Improving the point guard depth this summer

[campybatman]

Which scenario would you prefer to occur during the off season?

Scenario one: extend Rondo's contract, resign House and resign Cassell.

Scenario two: extend Rondo's contract, resign House and sign (UFA) Tyronn Lue.

Scenario three: extend Rondo's contract, sign (UFA) Carlos Arroyo and hire Cassell to the coaching staff, if he decides to retire.

Chris Duhon is also an unrestricted free agent.

[Bleeding Green]

Scenario 3. Anything that doesn't bring Cassell back is a plus. He's finished.

You think House wants to come here next year if they get another vet PG to backup Rondo? I expect Rondo's playing time to increase next year and throw in another backup--why would House want to come back to Boston? I'd be happy with Rondo/House/Pruitt going into next year, though. House might be happy if he can get all the backup minutes, but how does he feel about getting nothing in the playoffs?

How about Anthony Carter from Denver? Jason Williams to take over Eddie House's role? He's just as good a 3 point shooter and a better PG option. Not my favorite player, but he hits threes and he doesn't turn it over, which is really all I want out of the backup PG. Doubt he'd want to be a backup, though.

[ParticleMan]

I say let House go, move Cassell to the coaching staff, get Duhon as the backup, and let Pruitt be 3rd string.

[darrendaye]

I say let House go, move Cassell to the coaching staff, get Duhon as the backup, and let Pruitt be 3rd string.

+ 1

[Rocky5000]

Scenario 4: Use Pruitt as the backup PG...

[Scalamental]

Scenario 5: Big Baby as back up pg.

Like a jovial Magic Johnson.

[MVP16]

I would like to keep Cassell. Not really for his play as much as it seems that he has taken to being a mentor to Rondo and Rondo respects him. Aside from being an assistant coach/mentor to Rondo, he can be used like Lindsey Hunter was used for Detroit this season.

We'll probably keep House if he stays for the minimum. If not, we are going to get someone else for the min like Lue or Anthony Johnson. We are not getting Duhon since there's no way we are paying approximetely 6 million (3 million X2 because of luxury tax) for a backup pg.

[Celtic Esquire]

Get rid of Sam ASAP. I appreciate him taking Rondo and Pruitt under his wing, but as long as he is on the team, you know Doc is going to find a way to get him 20+ minutes a game.

I'd rather let Rondo run the team and have Pruitt back him up for 10-12 minutes.

[DelMonte West]

I've pretty much soured on both House and Cassell, but need to see much, much more of Pruitt before I reach a conclusion on him. Regardless of what direction this team takes, I think he might have enough versatility to play some at the 2 spot in case we lose the above 2 players and Tony Allen (not likely losing TA, just speculating). The last thing I want to do is sign a dead-end stop-gap vet for a year (as an aside, Jason Williams is nearly as selfish as Cassell and one of the worst decision-makers at the PG spot around)

I've been quietly wondering if Mario Chalmers finds his way on our roster come opening day next season...

[billfromBoston]

...you don't spend money on a backup PG when you can go year-to-year with Cassell...

All the guys bashing him are grading him off of what he's been able to do since getting here...the guy has much better creation skills than he's shown here thus far...the team has scaled things back and told him to be a scorer off the bench and that's why he's primarily played with mostly bench players...

Give Cassell a full TC to acclimate and you'll see a much better playmaker...

...this team shouldn't be committed to paying anyone else until they've gotten a full evaluation of Pruitt...there's no urgency at this position...Rondo will be playing 35+ next year and Cassell can hit shots and keep from turning over the ball...

[SonicYouth34]

Scenario 5: Big Baby as back up pg.

Like a jovial Magic Johnson.

I'm game, he almost drained that three pointer and drove the lane nice and dunked at the end

[campybatman]

You think House wants to come here next year if they get another vet PG to backup Rondo? I expect Rondo's playing time to increase next year and throw in another backup--why would House want to come back to Boston?

How about Anthony Carter from Denver? Jason Williams to take over Eddie House's role? He's just as good a 3 point shooter and a better PG option. Not my favorite player, but he hits threes and he doesn't turn it over, which is really all I want out of the backup PG. Doubt he'd want to be a backup, though.

House could simply be a hired gun going from one team to another for the rest of his career. I would think he'll want stability but he'll soon be thirty this month. Ainge really likes him, though. You'll need to replace his perimeter offense off the bench.

I think Jason Williams would give Rivers headaches. He's not an incapable point guard and he doesn't turn the ball over as much as he once did but he has a tendency to get injured. And he's another over thirty player.

From what I'd read, Anthony Carter's would like to remain with Denver. He's getting up in age as well.

I didn't mention Pruitt because there's no indication from Ainge that he's a part of the team's future or a potential trade throw-in. I feel he isn't as good as Rondo right now so why would you rely on a second year guard to assume a backup role next season when he's unproven? And Pruitt looks like to me that he's more of a combo guard than a lead guard. Nothing wrong with that. Detroit has Rodney Stuckey and he may turn out just fine for them. Still, you want a veteran in between Rondo and Pruitt. It doesn't have to be Cassell but if Ainge decides to move on from House. Finding another proven veteran to replace either players makes sense.

[celticfan42487]

I agree with Bill's logical approach. I don't see a much better scenerio then re-sign Cassell and see if Pruitt can work his way into the rotation.

Cassell is old and not stupid.. but since he's old that will give Pruitt some time if he can earn it to back-up Rondo and give Cassell some rest.

I think Sam really just hasn't learned how to play on this team. He see's KG and MINN system. He see's Ray and the MIL chuck with Ray system. And then he see's Doc who just gives up and says pretend you're thirty and just shoot!

Next year he'll be more composed knowing the ins and outs of the players and be more comfortable knowing where to pass to get other people to score when he doesn't need to shoot.

Hopefully Pruitt looks good though, I like the idea of having someone off the bench that can stay with the fast guards when their defending them.

I'd like to sign Duhon and have him be our backup for that reason.

[leper-con]

Not to highjack this thread but there will be three or four new players on this team next year.
PJ Brown will finally retire.
Scott Pollard is done.
Posey is a free agent (he will be back)
T Allen is gone.
House will leave most likely leave.
And we still have to do something with Scal (although not a bad 82 season depth player)


I'd like us to Add athletic youth but if we are to content look for more vets.

[dwestside]

Sam's kind of in a no win situation. He seems to be most comfortable when he's on the floor with the big 3, except they really don't need him to create offense for himself and Rondo's a better distributor. On the flip side, when he's out with the bench, he can't seem to create shots for other people effectively. The only times he really plays well is when his shot's falling.

[Hemingway]

As Bill and others have said, we will keep Sam. House can stay or leave. Unless someone better wants to come here on the cheap it is Houses spot if he wants it.

I disagree with the Pollard is done comment. I think its 50/50 he comes back next year.

[return2glory]

I think getting a quality SG off the bench is more important. Tony Allen is still bothered by his knee evident by that huge knee brace his had all season. He isn't half the athlete and player he was in his first 2 seasons. Ray is a still good but is slowing down a little.

I would also love to land someone like Joey Dorsey to replace PJ next season. Somehow trading down to get Kevin Love would be great as well. He reminds me a lot of Jeff Ruland.

[campybatman]

Not to highjack this thread but there will be three or four new players on this team next year.
PJ Brown will finally retire.
Scott Pollard is done.
Posey is a free agent (he will be back)
T Allen is gone.
House will leave most likely leave.
And we still have to do something with Scal (although not a bad 82 season depth player)

Brown is likely in it this season for the opportunity at a ring which I see no fault in that at his age. But, I've a hard time seeing him giving it another go next season unless, like Cassell, he attracts other contending teams as a role player.

Pollard doesn't have the attitude that he's done as a player per se. However, his time as a Celtic is probably over. So, he should hope the team can achieve their ultimate goal of winning the title this season.

Posey is under contract through next season, but he can exercise a player's option after the playoffs. I doubt he will. Because there aren't too many better situations you can be in as a veteran player in the league at this stage in your career.

I believe it'll be more advantageous for (Tony) Allen to resign with Boston for at least an one-year deal or a multiple year deal for low dollars. If for any reason to improve your value around the league by having a strong season next season healthy and playing significant minutes in Boston. Otherwise, I can only believe Ainge doesn't make an offer to him due to his history of serious injuries.

As for House, the interest from other teams will likely be there this off season. However, you've to believe it's about playing time and not so much a financial reason with him if he opts to sign elsewhere.

Interestingly, Scalabrine's contract doesn't seems as bad with Perkins making more as often as he's on the bench with his fouls. With two years remaining, Boston might prefer to keep him around at least one more season and then trade his contract. Nonetheless, Scalabrine is an intangibles player. It's said by the head coach and players that he possesses a high basketball IQ and his contributions in games that he does play in go unnoticed if not appearing in the box score. He's a heady player, I guess.

[rambo_ortega]

i like duhon

[P2]

I say let House go, move Cassell to the coaching staff, get Duhon as the backup, and let Pruitt be 3rd string.

I would like that.