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Could Celtics go after LeBron in 2010?

Email|Link|Comments (2) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff November 21, 2008 06:23 PM

No, we aren't privy to any inside information on this, but two salary dump trades by the Knicks today got me thinking: From a salary standpoint only, would the Celtics be able to afford free agent LeBron James in 2010?

A big contract ends for the Celtics in 2010 when Ray Allen ($18.8 million) comes off the books. Brian Scalabrine, Tony Allen, Eddie House, and Patrick O'Bryant can all be free agents in 2010, freeing up another $10.3 million combined. The Celtics are committed to $44.7 million in player salaries for 2010-2011, the bulk of that money going to Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. It's also important to note that the amount of Rajon Rondo's potential extension, which is likely to be lucrative, is still unknown.

So purely from a technical standpoint, the Celtics could (barely) make a run at James in 2010. Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh are also free agents in 2010, and Boston could also make a run at one of them.

Is any of this likely? It's too early to even ask that question. But it's fun to think about.

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2 comments so far...

The King would look good in green..Damn would he ever...Probably won't happen. I think he'll stay close to Mom in Ohio, or decide to take over the world w/Sean Carter in New Jersey (Brooklyn..?)

Posted by KobeWearsAPurpleThong November 21, 08 07:29 PM

No chance of LeBron coming here, due to bigger marketing ventures available in NY and LA. If he smart though, Lebron would ride an aging Pierce/Garnett combo to a title.

Believe it or not, someone like Dirk would be interesting. He's clearly not a leader/alpha dog, so I'd be interested in seeing what he could do with Pierce/Garnett/Rondo behind him. He would essentially be the 3rd banana with no pressure on him.

Posted by Classless November 21, 08 10:59 PM