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http://blogs.metrowestdailynews.com/cel ... -for-powe/

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said tonight the team did not extend a qualifying offer to Leon Powe, making him an unrestricted free agent.

While the Celtics did retain the right to match any contract offer to Glen Davis through the qualifying offer, Ainge said the injury status of Leon Powe - who had reconstructive left knee surgery after tearing his ACL in the playoff series vs. the Bulls - was a determining factor in the decision.

Ainge said Powe has been rehabbing with the team’s medical staff and will continue to have access to the staff, if he chooses, despite no longer being with the team. Ainge said he believed Powe was planning to continue his rehab in California.

Ainge did not rule out ultimately bringing Powe back based on his progress from his latest ACL surgery and said the issue could be revisted later in the summer.

Does this mean they think Powe is down for the count?

That is sad. Hopefully some good news will be coming, and it can't come soon enough.

guess this means Rasheed will be here....nah, Powe wasn't gonna be signed with that injury anyway---so no surprise...if he's good to go at mid-season, we'll sign him to a Mikki Moore deal.....all about saving money----if we gave him a qualifying offer---he would be due a raise.

Leon deserves better.

This is no surprise, but it is still a shame. Such a classy guy even when the cameras aren't rolling.

Wow... this is surprising.

I thought Ainge was gonna sign him to minimum until he proves himself that he can play again.

MaxwellSmart wrote:guess this means Rasheed will be here....nah, Powe wasn't gonna be signed with that injury anyway---so no surprise...if he's good to go at mid-season, we'll sign him to a Mikki Moore deal.....all about saving money----if we gave him a qualifying offer---he would be due a raise.

Yeah I think if that was the case they would have extended the QO. I don't think Leon is going to be able to play basketball this year, I don't think anyone has successfully. Knees suck, hope he makes it back.

Damn. Leon is the man, hopefully he comes back from this knee injury. The knee is the reason he fell as far as he did in the draft, so we can't say that a reinjury was completely unexpected, but it really sucks for Leon. Maybe it will be a blessing in disguise, and Leon can wait until 2010 and get a bigger deal when many teams will be sitting on a lot of cap space.

phoolishly_insane wrote:Wow... this is surprising.

I thought Ainge was gonna sign him to minimum until he proves himself that he can play again.

He still can, if extends him the QO that would be significantly more than the minimum. He didn't extend TA a QO either. Ainge still keeps Leon's bird rights but he just gave up the right to match.

Leon didn't just have knee surgery---it was micro fracture knee surgery---gonna be tough---wish him well---he is the Best guy!

sully00 wrote:

phoolishly_insane wrote:Wow... this is surprising.

I thought Ainge was gonna sign him to minimum until he proves himself that he can play again.

He still can, if extends him the QO that would be significantly more than the minimum. He didn't extend TA a QO either. Ainge still keeps Leon's bird rights but he just gave up the right to match.

I think your right on. Danny said he would revisit this again later in the summer. I don't think much is gonna change in the next couple of months, so my guess is he is planning to resign Leon for less. Leon is not expected to be able to play until mid-season.

People, Celtics will resign Powe. This didn't offer him a QO because they felt he was loyal and this way they will have leverage in the negotiations.

It's business.

MaxwellSmart wrote:Leon didn't just have knee surgery---it was micro fracture knee surgery---gonna be tough---wish him well---he is the Best guy!

If Leon doesn't make it back from this injury, the Celtics would be smart to hire him for their PR team. Everyone loves Leon!

I am really surprised by this.

How much is the difference between the QO and the minimum for Powe?

I just hope we don`t lose him for nothing. Leon is such a great guy to have on a team!

Jwade wrote:People, Celtics will resign Powe. This didn't offer him a QO because they knew he was worthless while out with his serious injury and this way they will have leverage in the negotiations.

It's business.

Fixed.

I'm so sad for Leon. Man, this guy can't catch a break (unless we're talking about bone fractures.)

To me this means he's out for the entire season. I think Danny would have signed him if the was a chance he'd be back mid-season. Hope to get him back for 2010-11

Its sad but expected, I still hope he stays with Celtics and have a successful rehab, I'm rooting for him. Leon is great guy and pretty good player, I valued him more than Baby, but Powe just cant stay healthy

Leon might be one of my favs but its not about signing "nice guys" its about winning a championship. My guess is Danny is going to check whats available and if theres nothing better he will sign Leon to a minimum. If it was about signing nice guys then you and I would be the ones playing.

I'm pretty sure the last report I saw indicated he hoped to be back playing by the All Star game. As others have said, it's business, and not committing to a roster spot for someone who might not play for the year is prudent.

I expect he'll still be available much later in the year, it's pretty hard to see a team signing him with the current injury state.

Good luck Leon.