MLE needs to be used on more than one player now

[campybatman]

Unrestricted free agents I would have an interest in signing with part of the MLE. Kirk Snyder, Bostjan Nachbar, Matt Barnes, Quinton Ross and Ira Newble.

Those are my choices at small forward. At point guard, it's a different story. Jannero Pargo, Jason Williams, Carlos Arroyo, Tyronn Lue, Sebastian Telfair, Earl Boykins and Salim Stoudamire will likely resign with their team or sign elsewhere not Boston.

My guess is the MLE will be split between two players: Snyder or Nachbar and Lue or who knows.

[Friar Dan]

Why wouldn't Pargo come here?

I can't say I like Kirk Snyder all the much. Quentin Ross could be a fit.

Would ATL match a full-MLE offer to Childress...

[campybatman]

These are "my choices" in the sense that I'm basing it on rumored interest by Ainge and what I read about what they could offer the Celtics in skills. Honestly, I'm not thrilled about all of them but a few of them are intriguing like Nachbar. I bet Ainge really wanted James Jones as a legitimate replacement to Posey. That's the breaks...

I've no idea what Pargo and agent are seeking but I would image it's the full MLE. In my opinion, I believe Atlanta would match the offer sheet of any team interested in Childress. Especially, if the recent report is true that Josh Smith is reluctant to resign because he doesn't get along with Mike Woodson.

[RickyDizzle]

The smith thing might be why they wouldnt match. I said in another thread that I am pretty sure they'd have 7 days to match from when they recieve the signed offer sheet, so if the Josh Smith contract situation is up in the air, would they commit all this money to Childress?

Not sure how much total cap space they have, but I would assume matching a Childress offer would decrease the amount they can offer Smith (unless they have way more then a max contracts worth of space).

-Dizzy

[celticfan42487]

Outside of MEM there is no team in teh NBA that can offer Smith a big contract. And that's only somewhere along 11 mill a year with 8% increases. ATL would be fine matching that.

MEM doesn't look to be adding any salary this year with their lack of activity and look to be lottery bound.

So for all intents and purpose we should consider the RFA's teams in teh driving seats now that the well has dried up of teams with capspac.

I'm pretty sure ATL could pay Smith 11 mil a year and Childress 4 mil and still be just at the salary cap.

[Gomes3PC]

The thing with Quinton Ross is that he is a complete 1-trick poney. He scored 4 PPG in 20 minutes last year, and wasn't even a high-percentage shooter. Plus, he's 6-6 and rail-thin, so he won't give us nearly the same flexibility James did.

Snyder doesn't interest me much. I'd rather have Gomes, Azubuike, or Barnes.

[rambo_ortega]

let's get pargo! he's a nice pg and hustle player who can bring down the ball well.

[campybatman]

Interesting... Over on CB, someone suggested Maurice Evans who in their opinion would be an upgrade over Tony Allen. But, didn't Ainge draft Giddens? The Celtics are in dire need for depth at small forward and not necessarily at shooting guard.

[campybatman]

This sound a bit vague to me. I thought Ainge was settled on not signing another big men. I definitely hope that one or both of Giddens and Walker can contribute off the bench next season. Now I'm beginning to believe that either House or Tony Allen will be resigned with my guess being it'll be Tony.

So, much for the idea of all these free agents wanting to sign for less to play for a contending team lead by Pierce and Garnett.

Marc Spears reports:

Ainge said Posey would be replaced by committee and there wasn't a free agent in mind.

"We go to the next options," said Ainge, who might consider adding another big man. "We're not going to sign one player that is going to replace James Posey. We're going to do it in a different way and different fashion. We are going to reallocate our dollars in different ways.

"We are not necessarily looking for a small forward. We're looking to become a better team. We're still talking with veteran point guards. We're still talking to veteran bigs. We are still looking at wing players. We are still looking at all the above. We still have J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker's situation."

[campybatman]

One reason why I feel as if Ainge is in a tight position this off season is he isn't able to make any trades not having the salaries to match larger ones that are expendable. So, in turn, this could add more pressure to only sign players to one and two year deals that is a turnoff to some free agents. I wouldn't want to think of a contending team as nothing more than a farm system for lesser known players to come in and overachieve and then go for the big dollars as free agents following one or two seasons with Boston. It's one and done. But, that's the price you pay when you've three large salaries that are taking of the majority of your cap. Still, Ainge just has to look for the bargains. Someone always needs a job in the NBA if you're a low tier player.

[PPAW4Life]

I wouldn't be surprised if we don't sign anyone with the MLE.

At this rate we are looking to sign our rookies and maybe get a vet. PG and a vet wing at the NBA min.

[campybatman]

I guess, Barnes won't come cheap either.

Matt Barnes is a player who definitely would be a good fit for the Celtics to help replace what they lost with James Posey. The Washington Post reports that the word is that teams are going to wait him out and get him at a good price. The Wizards, who have only around $1.5 million left under the luxury tax threshold, are interested but since Barnes made $3 million last season, he isn't going to jump at an offer that his half as much. The Celtics could split their MLE between Barnes and another player and would be an attractive destination because they can offer him a chance at a ring. Teams may be trying to wait him out and get him cheaper, but like Posey, some team out there will give him what he wants.

http://celticsgreen.blogspot.com/2008/0 ... -greg.html

[Bluewhale]

I am not surprised to see Ainge plays a wait and see game. He played it last season and sign Posey pretty late.

[Al-Haqq]

I really wouldn't be surprised if we re-sign Tony Allen and maybe Eddie House and go into next season without anyone else added.

Of course I hope I'm wrong, but the Celtics definitely aren't looking financially appealing to players out there.

I would like Shaun Livingston and/or Matt Barnes, but we'll wait and see.

[campybatman]

Ideally, Barnes could be had for half of the MLE. However, if he'd made $3M this season with the Warriors. I doubt he'll take less even to come to Boston. Too bad, he would've looked good in a Barnes & Noble commercial, locally.