Considering the fireworks surrounding the Clippers' moves this off-season, the Celtics have had a relatively uneventful time thus far. Despite Doc Rivers' courting of Corey Maggette, he signed with Golden State. Then the C's signed a Golden State disappointment, Patrick O'Bryant, pretty much ending speculation that they would sign Chris "Birdman" Andersen, David Harrison, or Randolph Morris as a back-up for Perkins.P.J. Brown is probably going to lumber off into retirement. Sam Cassell wants to come back for one more season (probably at the minimum) before looking into a coaching job (yes! coach now! but somewhere else!). Tony Allen will probably only be offered the veteran minimum if he wants to return to the Celtics. Scot Pollard should become a broadcaster (for real, dude is good on the mic).
Danny Ainge and company have made it clear that resigning James Posey is their number one priority, however it's being reported today that Posey is looking for a four year deal. Apparently no team in the Posey sweepstakes, including the Celtics, is interested in a contract longer than three years. Now, I'm a Posey fan; he's a solid sixth man for the Celtics, and brings some great energy and experience to the team, but if he's interested in getting paid, that's probably means he's gone. Look, he's 31. This is likely going to be his last contract in the NBA. If he can find some GM to pay him the duckets he wants, for as long as he wants, and maybe finds a starting job, then more power to him. Remember that Posey took a pretty substantial pay cut to come play in Boston ($6m a year from the Heat to $3m in Boston).
Eddie House, who shares an agent with Posey, looks to be nearly gone. Already far over the salary cap, the Celtics are looking to sign a back-up point guard to a one-year contract for the league minimum, which House is decidedly uninterested in. He's publicly discussed wanting to get a raise, job security, and increased playing time.. all understandable for a veteran like House, but none of which the Celtic's can easily offer (especially if they do manage to finagle a mid-level deal to bring Posey back). Much like Posey, I think House is a solid guy to have coming off the bench, but let's face it.. the Celtics can't pay every guy as much as he wants. With the contracts of the big three nearly equaling the salary cap for '08-'09 ($56,112,028 for the big three to $58,680,000 for the cap), they've got to be pretty careful about who else gets duckets.
So Celtics fans, a question: will you be incredibly broken up if House or Posey opt for literally greener pastures? They both are definitely great guys, with great energy, but statistically they aren't irreplaceable. It hurts to see quality guys leave, but sometimes this stuff is just business.
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