Posey doesn't shed any light
Free-agent Celtics sixth man James Posey was at the Garden tonight for the Celtics DVD premiere, but he didn't shed much light on whether he was close to deciding which team he would sign with for the upcoming season.
"You've got to look at both sides," said Posey, who was sporting a black Red Sox hat. "Both sides do what's best for themselves. ... It's like college recruiting again."
The Globe's Marc J. Spears reported last night that Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said there could be "something" contract-wise for his client today. He would not divulge the interested teams, but an NBA source said that the Hornets seem to be Boston's main competition.
Posey, who also did not mention any specific teams and said he didn't have a timetable for making a decision, said only that playing for a contender was important to him, and that he had been contacted by current members of the Celtics trying to convince him to stay.
"Yes, I've talked to those guys ... they can only do so much," Posey said.
One of the Celtics pushing for Posey to return has been Kevin Garnett, who said tonight he's been giving Posey "a lot of encouragement to let him know he's part of this team."
Interstingly, Posey watched the Celtics' championship DVD while sitting at the same table as Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.
Fellow free agent Eddie House was also at the premiere, and said returning to the Celtics was his first choice.
The Celtics seem willing to give Posey the full $5.5 million mid-level exception, but it seems doubtful that it will be offered more than two years. The 31-year-old seems interested in getting a four-year deal. Other teams potentially interested in Posey include Detroit, Washington and Cleveland.
Information from the Globe'c Marc J. Spears was used in this report.
Comment
Permalink
Email
Its not looking very good, I would say he's gone.
OTHER CELTICS WILL CONVINCE HIM TO STAY LOL I HOPE
James Posey will not wear the Green next season.
Also, Marc Spears reported that a source had the offer to POB at 2 years at $3M. Steve Bulpett has it at the minimum. For the Celts to offer $3M without using the mid-level would involve the LLE which leaves only the minimum for a backup PG. You guys have Danny Ainge saying POB would have a tough time beating Powe and Davis for time, yet a 2yr $3M contract would have him being paid more than the backup PG at the minimum salary? It doesn't pass the smell test. Some more information or qualifications would be nice. Thanks!
James Posey will karate-chop the competition next season!
I think he'll be back. He's got too big a smile on his face when he talks about it. I also think the fact that he sat at the same table as Danny Ainge when he watched the dvd says something. He's got the Big 3 in his camp and I think that it'll have a positive affect on the final decision. I'm expecting that James will be sporting the green next season.
How can you say he's not going to be back? His teammates are imploring him to come back. He wants to play for a contender. He's sitting with the guy who's trying to sign him. And he's wearing a Red Sox hat....
he's not tipping his hand because he's not coming back....if he was he'd have said something @ the dvd gala event & he certainly wasn't going to say he'd signed elsewhere while @ a celtics event
if its REASONABLY close in dollars, posey will be back!!.. garnett pierce and allen are VERY PERSUASIVE..
Why not offer him $5.3 for 2 years & $1 Mil for years 3 & 4, his option, with incentives? Do they allow incentives in NBA contracts?. So he'd be guaranteed something in the last 2 years, with the possibility of getting paid well if he performed at a high level, without shackling the team with a big contract if he was playing the way one might expect at ages 34 & 35. He was a priceless addition to the team and I hope they are able to sign him. But I trust Danny to make a wise decision for the long term.
Why not offer him $5.3 for 2 years & $1 Mil for years 3 & 4, his option, with incentives? Do they allow incentives in NBA contracts?. So he'd be guaranteed something in the last 2 years, with the possibility of getting paid well if he performed at a high level, without shackling the team with a big contract if he was playing the way one might expect at ages 34 & 35. He was a priceless addition to the team and I hope they are able to sign him. But I trust Danny to make a wise decision for the long term.
here today, gone tomorrow.the name of the game is money and for how long can
the greedy guys get these vast amounts .the key is to guarantee a given salary
regardless of injury. for posey i'd try a max.3 year contract at $5.5million per year.
if that's not good enough,have a great time in another town.there will be others.
i'd hate to lose him,but that's life.
They'll do 3 years and get it done.
"...they can only do so much.." .. to convince him to come for the current offer or convince Danny to increase the offer?
Posey can sign for more money somewhere else....but he doesn't strike me as that shallow. He took a big pay cut to win a championship. With all the fan blog support and his teammates getting in his ear about coming back, that's something worth more than money, which, if they get another ring will mean a lot.
The team wants him back, the fans, the city.....other teams can pay the bucks but
he has a chance to be part of something special here for the rest of his career...
.
the age issue is crazy, he's 31 years old. he's a savvy veteran with smarts and length, those strengths won't erode over 4 years. durability is not an issue with him, I just don't understand the hold-up. it appears none of the other teams are offering 4 years either or he would be gone already. if the C's offer 3 years with a team option for the 4th, I think he may take it.
If Scalabrine was worth 5 years at the mid-level a few years ago, then certainly Posey is worth the same now.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Celtics Twitter
Celtics audio and video
stay in touch
browse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com