By Zach Lowe, CelticsHub.com @ July 25th, 3:20 pm
26 comments »
Because Tracy McGrady is a Famous Person who was great at basketball sometime in the last decade, many, many commenters on this site have lobbied for Boston to sign him.
Those commenters will be crying themselves to sleep tonight, because it appears the Celtics will not be signing a player whose mere presence made an already-awful Knicks defense eight points worse (per 100 possessions) last season.
McGrady is on his way to Chicago, provided he can show in a workout Monday that he is healthy and willing to take a bench role, according to Marc Stein.
Willing to take a bench role? How about willing to have a potential 50-win team risk giving him a few minutes of PT every night?
By Zach Lowe, CelticsHub.com @ July 25th, 2:29 pm
19 comments »
The Clippers are re-signing Rasual Butler, according to the LA Times’ Lisa Dillman.
The C’s had reportedly been interested in Butler as a wing player capable of backing up both Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, a back-up role currently filled only by Marquis Daniels.
With Butler gone (and likely for more the minimum) and Antoine Wright headed to the Kings, the pickings are getting slim at the wing position.
Here’s a list of guys that might be had for the veteran’s minimum.
By Zach Lowe, CelticsHub.com @ July 23rd, 11:10 pm
92 comments »
So reports Tim Povtak NBA FanHouse:
Veteran free agent center Shaquille O’Neal – the future Hall of Famer without a team — has been lobbying the Boston CelticsNBA championship aggressively, still trying to convince them that his addition would help their quest to win another
And:
Although O’Neal was unavailable for comment Friday, two sources close to him confirmed his continued interest in the Celtics, even though they currently have no room, or exceptions, under the salary cap to pay him beyond the NBA veteran’s minimum of $1.35 million.
The Celtics could pay him more, but only if his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, helped with a sign-and-trade deal.
“He only wants to go to a team with a chance to win it all,” one source said. “That’s a short list. Even for the money, he’s not going to a non-contender.”
The obvious trade candidate would be Rasheed Wallace’s contract plus a cheap asset that might appeal to Cleveland, such as Avery Bradley or a future first-round pick.
I’ve said enough on Shaq here and here. Suffice it to say I’m not convinced he’s a helpful part at this point in his career. I am convinced that he is not worth $6 million or $7 million, particularly to a team that will be paying the luxury tax.
With reports that Kendrick Perkins might be out until the All-Star break, it’s time to wonder whether Jermaine O’Neal is going to take Perk’s job full-time next season and what that might mean for Boston on both sides of the floor. Not returning until after the All-Star break means missing the first 50 games of the season, and Perk will have to work himself into game shape from there.
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An Old Home for House?
By Brendan Jackson, CelticsHub.com @ July 26th, 9:48 pm 23 comments »According to Julian Benbow of the Boston Globe, the Celtics have had “preliminary discussions” about bringing back Eddie House for another run at a title. In an offseason which has seen the Celtics retain a back-up point guard, draft combo guard, and lose a primary back-up wing, this news leaves me a little nonplussed.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Eddie House and he was an integral part of putting up the Celtics 17th Championship Banner. But, as Benbow points out in his article, there was a reason the Celtics traded him away for Nate Robinson last year: House shot 38% from the floor last season r (second worst of his career).
Bringing House back doesn’t just present a potential playing time issue. House also occupies what could be a very valuable roster spot. As it stands now, the Celtics depth chart is as follows:
Point Guard
Rajon Rondo, Nate Robinson, Avery Bradley
Shooting Guard
Ray Allen
Small Forward
Paul Pierce, Marquis Daniels
Power Foward
Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, Luke Harangody*
Center
Kendrick Perkins, Jermaine O’Neal, Semih Erden
*Assuming the Celtics sign Harangody
The Celtics appear painfully thin at the wing, however that perception could be easily changed given the Celtics’ evaluation of Avery Bradley’s game. Given his height (6’3″ on a good day) I can only assume Bradley is going to play point guard in the NBA. Still, given his supposed prowess on the defensive end, he may end up being the Celtics back-up wing/ defensive stopper.
Even with that possibility, the Celtics do not really need Eddie House. Just like they probably don’t really need Luke Harangody, Semih Erden, or Shaquille O’Neal.
What do you all think? Anyone want Eddie House back? At the expense of defense, a roster spot, roster flexibility, and the chance that could be given to a young player?
Unfortunately, I do not think I do.
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