Posey goes public: Celtics are top choice
James Posey and Eddie House, key reserves in the Celtics' NBA championship run last season, last night expressed a desire to remain with the team, in their first public comments regarding free agency.
"That's my No. 1 choice," said Posey. "I've stressed that to the organization and to everybody. At the same time, I'm still waiting. So we'll see what's going to happen."
House and Posey were interviewed before a screening of a highlight DVD of the Celtics' season at TD Banknorth Garden.
Posey played down the possibility of returning to Cleveland, his hometown, though an NBA source said the Cavaliers might up the ante in an effort to get a talented player to aid LeBron James.
Other teams interested in Posey include Detroit, New Orleans, Washington, and the Lakers. Mark Bartelstein, who represents both Posey and House, hoped to have something in place yesterday, but he said there was nothing new with either client. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge greeted Posey last night but said there was no news on the situation.
"It's never been a big thing," Posey said of a possible move to Cleveland. "To go back home is cool. It's your hometown. But, at the same time, my family understands. If it's somewhere else, they support me anywhere I go, so it doesn't even matter about that."
The Celtics' success last season could influence Posey's decision.
"You have to look at it on both sides, what we accomplished this past season and the business side," Posey said. "With that, you take it and move on with it. At the end of the day both sides are going to do what's best for themselves.
"I talked to those guys [teammates], but at the same time they can only do so much. It helps for them to be in my corner and to want me back and things like that. I guess they are doing their part in helping this process speed up a little bit. At the end of the day, it's how the organization feels."
Asked when a deal could be concluded, Posey said, "Hopefully soon. It's like college recruiting again. It's speculation and all talk. It's just the nature of it. It's not fun, but . . . until it happens, I won't feel a relief."
House emerged in the final series against the Lakers, playing an important role in relief of Rajon Rondo in the Celtics' Game 4 victory in Los Angeles.
"Things should take care of themselves," House said. "I'm not worried about it. I have a job and I don't focus on the business side too much - I want to be mentally ready to play, so when training camp starts I'll be ready.
"I want to play. I don't want to go anywhere where the situation is I'm sitting on the bench, especially after winning the championship."
Asked what he would want from the Celtics, House replied, "Years and, definitely, a raise. I feel I deserve a raise. Some security."
Kevin Garnett expressed support for Posey's possible return to the Celtics. "He is part of this team," Garnett said. "A lot of components came into play." Garnett plans to return to training by July 23 . . . Paul Pierce confirmed he will not need knee surgery. "There is a slight swelling in the meniscus," Pierce said. "I'll take a couple weeks off and then start some activity."
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com; Marc J. Spears of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
