Celtics 2009 Proposed Offseason Plans...

[vwoodruff]

You have the following roster under contract for next year:

Kevin Garnett $16,400,000
Paul Pierce $19,795,712
Ray Allen $18,776,860
Kendrick Perkins $4,250,000
Brian Scalabrine $3,206,897
Rajon Rondo $2,623,326
Eddie House $2,862,000
Tony Allen $2,500,000
Bill Walker $736,420
JR Giddens $1,028,880
Gabe Pruitt $729,005
TOTAL $72,909,100

The luxury tax limit is right around the current payroll. How do you address this team's holes?

[vwoodruff]

Here's my plan...

a) Talk with Phoenix about a Tony Allen/Scalabrine/future draft consideration for Barbosa deal. This would save the Suns about $15M over the life of the contracts, which is a major desire for their franchise. The Celtics get a backup ball handler that can provide scoring of the bench and push the tempo for 48 minutes with Rondo. The deal doesn't cost the Cs much more for this year and Barbosa's future salary can potentially be offset by increased playoff revenues and next contract discounts on Pierce and Allen.

b) Look at frontcourt issues. I've got to think that the market for Gortat and BBD are going to be pretty similar. Personally, I think if the Cs can get Gortat and Powe for a similar price to BBD, they would be better off. Gortat could fill in BBD's role defending centers and the Cs could use other options for BBD's spot up shooting. I would offer up to the MLE for Gortat and offer Powe a minimum salary contract for one-year.

c) Talk with Grant Hill. Try to get him to take a minimum salary position with the club for a shot at a ring. The LLE is also available, though a minimum salary position would be less of a cap hit to the Cs.

d) Sign Minimum-salary power forward. In order to fill in for Powe during rehab.

e) Sell Pruitt. Trade Pruitt for a bag o' chip and pay for at least a portion - if not all - of Pruitt's contract. This allows the C's to avoid paying double on his contract and get rid of some dead wood.

The roster would look like this:

Rondo/Barbosa
R. Allen/House/Giddens
Pierce/Hill/Walker
Garnett/Powe/TBD
Perkins/Gortat

... with the following contracts:

Player 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12
Kevin Garnett $16,400,000 $18,800,000 $21,200,000
Paul Pierce $19,795,712 $21,513,521 $0
Ray Allen $18,776,860 $0 $0
Kendrick Perkins $4,250,000 $4,390,208 $0
Rajon Rondo $2,623,326 $3,780,214 $0
Leandro Barbosa $6,600,000 $7,100,000 $7,600,000
Marcin Gortat $5,800,000 $5,800,000 $5,800,000
Eddie House $2,862,000 $0 $0
Grant Hill $1,306,455 $1,352,181
Bill Walker $736,420 $854,389 $916,100
JR Giddens $1,028,880 $1,100,640 $1,986,655
Leon Powe $855,189 $0
$81,034,842 $64,691,153

The Celtics could except the QO on Rondo for the following year, restructure Ray's contract and still be under the luxury tax in 2010/11. Restructure Paul's contract with Rondo's bump, and the Celtics would be strong financially and have room to strengthen the supporting cast.

[BRUNiNHO91]

That's not all that bad. But we need bigger signings than Barbosa, Hill and Gortat. Actually...I'd be thrilled with Leandrinho backing up Rondo..that would be the fastest PG duo in the league..but for SF and C we can probably do a little better...

[celticfan42487]

we'll we all agree we need to add a signific piece.

You traded scal and TA for barbosa.

I proposed scal and TA for Posey.

one significant piece added.

Gorat would be great, idk about Hill these days.

[BRUNiNHO91]

Random question---->What ever happened to Morris Peterson? Dude used to be pretty damn good in Toronto.

[vwoodruff]

That's not all that bad. But we need bigger signings than Barbosa, Hill and Gortat. Actually...I'd be thrilled with Leandrinho backing up Rondo..that would be the fastest PG duo in the league..but for SF and C we can probably do a little better...

Throw us your plan!

Personally, I don't think we need "bigger" signings. This would strengthen the Cs bench significantly. My only hesitation would be thinning up the PF position with the uncertainty of KG's injury.

Hill would buy the Cs some time transitioning Walker while fielding a strong, experienced bench. Walker could be used situationally for 10-15 a game.

I am big on Gortat because of his pedigree (tough, athletic father), his toughness, and his offensive upside. He is a perfect backup center for Perk... and he is unlikely to ever get his shot with the Magic behind Howard. The MLE may be a reach for him, but I think it would be worth it in the long run... as long as the Cs can drum up a serviceable PF (i.e. Powe recovers well or they find a low cost young PF).

[Hemingway]

If we basicly just kept the team as is and signed Sheed we would be in good shape. If KG was healthy we would have a decent shotof winning it this year. Add Sheed to that and we'd have just as good a shot as the Lakers and Cavs.

[Celts17Pride]

we'll we all agree we need to add a signific piece.

You traded scal and TA for barbosa.

I proposed scal and TA for Posey.

one significant piece added.

Gorat would be great, idk about Hill these days.

Scal, TA, Giddens, future 1st for Boris Diaw.

Diaw would be a great fit for Boston.

[Frank Lucas]

The way I see it we have to add 4 players to the team. Forgot about trading Tony Allen and Scal that's not going to happen. We might can trade Scal expiring contract plus some cash but it would have to be for a 2nd round draft pick. This would free up some money. The 4 players I would like for the Cs to make a run at is Sheed, Mcdyess, Antony Parker (sf) and Bobby Jackson.

Rondo / Jackson / House / Gabe
Ray Allen / Tony Allen / Giddens
Pierce / Walker /
KG / McDyess / Scal
Perk / Sheed

[chakdaddy]

I couldn't imagine Orlando not matching any offer for Gortat that is even remotely reasonable (or within the limits of what he can be offered as an RFA.) I would write him off as a possibility.

If you really want to screw Orlando, sign him to a 1 year offer sheet (is that allowed?) Then he's gone as an UFA next year. Teams could do the same thing with BBD.

[BRUNiNHO91]

That's not all that bad. But we need bigger signings than Barbosa, Hill and Gortat. Actually...I'd be thrilled with Leandrinho backing up Rondo..that would be the fastest PG duo in the league..but for SF and C we can probably do a little better...

Throw us your plan!

Personally, I don't think we need "bigger" signings. This would strengthen the Cs bench significantly. My only hesitation would be thinning up the PF position with the uncertainty of KG's injury.

Hill would buy the Cs some time transitioning Walker while fielding a strong, experienced bench. Walker could be used situationally for 10-15 a game.

I am big on Gortat because of his pedigree (tough, athletic father), his toughness, and his offensive upside. He is a perfect backup center for Perk... and he is unlikely to ever get his shot with the Magic behind Howard. The MLE may be a reach for him, but I think it would be worth it in the long run... as long as the Cs can drum up a serviceable PF (i.e. Powe recovers well or they find a low cost young PF).

Dang chill..I don't have a plan.
I said that because everybody here is hoping for a McDyess or Rasheed Wallace and you are down to settle for Gortat. I didn't even think he was that good in the Orlando series. Every time Howard came out we busted them in the paint. I'm just sayin there are better players than Gortat out there..and Grant hill too. Even though I wouldn't commit suicide if your dream scenario came out to be real...

[chakdaddy]

I would consider Gortat a bigger and more unattainable signing than McDyess or Rasheed. I'm really impressed with the guy. I didn't watch the Orlando series all that closely though. They seemed more effective with him in the game than Howard half the time in my eyes, though.

I think everyone is underrating Gortat because, despite being big wild looking Euros with tattoos and names starting with M, he and Mario Kasun are different people...

[BlameTheRefs]

Why is everyone so sold on Sheed? The guy is a freakin' headcase who takes games off. I'm not sold that a change of location will straighten this guy out.

[celticfan42487]

People are so signed on Sheed because he can do everything we could ever want from a Center or PF.

And as a side bonus, him and Perkins are the only two known people that can shut down Howard.

Put them on the same team and that's a nightmare matchup for ORL.

I'd put Sheed,Gorat, Mcdyess on wish list in that order.

I'd be very satisfied with a Center that can block shots. We're on with KG and Perkins, add a blocker off the bench and we can maintain respectable defense when even one of them leave [see our defense now with Perk].

Gosh the offseason is going to be so important for this team.

Personally I don't think CLE is a good matchup for us and this year we won't have any proper matchups for them. Add a strong SF and a Center that can block to this team off the bench and I'd feel a lot better.

[humblebum]

I believe that the Celtics need to start viewing offseason additions through the lense of "who fits best alongside Rondo." At first glance that sounds crazy but Rondo is really the key to this team. What kind of players does he need to be successful? Shooters. That's why I'm not really in favor of a guy like Grant Hill, because his range is limited and he won't fit in ideally with Rondo. Perkins is the only guy on the roster who the Celtics can get away with not having the ability to knock down the jumper, aside from Rondo. When the Celtics won the title they had Posey, Cassell (a better shooter than Marbury, in theory at least), and PJ as the main bench subs. All of those guys stretched the floor. So, IMO, that's what Ainge needs to keep in mind heading into the offseason.

Here are some players that I would like to target if I were Ainge:

Flip Murray - Although he'd primarily be backing up Rondo he could also play alongside him as well. A good shooter and a streaky scorer with solid athleticism. I prefer Murray to Marbury because Flip is more of a distance shooting threat. Minimum or LLE.

Anthony Johnson - Is likely to stay with the Magic but again he can stroke the ball from the deep two area or from three. Smart veteran player. Minimum or LLE contract.

Keith Bogans - Ya, he's a two guard and he won't be in any all-star games but he's tough, he works hard defensively and he can spread the floor as a spot up shooter beyond the three point line. Minimum contract.

Anthony Parker - Again, a two guard who's a solid defender but a better shooter than Bogans who could really help to boost the bench with his solid scoring and ball movement. LLE or chunk of MLE depending on what type of frontcourt player you're able to add.

Rasheed Wallace - He's slowing down and is a volatile personality on the court but he's a reportedly great teammate and someone who would fit right in with our bragadocious (definitely spelled incorrectly) band of ballers. He can stretch the floor when the Celtics face up against a team like the Magic, pulling Dwight out of the paint and opening up driving lanes. Concerns around effort, adjusting to bench role, and health but he's a good risk/reward type of signing. Full MLE type of player.

Antonio McDyess - Similar in style of play to our own KG with less passing skills and possibly a better nose for offensive rebounds. Solid professional and can definitely help space the floor. Already accustomed to coming in off the bench. $3-4 million type of contract.

Rasho Nesterovic - Not really known as a outside shooter but he's got a "keep you honest" set shot from 15-18 feet. He's big and would likely be a bit cheaper of an option. Allowing the team to go after an Anthony Parker type SG-SF.

In trade, guys like Kapono, Posey, and Nocioni are all guys who fit the bill of shooter and floor spreader for Rondo. Not sure Kapono or Nesterovic really fit into what the Celtics like to do on the defensive end. But I think that either player would help the Celtics offensively.

[Slartibartfast]

It's tough to decide whether to throw the MLE at a big or a back-up 3. They're equally important needs in my mind.

I would love Trevor Ariza and I'd throw the full MLE at him, but I could understand trying to address that position on the cheap and throwing money at Sheed or Dice, as the cheap big man options will probably end up being downgrades even from Big Baby. Darn James Posey for chasing the dollars. If we could have resigned him fairly cheaply, we could have avoided TA, traded Scal and been able to devote all funds to upgrading our bigs this offseason. Instead we're still stuck trying to fill Pose's and PJ's shoes.

[celticsfanforlife]

ray+giddens for zach randolph and al thornton and a first
sheed for mle
let baby walk
re-sign powe for cheap
re-sign marbury


rondo/marbury/pruitt
pierce/house/bill walker
thornton/nocioni/draft pick
kg/randolph/powe
sheed/perk/draft pick

very big line up, very versatile with nocioni, randolph and perk all being quality starters too...i like signing hill to LLE too if not getting nocioni and/or if keeping ray. can let kg and sheed rest a lot of minutes and stay fresh...


Kevin Garnett $16,400,000
Paul Pierce $19,795,712
Kendrick Perkins $4,250,000
Rajon Rondo $2,623,326
Eddie House $2,862,000
Zach Randolph $16,000,000
Al Thornton $1,900,000
Rasheed Wallace $5,000,000 (MLE about)
Andres Nocioni $7,500,000
Marbury $ 1,250,000
Powe $ 1,000,000
Walker $ 736,000
Pruitt $ 729,000
Draft Pick
Draft Pick
total- around 73-75 million....

[BakersDozen]

what happened to the 5 page offseason thread? ... well my ideas for the offseason change daily,here' is todays.
get TA and Pruitt off this team
sign Grant Hill
sign McDyess
extend Rondo
sign Anthony Parker
sign Magloire
sign Powe to a minimum contract

Rondo/House
Ray/Hill/Giddens
PP/Anthony Parker/Bill Walker
KG/McDyess
Perkins/ Magloire

Magloire is tough physical big we can use for 15 minutes backing up Perk and we can probally get for cheap. Hill can play some pg when Rondo isnt in the game. Have Danny trade into the first round and take the best available big there.

[MVP16]

Some of these offseason plans are a little too ambiotious. You have to assume that players like Sheed, McDyess, Gortat, Zaza, Marion, etc. are going to take up most if not all of the MLE. There's no way you are going to be able to get 2 of them. And you are probably not going to be able to get a player like Anthony Parker since he probably wouldn't come for the minimum or LLE.

I don't think we need to really reshape the bench. I think all we need is to get that 1 impact player that we can count on - a true 6th man. My #1 realistic choice for the MLE would be Sheed. He would be the best big off the bench in the league, he is pretty versatile and can play in pretty much any situation. You put him out there with KG in the frontcourt, with Pierce/Allen on the wings and Rondo will be able to pick apart the defense with the spacing he is going to have. Or put House at pg and Pierce will be able to pick apart the defense. Wallace's shooting would be in really handy against Orlando by pulling Dwight out of the paint.

So if we sign Sheed and resign Baby, I would consider that a very succesful offseason. We can try to get a backup wing or pg by using our expiring contracts at the deadline or signing a waived player if the young guys don't step up at the pg/sf spots.

[canman1971]

I agree that some feel we will not be able to get some of these players, but truth be told, this is a completely different economic time. Nobody is giving Sheed, Iverson, Artest, Gorat, Zaza, Marion, etc...anything more than the MLE for maybe 3 years. Teams are going to watch their bottom line much more closely and anyone over 30 will be lucky to get anything longer than 3 years. Or the team that did give it to them is completely stupid. I think there will be a lot of surprised NBA players this summer. If they don't think so, just look at MLB.