Danny's strange Brew....

[Kefa461]

Maggette and Posey: As the holiday weekend opens, there are some decisions to be made. Corey Maggette has told people that he has narrowed his list down to two main suitors – The San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics. The Boston Celtics may have tipped their hand too early with James Posey, when news of contact with Corey Maggette surfaced, Posey's camp got on the offensive opening talks with a number of interested teams including the Lakers. Sources close to the situation say if Boston does not come with a full boat (5-year) deal at the Mid Level, James has that from other teams. Posey wants to win, and loves his Boston teammates, but at this point in his career he's won two championships and it's more about money. Posey is not going to a lottery team, but with Cleveland, Houston and Lakers all standing with open arms, Boston has a tough decision to make; is there really room on the roster and on the salary cap for both Maggette and Posey?

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=9361

Does it take a "Grassy Knoll" freak to wonder about Paul Pierce's knee? There were several reports from "team sources" that he had indeed torn the cartilage which was why he refused to take an MRI during the playoffs. Could the interest in Maggette be linked to impending knee surgery on the captain?

Or, even more off the wall...I have another theory.....do you remember early to mid season reports that Ray Allen was not happy here? It wasn't about lack of shots in the offense or any on court situations, but word leaked out of the locker room that he really didn't like Kevin Garnette's demeanor and foul language or Paul Pierce's life style and would grin and bear it for the season, but had already asked to be traded once the campaign had been concluded.

I'll give you another wrinkle here; a writer who covers the Clippers has stated that L.A. has long coveted Ray and is it too much of a stretch to consider that perhaps the confusion over the offer/non-offer to Maggette has to do with a possible sign and trade that is being contemplated? Think of a Clippers team with Elton Brand, Baron Davis and Ray Allen? Instant contenders?

If there is a sign and trade, of course there would have to be more than Maggette headed this way........is GM Elgin Baylor so pissed at Chris Kaman for going to play in the Olympics for Germany, a country he's never even visited, that he'd include him in such a deal....perhaps taking back Leon Powe?

as in this report from Bill Burt from the "Lawrence Eagle Tribune," as long ago as July 2nd.

Danny's up to something and by using one agent it is alot easier to do. Stay tuned.....

[Fencer reregistered]

Ray Allen, Baron Davis, and Elton Brand isn't exactly Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.

I don't think the Clips are looking at trading a young center for an aging SG.

Also, if Ray Allen can't stand foul language or guys who go clubbing, he's in the wrong line of work. And he surely knows that.

[jono]

Some interesting points though I am not sure how valid they are... I agree that Ray's dislike of foul language and clubbing is no big deal because it comes part and parcel with the league... I do think that out of "The Big Three" that Ray is most likely the first to be moved...Since I do not claim to be an expert, I was thinking that some of the problems that Ray experienced during the Hawks and Cavs series may have caused Ainge to at least consider moving the veteran as it appeared at that time that time had caught up with Ray...

My thinking is you that Danny is not actively shopping Ray because he knows how important team chemistry is BUT I do believe he is at least contemplating the idea... To begin with, you cannot afford to be overly sentimental about keeping players if want to remain successful and on top of the league... Also, like Theo Epstein, Danny knows that running a team is all about asset management and that Ray has his highest trade value right now... Should he regress or get injured again, we lose a powerful trade chip until we can use his expiring contract which is not that long away...

My guess is that since Ainge has already won a championship ahead of schedule he will entertain offers IF they are designed to improve the quality of the team as it attempts to re-peat... At the same time, Danny also has an eye towards getting younger so that we do not suffer too much when our stars begin to decline...If we get Maggette, then we really solve alot of problems in that we address many of those same issues...

To be fair, trading Ray despite his heroics should not be viewed as a negative thing because Ainge has proven to be adept in his GM position... He knows that championship teams need a shake-up if for no other reason than the rest of the league will be better...I would be worried if we basically brought back the same exact group of players because one has to worry about a certain level of complacency settling in and change should be viewed as a positive if we bring in the right pieces...

In closing I am just curious as to what everyone else thinks about the possibility of moving Allen this off-season... Sure we lose a great player and HOF but perhaps, Ainge is thinking about managing his assets properly and if he does trade Ray, he should be able to get some decent parts plus he may also be thinking of bringing in Reggie Miller to at least replace some of Ray's shooting ability... If we bring in say, Maggette and Kaman and then sign Miller, I think that gives us more depth... thoughts ??

[canman1971]

Well, I don't see any realistic way Ainge deals Allen. I just can't see breaking up a core that just won the championship. This team is not celebrating if Ray is not on the team. The Celtics need to address a few backup options for next year and that is it. After next year, then you start thinking about things like this, not this year. Yes, I am sure Ainge would "listen" to any offer for any player. If he didn't he would be a bad GM and we all know he is not that. But, unless someone blows Ainge out of the water for Ray or any other "core" player, expect to see the PGA tour once again to defend its title rather than answer all those questions like last season.

[BigHands]

Well, Ainge has certainly shown over the years that no one on the outside knows what he is up to but I doubt Ray Allen ever sought a trade with the potential for a ring on the table.

I suspect the Celtics just don't want to overpay for Posey when there are a number of areas that need polishing.

A big man with length is needed...maybe 2 big men.

Not only is PJ going home but Perk's shoulder issues, while not necessary extreme, have to be considered chronic at this point. Pollard, never that good, is almost surely done. KG is deadly when he is in the paint on offense but he lacks the muscle and youth to live there all the time alone.

Red always made sure that his mobile big men (Russell, Cowens, Parish) had help in the paint and Ainge must do the same. Life in the paint is not glorious but we saw what it cost the Lakers (and Detroit for that matter).

Size is needed on the defensive perimeter, especially is Posey is not retained. In general back court size needed

A backup PG is important unless Pruitt is ready to step up.

Depending on what happens with Posey and House outside shooters could be in short supply.

Obviously, losing Posey would be significant but I expect he wants a fat payday with which to ride into the sunset.

[TheCelticTruth]

is this the scientology thread? off the wall...

[Celtics_85]

Can Maggette be a sign and trade if he turned down his player option? Do the Clippers even have any rights to Maggette after this to do it?

[Jammer]

Can Maggette be a sign and trade if he turned down his player option? Do the Clippers even have any rights to Maggette after this to do it?

In order to sign Baron Davis the Clippers must renounce their rights to Corey Maggette and Shaun Livingston.

If they were going to do this, they would do it Immediately before signing Davis, so as not to lose those rights for nothing.

However, there may be a way to sign & trade Maggette in a multi-team deal where the Clippers aren't the ones taking back any salary, but wind up with some picks or cash from the team (s) giving up the players to get Maggette in a sign & trade; Immediately BEFORE signing Davis.

Like everyone is in the room together, they renounce the rights to Livingston,
send Maggette to a team that sends players any place but the Clippers,
the team getting the players say the Celtics give up for Maggette sends two second round picks to the Clippers, and then the Clippers sign Baron Davis and Elton Brand,
all within minutes of one another (really simultaneously),
with all the paper work sent in to the NBA League office in a stack.

Got it.

The only way that the Celtics could S&T Maggette is if they found teams with cap room
(like Golden State, Memphis, Charlotte, or Seattle)
to take Scal, Pruitt and Tony Allen (S&T) and maybe Davis;
it's not likely, but the possibility is there.

And if the possibility is there, the Celtics CBA # crunchers may find a way to do it.

[SeizeCoup]

I am a big fan of Kaman, I think he would play great alongside KG.

Get it done Danny!

[return2glory]

You got to be kidding. First off, there is a chance that Brand doesn't stay with the Clippers. The Warriors have offered Brand $20 million more than the Clippers. That may be hard to turn down.

As far as Kaman, they aren't going to trade him does because he is going to play for Germany. Kaman only played in 56 games last year and the Clippers are afraid he may get hurt again. Like Kaman said in the L.A. Times today, you can get hurt anywhere, anytime. Brand was out almost the entire year after getting hurt playing one of one with Kaman last season.

Kaman came off his best season in his career. He is one of the best young centers in the league. He isn't going anywhere, at least not because they are mad he is playing in the Olympics.

[threrf23]

I don't think Ray should be non-expendable. But I think you need a particularly good deal on the table to warrant breaking up chemistry at this point.

Leon Powe is a different story. Might be a good player, and might be someone we'd love to see stay around - but similar to Chris Kaman, if he were a free agent I'd consider him a candidate for most overpaid player of the offseason. And, his role on our team was not big enough so that losing him would be a big shake-up in chemistry (on the court, at least).

Ray is probably fairly valued by most teams.

[Albanian Damien]

Clearly Danny is going to be able to negotiate both Posey and Maggette into signing with us.

[celticfan42487]

wth, what are you reading these days?

Why can't it be Danny playing the free agent market and trying to sign one of the premier SF options to our team?

If Posey accepted a full raise 3 year contract I think you'd find Magette offer has been withdrawn from the table.

Only way Magette can be sign and traded I believe is if Brand doesn't sign with the Clips. And it would just be too much of **** pile for LAC to not be certain Brand would re-sign.