Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
…Boston still seemingly has enough room to bring back both Allen and Bass (though it won’t leave much to fill out the end of the bench). Regardless, Boston still has room to do some combination of the following:
* Offer Ray Allen a two-year, $12 million contract ($6 million on book for next season)
* Offer Brandon Bass in the vicinity of $6 million in the first year of a long-term deal (though a lower number would provide more wiggle room). If unable to bring back Bass at an agreeable number, the team could facilitate a sign-and-trade in order to bring back an asset.
* Use the bi-annual exception (or part of it) to bring back a role player like Mickael Pietrus or fend off any modest offer sheets that Greg Stiemsma receives. The $2 million value will still require the likes of Pietrus to take a bit of a discount, but a veteran might be enticed by the roster Boston is putting together for another title run.
* Fill out the end of the roster with low-budget options like Moore and Williams, or any other minimum salary player.
ESPN Boston: Still room to sign Ray, Bass
This all assumes Jeff Green signs for $9 million, which is what the Celtics offered him last year.
We can also assume Jason Terry is in because despite giving the Mavs the option of matching the Celtics offer, the Mavs decided to wish him luck in the future instead.
So now we turn to Brando Bass and Ray Allen. We know Ray is visiting other teams this week, and Bass is being pursued by up to six teams, So this is going to be a little bit of a waiting period for Boston. The Celtics want both back, but they also have options with both in the form of sign and trade deals. Remember, all the rumors we’re hearing right now can’t happen until July 11th. That means Jason Terry can’t sign on the dotted line for another week. And teams making other players offers can’t actually follow through on that offer for another week.
So let’s say Ray gets an offer from the Clippers and he really wants to go. The Celtics can call the Clippers and work out some kind of deal that gets them something back.
It’s all very much up in the air, but the Celtics have the money to make it happen.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE: Report: Terry loves Boston’s “championship pedigree” | ESPN Boston: Taking care of their own | WEEI: What a Jason Terry signing would mean for Boston | Gerry McNamara: Fab Melo’s potential is scary | Herald: Where will Ray Allen end up? | Celtics take a shot with Jason Terry | Pietrus waits for Dominoes to fall
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