Uncle Drew Playin With The Nephews By The 7/11: Official 2017-18 Boston Celtics Season Thread
- Thread starter William F. Russell
- Start date
UpAndComing
Veteran
So Spurs are willing to give the Celtics Kawhi for just maybe one player and 8 draft picks?
Championship or bust, no excuses
Immediately after the season, Smart told ESPN he is worth more than $12-14 million (and after witnessing his impact on the team, he has a point). The market, however, may dictate otherwise. After the first day of free agency, several of the teams who could have made major offers for Smart have tied up space elsewhere.
The Dallas Mavericks signed DeAndre Jordan to a one-year deal worth $24 million, leaving them with about $8 million in room (a number the Celtics would happily match). The Indiana Pacers tied up a little over $7 million per year in Doug McDermott immediately after the opening bell. The Phoenix Suns, who also drafted a potential starting point guard in Elie Okobo with the 31st pick last week, signed Trevor Ariza to a $15 million one-year deal. There are still ways those teams could open up space, but the road to it became considerably more complicated on Sunday.
***
Smart isn't out of options. He could pursue a shorter deal with a player option tacked onto the end to get himself back into the free-agent market when the cap spikes in 2019-20 and 2020-21. He could also simply take the qualifying offer Boston extended two days ago, which would pay him $6 million this year and make him unrestricted next year when some of the money from 2016 starts coming off the books. At this point, that move seems entirely plausible, although it risks both injuries (which Smart often suffers, with his hard-nosed style of play) and the uncertainty of next year's cap space and free-agent pool.
Marcus Smart free agency: Boston Celtics guard's options diminishing after first day of free agency
The Dallas Mavericks signed DeAndre Jordan to a one-year deal worth $24 million, leaving them with about $8 million in room (a number the Celtics would happily match). The Indiana Pacers tied up a little over $7 million per year in Doug McDermott immediately after the opening bell. The Phoenix Suns, who also drafted a potential starting point guard in Elie Okobo with the 31st pick last week, signed Trevor Ariza to a $15 million one-year deal. There are still ways those teams could open up space, but the road to it became considerably more complicated on Sunday.
***
Smart isn't out of options. He could pursue a shorter deal with a player option tacked onto the end to get himself back into the free-agent market when the cap spikes in 2019-20 and 2020-21. He could also simply take the qualifying offer Boston extended two days ago, which would pay him $6 million this year and make him unrestricted next year when some of the money from 2016 starts coming off the books. At this point, that move seems entirely plausible, although it risks both injuries (which Smart often suffers, with his hard-nosed style of play) and the uncertainty of next year's cap space and free-agent pool.
Marcus Smart free agency: Boston Celtics guard's options diminishing after first day of free agency
I wonder if Philly will make an offer to force our hand
They could but I don't think Marcus would jump ship to the 76ers. And I don't see how he'd fit with Simmons and even Fultz.
If that were to happen, Ainge better be making some more moves
William Heavy
All Star
So Boogie's top two choices were between the Warriors and us.
That's what I get for saying Boogie isn't as good as people say he is. But he would be a great addition without having to give up anyone.
That's what I get for saying Boogie isn't as good as people say he is. But he would be a great addition without having to give up anyone.
UpAndComing
Veteran
So Boogie's top two choices were between the Warriors and us.
That's what I get for saying Boogie isn't as good as people say he is. But he would be a great addition without having to give up anyone.
Not gonna lie, would have LOVED Boogie on the Celtics
According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, the Celtics never made Boogie an offer, but were aware of his interest in the team. By the time they started to explore a potential offer, he had already agreed to terms on a one-year, $5.3 million deal with the Warriors.
The Celtics, who shocked the NBA world by lunging a trade for Kyrie Irving with the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason, fell asleep at the wheel while the Warriors were rather aggressive in their pursuit of Cousins.
Boston already had players under contract at the center position, with starter Al Horford already locked in for another year and having committed a two-year, $12 million deal to backup Aaron Baynes.
Golden State was already unlikely to bring back Zaza Pachulia or David West, and with JaVale McGee agreeing to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers — the void was there to be filled.
The Reality Behind Celtics' Failed Pursuit Of DeMarcus Cousins
The Celtics, who shocked the NBA world by lunging a trade for Kyrie Irving with the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason, fell asleep at the wheel while the Warriors were rather aggressive in their pursuit of Cousins.
Boston already had players under contract at the center position, with starter Al Horford already locked in for another year and having committed a two-year, $12 million deal to backup Aaron Baynes.
Golden State was already unlikely to bring back Zaza Pachulia or David West, and with JaVale McGee agreeing to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers — the void was there to be filled.
The Reality Behind Celtics' Failed Pursuit Of DeMarcus Cousins
UpAndComing
Veteran
GOOD
Celtics are doing too much. Leave the team as is, just worry about the bench now
Well, this is....odd...
For Smart, it seems to be more about what Boston has not done so far in free agency:
“He loves the Celtics, but with these crickets he’s hearing, he’s hurt and disgusted by it,” said the source.
...
“I don’t think that bothers Marcus as much as no communication from Danny (Ainge),” said the source.
Reached Thursday, Ainge, the Celts president of basketball operations, declined comment.
...
“He would have thought there would have been some kind of three- to four-year deal from them to show they’re interested,” said the source. “But the qualifying offer is the only one he has received, and there’s been no talk since free agency opened. He’s most disappointed that there has been no reaching out from their end.
“He’s just hurt and frustrated that Danny hasn’t reached out. That’s the most discouraging part of this whole thing. The last contact was a few days before free agency started.”
Report: Marcus Smart upset Boston Celtics haven't talked to him about new contract | NBA.com
For Smart, it seems to be more about what Boston has not done so far in free agency:
“He loves the Celtics, but with these crickets he’s hearing, he’s hurt and disgusted by it,” said the source.
...
“I don’t think that bothers Marcus as much as no communication from Danny (Ainge),” said the source.
Reached Thursday, Ainge, the Celts president of basketball operations, declined comment.
...
“He would have thought there would have been some kind of three- to four-year deal from them to show they’re interested,” said the source. “But the qualifying offer is the only one he has received, and there’s been no talk since free agency opened. He’s most disappointed that there has been no reaching out from their end.
“He’s just hurt and frustrated that Danny hasn’t reached out. That’s the most discouraging part of this whole thing. The last contact was a few days before free agency started.”
Report: Marcus Smart upset Boston Celtics haven't talked to him about new contract | NBA.com