CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Random Thoughts and Rumors on Free Agent Eve

There was a firestorm of activity surrounding Gary Tanguay's statement on Sports Tonight on Monday. On the early show he stated that Rasheed Wallace to Boston was as good as done. Then on the late edition, he stated that it was his feeling that Sheed would sign with Boston because KG wants him there and Boston wants him and Sheed wants to come to Boston.

That isn't what we heard from Ric Bucher last week. Bucher posted on Twitter that Sheed didn't want Boston in spite of KG calling. Now, Tanguay says that Sheed wants to come to Boston. He sounded pretty certain that it would happen and that makes me think he has heard some things that would lead him to come out on the air and say that Sheed was coming to Boston.

I think I would rather Antonio McDyess for several reasons. One is character. I think that McDyess would fit on this team better. Another is motivation. Rasheed isn't always motivated and he already has a ring. I think McDyess would be more motivated because, like PJ Brown, he has been chasing a ring and this would be his chance to get one. Sheed is a talent, and I wouldn't want him to go to Orlando or Cleveland, but I think I would rather have McDyess on the Celtics. Free agency starts tomorrow so I guess we will soon find out.

We are a ways from getting the schedules for next season released but KRGV is reporting that the Rockets will play a pre-season game at Dodge Arena against the Celtics.

Speaking of the Rockets, it was reported yesterday that Yao Ming is expected to miss all of the 2009-2010 season. In the playoffs, he re-fractured the navicular bone in his foot. Three pins were inserted when he injured it a year ago, but the foot cracked in the playoffs and it isn’t healing. I am really sorry to hear this because Yao is one of the good guys. I really felt bad for him in the playoffs because he wanted to play so badly, broken foot or no broken foot. I keep thinking back to Bill Walton and as good as his NBA career was, it was only a fraction of what it could have been if he didn't have the foot and ankle problems throughout his career. Yao could be one of the all time greats but his career is being sidetracked by injuries, just as Walton's was. I am hoping that Yao's injury heals and isn't as bad as they fear it is.

Charlie Villanueva is officially an unrestricted free agent as the Bucks didn't give him a qualifying offer. He would be a nice fit with the Celtics, but word is that the Cavs are going to go after him and he wants to play with the Cavs so it probably will get done. Villanueva along with Shaq improves the Cavs. Now we have to sit back and wait to see what Danny does to improve the Celtics.

Another restricted free agent whose team won't be giving him a qualifying offer is Marquis Daniels. Daniels can play all three perimeter positions and fills the need that the Celtics have for a back up wing. He is a good defender and he averaged 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds last season. Danny has said that he probably wouldn't use the MLE for a wing player but is looking to use it on a big but possibly he could get Daniels for the LLE or the vet minimum. A lot of free agents are going to have to settle for less than they think they are worth because of the economy and so many teams trying to cut costs.

The Celtics will give Big Baby a qualifying offer today and keep him a restricted free agent. The Celtics would have 7 days to match any offer that he received from other teams. Only 4 teams have cap space to sign free agents and others have been cutting costs, there won't be a lot of teams even willing to spend the MLE on free agents. The economy is weak and along with that, teams are looking for expiring contracts to give them cap space next season in the 2010 lottery free agent season. There may be a team who would be willing to give Big Baby a mid level contract for 3 or 4 years. But Boston is looking to bring him back as a bench player and they can't afford to shell out big dollars to keep him. Hopefully he won't get the attention he is hoping for and will be back in green for a reasonable contract next season. If he doesn't get a big offer, he would probably be best to accept the 1 year qualifying offer and then try for free agency next season because after the big names are signed, there will be teams with cap space looking to spend it.

Eddie House still hasn't decided whether or not to opt out of his contract. He would be smart to pick up his option and play well again this season and as with Big Baby, next season there will be teams with cap space who miss out on the big free agents that will be willing to spend on the second tier of players. We will know sometime today whether Eddie will return or test the free agent market. If he opts out of his $2.86 million option for next year with the Celtics and then can't find a taker because of the economy, then he takes the risk of having to sign for the vet minimum. I think Danny drafted Lester Hudson just in case Eddie opts out. My guess is that Hudson's future with the team is tied in with Eddie's decision to stay or go.

Stephon Marbury has come out and said the he wants to come back to Boston. Here is his quote from the Globe

‘‘I’m not trying to get a bunch of money,’’ Marbury said. ‘‘I know Boston doesn’t have a bunch of money. I’m not seeking out teams with more money. I want to play for a championship-contending team. I can’t play for a young team that’s not in a position to compete for a championship."

I wouldn't mind having Marbury come back as the back up PG. If he is willing to come for what the Celtics can afford and is still willing to come off the bench, he would be the best option available for a back up point. He came in cold last season after not playing for a year and not knowing the system and we saw flashes of the old Starbury. Coming in from the beginning and knowing the system, he would be a valuable asset off the bench. He isn't looking at any other teams until he knows whether or not the Celtics will sign him and he has chosen to be represented by the Players' Association rather than hiring an agent.

“I’m excited about being able to play next year, putting everything behind me and doing everything with a clean slate with a brand new beginning,’’ Marbury said.

“I’m just waiting for the day they can sign me. If they can’t, then I’ll start looking at other teams. But I’m not talking to any other teams.’’

I haven't seen anywhere whether Danny will offer Leon Powe a qualifying offer. I really hope he either offers him a qualifying offer or a vet minimum contract. I want Leon back. I fully believe that he will return from this injury just as he did the others. You can't put a price on this guy's heart. Any player who stays in the game and plays for 3 minutes with a torn ACL deserves a contract. He is what Celtic Pride is all about and should be a Celtic next season.

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