So after you are done sticking the Lebron James voodoo doll, trying to find a way to set Delonte and Gloria James up, looking at photo comparisons of Chris Bosh and an ostrich….it is time to look at what lies ahead for the Boston Celtics. This Summer could be one of the most turbulent and unpredictable off-seasons in recent memory. The Celtics have quite a few tough decisions to make and very little time to make those decisions with the NBA draft looming in just a few short weeks. So with that said, lets take a look at the contract situation with the the members of the 2011-12 Boston Celtics and what we can expect to happen with each, though this all won’t matter much as we will have two months of basketball in the fall until the world ends in December.
Kevin Garnett
This is likely the trickiest of the group to predict. Garnett has been less than open about his intentions, will he stay or will he go? His contract is technically now expired and he is technically a free agent. Garnett has three options, A. rejoin the Celtics and give them one MAYBE two more halfway decent years and retire in Green. B. retire right here right now C. Take the highest bidder or team most likely to win a championship and play for one last season. I think we can eliminate C though the Nets have professed that they are going to make a huge push, still don’t see Garnett going that route. Personally, I think B is the most likely option here. Garnett does not want the last memory of him being an old washed up shell of himself (I.E. Shaq), he dominated this postseason and what better way to end it than on your own terms? I Kevin Garnett may have played his final game in the NBA after 17 seasons.
Paul Pierce
Pierce has repeatedly hinted that he would consider retiring after this season, he has $16 Million sitting on the table next year with $15 Million waiting in 2013/14, can’t see him demanding a trade, can’t see him retiring and passing up on that money. He will serve as a veteran presence as the Celtics attempt to make a youth movement .
Ray Allen
Like Garnett, Allen is a free agent. He will likely have surgery to remove the bone spurs in his ankles and it is very unlikely that he will be as sought after as Garnett in free agency (much like when his stock was down in 2007 after double ankle surgery). Allen could come back to Boston for one more season and retire in green but it has been widely documented his disagreement with Rajon Rondo towards the end of the season. What is far more likely to happen is that Allen will join a team like Miami, New York, or Los Angeles to try and snag one more ring.
Rajon Rondo
Rondo has three more years on his contract, which is likely the most team friendly contract in the league. He WILL NOT be traded, so don’t bother reading the rumors about his attitude or questioning his leadership. The Eastern Conference Finals ended those rumors once and for all hopefully. Face it, Rondo is the face of the franchise much like the Celtics hoped that Reggie Lewis would be as the Original Big Three began to decline/retire.
Jermaine O’Neal
This deal is finally off the Celtics books, can’t see any team giving this guy more than a pack of bubble gum to play, O’Neal will likely retire and very few people will shed a tear.
Brandon Bass
Bass has a $4 Million player option, he would be foolish to accept that unless he truly believed that he would be a starter all season for the Celtics and that they have a legitimate chance at a title. Bass will become a free agent, some team will overpay for him and we will look at that contract four years from now and say “what the hell were they thinking?” (I.E. Tyrus Thomas) Solid player, a bit overrated in Boston but certainly not worth what he is going to get paid on an open market in a weak free agent class.
Chris Wilcox+Jeff Green
Yes, I know the Celtics released them, yes I know they are coming back from HEART SURGERY but I think bringing back Green would be well worth what little the Celtics would have to risk. I was never a huge fan of Wilcox, he was a strong rebounder but the offense really hit a brick wall when he was on the floor. Green HAS to be better than what we saw in 2011 even after the surgery. He spent the entire season hanging around with the team and he clearly wants to be here. I see the Celtics offering him a minimum level, highly team-protective contract for one or two seasons and it will go down as one of the best deals this team could have made in the rebuilding process.
Keyon Dooling
Before the postseason I really could have cared less if Dooling came back or not, he did nothing for me during the regular season, but it feels like Doc used Dooling in a different role once the postseason hit. His ball pressure was HUGE throughout the end of the Sixers series and the entire Heat series, especially with Bradley out. He is one of the only players on the team that could hit a three ball and reminded me of Eddie House at times (which if any of you who know me personally, Eddie is my personal binkie, so anyone that reminds me of Eddie is good in my books). Bring him back for a season and at worst, he can serve as a Sam Cassell ala 2008.
Avery Bradley
Three more years on the books with Bradley, he figures to continue to grow and will likely be the Celtics starting 2 guard next season barring an unforeseen huge move on draft day. Hook ’em Horns!
Mickael Pietrus
I know much was made about how friendly, funny, any personable Pietrus was in his time here; but the reality is he made WAY too many mistakes on defense and missed WAY too many easy, open, and key shots. Bad fouls, bad reads on D, bad pick and roll D…the only thing he did well is snag a few tips that lead to offensive rebounds here and there, other than that he is expendable as his contract expires.
Marquis Daniels
I like Daniels, I always have. He is a good slash guy, a decent defender I just wish we could see more of him during the season to figure out which Marquis Daniels is the real deal. The one that always smoked the Celtics when he was with the Pacers or the injury prone bench warmer we’ve seen in Boston? Anything in the middle is worth bringing back, but the bench warmer is replaceable as his contract has expired.
JaJuan Johnson
Still under his rookie contract, he isn’t going anywhere. Ainge really likes JJJ as do I. He WILL be better than what we saw this season, take that to the bank.
E’Twan Moore
Interesting one here. Moore only signed a 1 year deal under his rookie deal, he showed enough promise that some team may take a chance on him for more than the Celtics are willing to spend. Is he worth it? Can’t really tell, he didn’t see enough floor time this year for us to make that decision. We know he can shoot but can he do anything else? Did we see him do anything else? Neither did I….. anything over a minimum contract and he walks.
Ryan Hollins
See ya! Disgraced the #50 for the Celtics, a slightly more talented version of Patrick O’Bryant.
Greg Stiemsma
Celtics have made a $1 Million qualifying offer, he won over the coaching staff here for his heart and hustle. He will be back with the team for training camp, but if the Celtics bulk up in the paint during the draft/free agency he may be a training camp cut.
Sean Williams
Might come back on short money, won’t lose much sleep if he doesn’t.
Sasha Pavlovic
If there is a God, the Celtics will rid themselves of this guy once and for all now that his contract is expired….PLEASE.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
