Mid Level Options
by Jeff Clark on Jun 14, 2009 9:11 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics News & Links
Email
PrintMarc Spears throws out the following names as options for the Mid Level Exception:
The list of possible mid-level exception candidates, more or less for some, includes: Atlanta's Mike Bibby, Josh Childress, and Marvin Williams, Charlotte's Raymond Felton, Chicago's Ben Gordon, Cleveland's Anderson Varejao, Dallas's Jason Kidd and Brandon Bass, Denver's Linas Kleiza and Chris Andersen, Detroit's Antonio McDyess and Rasheed Wallace, Indiana's Rasho Nesterovic, the Lakers' Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom, Memphis's Hakeem Warrick, New York's Nate Robinson and Chris Wilcox, Oklahoma City's Desmond Mason, Orlando's Marcin Gortat, Phoenix's Grant Hill, and San Antonio's Drew Gooden.
"We'd spend it on certain players," said Celtics president Danny Ainge. "We are not going to spend it for sure, but we would spend it on the right person."
He also discusses briefly the Celtics young players:
Ainge expects House to wait until June 30 to make his decision, while a decision on Pruitt [team option] will come after summer league play.
Ainge believes that youngsters Pruitt, Bill Walker, and J.R. Giddens are just as good as the mid-to-late draft prospects he's been scouting of late. Their play this summer and in training camp (assuming Pruitt is there) will play a big part in deciding their role with the Celtics next season.
"It's going to be a big summer for them, big training camp," Ainge said.
29 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
There's no way he signs for the MLE, though...
He didn’t opt out of a $6.2 million contract to sign for $5.5 million, in my opinion. If he’s available for the MLE, I’m sure the Cavs will have him back.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Here's My List
My ranking of the guys listed:
1. Chris Andersen
2. Ben Gordon
3. Rasheed Wallace
4. Grant Hill
5. Jason Kidd
6. Lamar Odom
7. Antonio Mcdyess
8. Marvin Williams
9. Andersen Varajeo
10. Chris Wilcox
11. Linas Kleiza
12. Nate Robinson
13. Brandon Bass
14. Marcin Gortat
15. Raymond Felton
16. Trevor Ariza
17. Drew Gooden
18 Desmond Mason
19 Hakeem Warrick
20. Josh Childress
21. Mike Bibby
22. Rasho Nesterovic
GHill?
You would list Grant Hill ahead of Lamar Odom? How do you justify that? That seems crazy to me. Odom plays SF and PF, is much younger, taller, and more athletic. G Hill literally only has about 90 minutes of good basketball left in his body. Odom is in his prime!! If we could somehow get him for the MLE, it could redefine the franchise’s fortunes for the next 5 years.
Odom would be a great fit...
But I don’t think he’ll be attainable, either.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Clarification...
The above post refers only to a motivated, hard-working Odom. We have no use for the player who sleep walks through games, which has been an Odom trademark for much of his career.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
i concur
but i really think his lack of assertiveness for the past few seasons was due to Kobe Bryant’s relentless douchebaggery. i’d sulk and mail in games too, if i had that goofball calling for the ball every minute of every game.
I Really like Both
But Grant Hill has more experience and is more of a veteran presence that Doc mentioned was lacking from this years team (I forget when he said it but he mentioned that they missed the veteran presence of Sam and PJ). I just think Grant would be a better fit for this years championship team. But Odom is very talented and Kobe’s years of not passing might have hurt his play. OK fine you convince me I’ll move Odom up.
The 'Magic' has gone out of Orlando.
We Cs fans were hoping against hope to keep Red Auerbach tied with Phil Jackson in this injury plagued season of ours, when we sent our proxies to do battle for us against the hated Lakers. The Wizard of Oz failed to come up with a ‘Magic’ potion that would allow the NBA title to stay in the east, as Orlando succumbed in five games. Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant may celebrate this year, but look out next year, when a healthy Cs team takes charge once more and chases the Lakers out of the arena once more.
http://lygaffen.blogspot.com/
http://community.webshots.com/user/lygafe
phil is the most overrated coach ever
he doesnt even coach, he just sits there thinking about what he’s going to eat after the game. not to mention he’s had 3 of the most dominant players in the modern era (shaq, kobe, jordan)
im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!
by remembering9ergods on Jun 14, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
we still have..
Bill Russell..Phil Jackson can’t beat him he has 10 ring on his hands and 1 in his foot
by Pipboy on Jun 14, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No way BG and Odom get less than 7-8 mil a year. M. Williams will probably go for more as well though I would love him. If I had to go after anyone it would actually be Ariza. Hell of a defender who can knock down some open shots. Can guard the 2 or 3 which would give PP and Ray (if he’s around) some much needed rest. Plus he has good size. Unfortunately he will probably cost the Full MLE where G. Hill can do most of what he does for half that if he’s still chasing a ring. As for a big I would target McDyess or Wilcox since I think they could also be had for half the MLE.
Spears missed Marion
Who is a head case but would be at the top of my list if I thought he would take the MLE but i dont think he will, at least not to play with us.
Other than the Lakers (who might have to choose between Odom and Ariza), who can pay Odom that? I was under the impression only Detroit, OKC and Memphis were significantly under the cap. You can pretty much count Memphis out. Seems like there are a lot of players out there and not a lot of money. Hopefully the Cs can get someone like Odom who gets pinched by the market. It’s going to be an interesting offseason.
Agree w/Byrdman
BD and Odom should get more than the MLE, M Williams and Josh Childress should get more than the MLE also, if not why would Atlanta not match, both are restricted free agents and those would be bargains.
But some of the other guys on this list will certainly be had for the MLE or even less expecially if as expected many teams are cutting salaries and not increasing them.
It should be noted that the Lakers will be in Luxury Tax Hell tyring to keep both Odom and Ariza. They have 74M commited for just 9 players and they have a 1st rd draft pick. Odom made 11M this year and should get that or more next year and Ariza the entire MLE or more that would put LA between 90-95M. Plus 1M for the draft pick – don’t see that happening!
I think our starting 5 is still the best in the NBA. We should be able to fill the holes with good, solid role players using our exceptions. That put us back in the hunt. Natually it will depend on health, but I like our team.
No Zsa Zsa???
I thought he was going to be available?? He would be on my list along with Gortat, Ariza, Hakeem Warrick, and McDyess.
i’d be interested in ariza too but no more! he HATES the celtics with a passion. he would NEVER play for us. i’m not a grant hill guy at all. he didnt play any defense in phoenix, frequently just LETTING guys turn the corner on him.to me, that’s either lack of effort or ability. plus he just can’t stay healthy.i think he’s going on an old rep now. lamar (i really hate lamar) deserves more and will get it. all the hating i do on him i admit i’d change my mind pretty quick if that pipedream ever happened.
i can’t believe i’m saying this but i’d really consider sideshow bob. i’m just not sure with him how much is ability and how much is tricking the refs with his stupid flopping.
i fantasize about marion coming here but again.. pipedream.
by cornbreadsmart on Jun 14, 2009 11:11 PM EDT reply actions
I like the List
It looks like some players that would go for more than the MLE in other years are going to be making this less year which is great for the Celtics. Honestly if we sign any of these guys it will help our team a lot next year.
nice list
there’s lots of quality players and only just so many teams. Danny should have no problem landing one of them. The question is, can Danny get two by splitting the MLE and would one take an LLE? There’s a few holes to fill. A full MLE signing would probably get a top-notch guy off the bench but that’s just one guy.
Mcdyess and Kidd/Bibby splitting the MLE would be a very nice pickup. Still need a legit 5 off the bench and a wing. Walker/Giddens stepping up this summer would be really nice but should not be depended upon. Would love to see Danny turn Veal and TA’s (Pruitt too if needed) expiring deals into another contributing bench player.
I like
Felton
McDyess
Marvin Williams
Gortat
A few of those guys like Ben Gordon are not mid-level players…
walker and giddens
it’s make or break time for those guys this summer. It’s interesting to hear danny say he’s still high on them. they have the size and skills to fill some holes for us the sf and sg. that would be a huge bonus if both of those guys became players
Marvin Williams or Desmond Mason would be nice back up wings.
"It will be fun watching the Lakers get those balloons down one at a time." - Bill Russell
by silvershamrocker on Jun 15, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions
So Much For Parity
Off topic but an interesting stat is that only 8 franchises have won the title in the last 30 years (Celtics, Lakers, Bulls, Spurs, Rockets, Pistons, Heat and Sixes). Of the 8, only two franchises won it one time during this period (Sixers and Heat). Incredibly, only 6 franchises have dominated the league in the past 30 years. So much for parity and the draft making things even out for mediocre teams. Also, 5 of the 15 titles won by the Lakers occured in the 1950’s when they played in Minneapolis. Laker fans cannot compare that with the Celtics winning a bunch of titles in the 60’s, since the competition in the 60’s was much better (e.g Russell v. Chamberlain). And of course we have the ultimate stat. Of the 11 times the teams have played for the title, the Celtics have beated the Lakers 9 times. So, let the Lakers celebrate this one. We own them and I foresee a rematch next year.
by JPV on Jun 15, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Don't Forget About
Water Herrmann. When he got minutes he was great for the Pistons. A very long 6’9", with a nice jumper and great athleticism. Plays with great energy. Also, the Pistons may be unwilling to match a partial mid-level offer that could interrupt their ability to make a big free agent splash next year.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on CelticsBlog
Related FanShots on CelticsBlog
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Video: Will Ferrell introduces the Hornets
- Video: Kevin Durant is rapping for real
- Jeremy Lin starts for the Knicks, lives in his brother’s living room, ‘has his own couch’
- Larry Bird would like to team with Kobe for the win, LeBron for the fun
- Will Ferrell will run the player intros at Wednesday’s Bulls/Hornets game
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
