The Celtics return $63.3mil in payroll for the 2010-11 season despite being relieved of (or, at least drastically reduced) Ray Allen's near $20mil contract. Of course they can resign Allen, even though they are over the cap due to Allen's bird years, but I would have to think Boston needs to get some younger legs. With the large amount of free cap space available within the league, I would not be surprised if he got a deal worth more than the mid-level exception.
An even more interesting scenario would play out if Allen were to sign for the mid-level exception with a “dream team” free agent pairing – think Allen w/ Bosh and Wade in Miami, or Allen with LeBron and Bosh in New York. Allen could also jump on with another contender for the mid-level exception. Can you picture Ray Allen playing in Orlando's system with Dwight Howard? How about w/ Melo and Chauncey in Denver? But he could end up right back in Boston. I think this largely depends on the finish to this season and the desire Boston has to keep him. Boston is up 1-0 on Orlando as of today in the Eastern Conference Finals. It would be awful hard to disband a team that has had such a high level of success when all the pieces are healthy. But it may be the right thing to do.
While I'm discussing Allen, I would like to explain why he is so valuable despite his stats declining in recent years. No one in the league can shoot off screens as effectively as Allen. He has to be chased around all screens (and he has the stamina and conditioning to run around screens all game) because he is so lethal on the move without the ball and nearly automatic with his feet set. But the true beauty is the offense when Allen is not receiving the ball. With Allen's man still tied up chasing him around, whichever team he ends up playing for will be essentially playing 4 vs 4 on offense. Ever wonder why Rondo and KG hook up for alley-oops so easily? Mostly because the defense is missing a help side defender.
Moving on after that brief digression... Garnett and Wallace are both on the books for the next 2 seasons, both earning more than they are worth. Wallace will earn nearly $7mil in 2011-12! Major fail by Danny Ainge. Garnett will earn $21mil in 2011-12. He was well worth the $ when he signed the deal but his lack of mobility now makes him over paid. Is Garnett still effective w/ limited mobility and increasing age? Absolutely! His high release and overall intensity keep him in the top half of the league for power forwards. Rondo is locked up for a long while which is great for Boston. As far as them being active players this off-season, it is not very feasible.
They have a mid-level exception available which can be divided between multiple players. They may need to sign multiple players with the exception money because the depth of Boston is an issue. Daniels did not fit well in Boston and I would be surprised if he came back. He has no bird rights, so he would have to signed with exception money. I would bet my first born that Nate Robinson won't be back (especially if Doc returns as coach) after marinating on the bench since being acquired from the Knicks. The Celtics also own bird rights on Tony Allen. I would guess he would be back, especially if Ray Allen leaves town. Tony Allen has been a huge post-season surprise for the Celts. He may be able to turn this post-season into a better deal (yes, I realize what I just said... there is a lot of money out there to be spent, you never know) than the Celts want to give him.
Without a major trade, the Celtics are looking at a core of players very similar to this season. They may use exception money to grab a few role players. They also have a mid to late first round draft pick but I don't see how they acquire a real impact player without dealing. And it would take some guts to trade off these aging superstars after they won the 2007-08 championship, received an incomplete grade last season for not having KG in the playoffs, and shocked the world by eliminating the LeBronaliers and taking home court from Orlando.
Who makes sense in free agency: Randy Foye, Raja Bell, Kyle Korver, Quentin Richardson (that is a joke)
Who makes sense in the draft: Danial Orton (Ky), Avery Bradley (Tex) - his dog-nasty defense would fit in perfect for Boston, Lance Stephenson (Cincy) or Luke Harangody (ND) - only as a possible replacement for Scalabrine
Editor Note: I was informed Boston has no mid-level exception for next year. I was under the impression that each team's mid-level replenished each year. I'm not sure if Rasheed's mid-level qualifies for this next season too, or they used it somewhere else. I am positive that they did use their bi-annual on Marquis Daniels last off-season so they don't have that. Until I find out for sure if they do or do not have their mid-level, I will stubbornly leave the post unedited.
Good chance Celtics are going to draft "best available white guy" to replace coach scalabrine.....see last 55 years of team history.
ReplyDeleteRay Allen is still super competitive at his age for all the reasons you mention and because his legs are still there. When NBA players' motors begin to fail, the decline is immediate and severe. Allen can't do it over 82 games, but he is deadly in a playoff run.
Deron Williams has yet to raise up his teammates like the great ones do. Rondo seems like the real deal right now and I would turn my team over to Billups any time, although his above mentioned motor may be through.