Pay Posey?
I can admit when I’m wrong. Heading into the season, I thought James Posey was done. When the Celtics signed him, I thought it was just an attempt by Danny Ainge round out his roster with vets who would ensure that Brian Scalabrine wouldn’t have to ever play any meaningful minutes. I laughed at the Celtics fans in the office who carried on about what a huge addition it was (In my defense, you have to know what it’s like to deal with them. If they signed Willie Green tomorrow, they’d be talking about how he’s basically the next Bird. It’s a natural reaction to go against them, no matter what). I thought Posey’s career was a wrap. But that was before watching him repeatedly drain big threes and play ridiculous defense throughout the playoffs, including putting the shackles on Kobe in the Finals. He is clearly a huge part of the Celtics’ persona and success. He’s the killer that the Lakers just didn’t have.
It seems to be a foregone conclusion that Posey is going to opt out of his Celtics contract, foregoing the $3.5 million he would collect next year because he thinks, correctly, that he can get much more from another team, or force Boston into significantly upping their dollars.
The key reserve is expected to exercise his option and forego the $ 3,462,480 he can take for next season. And the list of suitors should be lengthy. (How badly do the Lakers need a guy like this?)
The Celts are hoping they can bring him back with a deal that not only takes care of Posey but allows the club the ability to make other needed moves.
Danny Ainge wasn’t about to get deep into the matter, but it’s clear from speaking to sources around the league that the Celtics will have a tough call to make if Posey gets a great offer elsewhere.
“I think we have to see how things play out,” the C’s director of basketball operations said. “But there’s no question he’s been great. I love Posey. He’s been huge for us. We wouldn’t have won without him.
So if you’re Danny Ainge, how much is too much? Do you try and keep Posey at all costs in order to keep this team and their attitude intact?
June 19th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Blue says:
keep it like the price is right and just bid one dollar over the highest bidder!!!!
but posey is worth at least the full MLE. hopefully my Heat can bait him back!
June 19th, 2008 at 11:46 am
fiyaman says:
Pat ur not alone I ruled him out too. But I’m not afaird to admit that I was wrong. aft this yr i give him nuff props. In fact i think he was 2nd in MVP voting behind PP IMO (but u know the star is always gonna get the vote).
As far as ‘at all costs’, I would try my best to keep him but that depends on what ‘at all costs’ is.
Can u say Robert Horry part2.. He’s the next bigtime role player..
June 19th, 2008 at 11:53 am
D says:
he really only seemed to step up in the playoffs (which is obviously where it counts). But what happens when he gets a payday? Does he maintain his intensity? Mid level exception at most. Don’t handicap yourself, since rebuilding will need to start sooner rather than later as the big three are aging.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Bond says:
Speaking of Scalabrine, why is it that he has a spot on an NBA team and his college teammate Jeff Trepagnier does not?
June 19th, 2008 at 11:59 am
CHEE says:
take scalabrine’s money and give it to posey.
haha
June 19th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
D.H. says:
@CHEE
Yes! Thy should make that an official rule; if any one player can beat another player in a game of 1-on-1 the player that wins gets the fatter contract of the two.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
CHEE says:
to D.H.
play to 11
win by 2
spot scal 10pts w/ the ball
final score 12-10.
summary: posey nails 6 3pointers(count as twos)
June 19th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Dave says:
Pay Posey up to four years up to the MLE. Any more in dollars or length is too tough to take considering his age. Chances are that that fourth season will be below par but the first three should be good enough to look past one bad year.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
doc says:
I think the Celtics should give him a max contract.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
karizmatic says:
Yeah you made a mistake. I seriously questioned what Miami was doing when they let him go. Doesn’t he look much better than Dorell Wright, Ricky Davis, or any of those D-Leaguers Miami had playing small forward before they got Shawn Marion? James Posey might be Robert Horry 2.0 at least he’s put himself in that position, and now he has two championship rings with two different teams to show for it. Ainge is gonna have to cough up a little dough.
June 19th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
rell says:
I would give Posey a 3 year contract for 4.5/year. That would take him to the end of Pierece contract when we are rebuilding anyway.
June 19th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
BlazeMcHerbs says:
3 years, $6-6.5 mil per…
Or he can go to a shitty team and get paid, his choice, but anything more than 6-6.5 is a Thomas move. Anything more than 3 years is a waste, he aint gonna be as effective on D 4 years from now.
But he has worth, Miami was dumb for letting him go like that. Posey has 2-3 good years left, he’s gonna go to the contender who can pay, and not many will offer more than $6 mil, and Posey knows the system in Boston, won ring with the squad, he’ll accept $6 Mil/year.
June 19th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Celts Fan says:
ya, I’d say up to about $6M per too. Give him 4 years if that’s what it takes. By that point, the Big 3 will be past their primes anyway, so it won’t matter (and year 4 is expiring $$$ you can use to make a trade anyway, so why not?!) Keep the guy, he was HUGE for us all year and was perfect in his role guarding everyone from Joe Johnson to Lamar Odom, Sheed, and McDyess and sticking corner 3s. Pay that man, he’$ earned it!
June 19th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
iain. says:
Why did you think he was done? Because he was 30 years old when Boston signed him? Oh well, good job Paul Pierce but your 30 so your done, and oh no in August Kobe is 30 so stick a fork in him, hes done.. Loser mannnn making up crap to have a sensational statement to try and generate readers. This is a non-story..
June 19th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
boogey banger says:
i like pose but you have to front load that contract 8-6-4-2 milly. 2 yrs from now you have to pay rondo. they need a good backup pg, a decent big (sorry perk but I still don’t think you’re a legit starter in this league) and another 2-3-4 type guy. if one of the big 3 go down with an injury i’m not sure house or allen can get it down for 20-30 games
June 20th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Celts Fan says:
Boogey, if Perk wasn’t a legit starter, he wouldn’t have the ring. He’s not a legit star by any means, but he’s a hell of a rebounder/defender. As long as he’s not your #1 post scorer, he’s a good starter.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Celts Fan says:
*but yes, we do need to pay Rondo in a year or 2 and we do need a backup Center that’s taller than 6′8″ (I’m assuming Pollard’s gone and PJ’s retiring.) You give Posey whatever it takes. Front load it if possible, but do what needs to be done as long as it doesn’t average more than $6M-ish per.