Keith Bogans is still, technically, a member of the Boston Celtics. But we might never see him in Boston again.
On 98.5 today, Ainge explained the Bogans situation. Chris Forsberg transcribed it for ESPN Boston.com
“We were logjammed at all positions, but especially the 2 guard. He was not happy and just felt like — him and I both — came to the conclusion that he should just go home, spend time with his 10-year-old son and we’re just going to move on. I told him stay ready, if we have an injury and need him to come back. But it’s better for the team and better for him to part ways.”
Basically, it’s bye-bye Bogans. Ainge was very candid about the situation, being sure to mention that Bogans was paid very well, but he’s a “competitive” guy who wants to play. The Celtics, basically, now have a guard hanging out in the wings in case anyone else goes down. Instead of going to the D-League the Celtics have sent Bogans to the Y (MCA) league*. He’s getting paid his $5 million to sit at home.
The reasonable question you might ask now is… “why not just cut him?”
“It’s a unique situation, very unique,” admitted Ainge. “His value to us is he has nonguaranteed contract and, for us, he’s a chip at the trade deadline or this summer, most likely, that has value around the league. We don’t want to release him, we don’t want to let go, we want to keep that chip as we’re rebuilding.”
That is a very valuable bullet to have in your six-shooter. At the very least, it’s $5.3 million you get to clear. But it’s a GREAT way to pair a couple of mid-level salaries and send them to a team looking to save a bit of cash. Add Bogans to Jeff Green or Brandon Bass and you have the potential to get a star-level player who perhaps doesn’t fit somewhere anymore while saving another team some big money.
Consider the possibility of Bogans being moved in a multi-team deal to a taxed-out franchise that gets to waive him. That team will not only save the $5.3 million, but also who-knows-what in big tax money, making his contract potentially worth twice what he’s paid (or more). There are teams that will happily give up assets in situations line that if the owner pushes them to save money. So it’s easy to see why the Celtics have taken this approach.
Basically, the Celtics could cut him, but they’ll have to pay him anyway, so why not pay him while retaining a potentially critical trade chip?
It’s not an ideal situation, and Bogans will have to find a way to keep himself busy and in shape, but it’s the best way to handle this situation.
—
* I asked people on Twitter to fill in the blank as I wrote this post. I liked this one the best.
@RedsArmy_John to the Y(MCA) league
— Michael T (@MichaelTraut) January 16, 2014
But there were other answers that made me laugh. Here are a few:
@RedsArmy_John cash your check and shut the hell up league
— TL (@tml495) January 16, 2014
Grumpy RT @RedsArmy_John: Fill in the blank: “Instead of going to the D-League the Celtics have sent Bogans to the __ league”
— legenGarry™ (@GeeeeeeFlan) January 16, 2014
@RedsArmy_John Washed
— Adam Whisenhunt (@adamwhisenhunt) January 16, 2014
@RedsArmy_John justice
— (16) Sean Grindigan (@Workaholic_SG) January 16, 2014
Pee RT @RedsArmy_John: Fill in the blank: “Instead of going to the D-League the Celtics have sent Bogans to the __ league”
— Rap Game Myotismon (@AtweetVirani) January 16, 2014
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