Eddie might test the water.......

[Kefa461]

If House has outplayed his contract, then what does that say about Rajon Rondo, who will earn $2.6 million next season and $3.8 million the season after that?

Yes, a Rondo contract extension is also up for discussion, as is how to handle Ray Allen, who is heading into the last year (worth $19.8 million) of his deal.

“Those are issues we’re not going to deal with until probably September and October, but definitely not in the summer,” Ainge said of Rondo and Allen. “Our priority is to get this team situated for next year.”

Equipped only with the $5.7 million mid-level exception, Ainge also wants to sign a free agent and possibly two, with a backup small forward along the lines of Grant Hill or an active backup big man (Zaza Pachulia, anyone?) the preferences.

“We would spend the (full) mid-level on the right player,” Ainge said. “But we’re just not going to spend it to spend it.”

Consider the challenge posed by determining just how badly, for example, Celtics management wants to bring House back.

On the one hand, Ainge said, “We’re hoping (House) comes back.”



http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... 4&srvc=rss

[canman1971]

Well, I hope if he is willing to test the water, he better be ready to jump, because Ainge will say bye, bye.

[SilverQuick]

if he would opt out i think he will land somewhere else.
Celtics just cant afford to pay Eddie,Big Baby and free agents same time .Eddie is a important piece of this team,and fans really love him.Eddie loves this team too,so if he wants to stay he should pass the option imo.I just cants see how the Ainge pays him over 3 million dolars per year. and ofcourse Ainge'll not like split MLE again.

[cfan79]

I hope he does opt out because he can't guard his own son from getting to the basket. He is one of the best shooters in the game so that sometimes makes up for that. But when he's off he's totally useless.

[GregB]

Is he really going to get more than 2.5 from another team? I dont really think so. Maybe he thinks he can get a multi year deal at this money from another team? I like Eddie and hope he stays. But I dont think losing him would be the end of the world. He is pretty easy to shut down when the other team game plans for him.

[Dave_From_NB]

He's found a nice niche with the Celtics, but needs to realize that he isn't good enough to start with anyone, he's a bad PG, way too small to be a good SG on defense, and he's fortunate to have found a situation that works for his very limited skillset.

If he does opt out, I sincerely hope Ainge doesn't use any of the MLE to bring him back.

[sully00]

Eddie's option is for 2.86 mil there is a reason "he might," instead of "he will." I am pretty up and down on Eddie, if he wants more years at the same kind of money I guess it is worth considering but for more money I would hope you get someone who can shoot and do something else as well.

[humblebum]

If Eddie opts out he can leave as far as I'm concerned. It comes to the point where its tough to have Eddie because he's so valuable in the regular season but is bound to disappoint in the Playoffs. The Celtics can't rely on him as a Championship role player so it would be better if they replaced him or developed someone like Pruitt or Walker who might actually be able to contribute throughout the Playoffs, at least make a defensive contribution.

[Celtsfan1980]

He's changed teams so often in his career that it'd amaze me if he left.

[BRUNiNHO91]

I think Eddie stays. He isn't stupid...

[kmgarnett21]

I hope he stays but he doesn't need any more money than he's already making. He's been a journeyman his whole career and has finally found a home on a winning, championship team. Why would he leave that? He fits this team perfectly. And even though he is a liability on defense, he, along with KG, gives this team the biggest emotional boosts out of everyone else on the roster. When he comes in and hits a 3, its a huge lift, when he comes in and dives for a losse ball, its a huge lift. He's one of those players every winning team needs. He's like the player/cheerleader. I love it when he's yelling at the crowd and throwing his arms in the air. It would be sad to see him go, but if he does, then he'll be making a huge mistake in my opinion.

[Rocky5000]

Eddie is awesome. I think he stays because other teams aren't going to pay more than 3 million for a shooter.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

IIRC, Eddie turned down more money and more years last year from Atlanta. I'd hate to lose the guy, but if he can get more money to secure his family for the rest of their lives, then go for it. Highly doubtful he turns down more money 2 years in a row.

[ryaningf]

Let him opt out if he wants. We'll just get a better player for less. One-dimensional 6 foot shooting guards aren't hard to replace...

Without Eddie, Baby and Marbury becomes much easier to resign. I like that.

[Jammer]

You have to have a little insight to what's going on.

Eddie's agent has just put "feelers" out.

Eddie has an option for $2.862 Million Next Year.

If Eddie were to exercise that option, the Celtics could put him in a trade immediately,
with his 7.5% trade kicker paying Eddie $3,067,650 at his "new team", if he's traded.

If Eddie opts out, the Celtics could still re-sign him, at UP TO a 20% raise
over his 2009 salary of $2,650,000 without using the MLE.

So, if Eddie opts out, the Celtics could give Eddie a new contract up to $3,180,000
next season, plus another 8% the following year $3,434,400.

Obviously, the Celtics don't want to give Eddie a 2 year contract, or even a raise
for one season.

But Eddie's agent is listening for a team that might give him a 2 year deal at $3 million per,
or a 1 year deal for $3.5 million.

If anyone whispers into Mark Bartlestein's ears the magic words,
Eddie will not exercise his option.

The Celtics can still offer Eddie a contract up to $3,180,000 next year, so they won't be out of it.
But it's a way to see if anyone's going to pay Eddie next year.

I honestly don't know if anyone will commit that kind of money to the little bugga.

[BRUNiNHO91]

Let him opt out if he wants. We'll just get a better player for less. One-dimensional 6 foot shooting guards aren't hard to replace...

Without Eddie, Baby and Marbury becomes much easier to resign. I like that.

Eddie is more important to this team than Baby...and if we were not to sign him to sign Marbury's sorry ass i'd be pissed.

[ryaningf]

Let him opt out if he wants. We'll just get a better player for less. One-dimensional 6 foot shooting guards aren't hard to replace...

Without Eddie, Baby and Marbury becomes much easier to resign. I like that.

Eddie is more important to this team than Baby...and if we were not to sign him to sign Marbury's sorry ass i'd be pissed.

How is he more important?

I shudder to think what House would have done had HE been forced to start because of an injury to Ray Allen, or Rajon Rondo.

House does one thing well, and it's a thing that can be stopped if the other team wants to stop it. Though he had a career season last year, and played decent defense when begged to by Doc Rivers, in reality Ed's just a one-dimensional chucker with less than ideal size in a league where shooting guards are a dime a dozen. For a guy playing a strictly offensive role on a team predicated on defense, he's eminently replaceable.

[DelMonte West]

Wow, the timing on this announcement couldn't be worse, considering House was utterly useless in the Orlando series. I'm desperately hoping that Pruitt can learn to stick jumpers consistently...

[greenbeans]

This clears room for my binky, Tyrese Rice, if he does opt out. A younger Eddie House with a better handle

[humblebum]

I almost hope Eddie does leave or that the Celtics use him in a trade to upgrade the roster at the SF or PF-C. He's one dimensional and he doesn't fit alongside Rondo, Ray or Tony Allen. Depending on Eddie forces Doc to have to use Pierce and Allen more with the second unit to handle the ball and create offense. This has led to both players being forced into extended minutes. Either let Eddie go or trade him to improve another spot on the roster. I'll take Gabe Pruitt over Eddie right now because I believe as Gabe develops his confidence he can become the type of role player who adds something defensively while not hurting you with his offense. I'm sick of having to work around Eddie's weaknesses and then be disappointed time and again with his lack of performance in the playoffs. The sooner he's gone the better IMO.