The Other Guys (Celtics Free Agents)

by Jeff Clark on May 28, 2011 10:09 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

Lets see here, we've looked at Nenad Krstic (article here), Jeff Green (article here), Big Baby (article here), and I'm going to save Delonte West for later, so that leaves the following Celtics free agents:

Not the most inspiring group ever, but some of them had moments. The key phrase to remember here is "replacement value." In short, are any of these guys better than another player we could get for the veteran minimum or perhaps in the draft?

Wafer was a good fill in when Delonte was either suspended or hurt (which was often). At first he as a shooting guard that couldn't shoot and didn't bother to defend. But once he bought into the defensive mentality that Doc demands from this players, he had some nice moments providing some spark off the bench. He did get into that fight with West in training camp and it sure seemed like the media link came from his "camp" but he stuck with the team and he rewarded their confidence with a solid year. That said, he wasn't very reliable and was prone to mistakes that drive coaches nuts.

Replacement value: Third string shooting guards are easy to come by in this league and Doc and Danny have talked about adding scoring. That doesn't bode well for Von. Still, he has had a full year in the system and would have a leg up on anyone vet minimum guy looking to take his spot . As long as Danny doesn't draft another J.R. Giddens clone, he should get a look. On the other hand, if Danny really upgrades the position with a higher value free agent (Jamal Crawford? J.R. Smith?), then bye bye Wafer.

Remember when we were so excited to get Troy Murphy? He seemed to be the "it" guy during buyout season. Yeah, that didn't work out so well. Turns out the Nets knew something we didn't know. Like that colossal fork sticking out of his back. Maybe he was more hurt than we knew but it sure looked like "slow and deteriorated skills" to me.

Replacement value: Just about any 2nd round pick would outperform what he gave us last year. If he somehow shows up for camp in amazing shape and actually shows he can knock down a 3 pointer and grab rebounds like he's done in the past, we can give him a look. Otherwise, perhaps retirement is a better option.

Sasha is another guy who saw his light dim in recent years. He wasn't counted on for much and he didn't really do much. Basically he was an insurance policy for Paul Pierce that wasn't really necessary with Jeff Green in town. That said, he didn't really do anything to hurt the team and seemed to grasp the defensive concepts that Doc wanted him to. He had the added value of being Krstic's buddy, ...so that's always nice.

Replacement value: We can probably find more skilled players with more upside than Pavlovic.

I was more than pleased with Arroyo and I think he was just a victim of playoff rotations shortening. He was very solid and set up the offense like a pro. West is a more dynamic combo guard option, but Carlos was a more pure point guard.

Replacement value: I'd be happy to see him back. With Bradley waiting to step up next year I don't think a point guard will be a priority in the draft but you still need a veteran backup option for Rondo. Maybe they can find someone in free agency but I'm not sure anyone will be a better option than Arroyo.

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of them all

I could see Wafer coming back with Arroyo being an outside possibility.

I really wouldn’t be surprised to see Wafer stick even if Danny brings in another make-good vet SG like Michael Redd but not so much if Smith or Crawford are signed (which I don’t see happening at all).

by slamtheking on May 28, 2011 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

Crawford would definitely be an ideal free agent pickup for this position

I’m assuming we can only offer him the full mid level exception and that’s if there is still one in the next cba. Hopefully that’s enough for him, but I’m sure there will be plenty of demand for him by other contenders too.

by kg2128 on May 28, 2011 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Wafer is one of my favourite young kids. He has so much potential.

Media - "How does it feel to be that fast?"
CJ - "It feel real good."

by nathangouge on May 28, 2011 11:12 PM EDT reply actions

Make room

Marcus Thornton or Nick Young would be a better deal for Celtics both young and good for years to come……. Get rid of Allen , Big Baby and the rest of the two crew Wafer , Arroyo, Murphy . And sign another Big ….

by juanpan on May 28, 2011 11:58 PM EDT reply actions

wafer is ok in my book. and i hope the team resigns Daniels.

everyone else can kicks rocks. FREE SEMIH!

by Piru P on May 29, 2011 12:11 AM EDT reply actions

We could do better then Wafer

Daniels won’t shoot need scorers…..

by juanpan on May 29, 2011 12:19 AM EDT reply actions

Delonte, JR Smith, and Jamal Crawford! That with a solid center and the C’s will be back!

by Danyck on May 29, 2011 12:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

JR Smith and Jamal?

Sounds expensive since they’re both GREAT sixth men. Who would we trade?

by Caliente on May 30, 2011 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd like to see Arroyo and Murphy back.

Arroyo for the reasons listed.
Murphy as a low risk/medium reward guy (he was quite good as soon as 2 years ago)

Pav could be ok if only because it’s been so hard to find decent backup SFs these past years.
As said, Wafer’s got potential but I feel like we could do better.

by A Guy on May 29, 2011 2:00 AM EDT reply actions

Murphy is done, Arroyo pretty close too

Wafer looked pretty good in his few minutes, he’s young, and more important looked better as time went on. Sasha Pavlovic was, to me, the best of these four – in his prime, nice shooter, great NBA body, gets it on defense. Came in too late to get into the rotation.

by Wildblu1 on May 29, 2011 8:03 AM EDT reply actions

Yip

Thought he was very unlucky not to get more mins. Was at the last game of the regular season (v. Knicks) and thought he was very impressive. J shooter plus good on d – what’s not to like?

by Derekg49 on May 30, 2011 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions

The C’s need to get young and athletic and none of these free agents to be have that. (except maybe Von Wafer)

Maybe keep TM but definitely get some youth on this team, it’s getting ridiculous how we’ve signed broken old players the last two off seasons

by vgarcia890 on May 29, 2011 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

Check out Red Claws

The Red Claws had two players who were with Celts Training Camp this year.

Deshawn Sims 6’ 8" and was NBDL Rookie of the Year.
http://www.nba.com/dleague/maine/ROY_Sims_041511.html

The other guy who performed well in exhibtions was Stephane Lasme. Also 6’ 8"’ with a get ability to defend and a terrific rebounder. He got hurt right after Celts cut him and was only able to get back in March.

Two young guys….definetly one of them can replace the Too Heavy BBD.

by BigT1942 on May 29, 2011 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

Sign me up for Deshawn Sims

but I doubt he’s going to be playing for the C’s. I think he just signed a deal elsewhere.

by paolost on May 31, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

i could see murphy back

he played poorly and wont be getting any big offers so why not stay, workout, get your game back for a year here. go back to the playoffs, enjoy it and maybe next seasonn get a better deal.

arroyo, i agree, wouldnt mind seeing him back, not alot of great options out there but tj ford would interest me more than arroyo if we could get him for the right price. have a feeling though that ford and dalembert end up in miami.

wafer, sheap, yes he seemed to improve some here. maybe another year with the team helps him improve a little more. not a long term anwser though.

pavs can go, i think we need to find some better bench players. cant fill all the spots with average guys.

we need some youth, we need some athletic guys, guys who can run, jump, rebound, score. looking at the celtics 1st draft workouts, danny is eying a few in the draft. whether he drafts them or not is another story.

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!

by remembering9ergods on May 29, 2011 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

What do you do when all of your "other guys"

stink?

by eastie Rich on May 29, 2011 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Wafer was playing great

before he got injured. He is an excellent shooter and can create his own shot. Better than Green, in my opinion. Keep him.

by dc12 on May 29, 2011 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Not really interested but...

These guys are bottom of the roster players. Ideally for a team that wants to be a consistent contender these roster spots should be filled with players on the way up in their NBA careers rather then guys on their way out of the NBA. You know, guys who can play now but also could develop into solid rotation players you can count on in the near future rather then guys who used to be rotation players but for whatever reason have slid into the roll of roster filler.

That though, might be easier said then done. If thats the case I’d think Wafer and Murphy might be worth another look. Wafer showed some promise in his limited court time while Murphy was just a very productive player two seasons ago and could bounce back. Arroyo I guess isn’t a bad option as your 3rd PG but I don’t want him playing at the expense of Bradley so if West is resigned I’d pass on Arroyo. Chances are he or some reasonable facsimile will be available at the deadline once teams start cutting and buying out veterans anyways..

by CelticsFanNC on May 29, 2011 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

Clean house. Start a new bench

Keep West and maybe, just may be, Green (I am not that high on Green anymore). Then assemble a real bench please.

by getthat18now on May 30, 2011 3:56 AM EDT reply actions

with what money?

Veterans minimum exceptions? ($1M type players?)

by dslack on May 30, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Bench 08 - 11

Ever since the new big 3 era began in 2007-08, the Celtics has 4 different benches. Only Bench 08 accomplished what a real bench should do — extend or protect leads while giving the starters a chance to take a breather. Bench 11 is the worst with Bench 09 comes in a close second in that regard. I won’t loose any sleep if all these four go.

by getthat18now on May 30, 2011 4:25 AM EDT reply actions

yeah with players like powe posey and pj brown

lohaus #54

by lohaus#54 on May 30, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

BBD wasn't that bad either in 08

Don’t know what had gotton into him. Now he wants to start somewhere next season. There are a lot of team BBD can start for, but many of them are in Europe and Asia.

by getthat18now on May 30, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

bench 11 could have been good if ever all healthy

Unfortunately, that wasn’t in the cards.

Imagine:
Starters — Rondo, Allen, Pierce, KG, Shaq
Bench — Robinson, West, Daniels, Jermaine, Perk

That could have been a very strong 10-man lineup, but health didn’t cooperate.

by dslack on May 30, 2011 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

monta ellis ?

lohaus #54

by lohaus#54 on May 30, 2011 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Being out in the playoffs early makes me so bored

by rajon9 on May 30, 2011 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

Look at the bright side

Lakers fans have a ten time harder time dealing with the early and unceremonial exit. And they got Mike Brown as their next coach …

by getthat18now on May 30, 2011 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Want to give Troy another year

I think Troy deserves another year with the team. Give him a full training camp to know the system, he may give us more that what we have bargained for. I just saw him out of shape and unfocused last season. Also want to see Green, Delonte, and Arroyo back. Im not much of a Wafer guy, but also want to see hima back.

by jhunjun on May 31, 2011 2:46 AM EDT reply actions