And the Madness Has Begun: Hello ‘Sheed, Goodbye Leon?

Posted by Zach Lowe on Jul 1, 2009 264824 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F07%2F01%2Fand-the-madness-has-begun-hello-sheed-goodbye-leon%2FAnd+the+Madness+Has+Begun%3A+Hello+%27Sheed%2C+Goodbye+Leon%3F+2009-07-01+12%3A54%3A49Zach+Lowehttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D2648

A quick round-up of the day’s free agency news, with our usual Celtics slant:

• KG is apparently going full-out to try and convince ‘Sheed to come to Boston, according to Stein. As I explained yesterday, I have mixed feelings. If we get the engaged ‘Sheed for one year at the full mid-level, I’m in. Of course, with someone so unpredictable, you cannot guarantee engagement. If he asks for a multi-year mid-level deal, I’m out of the bidding. I’m not willing to tie up the mid-level for multiple seasons on an aging big man who showed only occasional commitment to playing hard last season.

Of course, signing ‘Sheed to the full mid-level means saying good-bye to our other fave free agents–Marcin Gortat, Bird man, Josh Childress, Grant Hill and the like. That might be a good thing, as Stein reports the competition for all of those guys is going to be tough. Bird man appears close to making a verbal commitment to Denver; Dallas, Orlando and Houston are hot for Gortat (that rhymes!); Denver and Phoenix are the early front-runners to sign Hill.

As for Charlie Villanueva, it appears Detroit may be ready to offer him more than the mid-level–perhaps thwarting the Cavs pursuit of Chuckles. 

• The Celtics have tendered the qualifying offer to Glen Davis, but the Herald hears from “a league source” (whatever that is) that a couple of teams may offer Davis something equivalent to the full mid-level. As we’ve discussed, the C’s have Early Bird Rights to Davis, and they now have the right to match any offer another team makes. Are they willing to sign Big Baby to a multi-year deal starting at $5.5 million per? Even if it jeopardizes Wyc Grousbeck’s stated goal of being in position to sign a max player next season? We may find out.

• The Celtics did not tender the qualifying offer to Leon Powe. As CelticsBlog says today: Not unexpected. Sad, but not unexpected. My guess: The C’s will try and bring him back at a minimum salary deal and let him walk if he gets a better offer. Smart management, yes. But I’ll miss Leon if he leaves. For a small-time role player, Powe has provided us with a bunch of big-time memories. His performance in Game 2 of the ’08 Finals will live forever in Celtic lore. Nobody will ever forget his contribution to this team.