We've all, including Greg Stiemsma himself, have been waiting for Minnesota to get their offers all straight and make an offer to the Celtics' center. Now we learn from ESPN Boston that Greg has gotten an offer that is larger than the qualifying offer of $1.05 million tendered by the Celtics.
Restricted free agent center Greg Stiemsma has received an offer from a new suitor, according to a league source.
This offer, when formally delivered, will almost certainly price Boston out of the Stiemsma Sweepstakes. Given their cap constraints, the Celtics are unable to match even a modest offer for his services with only the biannual exception ($1.95 million) remaining above a minimum contract and Boston is nearing the luxury tax threshold.
The Celtics have to stay below the luxury tax threshold and would likely not match a larger offer from another team. And, Greg may still get an offer from the Timberwolves who have been courting the center throughout the free agent period. No one can blame Stiemsma from taking a bigger offer because he's just starting his career and needs to get what he can in this fickle business. But with Omar Asik, whose stats are almost identical to Greg's, getting a $25 million offer for 3 years, the offer may be way more than Greg can afford to turn down.
Stiemsma averaged 2.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in 55 games last season, but played much of the season with two bad feet. He had a bone bruise in one foot and battled plantar fasciitis in the other but played through the pain. Of course, he could decide that he wants to come back to the Celtics and remain under KG's tutelage and reject the bigger offers. Not likely I know, but you never know.
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