Wyc speaks on opening the wallet....

[Kefa461]

The checkbook, he said, will be open for the right player, regardless of luxury tax ramifications.

“We’re planning to look for ways to improve our team,” Grousbeck said. “We’re willing to invest in the right way. If it’s the right situation and the right player, then we’ll do it.

“I think we all have someone in mind right now,” he said of some of the names that are about to become free agents. “We’re willing to consider all sorts of ways if it means winning Banner 18.”


http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... rticleFull

[cisco]

Didn't he say that last year, but Ainge still went dumpster diving.

[BillessuR6]

I just hope we don`t split the MLE on three players and finally bring in a guy who can actually have an impact!

[Tricky Ricky]

Ill believe it when I see it...

[ParticleMan]

I think we made a fair offer to Posey. Really more than fair, 3 yrs @ MLE was more than he was worth. Can't help it if NOH were willing to be incredibly stupid. And Posey decided to take some extra cash instead of a chance at a title. That's not Ainge's fault.

[cisco]

^Except that Ainge dragged the negotiations on for nearly a month ore more, trying to play hard ball, until NO made him an offer of 4 years. If Ainge had offered him 3 years earlier (way before NO made that offer), he might have signed the 3 year deal.

[ParticleMan]

maybe, but Posey said all along he wanted 4 years. that was the deal. whoever gave him 4 would get him. hey, whatever. i still think Posey wouldn't have made a whit of difference this year. being upset about us not winning a title is equivalent to being upset about the Pats not winning last year. every year BB lets go some high-profile player who's supposedly the heart and soul of the team, and every year the pats are in the title hunt. last year they weren't because their best player got injured. sound familiar? hey, ish happens. if KG is healthy we win another title. he wasn't so we didn't. there's no way you can predict injuries.

[Rocky5000]

Who does everyone have on their mind? Mickety McDyess? or Mikkie Moore?

[greenbeans]

Hasn't Danny already said something to the same effect this offseason about a certain player in mind?? Who are they talking about, the Celtics board fave Rasheed Wallace? Or another guy they think is possible to be had for less than thought? Danny used to be on great terms w/ JKidd didn't he?

[BakersDozen]

Hasn't Danny already said something to the same effect this offseason about a certain player in mind?? Who are they talking about, the Celtics board fave Rasheed Wallace? Or another guy they think is possible to be had for less than thought? Danny used to be on great terms w/ JKidd didn't he?

Im guessing Wyc is talking about Sheed. Even if Sheed backs off his 8 million demand and signs for mle money he could sign with the Cavs or Spurs and get the starting 4 spot. Danny better not blunder this if Sheed tells him no he better move on right away to McDyess. Hate to see another Mikki Moore situation. As far a free agent big men (barring Big Baby) this is my preffered order.
McDyess/Sheed/Wilcox/Smith/Rasho

[Dogen]

If we're looking at Sheed I want him in the gym with Steph and JR, like, yesterday.

[celt4ever]

Hey what about Verejao?

[Red2]

I think they're thinking bigger than some old retread like Rasheed. THey need a proven scorer off their bench who can take some of the load off of ray and Paul. I need to check the list of free agents but my guess is they're looking at a pretty good player

[BakersDozen]

I think they're thinking bigger than some old retread like Rasheed. THey need a proven scorer off their bench who can take some of the load off of ray and Paul. I need to check the list of free agents but my guess is they're looking at a pretty good player

the top free agents this year are Artest,Sheed,McDyess,Iverson,Marion,Bibby.

[ryaningf]

If I had to guess the targeted players Wyc refers to, I'd guess: McDyess and Grant Hill. Not exactly a big splash, but solid role players.

But, if I were Danny, the player I'd target would be Trevor Ariza. He can guard 2.5 positions (the .5 position being perimeter fours, like Rashard Lewis), hit the 3 ball, dribble penetrate and dish, and he's clutch. I'd offer him 5 years of the full MLE and let him be the primary backup at 2/3 and sometimes 4 depending on the matchup. Then I'd use the Early Bird Rights to lock up Baby for 1 more year (when he'll have his full Bird rights).

[Celts17Pride]

Then I'd use the Early Bird Rights to lock up Baby for 1 more year (when he'll have his full Bird rights).

No offense but you are crazy if you think Glen Davis is going to sign a one year deal.

His market value is probably the highest it will be in his career right now and he is going to try to cash in this off-season. Glen Davis will be signing a 3-5 year deal with someone this off-season. The questions are Who? How much?

[CelticFaninLBC]

Guys like Marion, AI, Artest and Kidd aren't going to take the MLE. Marion could work a sign-n-trade somewhere. Kidd and Artest probably return to Dallas and Houston. Someone will be crazy enough to give AI more than the MLE..

Ariza, Sheed and McDyess are possibilities. The problem with Ariza is that he'll be looking for starter's minutes and that's not happening in Boston.

[CelticFaninLBC]

What's the market for Marcus Camby? Should the C's give up a future #1 for him?

[Jammer]

If I had to guess the targeted players Wyc refers to, I'd guess: McDyess and Grant Hill. Not exactly a big splash, but solid role players.

But, if I were Danny, the player I'd target would be Trevor Ariza. He can guard 2.5 positions (the .5 position being perimeter fours, like Rashard Lewis), hit the 3 ball, dribble penetrate and dish, and he's clutch. I'd offer him 5 years of the full MLE and let him be the primary backup at 2/3 and sometimes 4 depending on the matchup. Then I'd use the Early Bird Rights to lock up Baby for 1 more year (when he'll have his full Bird rights).

1. Ariza has said he wants to stay in LA (he's a UCLA grad).

2. Lakers would be idiots to not offer him full MLE for 5 years, since a dozen teams will.
Someone will probably offer Ariza $7 million per.

3. Even if the Celtics were lucky enough to get Ariza over Grant Hill, they still need to do a sign & trade for a center.

McDyess probably has a deal in place to be overpaid in Detroit,
since he left $8 million on the table in Denver.

Joe Smith, likewise, probably has a full MLE guarantee from Cleveland, otherwise he would have signed with the Celtics (who I'm certain did not give a full mid-level guarantee for the summer)

Orlando won't let Gortat go. They'd be crazy to let a great backup center go. They can match any offer.

Sheed wants $8 million per. Rumor is Mark Cuban or Popovich will give it to him. Would Wyc go $7 million per. He can play the 4/5, and is 6' 9.75" barefoot. $7 million would require a sign & Trade.
Maybe the Celtics offer two years at $7 million (S&T with Scal, Tony Allen) or
3 years at full MLE.

Birdman is ??

Rasho has his pick. He's guaranteed $4 million, because there just aren't any centers. How much higher than that he gets probably is a function of how much playing time the team doing the bidding plans to use him. Does he follow the money, or go to a winner? I still say Rasho is the center the Celtics have the best shot at, along with Birdman.

The thing about Charlie Villanueva, who's 6' 9" barefoot, and can make an outside shot, is that he's a power forward, not a center. What I mean is, he's somewhat mobile, and can shoot, BUT he's not a banger. So, when you take Kendrick Perkins off the floor, the only guy the Celtics have that can BANG is Little Baby, all 6' 7.75" of him. Which ain't what you're looking for in a backup C, which according to Doc Rivers, is the number one team need (followed by full sized SF, again, according to Doc Rivers, not me, but I happen to think Doc has it right).

[BakersDozen]

Charlie V would be an interesting pick up. He might not be able to play center but I do think he could play some sf.