Posey to Hornets

ESPN says it's four years, $25 million. No way the Celtics were going to match that. He'll be missed but he's replaceable.

This Sucks!

Nice job Danny Ainge....we finally get a great team together and you let one of the best pieces go for a mid salary amount? He is the ultimate 6th man and nobody on the Celtics can step in and do what he did defensively mostly, offensively he was a spark, and emotionally.

This is a sad day for the Green. JP will go down as one of my favorite athletes in sports history. He's a class act all the way. I have even more respect for him now that he showed up to the DVD in a Sox hat, and then was signing DVDs at Borders yesterday. It was almost his way of thanking the city for the support we have given him this year. Classy! I'm happy for him that he is getting a lucrative contract (4yrs and $25mm), but I'm also happy that the Celtics are choosing not to pay him that much. Unfortunately, it's not meant to be anymore. JP we will miss you. See you in the finals in '09

y didnt the celtics give him a 4 year deal

This is definitely not a surprise. The Hornets offered exactly what Posey wanted so of course he went there. It would have been foolish for the Celtics to offer him four years. I fully expect him to do well for the first couple of years on the new deal then fade as he gets older. It happens in every sport. It was nice to see Danny sticking to his guns on this one. Now, let's just hope he's right.

WHY JAMES WHY

I guess 2 rings are enough for him.

who will the celtics get to fill this role now? posey left for just 1 more year on a contract? sounds like he knows he wont be good then, because he could sign a 1 year contract when the 3 year offer from the celts expired.

How sad.. really thought he'd stick with us.

He'll be missed... for 5-minutes.

Go Celts!

Well, you can hardly blame him. It's the Cs loss, and that rookie isn't about to replace him anytime soon. It does make me chucke a bit since now Kobe now stands an excellent chance of seeing him in the playoffs, unlike the Cs.

Huge loss!

Damn Damn Damn...hear we go. (Do the 2 words "Miami Heat" ring a bell?)

no to be unexpected. 31 years old - coming off a great season and most likely his last contract - he took the security. Unfortunately its the American way -- not the way a sports fan looks at the game.

Punch to the gut. Ouch.

UUUGGGHHHHH

Thanks Boston!

Oh, no. This is the end of civilization as we know it.

Stupid of Ainge not to press harder for posey, i cant believe we let him walk away... Need to give him the years, and give him the money. posey was worth it

Well that sucks.....ape nards!!!

Too bad--he was a very good 6th man.

Years and not $$ I'm sure is the issue.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Marc... thanks for the article..... did you run out of things to say thought?

I think this might be the shortest article in the history of the interwebz... ;-)

I can see you going into your managers office....

"sorry boss, i just didn't have my A game today..."

cheers man.

Too bad--he was a very good 6th man.

Years and not $$ I'm sure is the issue.

So he was lying all along, another spoiled athlete, all for the money.

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out! BURNED! Oh man, I just high-fived myself for that one!

Oh well....he's now considered just another mercernary......so much for loyalty.

Posey would have been more important this year as the Celtics attempt to repeat. A real mistake and I don't want to hear the crap about "exceptions". ainge made all the right moves last year and now this. As a fan I will give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

I guess than means New Orleans wanted him more than Boston did?
The question then becomes "Who will replace him, right?"

Celts are idiots. If there is one player on their whole roster who won't lose their value in year 4, its him. He's not a leaper, a speedster, he doesn't rely on skills that erode with time. He may not be as flexible a defender on the smaller guys, but he is veteran who is a role-model, hustles and is unbelievably crafty. Celtics, way to screw year 2 of your return to glory!

well that sux.

This can't be good....... He was a heck of a player

Why couldn't we just offer him the damn 4 years?!?! He's a great player & person!
Oh well..Good luck Pose!!! Thanks for the great effort in helping us bring banner 17 to Beantown!!!

What a loss! The Celtic organization could not reward a player for all the heart, guts, and unselfishness that he gave to their team. Wow! I'm surprised. I thought the Celtics were a classier organization then they just showed. Shame on them. He will be greatly missed. The New Orleans Hornets just got the glue for their pieces.

Way to go, James. You finally got the respect you are so deserving of. After 9 years, someone finally appreciated you for all that you give nightly to the game.

Unfortunate, but not unexpected, hopefully Ainge has been scouting out replacements.

Disappointing but not tragic. His offensive lift off the bench and consistent defense will be missed but no one is irreplaceable. Good luck in Nawlin's...hear its a great place to live...

That was the most profound article in the the history of sports in western civilization. Nice job stringing those words together and coming up with some provocative insight!

*$*&$!!!!!!!!!

there goes the repeat title.

Best wishes to James. I guess the silver lining is that he did not sign with a team in the East.

Well, I guess, the Celtics management didn't quite play the "initiation game" very well for which Posey had to do "what a man has to do."
So lonnnnnnng, Posey. we will miss you dearly.

see ya

He's a proven commodity. He was a good fit with the Celtics. Don't know who Danny will come up with to fill the considerable void, but we have to give him the benefit of the doubt these days. I hope we don't rue the day he left.

WTF?!

That sucks - hopefully Tony Allen will be re-signed and Eddie House!

HUGE loss..........

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The bit players of the Patriots past Super Bowl and Red Sox World Series teams, who cashed in on the championship ring in free agency, never achieved the same team glory later. Posey is going to find out the same thing those other players did . . . . he needs the Celtics more than the Celtics need him.

If he doesn't want to be here the thanks and best of luck. Danny will figure it out.

Dammit.

Tell me the contract terms and I'll have a comment. Sorry to see him go.

Now we need a veteran replacement. Like with most players it is all about the money

Well thanks for the memories Pose. Makes the repeat a little more difficult but not impossible.

At least now Danny can move on and rebuild.

Wtf?!?!?!?

This is why the NBA sucks now...It's all about the mighty dollar.

This is not good. He is the one player that we really needed to keep.
Who's next- House?

Nice job Danny. Giving up 4 years of mid-level exception money wasnt worth it for a guy who was PERFECT for the Celts? WTF.

He earned it

Well I guess Posey wanted the cash, we'll miss you Pos!!

Booooooo!!!

He will be missed! If the C's best offer was not that much different from what the Hornets gave him, I will be kind of dissapointed in him.

lame, weak very weak.
what, we did not have another few million for him, come on guys.
once it not enough.

Great. We are screwed now. He was and is a great player. This is a very bad day for the Celts.

That could prove costly. Danny better look for a strong 6th man at this point.

We all knew it was coming. He will be replaced. Have faith in the front office. They delivered a championship last season and Posey's 7 points and defensive intensity can be replicated by the right free agent or an aspiring rookie. All is not lost!

That's the way it goes. Can't blame James for getting what he can. We're going to miss him.

These things happen. Good organizations (like the Patiots and Red Sox) find a way to replace players like this. I think that this organization will do the same. Four years is a long time.

People under estimate what Posey brought to the Celtics and the Celtics should have done whatever it took to resign him.

New Orleans is getting a two-time NBA Champion and he could be the player that takes them to the next level.

Best of luck in New Orleans James.
I understand that your window for a big contract is
getting smaller and I will miss your play this year.
Thanks for your contribution to bring # 17 to Boston.

Art

Too bad, I thought he would come back but we can find a good fit that will work. I am not sure who yet but let's see who wants another championship.

he will be missed. One and Done...I'll still take it.

Now...what do we do with our mid level? Lure Josh Childress? Ryan Gomes? Matt Barnes?

Also - must sign Tony Allen and Eddie House

honestly, can you blame a man for trying to make a living?

What a huge loss to the Celts... personally and professionally. And the fans.

I think I'm gonna be sick!

Smart move 4 years is to long. P.S Dont forget PEDRO.

Johnny Damon all over again...

That's a major bummer...he was a key piece of the championship run. Definitely a casualty of winning it all. Let's hope Danny and crew had a plan B.

WTF

Good for him, and I'm glad that the Lakers didn't get him. Good for Danny to play some age calculations like "Theo," in that neither Damon or Pedro have been what they were with the Sox. The Celts will hurt for awhile but young players like Davis and Pruitt are the future and need more minutes with the big 3 so the Celts can have a balance like the Sox.
The Hornets will improve but the chemistry is not guaranteed.

Good...overrated! They can get someone else!! Bye Bye

Now what? No Pose; no repeat.

It's really a shame that the Celts didn't just go ahead and give Pose the 4 year deal he wanted. Number 18 will be very tough to achieve without him. Huge loss for our team.

now who are they going to sign....shame

So Glad we didnt over pay him.....Good Luck over there in NO, We'll make sure you have courtside seats to the Finals next year when we are repeating as Champs...!!

Big loss. Very good pick up for Hornets, fits in there perfectly. Glad he didn't stay in the East, would have hated to see him in Cleveland or Detroit.

Good luck, Posey, thanks for the memories.

I AM STUNNED!!! What the hell is Ainge thinking letting him go over one crumby year. The old Danny is back....God help the "C"s.

I... AM... S.....I.....C.....K.....NO POSEY.....WHY!!!!?????...DANNY...YOU KNUCKLEHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope Danny Ainge doesn't think that he redeemed himself this year from all of his previous stupid mistakes just by pulling off those trades and winning 1 title. The only reasons he made those trades was because Pierce demanded a trade (rightfully so) and Ainge's own job was in question. Well, this move didn't necessarily help matters. I mean, this is Boston! We're not a one and done city. I don't understand what was so difficult about giving Posey the money he wanted. Where does Ainge think that he'll find a suitable replacement? Just because the Patriots can be cheap and still win doesn't mean the Celtics can. I wouldn't mind, but you let him go to a championship team. I could see if he was going back to Miami, but my God! Ainge better hope that the ghost of Red steps in and works some of his spiritual magic or that his draft picks pan out. Judging from past experiences, however, I find that very hard to believe. Good luck James! You'll be sorely missed.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!WHY IS DANNY PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH??WE JUST LOST A KEY MEMBER OF OUR TEAM WHO IS GOING TO REPLACE his INTANGIBLES ??????????AND NO ONE HAD BETTER MENTION SCALABRENE WHO IS A 13TH MAN AT BEST.WHO ARE YOU GONNA GET NOW DANNY??????????????

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a mistake for not giving Posey what he deserves. Ainge is stupid, he better do the right thing and sign Eddie!! Unbeivable

What a mistake for not giving Posey what he deserves. Ainge is stupid, he better do the right thing and sign Eddie!! Unbeivable

It is a real shame to lose JP. As a role player he made significant contributions to many Celts victories. However, with the money we didn't spend on JP, maybe we can find a solid defensive player who can help us for less. Also, maybe this will assure us of keeping Eddie. Let's keep up our hope and remember how players like Big Baby, Leon Powe, and Rondo have only scratched the surface of their potentials. Go Celtics! Green 18!

I would have liked him back...but not for 4 years. People are going to say that they should have signed but those will be the same people to say in the third year of his contract that he's too old and Ainge is an idiot for singing an 'old-timer' for 4 years.

OUCh

This is an unmitigated disaster.. they think they can replace him, but I doubt it.. He'll be sorely missed.

I don't get the focus on 4 years - why not do another two years with the C's, get 1 or maybe 2 more rings, then follow in Robert Horry's footsteps? Every team that's on the cusp of a championship always wants a veteran guy around, he could be signing lucrative 1-year deals until he's 40.

I hate to see him go, he was perhaps my favorite player on the floor to watch and a great team guy.

Josh Childress??????

Losing Posey is a shame for the Celtics. Clearly he is multi-talented (Top "D"; clutch 3 pointers;tough and hard nosed;etc.) but the greatest loss will be the intangibles he brought every night. From the hugs at half court; the charges he took; the clutch baskets he made all year; to the experience he brought; --where are the Celts likely to find a replacement for this guy? I believe that he would have stayed right here in Boston for 4 years at the mid-level exception price of $5.6. As we have three players at ~$20M per year, it is difficult to rationalize not spending a bit more than that over four years to keep "Sweet Baby James" here in Boston where he was the glue.

this is a big dispointment I thought the Celtics could have got him........................................................good luck posey

What a mistake, Ainge needed to get this deal done and he failed. If we don't sign Eddie we will not repeat. What a shame. Posey deserves to get a 4 year contract, he's only 31!!!!!!!!!

danny ainge should be tarred and feathered and ran outta town on a rail! shame on you danny! shame shame shame

good decision, danny. great player, but that fourth year would come back to haunt us.

It's not the end of the world C fans. I loved Posey as well, but he was a 6th man. He will be missed, but has everyone forgot about players like Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. We'll be fine kids, we'll be fine.

Bald Walter would have given him a 5 year deal on lead guitar

I was expecting this, but not afraid of it. It may take two people to replace JP, but Danny will find them. You can expect Eddie and the other Mr. Allen to be back on the roster soon. Tony knows the system and has his health, both will help us on our way to #18.

PEOPLE, PEOPLE, RELAX!

The people we needed are still here.When did James Posey become a member of the big 4. He is very good, but you need to have an organization that can find another 6th or 7th man off the bench.

This was a tough but smart decision by DA. We did not think the C's bench would be that good this year, but they surprised us. Posey stepped up when we needed, someone else will next season.

nice job on letting posey go danny, i dont get it, was he too good to keep? did he make too many good defensive stops and hit too many clutch three pointers? The Celts will be fine but re signing posey i think would have made us pretty close to un stopable. He will be missed

I will try to give Ainge the benefit of the doubt re: not going 4 years.

But consider: (1) Ray Allen has a history of injuries; (2) Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are both getting older (and should play fewer minutes per game next year); and (3) Tony Allen - who I assume will be re-signed - has been inconsistent when given an opportunity to play a more significant role the last 2-3 years.

Ask yourself:

Who is the defensive "stopper" off the bench now? Tony Allen? J.R. Giddens?

Ainge should explore trading either Powe or Big Baby for a 2/3 guard. As much as everyone likes Leon Powe, his trade value will never be higher, coming off the Game 2 performance.

Ainge should re-sign Eddie House. Give him 2 years. He was a key player in a couple of those Lakers games. Spreads the floor and hits 3's.

Its odd... you go from a winner to a loser org. for what ? money ... where is the loyality when it comes to playing in a great team...

Time to sign Tyronn Lue for 1 year for either the veteran's minimum or the LLE as the backup PG. They should also split the full MLE between Ryan Gomes ($3.5m/yr) and Eddie House ($2.3m/yr).

Starting 5: Perkins, Garnett, Pierce, Allen and Rondo. First 5 bench: Davis, Powe, Gomes, House and Lue. O'Bryant, Scalabrine, Giddens and Pruitt round out the 14 man roster.

BIt of an over-reaction here, kids. Does anyone really think that a starting line-up of Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Rondo and Perk doesn't win again? Hell, let Doc be the 6th man! This is still, by far, the best team in the NBA.

He would have looked good on stage for the Bald Walter Band

Most people won't see a million dollars in their lifetime.
Posey couldn't live on $16.5 million for 3 years with the Celts?
and that's on top of the millions he's already made.
Greed....pure greed.

This is not a big deal at all..replaceable spare part. The key is to figure out how to get more minutes for Big Baby, Powe and some others

Danny: Its time to work your Cap Majic...or your fired!

Posey was a player that we should have given the 4 years to. He deserved it and I bet he will be just as impactful in his 4th year of that contract as he was in the 1st. He's a special kind of player. People talk about the Big 3, but without Posey the Celtics would not have won the championship. Seeing him go hurts. I'll miss you Posey!!!!!!

2 words for James Posey...good luck
2 more words...Damien Woody

Aren't we missing the larger issue of the cap? They basically would have paid twice his salary by giving him the mid-level exception, correct?

You know, this is how the Pats have done it for the past decade and its worked for them. You put a price on a player and stick to it. I know basketball is different than football, but (nearly) everyone is replaceable. I loved Posey, but its better to not overspend and get stuck w/ a contrat that messes up your salary cap.

Ryan gomes is a restricted free agent, but is the perfect remedy to cover poseys stats from last year, maybee not the intangebles though. sign him and house and hope the pix pan out. Green 18 is not out of the question though. cmon all you bandwagon fans. The c's are the big three plus rondo and that is still in place. Pose deserves the money but it would lock up our ability to get mid levels in the next years and House would be gone if he signed here. good for both sides if you ask me.

oh well. 4 bigs games its worth 6 million a year. all these players care about is the money not the championships. now he can go buy a grill and some bling

Danny Ainge should know from his playing days in Boston that it's NOT easy to repeat!

Celtics won the title in 1984 and looked like they would be in good shape to repeat in '85. Instead, the Lakers beat them, in part because Cedric Maxwell had a drop-off in performance that year, and the bench was thinner (McHale, although a 6th man, was really a starter at that point).

C's won in 1986 ... but couldn't repeat in 1987. Not just Bias, but also Walton's injuries caught up with them. Slim bench!

If Ainge thinks a bench of Tony Allen, Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis, Gabe Pruitt and J.R. Giddens will be enough ... he's forgetting the last 2 times the C's tried to repeat.

Anybody think Marbury would help? He'll be cheap with the NYK buyout.

It's all about the luxury tax and the Celtics not being able to go through with a four year deal. It's a shame that he couldn't agree to our 3 year deal, but you still gotta thank him for putting in some great time here and helping us bring home a championship....

He got a lot of money and he's going to a contending team. I can't blame him for taking that deal....and I don't blame the Celts for passing on offering that deal. I'll always love him for what he did this year and will root for him when it's not against the Celtics, but the Celts don't need to pay that much that long for a non-starter.

I love everyone yelling at Danny for this. Look, I'm as upset as the next guy. I liked Posey and would love for him to stay in the Celtics green. But there was NO WAY we could match a 4 year/$25 million offer... and Pose was clearly going to follow the money, regardless (I mean come on... the Hornets?!?). I love Pose, but the Hornets just overpaid for him. As for those calling for Ainge to be fired -- sigh. Only in Boston would you hear talk like that less than a month after winning #17. Posey is great -- but he can (and will) be replaced.

BILL WALKER.......

if given the chance early, he will produce by seasons end. And, in the LONG RUN (2 or 3 years) be a better player and key part in the Celts continued winning tradition.

While it's certainly disappointing that Pose is bringing his 6th-man goodness to New Orleans, not tying up our cap for the next 4 years is probably a good move by the Celts. They had a great run last year, but their core is another year older. They need to develop youth on the roster as Paul, KG, and Ray won't always be able to play 35+ minutes each night.

The Heat are a good example of what not to do after winning a banner. They had all of their cap money tied up in rapidly-aging players and D-Wade. That lead to a roster re-shuffling and a series of high-risk trades for the likes of Ricky & The Cancer. Sustained success comes through integrating youth into the core...

We will miss his clutch 3 pointers.....but we can't let a guy get old on our dime. His replacement is NOT on the team now....not Powe, Not Baby. One of those guys might have to go to get the 6th man we need.

Hi all!!

I think that everyone is sad that Po went somewhere else and House is probably gone too. I am not trying to say it is a good decision, but here are some facts, or as close as I understand them to be, to consider. The "Big Three" take up almost all, if not all, of the salary cap and to sign Po, it would mean to have to pay dollar for dollar on a luxury tax. In other words, 5.8 million dollars turns into 11.60 million dollars of out of pocket expense for the first year. One would also need to take into account a "bump" of roughly 20% every year afterwards and then factor that into the luxury tax/out of pocket expense every year after that. With regards to House, a one year "veteran's minimum", roughly 1.10 million dollars, means that the salary would not count against the cap and the NBA actually "kicks back" about 30% of that salary back to the team.

The real thing to see is what Ainge has up his sleeve and who he can get here to repeat. Go Celtics and bleed forever Green.

What about a moment of silence for "Gino"/Joe Mastroni at opening game. How would one petition for that??

Who gave Scalabrine a contract?...Danny?....for how long and how much?...and Scal is....well...Scal....if you know what I meant!

Lets remember the following: The Celts are world Champs. See you Posey. Dont get me wrong. I loved what he did for this years teams. However, what most people forget is that the Celts are over the Cap and for every dollar they gave to Posey would be like giving him 2. So his 5.5M would have been closer to 10 in the books.

The question is who will replace him. I think the Celts are trying to infuse the young talent while they can. Giddens and Tony Allen (assuming the sign the latter) will be the defensive guys on this team. What this team also needs is back up point gaurd. Not sure there is one out ther ethat doenst come with some risk.

He was great and we all loved him but there are others who can do his job. If I were danny I'd go hard after Michael Finley hes unrestricted I think he could do alot of what Posey did, better offense not as good D but our team D can make up for that.

Garnett left and signed with WHO???????????? Oh wait, you're talking about Posey? Nevermind. Let's not overreact here people. Posey was a nice piece to the puzzle, but not irreplaceable. The NBA is a players' league and the Celts have 3 super stars and 2 young up and coming players in the starting lineup. They can find another defender who shoots 3's. I like Posey, but the way some people have been talking about him, you'd think he was an all-star. The guy is a journeyman and has been on SIX teams in 9 years now!!!

I love the "make a living" comment. We "make a living", pal. He's got more than he'll EVER need. It was all about the damn money. No loyalty whatsoever. I'm not wishing him luck. He's the enemy now.

Anyone who is bad mouthing James Posey is a complete idiot.

This guy played his heart out for the team and for the fans. He was instrumental in bringing banner 17 to Boston. We should be thanking him for that.

It was a pleasure to watch Posey play the game. He is one of the few players that has "it" however you want to define "it". He is clutch, he is a winner, but best of all he took tremendous pride in the way he approached defense. He would do whatever it takes to win, and you can't really say that about many players.

He wanted to stay here but evidently Ainge did not think a 4 year deal was a good idea. I am not going to damn Ainge for this move but I think he is wrong. Another poster mentioned that Posey does not rely on speed, leaping ability or athleticism to be successful. And that is very true. Which means I think that Posey would still be a very effective player at 35.

I, for one, salute James Posey and wish him the very best for the remainder of his career.

All of you that are ripping Ainge for not giving Posey four years clearly do not follow the NBA outside of the Celtics. Posey was a very valuable player to the 07-08 Celtics, but it would not be wise to commit 25 million to a 31 year old 6th man when we can spend less money and receive the three point shooting, defense and intangibles for much cheaper. This is what we should do:

Give Tony Allen a one year deal-Tony is great defensively and will be extra motivated to play well to get a long term contract. Expect him to regain the form next season that he had in 06-07 before he got injured. This will cost one million

Sign Eddie House to a two year deal for 6 million-This will ensure we have a shooter than can spread the floor at a reasonable cost

-Sign Matt Barnes-He is long, athletic, can shoot and defend and can probably be had for a cheap amount-let's say two years at around six million. I wouldn't expect you fairweather hoop fans to know who Barnes is seeing that you probably watched your first Cs game in 15 years once they became good this year.

This gives them three players at less half the cost that it would have been to retain Posey. Wow I am a really smart man-maybe Ainge can hire me.

Signing Posey for 25 million would have given the Celtics no flexibility. Of course I would not expect you clowns to understand this.

Thanks JP for helping the Green to 17... We will miss you as will your mates. Out the door with 4 years and more money is a no brainer as is Mr. Ainges call in not going over the teams best interest. With 18 players listed on the Wolves roster would McHale allow us to get Ryan Gomes back for a few years please? Here is to knowing the entire team will pull together with a new 6th man. Best of luck JP.

Guys Garnett is the ONLY player that we have under contract through the 2011-2012 season. Ray Allen's contract is up after next year and Peirce's is done the year after that. Why the hell would we ever sign Posey to a 4-year deal and clog up cap space for a bench player? They're called the Big Three for a reason and we need to focus on keeping them together, the rest with maybe the exception of Rondo are replaceable. Good luck to Posey he was key to our championship run but if he's our biggest concern after having won it all then I'd say we're in pretty good shape

I can't blame anyone here. This is a smart decision for everyone. For Mr. Posey, he gets to sell his stock high, get an extended contract and play for a team that has a chance at the title. Mr. Ainge takes a lesson from Belichick and Epstein by not overpaying for an extended contract on an aging veteran. He was right to hold the line.

The happiest guy today has to be Tony Allen, who looks a lot more valuable to the organization.

James,

Thank you for your contributions to Banner 17. We'll remember the shutdown defense, and burying the open 3s. Good luck in Ok City, but not too much good luck.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Geez, we just celebrated the first championship in 22 years and some of you can't relax. It was purely a business decision on both sides. Would we have liked to see Posey on the C's next year? Sure. Would we want to see him on the team in four years Maybe not.

Obviously, Danny (and four other teams) wasn't going to risk having close to 10% of the cap tied up in a 35-year-old player whose skill set is intensity. This may turn out to be a bad move by Danny, but we've seen more blunders by GM's over the years rewarding past performance, when a new contract is supposed to be about future performance.

Celts are willing to keep Sam casell, PJ Brown, Scot Pollard, and even Scalabrene, and let Posey go??????????????
I really don't understand that!!!!!!!!!!!

The J.R. Giddens era begins...

Come on folks . . . the Sox let Pedro and Johnny D go, the Pats let lots of people go. This is the same thing. You only pay for value. I'm ready to see what Powe can do if he gets the minutes.

Come on folks . . . the Sox let Pedro and Johnny D go, the Pats let lots of people go. This is the same thing. You only pay for value. I'm ready to see what Powe can do if he gets the minutes.

Remember too that Posey got the advantage (offensively) of the D covering the big 3 and not him. I will miss him for sure but Powe, Baby, and a "new guy" will fill the role. I've gotten over the irreplaceable, Nixon, Damon, Pedro, and Walker, haven't you?
Good luck Pose! I remember Bernie Carbo fondly too.

People over-react big time. Listen, Posey was a great fit for the team LAST year. Howver the dynamic of teams in modern day sports, changes from year to year. You can't blame him for taking the cash, I would have done the same thing. How much money do you think Ainge has to work with, he has KG, PP and Ray under the cap. He only averaged 7 points a game, that can be replaced. Thanks for the championship.

People over-react big time. Listen, Posey was a great fit for the team LAST year. Howver the dynamic of teams in modern day sports, changes from year to year. You can't blame him for taking the cash, I would have done the same thing. How much money do you think Ainge has to work with, he has KG, PP and Ray under the cap. He only averaged 7 points a game, that can be replaced. Thanks for the championship.

Bad decision by the Cs, for whom the future is now...not to agree to give Posey a 4th year. As bad as it is that the Celts are losing him...its' worse because hes' going to perhaps the team thats' the poses (if you pardon the pun) the greatest biggest threat to the Celts repeating.

OK...both Posey and Maggette are gone. Whats' Plan "B", Danny?

People its only James Posey,,,relax not the end of the world.. Most people that love him on here probably never heard of him before last year. He is a 6th man, a good 6th man, but stll a 6th man..

As long as Danny has a plan to replace him we will be ok...

As much as I liked Posey ... his attitude, his energy, his all-around play ... you don't give a 4 year deal to a role player ... period. Any GM that does that is a fool, especially at $5M+ per year!

Team chemistry & finding the RIGHT role players for an NBA team is sooooo important. Posey was a great role player for the Celtics but he may regret making this move a year or two from now, especially if the Celtics get #18 sooner than he gets his 3rd.

I don't buy the argument from his agent that this was about Posey's "security". Are you kidding me? The C's offered him 3 years at $5M+ per year & that wasn't enough security? Give me a f*&#$$ break.

Poz played last season at a discount. He proved his worth, Ainge refused to reward it with the extra year....the extra year which would have made up for the lesser money he took to come to Boston in the first place.

Everyone is so over reacting to this. He was great for the one year run but he is NOT the reason we won.

You don't pay someone silly money for past efforts. He would be a very expensive old player is years 3 and 4.

Role players are easily replaced and Danny has proven he knows talent much like someone else we know in Foxboro.

Watch Danny's next move. It will be a good one....

Chris, if someone offered twice what you make to switch companies would you change. I bet you would. Why cant an athlete

What a pack of dopes these posters are! Ainge built this team, this is Ainge's team. The fair weather fans are the complainers. I trust Ainge, period.

Posey was a great role player, and they're all over the league, including our own JR Giddens, who will likely fill Posey's shoes and leave money for someone at the deadline in February. Learning to take fouls under the C's defensive instructors is not magic or special, it is standard operating procedure.

good for posey, bad for us.that's a huge amount of money and a long term
contract. posey is no kid,he's no chris paul and can be replaced.
we just have to shop around carefully and find another role player.
danny, you did the right thing.

DARREN,
Danny brought Posey and House here last year. To comments of "what does POsey give," and "House isnt a point guard." Everyone including Danny WANTED them, wish them the best, thank them for a special season, and don't blame Danny until you hit puberty or an IQ of 70. To blame a person that has worked tirelessly, was told by ownership no fourth year, causes me to wonder if you are truly a Celtic Fan or a passing by Troll.

They need to get rid of Scalabrine and sign House back......They are messing up team chemistry for sure if House dont come back now.

Why not give him 4 years? If at his 2nd or 3rd year in you want to get rid of him there is something called a trade in sports that could be an option especially players in their last year of contract. His defense, 3 pointers, and especially guarding the 2,3, and sometimes the 4 positions were key.

I think we should sign every player in the league, and pay them whatever they want. We should get Kobe, LeBron, Yao . . . oh, what's that, there's something called a SALARY CAP? -- Come on guys, you think Paul, Ray and KG are playing for minimum wage? Posey is awesome, but there is only so much pie to go around. GO CELTS!

It’s always about money with all these players. Someone said Celtic pride but you know what JP didn’t have it and took the money. This frees up some cash to resign House and pick up a few extra people for this next season. I'll miss JP but you know what I don’t have any respect for a man that doesn’t have respect for the team. I mean come on everyone talked to him and he just smiled in there faces while his blood sucking leech of an agent milked everyone with oh he’ll be back if you guys just toss in a few more years. If his agent try’s that with House then we’ll lose him also. I’m just glade its over and done with now so I can get ready for next season.

Oh well. Brings back memories of Pedro. Danny found people who were willing to play for a chance to win last year and the team provided proof they could. Too bad Maggette didn't take a chance.

I love it when people get all emotional and try to use the "make a living" argument. Like there's a single person here who wouldn't take an extra years salary guaranteed if asked to leave their job tomorrow.

Posey's salary was 13% of Garnet's, which equates to an employee making $50k versus the CEO making $380k. Makes sense to me, except that $50k employee isn't just 4 people behind the CEO.

If someone walked into your cube right now and said "you can stay here and I'll guarantee you 55k, 57.5k and 60k for the next three years, but you can't leave and get another job in what you've trained your entire life for unless you retire, or you can go to xyz corp and they'll give you 55, 57.5, 60, and 65 for four years guaranteed" EVERYONE here would bolt.

Oh yeah, that doesn't even factor in that after that 4th year, you'd probably (if lucky) drop down to $1600 a year + retirement savings (the same % drop from 3.2m to $100,000 assuming a basketball player can get a $100,000k gig).

Seriously people...who wouldn't take the extra coin?

I love it when people get all emotional and try to use the "make a living" argument. Like there's a single person here who wouldn't take an extra years salary guaranteed if asked to leave their job tomorrow.

Posey's salary was 13% of Garnet's, which equates to an employee making $50k versus the CEO making $380k. Makes sense to me, except that $50k employee isn't just 4 people behind the CEO.

If someone walked into your cube right now and said "you can stay here and I'll guarantee you 55k, 57.5k and 60k for the next three years, but you can't leave and get another job in what you've trained your entire life for unless you retire, or you can go to xyz corp and they'll give you 55, 57.5, 60, and 65 for four years guaranteed" EVERYONE here would bolt.

Oh yeah, that doesn't even factor in that after that 4th year, you'd probably (if lucky) drop down to $1600 a year + retirement savings (the same % drop from 3.2m to $100,000 assuming a basketball player can get a $100,000k gig).

Seriously people...who wouldn't take the extra coin?

I don't follow Ainge's logic. Being willing to go three years but not four on someone who played such a key role off the bench? Seems like everytime Boston needed a 3-pointer or a defensive stop, Posey was there.

I don't follow Ainge's logic. Being willing to go three years but not four on someone who played such a key role off the bench? Seems like everytime Boston needed a 3-pointer or a defensive stop, Posey was there.

J.R. Giddens can fill that 6th man role he is a defensive stopper and at 23years old he is mature and capable of coming in right away and produce. Plus his offensive game is way underratted.

Posey was a great fit for the C,s but with his skill level and age I would not tie up the money for 4 years, Time to see what big baby and the guy they traded for on draft night can do

Sounds like there are a lot of folks jumpin' all over management here....would any of you like to write the check ? NO??? I didn't think so. Nuff said about that!!!

James, we all enjoyed your being a huge contributor to the 17th banner....some of us understand also it's a business ... Thanks & best wishes!

Danny & Doc....I have faith that you will find a suitable player to fill the role! Life DOES go on!

Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Our last hope at the 6th man!

Give me a break...We are talking about James Posey here. James Posey, the guy you never heard of before this year...for 6.25 mil a year?

You folks are probably the same ones that were whining when Damon & Pedro were let go by the Sox. It's bad enough the Sox wasted millions on Schilling when everyone else in the world outside of Boston knew he was breaking down.

Good Grief.

Another player going against his own comfort and happyness just to take the best deal possible. You can live on 1 million dollars for your entire life. Probably much less. But as Patrick Ewing once said during the NBA strike, "yea, NBA players make alot of money, but they also spend alot of money." But you really got to "spend alot of money" to make one extra year on your contract that important to you.

I think this is a no brainer for the Celts - they had to let him go ... too much money, too many years. Trust in Danny Ainge to have a contingency ...

Hornets were a 1 year wonder. 1 injury to Paul and they are done. They will be a playoff team, but they still don't have enough D to make it to the finals.

Celtics have enough talent and will bring in a few more guys.

C's in 6 over the Spurs

He helped us win #17 and we helped him get $25 million. Neither would have happened without the other. Best of Luck Posey!

Last year was Danny Ainge's "perfect storm" of luck....absolutely everything that could go right, did go right. Looks like this year it's back to SNAFU. Good for James Posey.

I couldn't agree more, Gary. The intangibles Posey brought to the team cannot be replaced. I wish him well and will be a fan for life. Best of luck, James.

He went for the money. It was his time to cash in, and like I was telling my best friend, we "normal" folks cannot understand how they think when it comes to the salary scales.

However, if he is going to be a starter for New Orleans, which I think he will, he will not be nearly as valuable to them as the Celts. Part of what made him so valuable with the Celts was how he fit in. As a starter, he is not nearly as valuable.

That being said, he will be missed. I am now really hoping that House comes back, and that the others will step it up.

LACK OF MONEY BRINGS MISERY TO BOSTON ALWAYS!!!!!! JAMES POSEY IS THE NEW ROBERT HORRY.... HE'S REPLACEABLE!!!! EVERYTIME WE GET SOMETHING GOING WE SCREW UP.

It's a tough loss but from an economic and age standpoint it was the right decision for Ainge to make.

Get real gang.....I'm with Danny. Yes, Posey was a very big part of what the Green did last season. No disrespect to his season or career. That said, do you really think that 24 minutes, 7 points and 4 boards are worth $6.25 million per year over the next 4 years? Remember, he's getting older, and he won't be around the same cast of characters. James helped the big three, but the big three made him much better than he made them. Watch and see. Smart, Danny A., smart.

THE NEW KID FROM NEW MEXICO... WHATS HIS NAME?? I THINK HE'S LIKE POSEY, BUT HE'S NO POSEY...HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET SOME ONE A.S.A.P.

Yeah, we're all very unhappy about Posey signing with the Hornets; however, I'm quite certain that Danny and his people have other plans in mind. Well, I hope they do. LOL

Good luck Posey, and thanks for your effort in bringing #17!!!

Im happy for Posey.

For all those saying this was about money are wrong.....THIS was about the years.

James made sure that him and his family are financially set for another year the way all people are suppose to do.

you have to understand this is a league in which you hit 30 (which isnt even bad by the way) they say your TO OLD! James made sure the nba doesnt close that door on him just to soon.

ANYONE WHO SAYS THEY WOULDNT HAVE DONE WHAT HE DID....PROBABLY IS LYING TO THEMSELVES.

Good for you James..Thanks for everything! Good luck in Nawlins!

Ryan Gomes or if Memphis will buy him out, bring back Antoine Walker for a third time. KG will make sure he stays in line (and in shape).

Lets no over-react. He played amazing defense, and shot some great 3's. Both are replaceable, just maybe not with the same player. Also, he was essential to this year's team because others had never won a title, and he handled himself well in pressure situations, when almost no one else seemed to be able to. Now that the Big 3 have won one, they'll calm down and do fine in those situations. Quite frankly, I am more worried about how to replace PJ Brown.

One of the most important principle in sports free agency is:
Better to let a player go a year too early than a year too late.
The last year or two of this contract, Posey will be a drain on the Hornets salary cap - he won't play well enough to justify his salary at that point.
Good move Danny Ainge!

you would think this guy was havlicek by the way some of you are reacting. get over it, its part of the deal as a sports fan now. the guy is definitely replaceable, but he will be missed. get off the bridges already. we are the champs, surely there is another guy who can fill that spot.

NBA IS GOING TO CRACK DOWN ON FLOPPING NEXT YEAR..........POSEY WAS A GREAT FLOPPER.............MAYBE HIS DEFENSIVE SKILLS WILL BE DOWN A PEG BECAUSE OF IT............

The comments on this board are pathetic. Posey was great for the Celts and it would've been awesome to have him back, but a 4 year deal for a 31 year old player wasn't going to happen. We already have KG and Pierce locked up for the next 3 years and we can't keep getting older or we'll end up like the Miami Heat.

Anyone bashing Posey needs to shut their mouth. The guy hasn't made a ton of money over his career and this was likely his last deal before retirement. The deal he got from N.O. was probably worth about 7-8 million more than we were offering. Any of you criticizing him would have done the same thing in his position.

BRING IN BIRDMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it Posey or Poser? So much for the concern about winning , Celtics Pride, the fans and all those other factors that don't go cha-ching. How much money is enough, James? Is the difference between $20m and $25m really going to change your life? I'm guessing a year from now you'll be miserable, and you will have no one to blame but your greedy self. I'm not one of the sycophants who's going to kiss your feet for "playing hard" in a contract year. Thanks for the memories - don't let the Garden door hit you on the way out.

Devastating! ... We have about a 2 to maybe 3 year window to win another championship so why not do whatever's necessary to keep this championship winning team together? Posey brought so many things to the table that the Celtics NEED in what they do. He would've been a classic sixth man for the big 3 era. We would not have been the #1 defense in the league without him, Kobe may have ran rampant on us without him. Our offense will not make up for a weakened defense this year. Every team in the league is getting better(even the clippers) and so far we've gotten worse. Defense is what we are all about and Ainge just let go a key part of that. What's an extra $5.5 million for one year for a guy who fits perfectly in our system and who is appreciated and respected by the big three? This would not have been a bad deal compared to ones made on Mark Blount or Scal?
Good luck Danny, replacing Posey will be no small task.

Glad the Celtics didn't go the 4 years...

He's a good but definitely replaceable ball player.

20 MORE YEAR`S? NO! RELAX... LET ANGE DO HE`S JOB.

Yeah, but if he really loved the c's he would have stayed. 3 or 4 years, maybe he can find a team 3 years later who's willing to pay 1 year contract. The money could be a reason, but I think he earns well enough so it's more bout dedication to my opinion... It's guys like paul pierce, who have been foughting their entire carreer with the c's who I admire. Posey was very strong on and off the court but he let me down with this one. I wish him good luck and I hope the celtics can get another decent guy who can stick and finishes his carreer their. Or let's get a potential young player. I hope to see : NEW ORLEANS- BOSTON in FINALS 2009. Then posey I hope you are on the losing team.

So it is a 50/50 mix on emotions but remember a few facts...
The Big 5 (not 3) are still intact .
It was Danny who brought POZ (and others) here. Danny, just get another role player.
Red did it all the time. Reminds me when Maxwell left. Celts continued to win! Replace not reload... we are loaded already.
We also have a heck of a farm system (bench,Pruitt & Draft) with another year of experience.
We do have SOME cash to spend..
Not to worry, can't wait for the season!

Another Lawyer Milloy, Pedro, etc. Last contract. Guaranteed money. Salary cap.

It's business, not personal.

Replacing bench players is easier than replacing starters while managing cap space.

Relax. Just think...you could be stuck watching any of the other mediocre teams in the NBA.

Be happy that actually won something that most teams can't get close to achieving...

It's a business. Would you keep the same job if someone offered you to move and make a whole lot more? And for Ainge, it's also a business. If he fills the budget with Posey, he hasn't the degrees of freedom to do other things. They both made business decisions.

He (Posey) wasn't the greatest Celtics "sixth man" of all time (remember John Havlicek, Frank Ramsey, bill Walton?)...but he was an absolutely PERFECT
FIT in this role for THIS CELTICS TEAM! The chemistry on the team has been
greatly affected by his loss. I do not believe he can be replaced by any new player.
The young players (Rondo, Perkins, Davis, Powe and Pruitt will all need to improve
their games. This coming season we will find out just how strong (or fragile)
"UBUNTU" is.

This happens in all sports today. The players go where the money is and that's the "bottom line"! It's nice to see the Celtics hold the line and say "no". If Posey really wanted to play that badly for the Celtics he would have gladly taken a 3 year contract. Money talks...CC Sabathia is another who "loved Cleveland" as it was his second home but turned down a contract of 4 years at $18 million per year. The players in all sports are basically greedy along with their agents and team owners. I've had it with sports being an entertainment business today as only the above three profit and certainly not the fan. It's a sad situation!

Interesting connection in New Orleans - didn't West and Posey play for the late Skip Prosser at Xavier , and of course Paul had him at Wake Forest - it'll be tougher to come out the Western Conference - now the Lakers HAVE to obtain Artest...

Danny Ainge, GM of the year, you are soooo smart aren't you! You let the player who arguably got us to the finals with his defense against Detroit just go! Are you numb? You wanted three years for Posey, but to bad! He was a sixth man that did so much and you are such a hardass that you can't give him one more year. You made a BIG mistake that you will regret in the postseason when you would have needed his defense and scoring!