Celtics Increase Offer To Posey

by Jeff Clark on Jul 9, 2008 4:47 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

The Celts would still like to retain James Posey, and while a league source said yesterday the club was ready to give him a fourth year at the mid-level exception, Ainge gave no such indication. Other sources say the C’s aren’t skimping on the money, but they do not want to take the 31-year-old reserve too far down the time line. Ainge wouldn’t get into specifics, but did say, "We place value on players. We try to maximize a player’s talent and their value as we manage our business. So we have a number of what we think are good deals for the Celtics out there, and that’s what we’re trying to do. "We can’t get caught up in chasing players and getting into a bidding war. There are some players you do have to outbid the rest of the league for, but we’re trying to stay within our plan for what we need to do."

Globe (Spears):

Although a Celtics official has denied it, an NBA source said Posey was initially offered a three-year, $12 million deal by Boston, but the source said the Celtics have improved that offer. The most the Celtics can offer is the midlevel exception, expected to start at $5.58 million next season. At 31, the 6-foot-8-inch, 215-pound Posey seems to be interested in getting close to the midlevel exception and a lengthy deal. Boston currently has about $72 million committed in salary for next season and the salary cap, released last night, is $58.68 million, the luxury tax $71.15 million. Any team over the luxury tax has to pay a $1 tax for every $1 it exceeds the tax.

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4 years at the full mid level for Posey is fine with me. People act like Posey will be 40 years old at the end of the contract. He’s a 6th man and doesn’t play big minutes. He’ll still be productive at 35 and even it he doesn’t, if he helps win another title or two, the one unproductive year (if there is one) is well worth it, imo.

Danny has no more leverage now anyway. Sign Posey, NOW!

by Bankshot on Jul 9, 2008 5:41 AM EDT reply actions

definitely a step in the right direction….

sure hope in POSEY’s mind..UBUNTU wins over the need for mulah

by celtpinoy on Jul 9, 2008 5:48 AM EDT reply actions

4 years is probably overpaying, but that’s the cost of business and it is better than 5, so I can support it

the question now becomes, if he gets 5 from someone else would we match? would he accept 5 from someone else over a 4 year deal here?

by Jeff Clark on Jul 9, 2008 6:18 AM EDT reply actions

if he was getting 5 yrs it would be done by now….he’s lucky to get 3 from anybody…he’s looking at 3 for $15mil or 4 for 16-18 range…that extra year is HUGE for him…his next contract will be vet min,he needs those yrs now

by Motown on Jul 9, 2008 6:34 AM EDT reply actions

I’ve been a long-time fan of Posey, and would probably go four years with him. But it’s wise to consider the other side of the coin. As you probably remember, following their championship year at Miami, Coach Riley was more than a little bit ticked off with Posey’s state of conditioning and supposed lack of focus. (Of course he was more disturbed with Antoine Walker and Shaq. But that’s another story.)

Maybe Posey is one of those guys who can’t handle success too well.

by no kidding on Jul 9, 2008 6:42 AM EDT reply actions

thank you posey, have a good career (what’s left of it)

4 years is too much, for that matter, the slowness he dsiplayed on defense, three years is probably too much.

i’ll resign tony allen to be the sixth man off the bench. it’s going to be a mistake to let him walk.

by boscel33 on Jul 9, 2008 6:43 AM EDT reply actions

I, too, am fine with four years. If James had five, the deal would be signed by now. Let’s get him signed and put an end to all the fabrications about his game.

by CoachBo on Jul 9, 2008 6:44 AM EDT reply actions

4 years puts him on the KG time line, so it is not awful. I can’t see it being the full MLE though as far as money. Ainge has constantly said they put a value on players and stick with it and can’t get into a bidding war. He says there are some players you must chase, but I really don’t think Posey is one of those players.

by canman1971 on Jul 9, 2008 6:48 AM EDT reply actions

meanwhile everyone is saying that the Sixers still need outside shooting – I wonder if Eddie House gets an offer from them

by Jeff Clark on Jul 9, 2008 7:13 AM EDT reply actions

‘There are some players you do have to outbid the rest of the league for, but weâ€™re trying to stay within our plan for what we need to do.’

T R A N S L A T I O N:
‘We do this for KG and no one else’.

by mcpu40 on Jul 9, 2008 7:27 AM EDT reply actions

go danny go-no mo’ than fo’

by nazzbo on Jul 9, 2008 7:51 AM EDT reply actions

Turiaf just got $17 million from GSW:o, which means that in this market Posey IS worth the full MLE. Give it to him or risk downgrading and not winning another title. You can’t downgrade your roster and expect to win. Hope to win, yes, but expect it…?

by Bankshot on Jul 9, 2008 8:00 AM EDT reply actions

I disagree with the Turiaf coparison. Turiaf went to a team that looks putrid on paper. Good teams pay less.

by Brendan on Jul 9, 2008 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

The Celtics best chance to win another title is immediate. It’s next season. The next best is the season after. They need to put the best team possible out on the floor while their best players are still playing at a high level and before age starts to slow them down more so.

Does anyone put the team in as a good position as Posey over the next two seasons? No.

Four years is my cut off point. Full MLE for those four years. I’m happy with that. Posey brings home the bacon.

by Who on Jul 9, 2008 9:25 AM EDT reply actions

I say 3 year full MLE. Also, I would not allow Posey to have a no trade exception. If he can’t agree to this, then it’s Matt Barnes time.

by Chief # 1 on Jul 9, 2008 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

I think they need to give a 4 yr 20 mil. This will help coincide with KG’s contract. Also allows us to get another player with the 800k remaining on the MLE. It gets him at a bit of a discount, but gives him enough extra to allow him to take it.

by EJPLAYA on Jul 9, 2008 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

we’re going to go through this every year – don’t we have powe and bbd expiring next year … When we resign one of them, we will have a payroll of over 80m (if we can resign posey) I can see why Ainge is hesitant

by ForexPirate on Jul 9, 2008 11:08 AM EDT reply actions