is the question.

Still, the situations are different. The Celtics are working with the full MLE to resign Posey. While the Lakers can match the offer made by Golden State. One question is: Can Boston afford to not offer the fourth year to Posey as much as asking whether or not the Lakers can afford not to match the offer and opt to sign a different player who can fill the same role he'd on the team. In my opinion, I think the Lakers have some other options and the Celtics really don't for what Posey brings to the team. In other words, Posey, Turiaf and agent win either way and the Lakers lose a key reserve but didn't overspend if they decide not to match. Conversely, Boston stands to lose the most.

Posey is thirty-three and can play small forward, shooting guard and some power forward. Turiaf is twenty-five and can play power forward and center.

“We’re not trying to be tough here or anything, but I just don’t think you can do that,” Bartelstein said. “It’d be totally unfair for me to do that to the other teams that are involved in this. You can’t ask them to make an offer just so you can take it back to Boston and see if they’ll match it. I think that once you’re a free agent, you’re a free agent. You have to be fair to any team that’s willing to make you an honest offer.” Bartelstein added that the Celtics still are in discussion on a deal, but he is now waiting for other teams to get their respective houses in proper order. “Other teams are getting into the mix and trying to free things up,” he said. “There are a lot of moving pieces. We’re just trying to make a decision on the best offer we can get. “The teams we’re talking to right now are terrific teams. They’re all great situations.” Boston Herald

"Yes, we are talking (to the Cavs)," agent Mark Bartelstein said on Thursday. Posey, 31, is expected to get the full mid-level exception - starting with $5.6 million in 2008-09 - for three years. Sources say the Cavs might have to extend it out four years in order to land Posey. News-Herald

So now Mitch Kupchak knows. Ronny Turiaf signed the four-year, $17 million offer sheet from the Golden State Warriors on Thursday and his agent immediately faxed it over to Kupchak at Lakers’ headquarters, according to agent Mark Bartelstein. On Wednesday, Kupchak said he had only heard rumors of Turiaf’s offer sheet. The Lakers now have seven days to match the offer or lose Turiaf. The Lakers initially offered the forward/center a one-year qualifying deal of $1 million, up from the $770,610 he made last season. Orange County Register / July 10

Turiaf's deal is structured in a "slightly frontloaded" manner, according to agent Mark Bartelstein, which will make it even costlier for the Lakers to match. Assuming Turiaf's salary for next season is around $5 million, the Lakers would effectively be paying $10 million for a backup who would receive limited playing time behind Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Bartelstein said the Lakers have not given him any indication on whether they will match the Warriors' offer, which includes a player option for the fourth year. But he added that Turiaf was looking forward to having a bigger role in Oakland, where he probably would back up center Andris Biedrins. "He's got nothing but warm feelings for the Lakers, but the reality is that they have an overabundance of big guys," Bartelstein said. "Ronny wants to play and wants to find out how good a player he can be. I think the opportunity is much greater with the Warriors." San Francisco Chronicle

[campybatman]

Interesting. Here's a list of Bartelstein's NBA clients. Quite a few noticeable former Celtic players on that list. I counted eight, not including Posey and House, and a ninth player who was only drafted.

Hopefully, Ainge isn't facing a similar challenge in resigning House as he's with Posey.



http://hoopshype.com/agents/mark_bartelstein.htm

[DEEP3CL]

Good post as usual bonsaiflipflops, I agree with everything you stated. As far as Ronny Turaif well we will lose him no doubt. After finding out his deal is front loaded that all but effectively eliminated us from bringing him back.

I think Boston's only hang up with Pose is that 4 th year. But his agent knows and remembers that the original offer was 3 yrs @ 12 mil ( correct me if wrong saw that in paper ). To my knowledge Bartelstein has always been a fair guy to deal with. Maybe it's me but it seem like Pose and his agent are holding out for something much bigger then the MLE. Because I caught a quote from Bartelstein say, " teams are freeing things up". That tells me they want more. From that stand point the Celtics and Lakers can forget Posey then.

Once again great post bons.

[campybatman]

Thanks.

Here's an unconfirmed rumor (or it's false) regarding Posey on CB.

WFAN reports Posey is gone

My cousin in New York just told me that a reporter named Mike Francessa just had a story on WFAN that James Posey will be signing with another team. He thinks it was New Orleans, but wasn't sure.

http://celticsblog.com/?option=com_smf& ... #msg329967

[Celtics_85]

Listen, I want Posey back as much as anyone here, but if we loose him because of one year on a contract then I don't want him here. If he wants the money then he needs to just step on by, as we will still be contenders without him.
Posey was solid defensively all year and helped us defend Labron, but in all honesty Pierce was just as effective on him. What this team did to Labron was a team effort also, keeping him on the perimeter to shoot jumpshots. Posey also hit some key shots throughout the year, but is limited to mostly the perimeter on offense. If you ask me he isn't worth the MLE to this team for more than 3 years, and to tell you the truth he is starting to lose a step or two, as his defense wasn't all too good on JJ in the Atlanta series. If he doesn't come back it won't be the end of the world, if all he is worried about is losing money on a fourth year of a contract then he must be content with his career winning championships, unless Ainge didn't offer the MLE type money for three years.

[campybatman]

I notice that Boston fans are quick to decide to let Posey walk if push comes to shove on that fourth year. But, who could be signed that's a FA to replace his role on the Celtics? Some have brought up Childress, but he's a RFA. I feel like you're likely looking at these names as options.

Matt Barnes F
Bostjan Nachbar F
Quinton Ross G/F
Ira Newble G/F

[Celtics_85]

If Posey leaves then I like Barnes here, as he brings energy off the bench for the short time Pierce is on the bench. Then I like either TA or Snyder with Ross getting some thought here, as there isn't a lot of time after Ray either. Then that leaves one slot left for our third PG, which at this time could be along list depending on the development of Pruitt.
Both TA and Barnes can fill a starters role if Ray or Pierce go down. Then Giddens and Walker would fill the whole in case of injury to the wings. We know wht TA can do, now Barnes with his energy also brings some decent offense with a decent jumper and goes to the hole strong. His defense is good enough to play for this team as he has quick feet and is athletic enough to play help defense.
I'd much rather see Posey and TA back with this team, but this would be a good plan B.

[campybatman]

The thing to keep in mind is that Ainge will possibly leave two roster spots open leading up to the trade deadline. I believe the maximum allowed is fifteen. There's a small chance that Giddens could eventually be signed and Walker plays a year overseas. The question marks are does Boston resign Posey and/or House? Will one more FA be signed? And will he be a point guard or small forward?

Garnett
Powe
Davis
Scalabrine
Pierce
Perkins
O'Bryant
Allen
Rondo
Pruitt

Giddens*
Walker*
Erden**


* Not yet signed
** Playing overseas

[campybatman]

Apparently, Ainge was interested in James Jones. He would've been a good pickup.

While word did get out that they had interest in free agent forward Corey Maggette before he signed with Golden State, an NBA source said the Celtics also quietly showed strong interest in free agent forward James Jones before he signed with Miami. Boston Globe