As of right now, including Brian Grant, the Celtics roster is at 17. Most of us have assumed that Grant would be waived and then we would only have one extra player to be cut or a 2 for 1 trade made. But this little bit from the Globe makes the point that Grant may be kept simply for his contract to be used in a trade if 2 other players don't impress enough in training camp to be kept. As I see it, the last 2 spots are going to be between Pittsnogle, Allan Ray, Tony Allan, Leon Powe, Brian Grant and Brian Scalabrine. If Tony Allen is given any jail time, then I believe he will be released, even though he would be a key piece to the team. Otherwise, I don't see Danny waiting to pick up his option. Grant would be cut if two of the others impress enough to keep. Allan Ray and Pittsnogle will need to prove themselves. I just don't see Pittsnogle as an all around player. We need a center who can play under the basket and not just out on the arc. I can see him being one of the players cut. Allan Ray has impressed with his speed, ball handling, shooting and defense in Summer League and I think Danny may keep him. I don't see us not keeping Powe. He is a hard worker and has a knack for rebounding. I really like this kid and can see Danny keeping him. He certainly will be better than Scal, who if he doesn't come into camp in better shape and prove he can play better than last season, may be one to be cut. We probably won't know until the season starts just who will stay and who will go. It is sure to be an interesting training camp.

At last count, the Celtics listed 17 players on their roster with either fully or partially guaranteed contracts. The maximum allowed when the season starts Oct. 31 is 15. So who will be the odd men out? The answers given by executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge may be somewhat surprising. While Brian Grant will not play for the Celtics, he might not be waived, either. Ainge said they are ``undecided with what we're going to do with Brian Grant and his contract" and they ``will wait until the end of training camp to make any final decisions." Why would the Celtics want to keep a player who, worn down by 12 NBA seasons, is in no condition to compete for a roster spot? Simple. Possible trades. The $1.8 million Grant will make this season might help the numbers work in a deal down the line. If Ainge and coach Doc Rivers can come up with 15 players they must have on the roster, then Grant will be waived. But if Ainge and Rivers find themselves comfortable with just 14 players, then Grant could end up on the roster when the season starts. ``The biggest issue is not who our 13th, 14th, or 15th players are, but who's going to win the jobs of positions 5 through 10," said Ainge. ``There's going to be serious competition for those spots in training camp and early in the season." Don't even get Ainge started on numbers beyond 15. Diplomatically dismissing any thought of the return of free agent Michael Olowokandi, Ainge noted, ``We're not going to sign an 18th guaranteed right now." [More] source: Boston Globe Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!