It’s fitting that last night, at a screening for a highlight DVD of the Celtics’ championship run in Beantown, James Posey made no bones about saying where he wants to play in ‘08-09: Boston.

“That’s my No. 1 choice,” said Posey. “I’ve stressed that to the organization and to everybody. At the same time, I’m still waiting. So we’ll see what’s going to happen.”

While his agent Mark Bartelstein has been peppered with calls from Detroit, New Orleans, Washington and the Lakers, Posey is likely to receive the mid-level exception (in the $6 million neighborhood) no matter the destination.

His presence on a Hornets team, which was clearly teetering on the edge of being a Finals-caliber squad, could very well push them over the top. The thought of Chris Paul driving and kicking to Posey, Peja, or MoPete is downright terrifying for Western Conferences opponents.

And all hope is not yet lost for New Orleans. Though the Celts are Posey’s first choice, it doesn’t seem like he’s totally locked in a deal with GM Danny Ainge yet.

“You have to look at it on both sides, what we accomplished this past season and the business side,” Posey said. “With that, you take it and move on with it. At the end of the day both sides are going to do what’s best for themselves.

Source: Boston Globe