This summer: Posey MLE? And what is Eddie's worth?

[GonzoLays]

Posey will most likely exercise his player option and opt out of his deal. Due to his intagibles, toughness, defense, and ability to play multiple positions, I think without a doubt he will receive the MLE from a team this summer.

Some good fits would be:

1) Dallas. They could move Josh Howard to the 2 and start Posey at the three next to Dirk. Dallas is always looking to get tougher.

2) Lakers -- Radmonovic and Walton are not cutting it at the 3 and the DEFINITELY need to get tougher. Nice fit next to the biggest ball hog in the league in Kobe.

3) Miami -- Riley came out and said the biggest mistake he made this offseason was letting Posey go. They might make another run at him.

I could see those three teams throwing the full MLE at Posey. I think in order for us to resign him, its gonna cost 4 years at the MLE.

What is Eddie House's worth? If my caculations are correct, the most we can offer is 20% more than what we paid him last season, so that would a contract starting at 1.8 million(unless we give him part of the MLE). Would Eddie take a 3 year 6 million dollar deal from Boston? He's been taking 1.5 million for his whole career.

What most likely will happen teams will make a run at him like they did with Damon Jones a couple of seasons ago. I don't see him getting a 4 year/16 million deal like Jones got, but I can see a team paying him 3 million a year for his shooting; especially a team with a tall PG.

I want Eddie around because he is extremely likeable and I would hate to see him play for another team. The passion he plays with is contagious and everytime he shoots, you feel its going in.

I know Ainge probably wants to develop Pruitt, but in the end, I hope he offers Eddie a three year deal.

[EJay33]

I was thinking about this today as well. Is the MLE the most that Boston can offer Posey? I would think a lot of teams would pay the MLE to get him. Does Boston have any sort of advantage in terms of money or years that they could offer Posey? Let's hope that no one offers him more than the MLE because we don't have his bird rights..

Gotta keep James.. I'd also like to see Eddie back. He has been bouncing around for his entire career, but a 'ship might raise his value some. It is obvious by now that he'll never be a traditional point guard so I doubt he gets too expensive. Boston just might be one of those teams that can keep the Poseys and the Houses of the world around at slightly discounted rates because of the potential for championships.

Additional questions are what happens with Sam (hopefully he's gone), Tony Allen, and PJ. I wouldn't make Tony an offer after what we've seen from him and I'd be in favor of bringing PJ back if the price was right and if there were no better alternatives.

[Fencer reregistered]

I started another thread on this, but the short answer is:

1. Boston can offer Posey no more money than he can get under the MLE from another team.

2. If Posey plays one more year in Boston and then becomes a FA, he can THEN get an Early Bird contract, which potentially is slightly more lucrative than an MLE one (in terms of raises rather than starting amount).

3. If Posey plays two more years in Boston and then becomes a FA, he can get a contract of any plausible size thereafter (Bird rights).

4. A short contract might be more appealing than one would think if it again has an option year for him, acting as a big insurance policy.

5. Opting out is pretty much a given. Even if he's re-signed without use of the MLE to a one year-plus-option contract, he's well ahead as compared with playing out his current deal.

[Kids Are Alright]

and what's to become of Baby while we're talking about it...

we gotta keep PoZ and House. I'm not so sure about Rondo. He's been exposed by Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit a bit and definitely LA.

I hate to cut bait even with Tony. We will continue to be weak against 5's and 1's unless some change is made.

[EJay33]

So, basically, he should be back unless someone offers him more than the MLE.

Has anyone seen a list of potential MLE guys for this offseason?

[EJay33]

and what's to become of Baby while we're talking about it...

we gotta keep PoZ and House. I'm not so sure about Rondo. He's been exposed by Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit a bit and definitely LA.

I hate to cut bait even with Tony. We will continue to be weak against 5's and 1's unless some change is made.

I think Rondo improved this season. He is still inconsistent and can't shoot, but he clearly improved from year one to year two. Also, he's not going anywhere. We've got him locked up for a few more years. It is true, we could use another traditional point guard and I don't think Pruitt can provide the level of play we need next season. The Cassell signing didn't pan out. PJ did pan out but I agree, center is a position where the Celts could stand to upgrade. EDIT - also BBD is signed for 1 more year as well so no need to worry about him yet.

[greenbeans]

if we just extend the POSEEE it wouldnt eat any of our MLE right?? then throw the whole thing at one of these opt-out guys and were rollin

[EJay33]

MLE Level guys in the event that we somehow can't resign Posey:

Nocioni, Joe Smith, McDyess, Jason Williams, Ricky Davis, Michael Finley, Jerry Stackhouse, Juan Carlos Navarro, Kurt Thomas, Najera, Ryan Gomes, Beno Udrih, Steve Blake, Turiaf, Grant Hill, Mikki Moore

Obviously some of these guys wouldn't command the entire MLE and others, like Udrih, may have played themselves into deals above the MLE. There would be some nice fits off of that list but I'd like to see Posey back. He has just been huge for this team. Also we never did use the LLE last season (right?) so I am pretty sure that is an option.

Just to clarify - Tony Allen is back next season no matter what, correct? We just have the option to make him a long-term offer or let him play out the final year of his contract?

[EJay33]

if we just extend the POSEEE it wouldnt eat any of our MLE right?? then throw the whole thing at one of these opt-out guys and were rollin

I think - since we don't have his Bird rights, if he were to opt out and we were to resign him that it would have to come from the MLE since Boston is over the cap. Am I right?

[greenbeans]

-= original quote snipped =-



I think - since we don't have his Bird rights, if he were to opt out and we were to resign him that it would have to come from the MLE since Boston is over the cap. Am I right?

to my knowledge yes

[Collinto]

I think you guys are over estimating who would offer the MLE...if I remember correctly, only Toronto used the entire MLE last year (on Kapono)...no other free agent got the full MLE to change teams. For a couple years, right after the new CBA was signed, teams were much more willing to offer up the MLE to anyone with a pulse (see Marcus Banks)...more recently, however, teams are stingy. I didn't think it was a definite he would opt out...let's hope Ainge can convince him that we will take care of him next year so we can add some more depth.

[Fencer reregistered]

To repeat for the umpteenth time:

If Posey opts out, he can be given a 20% (I think) raise and an option year w/o touching the MLE.

Anything more would have to come out of the MLE.

[Collinto]

To repeat for the umpteenth time:

If Posey opts out, he can be given a 20% (I think) raise and an option year w/o touching the MLE.

Anything more would have to come out of the MLE.

You are right. The non-bird exception is 120% of his current salary and up to 5 years with 8% annual increases.

[DBurks2818]

Hope that the Celtics' FO doesn't make the same mistake the Heat did and tries to lowball him because of his age. You guys need him.

[P2]

To repeat for the umpteenth time:

If Posey opts out, he can be given a 20% (I think) raise and an option year w/o touching the MLE.

And that's exactly what will happen.

[Spin Move]

I disagree Posey is not really a full midlevel guy I don't think he will opt out, 3.2 million is good money at his age, he is a half the midlevel guy and he is in a really good situation playing for a winning team here. I don't anticipate keeping him being a problem I think we need to use the full midlevel on a real upgreade, someone who should be making more then the midlevel but taking less, I would love Kurt thomas for the LLE if we don't resign PJ

[P2]

If Posey doesn't come back, I could care less. There's always guys like Gomes, Barnes and Ricky who would make a decent backup SF.

[Fencer reregistered]

Posey is one of the six best players on the team, possibly as high as fourth best when you factor in consistency.

I can't believe people are putting him in the same category as Ryan Gomes.

[Gomes3PC]

The key difference between Gomes and Posey is that Posey plays phenomenal D and can stretch the defense. Gomes is a better rebounder, equal passer, and a more complete scorer. I think in time, Gomes could be a similar player to Posey, as he is slowly stretching his skills out to hit 3 pointers. However, right now, I don't think Ryan can replicate the defense, leadership, and big shots that Big Game James gives. But if Gomes wants $4m over 4 years and Posey wants 5 years at the full MLE, at age 32, I don't know if the upgrade from Gomes to Posey would be worth it. Ryan is a heckuva a lot younger and IMO still has room to grow as he develops his 3 pointer even more.

[BlameTheRefs]

Posey's been huge for this team. We would be talking about the draft right now if it hasn't been for his play. He has to be brought back next season.