Is Dwyane Wade in the C

[Joekickass2008]

Agreed. Gotta admit though....I have trouble recalling KG and RR ever not being Celtics.

Highlights of KG in a TWolves uniform look weird to me now...

Agreed.....I do think it may have been another Kevin Garnett though...........or is the NBA like Highlander? 'There can be only one!!!'....

[hiphop1]

I think we will trade Ray when he becomes an expiring.

[Jammer]

Celtics won't renounce Ray.

They will re-sign him.

Probably for $7 to $8 million.

[celtxman]

First off some real nice information from Elrod and others to get a better understanding of how and when the dollars are spent. But it still just doesn't make much sense.
We all know that the Celtics showed incredible restraint in not signing James Posey. We all know he will not be worth it in the 4th year with New Orleans or anyone else. But if you are telling me that the Celtics are risking the 2008/9 and 2009/10 seasons in replicating what we KNOW Posey can do in the playoffs, I truly find the whole thing hard to fathom. In other words, how are the Celtics NOT going to be able to do something before that 2010? I'm not talking about the numbers that have been greatly explained in these posts. I'm talking Celtics mission statement here. Is the statement "we won a championship and now we will work on not paying luxury tax?" Does anyone really believe that? Or did they give up on Posey and sign House and T Allen to contracts that ended before the 2010 class for a reason.
Just another thought and please chip in here. The Celtics allow BOTH Ray Allen and Pierce to become "free" agents in a pre-arranged deal, in which case they sign Wade to a max contract. If everyone remembers the Elton Brand scenario from last year, the Clippers were allowed to sign Baron Davis, yet they still had the ability to sign Elton Brand AFTER Davis was under contract. Were they still going to be under the cap? Why did they have the ability to do that and do the Celtics have the same ability with Pierce and/or Allen?
The whole thing just doesn't make sense no matter how people are spinning the numbers. Where is the logic from the Celtic braintrust to let Posey go if the numbers won't allow the Celtics to improve in 2010? To this day we don't know who is guarding LeBron with Pierce off of the floor. And we have owners who proved when the time was right they were willing to do whatever it took to improve the team and to keep it that way. And it turned out to be not only a great decision financially, but also a decision that rewarded die hard Celtic fans who happen to be the Celtic owners. Good grief these same owners approved Raef's contract, and now they're worried about a lesser contract from a proven championship contributer? Somebody has to give me something other than the numbers that are here. It doesn't make sense.

[sh00n]

I think it would take Ray and Rondo to get Wade and I don't know if I'd be willing to do that trade. It would however open up a possible chance at getting Lebron.

You wouldn't trade Rondo and Ray Allen for a re-signed Dwyane Wade?

. . . really?

[sully00]

As far as the logic of the C's owners and FO Posey's deal became a handcuff. You can't sign deals like that. The same scenario as the Cavs signing Donyell Marshall in 2005 to a 4 year deal. He was good for the first 2 and baggage in year 3 and then released in year 4. These deals are backloaded in year 4 Posey is going to be making 7 mil. At that point all you can do is compound the mistake by trading for a bigger contract and pretty soon you have a payroll that looks like the Cavs and you have a 91 mil payroll and 3 legit NBA starters for it.

It isn't about paying the tax it is about being smart about it. Be in a position to sign guys like Posey a year ago guys that you are getting for 50 cents on the dollar not paying twice what they are worth. Corey Magette for the MLE, those are the types of contracts that Ainge will look to do. You don't make these decisions with your heart.

As far as Rondo and Ray for D Wade. It is a tough call. While Wade is impossible to guard he isn't going to help Pierce and KG as much Ray does then you have to factor in Rondo who really keys things on both ends. Of course the idea of the Cavs backcourt or the Lakers trying to deal Wade would be awesome. I would say no and even in two years Rondo will probably be too valuable even though Ray is likely starting to fade. I just like how that starting unit fits together I can't think of much that would make me want move any of the 5 for the next 2 years.

[celtxman]

As far as the logic of the C's owners and FO Posey's deal became a handcuff. You can't sign deals like that. The same scenario as the Cavs signing Donyell Marshall in 2005 to a 4 year deal. He was good for the first 2 and baggage in year 3 and then released in year 4. These deals are backloaded in year 4 Posey is going to be making 7 mil. At that point all you can do is compound the mistake by trading for a bigger contract and pretty soon you have a payroll that looks like the Cavs and you have a 91 mil payroll and 3 legit NBA starters for it.[quote][/quote]

I'm not sure that the handcuffs aren't already applied if this is the case. My point is that Posey could well be the missing cog in a championship in 2008/9 and 2009/10. I pointed out that the ownership is willing to spend money to win it. If they are unable to sign a free agent or improve their roster in any meaningful way by letting Posey go, does anyone really care if the payroll is 91 million? If Posey is good the first two years and they win two championships AND they still can't do anything meaningful with any savings from dropping Posey off of the roster, I,m wondering what was done to maintaining Celtic championships? The question hasn't been answered other than luxury tax money, which should be the last concern for a championship team.
When you say Posey's contract calls for year 4 to get $7 million, I cringe. This team which correctly traded all of their future including Al Jefferson is now worried what will happen when the Big Three is four years older? Do you really think they willingly went over the cap to build a team, get exactly one championship, and then want to balance the books?
The whole premise is winning now......at least the premise of this post is saying that the Celtics cannot get enough below the cap to make a difference. I personally thought that with the 2 year House and T Allen signings and Posey that the Celts had something up their sleave that would extend the careers of the Big Three by infusing a young superstar by 2010. If this was never a realistic option I'm not sure what the team was doing. I know the Celtics would be a better team in 2008/9 with Posey and a favorite to repeat - now I have to hold my breath with Tony Allen. I'm being told there will be no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for sacrificing Posey. But the good news is that in 3+ years they won't have to worry about overpaying Posey. The handcuffs are already on.

[cfan79]

You wouldn't trade Rondo and Ray Allen for a re-signed Dwyane Wade?

. . . really?

Nope, who would be our point guard? If we could get Lebron to come to us if we get him sure, but I see no reason to fix what isn't broken.

[MyInsatiableOne]

My preference would be to rebuild. I'm likely in the minority, but I feel you have a better connection to players when they've played their entire career on one team.

Agreed. Gotta admit though....I have trouble recalling KG and RR ever not being Celtics.

Same here...they are CELTICS...