Should we sign Powe right now?

[nasbahceltic]

I think so. Its pretty much a foregone conclusion in my mind that Powe is going to be the choice over Baby. The real issue that I think will present itself is that Powe might price himself out of Boston.

I realize that he's a undersized 4, but I've always thought he had the ability to be a poor man's (maybe even a middle class man's) David West if he could just add that 18 foot jumper. Ainge would be wise to give Leon a mid-level deal before he hits the market as an unrestricted FA where we'll basically be at the mercy of what other teams are willing to offer. If that ends up being a mid-level (or slightly more) type of deal with the opportunity to start (Memphis maybe?) then we could be in trouble.

[Rocky5000]

We'll match any reasonable offer he gets, if he gets more than a mid-level offer though, we might go with Big Baby instead. Leon took a year to hit his stride, so maybe by next year Big Baby will have turned a corner of his own. I haven't looked at how much money is going to be floating around in 2009, but Memphis is probably one of the few teams with the ability to offer more than the midlevel. However, they have Darko, Arthur, Warrick, Haddadi, and M. Gasol so the front court is pretty crowded. If he gets offered less than the mid-level, which is likely only a couple guys got the full mid-level this year, it's a better deal for us.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I agree, it is clear he will have the better career over Baby, not only skills-wise but with his conditioning. I say sign him now.

[JMillott]

I would love to see the Celtics lock up Leon Powe for something in the range of what Jason Maxiell just turned down from the Pistons. A nice four year 18 million dollar would be good for both sides in my opinion.

[Dave_From_NB]

Has there been even the slightest evidence he's going to get that 18 footer in his arsenal? Not that I've seen.

I really like Leon, and hope he remains even if it means waving good-bye to Davis. But at the end of the season, he'll have been a backup PF for 3 years with all expectations of not starting in Boston for at least another 3 years with KG in front of him. I don't see the Celtics throwing much of a contract his way until they have to, and some lively competition between Powe and Davis to get the new contract is likely to continue to push the two of them. Personally, I'd just leave them to fight it out, it's likely to make the team better this year. And although I really like Leon, finding a replacement isn't likely to be difficult or break the bank if it comes to it.

[TheCelticTruth]

cant agree that it would be easy to replace powe. easy to find another guy that is 6'8/6'9, sure. easy to find undersized guys that play as hard and produce as well, possible but not easy. easy to find undersized guys with similar PER, not easy. easy to find someone who fits the above statements and works as hard as powe or has overcome as much hardship, nigh impossible...

[Dave_From_NB]

cant agree that it would be easy to replace powe. easy to find another guy that is 6'8/6'9, sure. easy to find undersized guys that play as hard and produce as well, possible but not easy. easy to find undersized guys with similar PER, not easy. easy to find someone who fits the above statements and works as hard as powe or has overcome as much hardship, nigh impossible...

Lol - ok, but perhaps if we're looking for a replacement basketball player we could be happy with one that is the right size for the position and who didn't have to sleep in a car when he was younger. You know, the ones that can be drafted with second rounds picks (like Powe and Davis), such picks acquired by throwing some cash at teams that don't want them.

I admire Powe, but when did it become mandatory that KG's backup be undersized, and from a life of hardship?

[TheCelticTruth]

its not mandatory at all dave, you are correct in that regard. i have been a powe supporter and fan since his high school days so i feel as though everyone is always too quick to write him off...

i think Cs fans are mostly appreciative, but the man just overcomes anything, and that is a quality that is hard to find. powe brings as much to the table in intangibles as we rave about guys like troy brown, tedy bruschi, kevin faulk doing for the patriots

[Dave_From_NB]

its not mandatory at all dave, you are correct in that regard. i have been a powe supporter and fan since his high school days so i feel as though everyone is always too quick to write him off...

i think Cs fans are mostly appreciative, but the man just overcomes anything, and that is a quality that is hard to find. powe brings as much to the table in intangibles as we rave about guys like troy brown, tedy bruschi, kevin faulk doing for the patriots

Powe is a quality person for sure (in addition to a quality basketball player), I hope he stays here.

[JMillott]

Powe is perfect for this team anybody who thinks keeping him as long as the price is reasonable is a bad idea is nuts. Not only does he produce in short minutes, rebound, get to the line, work his booty off but he is also talented enough to step in if KG gets hurt and average 20/10 for a month.

Take into account the lack of ego, age and that everybody on the team loves the guy and giving him in the range of 4-5 million dollars a year is a fair price.

[canman1971]

Never do anything before you need to. And the Celtics don't need to do anything. Powe will not get more than the MLE, no way. I love him, and want him to stay, but no need right now.

[Dogen]

Leon, you had me at hello.

[Dogen]

Never do anything before you need to. And the Celtics don't need to do anything. Powe will not get more than the MLE, no way. I love him, and want him to stay, but no need right now.

That is not Danny's only MO when dealing with his players. Here's a guy who's worked his way back from multiple injuries to be a viable NBA player. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he gets rewarded with a respectful contract that will keep him here for another 3-4 years. 18M over 4 years would be pretty good if he takes it.

And I'm not sure about these comments about him being undersized. What I've noticed is that when there is a battle under the boards he is usually the one holding the ball at the end.

[celticfan42487]

As long as we play with a salary cap the right move is to not re-sign Powe.

We have at least one more first and a second rounder before Powe's contract is up. One of those could replace Powe's production for the same cheap price.

Powe is a valuable commodity, but not an neccessary piece to any team. He's best where he is on any team and that's the bench. We'll have to just see what it is when he hits the market.

[SonicYouth34]

I would love to see the Celtics lock up Leon Powe for something in the range of what Jason Maxiell just turned down from the Pistons. A nice four year 18 million dollar would be good for both sides in my opinion.

Sign me up. I want LP in green for a long time.

[BillessuR6]

3-4 million per year is a good deal for us. I doubt Leon can get much more than that...

[Fidel Sarcasmo]

Again, Give it up to Danny Ainge for finding these gems in the second round. Tons of teams passed on Leon. Now, I surmise that that rumored trade between the nuggets and celtics was the nuggets trying to pry away leon from the C's. C's weren't having any of it. Danny's second round picks are like first round picks. In other words, we'll always have a first round pick.

[Celtsfan1980]

His knee problems in the past could make a team like Memphis think twice about signing him to a big contract. I think Powe should get $4 million per for 3 years and Big Baby $2, 2.5, and 3 million over the next 3 years. I don't see any reason why they can't sign both.

[JMillott]

I wouldn't be so quick to give Glen Davis a new contract as I do believe he is little more than a replacement level player and players of that build tend to have very short careers since they lack the work ethic and athletic ability to return from injuries.