Posey Deal Near

by Jeff Clark on Jul 14, 2008 5:04 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Rumors

Celtics forward James Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstien, said Sunday that there could be "something" contract-wise for his client on Monday. Bartelstien would not divulge the interested teams, but an NBA source said that the Hornets seem to be Boston's main competition. The Celtics seem willing to give Posey the full $5.5 mid-level exception, but it seems doubtful that it will be offered more than two years. The 31-year-old seems interested in getting a four-year deal. Other teams potentially interested in Posey include Detroit, Washington and Cleveland

Well, I'm glad this is coming to a close soon, but the 2 year thing is out of left field. I guess we'll see what happens today.

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3 years at 4 mil
2 years at 5.5 mil
The math is almost the same. I don’t think James has as many options as his agent wants us to think.

by celty86 on Jul 14, 2008 5:23 AM EDT reply actions

Goodbye, Po-Z! Welcome, Matt Barnes!

by P_two on Jul 14, 2008 6:06 AM EDT reply actions

We can only hope this is negotiation rhetoric, or this is yet another blow to our bench.

by CoachBo on Jul 14, 2008 6:37 AM EDT reply actions

Is today the day that Posey is supposed to make a public appearance regarding the DVD or was that yesterday?

My theory is, if it’s today both parties will want something in place or well along the way prior to that event. Also, Posey is scheduled to be at the ESPYs with the Celts and I would figure given the number of reporters there the Celts would want something done prior to that.

by SShoreFan 2.0 on Jul 14, 2008 6:42 AM EDT reply actions

Everyone suspected that Posey was shooting for his first and last big contract, hoping for five, if not at least four years. And maybe he was, but has now switched to a different strategy.

He may now be figuring on working his way through two big contracts, with the first being a two year at the MLE. If after the two years, he can get another two or three year contract, he’ll have achieved his initial goal. And of course, that’d be fine with the Celtics.

by no kidding on Jul 14, 2008 7:26 AM EDT reply actions

Has to be a typo. I don’t believe Ainge only offered 2 years. If he did and that was his final offer, Posey would already be gone.

by Bankshot on Jul 14, 2008 7:37 AM EDT reply actions

no kidding may be on to something – maybe the Celtics are offering 3 but Posey as decided that he’ll only agree to 2 (perhaps with another opt out option) in hopes of getting another deal down the line

still, it would be hard to believe that his stock could ever be higher than it is now – if he can get the full MLE for 3 or 4 years, I don’t know why he wouldn’t accept right away

by Jeff Clark on Jul 14, 2008 7:41 AM EDT reply actions

Posey couldn’t get a big contract last season and if he can’t get one this offseason then he won’t get one in two more years time. I can’t see his agent being sold on that idea.

by Who on Jul 14, 2008 7:48 AM EDT reply actions

Perhaps he was offered 3 for less than the MLE to start, while Danny waited to see if he had a shot with Maggette. In response to Posey’s demand for the MLE, Danny then gave him a 2nd option of 2 years at the MLE. Danny may not have bought into the agent’s bluffing all along. (While many of us here did!)

by clover on Jul 14, 2008 7:51 AM EDT reply actions

If we don’t keep Posey, is there any chance we could make a play for Josh Childress? Or will he be too expensive? I know he is a restricted free agent and all indications from the Hawks front office point to matching any reasonable offers.

by DJ to Bird on Jul 14, 2008 7:54 AM EDT reply actions

I wonder if some of the confusion is because of team or player options – sometimes a 3 or 4 year deal is reported when one or two years are really just options

by Jeff Clark on Jul 14, 2008 7:57 AM EDT reply actions

I may be all wet on this. But in two years time, Posey’s stock shouldn’t be much, if any lower than it is now. Especially since he may have another championship ring to flash at prospective suitors. And of course, the MLE is only expected to increase in two years time. In two years from now, there may be a better market for him than this year.

by no kidding on Jul 14, 2008 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

There will be a free agent frenzy in two years, with lots of money being thrown around.

Someone who loses out on their target(s) could easily overspend on a Posey type while in panic mode.

by Truth Hurts on Jul 14, 2008 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

if he is in boston today for a ceremony, this is the day. here or gone.

by nazzbo on Jul 14, 2008 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe in the middle of the DVD party, he’ll announce that he’s going to New Orleans.

by Truth Hurts on Jul 14, 2008 9:05 AM EDT reply actions

Agree with Nazzbo.

I still think that the best thing for the team and for Posey would have been a 5 year deal using the non-Bird exception. Posey gets less up front but he has security, while the team retains the MLE for other players.

If Posey departs, one question is whether or not Josh Childress would sign an offer sheet starting at the MLE. He’s certainly the player I’d be targeting.

by Brickowski on Jul 14, 2008 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

Is it hard to believe that the Cs would offer the MLE for two years, and then Scal’s money for three years after? Isn’t Scal off the books after two years? There doesn’t seem to be much concern from ownership nor Danny about the worth of Scal. If the money is guaranteed, that probably would be the best deal Posey gets.

by amenhotep04 on Jul 14, 2008 9:12 AM EDT reply actions