Posey will opt out of his contract

[campybatman]

The writing was clearly on the wall based in part by the tremendous success of the Celtics this season. Would be nice if there were a way financially to retain both Posey and House. But, that's the trade off of winning a NBA championship, if the Celtics can accomplish this feat this season.

James Posey, Eddie House, and P.J. Brown combined for 42 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. In large part because of that spark off the bench, the Celtics are up, 3-1, in the best-of-seven series and one win away from their first title since 1986. But here's the bad news for Celtics fans: All three will be unrestricted free agents this summer (yes, Posey will opt out of his contract June 30). And if Boston wants them back - Posey in particular - Bartelstein will be a key figure in making it happen. Boston Globe

Posey signed a two-year deal last offseason paying $3.2 million this season with a player option for $3.4 million next season. The option was basically just an insurance policy for the 31-year-old Posey; Bartelstein said Posey will become a free agent. "That's sort of been the plan all along," Bartelstein said. "The Celtics knew when they signed him for great value. They gave him the option for security reasons. They got him for a below-value deal. Boston Globe

Posey will be an unrestricted free agent and the most Boston can offer is a mid-level exception deal, which would be expected to start at about $5.8 million. If the Celtics offer him the full mid-level exception or something close to it over four years, they should have a strong shot at re-signing him. But they shouldn't be surprised if several teams go after him hard, too. "Everyone in the league will go after him," an NBA executive said. "The Lakers probably will. But it will probably be the same money. He can pick and choose. He's like Robert Horry now. A team close to winning will sign him. Boston Globe

The journeyman House would probably love to return, but intriguing rookie point guard Gabe Pruitt will likely be given an opportunity to prove himself backing up Rondo. Even so, the Celtics will still need a veteran reserve point guard, and House has a year with the franchise under his belt. Boston Globe

Brown has been a great veteran leader and big man option off the bench. The 38-year-old has said countless times that he will sit down with his family in Slidell, La., after the season and decide whether he still wants to play. Boston should try to re-sign him. Boston Globe

[Gant]

The flip side of the coin is the Celtics will be in a great position to get (other) bargain free agents again.

Plus, I can't see them letting Posey get away.

[campybatman]

I don't know why the quotes aren't appearing as being quoted. Ugh.

The return of House is a welcoming thought. Still, with him, you've two combo guards in Pruitt and House. The idea is to add a veteran since you're already young with Rondo and Pruitt. Someone must be signed or traded for or else House is your lone veteran. I expect to read about possibly UFA names such as Tyronn Lue or Carlos Arroyo to interest Ainge.

I wonder if Grant Hill (UFA) would want to sign with Boston to add depth at small forward if Posey signs elsewhere. I'd read that there was interest there from Boston before Hill signed with Phoenix. At center, I'll like to see Ainge gauge the interest of UFA players DeSagana Diop and Chris Andersen of signing with Boston.

[Mahoney_jr]

Posey is way more useful than Grant Hill, who doesn't provide floor spacing and defense on the same level.

[P2]

Wow, I can't believe that the only thing Posey wants is money. He could really help this team by not opting out, so that there will be more money to solidify the bench. But if we want to re-sign Posey, do we have to use the MLE?

I read somewhere that we can offer him 120% of his previous salary without using the MLE, but that would be only $3.85M, $2M short of the full MLE which other teams would likely offer. I don't know, but I just can't see us offering Posey the full MLE. We need that money for other bench players.

[Fencer reregistered]

I wonder whether there's a way to combine all these threads.

Also, where does the plain "will" come from in the title? "Surely will" would be more in line with the known facts, unless there's been a contract-related news announcement on the eve of Game 5 I haven't read about yet.

[EvadedHavoc]

Why let it be known that Poseys gonna opt out now? why not wait a week after the finals?

[Gomes3PC]

Because after Game 5, Posey's value as a clutch shooter/defender/championship winner is at his all-time highest. It's the PERFECT time to do it, so that GMs start salivating about him and remember that he was the guy who iced the Mavericks two years ago and is the guy who iced the Lakers this year. He's Big Game James now, and Bartelstein is letting Boston know that while James likes it here, if a team like LA offers him a starting gig, a shot at a title, and equal MLE money, we might have to poney up the full MLE as well just to have a chance at Posey.

[sully00]

I just don't see how James Posey has more value now than he did last season. I love him and want him to stay but Robert Horry is finishing a 3 year 10 mil contract, how does that make Posey worth a full MLE contract?

[Fencer reregistered]

IT HASN'T HAPPENED!!!!

We have two threads moaning about the supposed bad timing of Posey opting out -- or, more precisely, failing to opt in -- and it hasn't happened.

It surely will, but it hasn't happened yet.

Or if it has, the news has been missed by, among others, the Globe, the Herald, ESPN, Google News, and me.

This thread title is the most successful suck-em-in piece of trolling we've had here in a long time. (Unintentionally, I hope.)

[sully00]

Fencer

Bonsaflipflops is quoting Mark Spears of the Globe.

That said he forgot to add this part

"I know he likes it there. I'd be surprised if he left. Will someone pay him a lot of money during a two-year span with a third-year option? No one will do that. No one has the cap space. Who will give him more of the mid-level? That's what it will come down to."

Of course Posey will opt out but as Collinto pointed out in another thread and I have said all along, there isn't going to be any more annual avg money out there for him. But he can get years and security. He can get a 20% bump on this year for next season on a contract up to 5 years. But the reality is he can't get a deal for longer than 4 years without it being an Over 36 deal which would limit the annual avg salary.

The C's can give him a 4 year deal that starts at 3.8 mil.

[the whiz]

Would the Lakers really offer him the MLE after all the players they have to resign?

[campybatman]

If I were the Lakers, I would inquire with Sacramento about possibly trading Lamar Odom for Ron Artest since it has been said that Artest doesn't plan to opt out and Odom has been rumored to be on the block for a couple years now. Odom hasn't endeared himself to fans during the NBA finals. Plus, he's entering the last year of his contract and the Kings could acquire Odom and trade him later before the trade deadline. If the Kings are open to the idea. It makes sense... Artest is a fan of Bryant and adds defense to their front court next to Bynum and Gasol. An additional player from the Kings is needed to make the salaries work. Perhpas, Artest and Mikki Moore in exchange for Odom.

[celticfan42487]

It depends. The Lakers do have Ariza, but Posey could be like Ariza with a 3 point shot if they want to go for it all.

And Odom will be a big expiring contract. A very valuable trading piece for the right player [a good SF]. If LA can't find what they want on the trade market they may just keep Odom. Have him be an exceptionally talented 6th man. And sign Posey to play starting SF for them. That also allows them to let Sasha go with another 3point man coming in.

Posey I think is the best option out there for LA concerning free agents and they should go at him with a full MLE.

Us on the other hand, we almost as badly need to keep Posey. We also desperately need a back-up Center.

It should make for an intresting draft/free-agency period. But with that said this is all speculation. Posey may stay, or he may not want to and see what a post-championship team the Celtics become. Either way I think we have the best chance to keep him if we are comfortable using the MLE because of how much his personality and clutch shooting/defending has meant to this team.

[celticfan42487]

[quote="bonsaiflipflops"]If I were the Lakers, I would inquire with Sacramento about possibly trading Lamar Odom for Ron Artest since it has been said that Artest doesn't plan to opt out and Odom has been rumored to be on the block for a couple years now. Odom hasn't endeared himself to fans during the NBA finals. Plus, he's entering the last year of his contract and the Kings could acquire Odom and trade him later before the trade deadline. If the Kings are open to the idea. It makes sense... Artest is a fan of Bryant and adds defense to their front court next to Bynum and Gasol. An additional player from the Kings is needed to make the salaries work. Perhpas, Artest and Mikki Moore in exchange for Odom.[/quote]


In response to the underline. That would be one of the most talented teams seen in my fandom [98 is when I started] but it's just asking for trouble. 04' Lakers are still fresh in there mind and we all know what kind of physcho alpha male Kobe is. Puttin Artest on that team on a flagship with the LA media is just asking for trouble. Kobe and him will have many an argument about the ball possession. Have to remeber Artest had everything he could want in Indiana and he was still complaining about he needed more touches offensively even though he was pretty much tied for first option with J'Oneal.

[campybatman]

Well, this season, Miami certainly missed Posey's presence on their team. And so would Boston if he should sign with another team. This will be an important off season for Ainge. He might have to replace he [Posey] and House and find more depth behind Perkins during the off season.

[Fencer reregistered]

Ack. I can NOT log in and quote a prior post in this thread. Anyhow ...

Could somebody please hook me up with a link to this Marc Spears quote that I've been unable to find??

Thanks!!

[sully00]

Here is the link Fencer
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... _his_keep/

If you sign (and especially pay) James Posey to be your starting SF your dumb. If Posey was on the Heat this season how many more games would they have won seriously? No Shaq, no Wade, no shot.

I don't even think James is that great a fit for the Lakers what need does he fill? You want Posey to be able to play between the 3 and 4, the Lakers are loaded at the 4 they need a center and swingman.

He may be the best 6th man in the game but that doesn't mean you pay him like a starter. Beyond that you have to take into consideration that playing next to Paul, Ray, and KG makes Posey a better player, it is a great fit.

As for Eddie House, he is still Eddie House, a great spot up shooter but besides that a pretty limited player. I am not saying Boston shouldn't bring him back but you bring him back as a 3rd pg/sg not someone to invest in. There is a reason the guy has been on 8 teams in his career.

[sully00]

There is also another issue with James, whether it is off the court problems or just changing situations, he has had a pattern of playing one good season and then stumbling the next especially losing that defensive intensity and energy that makes him so great. He was shipped out of DEN at the end of his deal, had a great impact in Memphis and then got hurt and never really got back in the rotation, helped a key a championship in Miami and then they didn't want him back after a half assed season.

[campybatman]

He may be the best 6th man in the game but that doesn't mean you pay him like a starter. Beyond that you have to take into consideration that playing next to Paul, Ray, and KG makes Posey a better player, it is a great fit.

A good point was made that Posey's now that Robert Horry clutch veteran that can seriously help a contending team in dire need of just that one key player to provide an edge in the playoffs. However, your point is understood too. Horry played with the likes of Olajuwon, S. O'Neal, Bryant and Duncan regularly being in a position to win a ring. Likewise, Posey could become like that in that he has won a ring with Miami and likely will win one with Boston. If the cards fall his way, he'll sign with a team that can contend next season and find himself, again, in a position to win a championship. I don't blame Posey for opting out of his contract with Boston. He's a hired gun now. But, Posey should be thankful that he'd played with S. O'Neal and Wade last season. In Miami, he really made a name for himself. Prior to, Posey was known for his defense but he wasn't a player I would've thought of being highly sought after when he was with Denver and Memphis. I reckon Pierce has a point: When you're on a bad team, you aren't noticed as much for the good things you do like defense then when you're doing the same on a winning team. Hence, Posey has earn himself more recognition and possibly money by playing for the Heat and Celtics. Still, how many contending teams can afford him [Posey] if he and agent desire more than the $3.4M he can earn next season with Boston if he doesn't opt out.