Boston Celtics 2011-2012 Discussion

[CameronCrazy06]

The fallout of the Celtics' playoffs loss has been actually surprising. From the looks of it, much of the Celtics' core WILL be returning for one more go, including coach Doc Rivers.

Here's a few articles on the Celtics from ESPN Insider:

Ray Allen has a $10 million player option for next season and after the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs, the veteran shooting guard said he will be a Celtic next season.

"This has been my team," Allen told ESPNBoston.com. "I have been full steam ahead with this team. I don't have any plans to go anywhere else."

Allen once again will go into training camp in the fall as the Celtics' starting shooting guard.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis is set to become a free agent in July and after the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs Wednesday night, the backup power forward acknowledged that he may have played his last game for Boston.

"I have given thought about [returning to Boston]," Davis told ESPNBoston.com. "I love Boston. Boston's where I started, and I plan on wishing I could stay, but you never know. [Look at the Kendrick Perkins] situation. He [was] here for eight years and he wanted to stay, but it might just not work my way. That's just how it is. I want to be a player in this league. I feel like I've got a lot more to offer. I want to show the world my talents, if it's here in Boston, or wherever."

Davis, along with Delonte West, Von Wafer, Troy Murphy, Sasha Pavlovic, Carlos Arroyo, Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic will be free agents and most of those players won't be with the Celtics next season.

Shaquille O'Neal has player option for 2011-12, however, there is a good chance he'll retire.

There has been plenty of speculation about Doc Rivers' future and after Boston was eliminated from the playoffs Wednesday night, the Celtics head coach said he expects to return next season.

"I'm leaning heavily towards coming back," Rivers told the media, including ESPNBoston.com. "I haven't made that decision. But I can tell you that I probably will. I've kind of come to that over the last couple of weeks. I'm a Celtic and I love our guys. "I want to win again here. I do. And I'm competitive as hell. I have a competitive group, and so we'll see. But I can tell you that's where I'm at today. Tomorrow, I may change my mind, but that's where I'm at today."

Rajon Rondo believes Rivers will sign another contract with the team.

"I'm going to put this on the record," Rondo said. "Doc already committed that he was coming back with me so he can't go back against his word. ... We just signed a contract about 10 minutes ago."

Should the Celtics at least offer Jeff Green a one-year, $5.9 million qualifying offer, they'll be able to match any other offers for him in restricted free agency this summer.

After Wednesday night's season-ending loss to the Heat, he indicated he wants to return.

"[Boston is] a great place," he said, according to Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston. "You look at the guys they've got on this roster, it's a dream to play with guys that I looked up to growing up, and just to [have] had this opportunity was fun, and hopefully I'll have it again."

Considering the C's acquired Green for Kendrick Perkins at the deadline this season, it's likely they'll look to bring him back in the fold, as they could use another body on the wing with Tony Allen and Marquis Daniels gone.

Yet, if Green gets a higher offer from another team, it's possible Boston may decide to spend its money elsewhere this offseason -- depending on the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement.

With the Celtics season now over, Nenad Krstic will enter free agency this offseason.

And whether he remains with the C's is up in the air.

Krstic's future with the team could be dictated by whether Shaquille O'Neal returns or not next season, and whether they can nab any other free agent big men such as Samuel Dalembert or Tyson Chandler.

If Krstic fails to return to the C's, it would stand to reason he'd be likely to hook on with another team seeking an affordable frontcourt body.

After signing a one-year deal with the Celtics this past offseason, Delonte West is up for free agency this summer.

And it may be in Boston's best interest to try and bring him back to the team for the 2011-12 season.

With rookie Avery Bradley not getting much run this season, West would likely be a nice re-addition to the C's as a backcourt reserve behind Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen, as he can play both the 1 and the 2 and provides solid defense as well.

If they're unable to retain him, the C's could be scrambling to find reliable backup options in the backcourt for next season

 

[CameronCrazy06]

So what do you guys think? What can this Celtics team do next year? Are they still a threat?

I don't count them out.

 

[DJT]

It'll be interesting to see how they do. Plus Shaq still wants to play. If they can get a gem in the draft, or a good free agency, I don't see why they can't compete for another run. But they will have to stay healthy, and focused.

 

[Yankees2772]

Rondo with another year under his belt should make them just as good this year as last. Maybe they can draft a big man late or get one at the MLE that will work better for them than Shaq, and it wouldn't surprise me if they were just as good next year as they were this year.

 

[Elite]

Truly think they're done. Another year on KG, Ray, and Pierce's belts is only going to hurt.

 

[Pugz]

theyll be just ass good, or slightly worse. they arent done yet. though they do need to shake it up. i just dont see them making any major trades though. with a few free agent signings and the draft the roster will look pretty much the same.

 

[.infamous]

With KG and Ray Allen both on expiring contracts next season I could see a trade possibly. Probably wouldn't happen, but you never know. They will have a pretty nice team next year, but I dont think they will have enough for another championship.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Another thing to watch is the potential of Dwight signing their in free agency if he isn't traded next year. They'll have the cap room to pull it off.

Back on topic, like I said, I wouldn't count them out. If Rondo didn't get hurt, I personally believe this series would still be going right now, so it's not like they're THAT far away.

 

[DJT]

Yeah, Jeff Green still doesn't seem to fit in there either. If they plan to resign him, they have gotta fit him in.

 

[RipCity32]

With the East getting better, I don't see them being that much of a threat.
Not to say they are a bad team though.

 

[uwp]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2011/05/weei_ainge_refl.html

This should answer some your questions....


As for Big Baby, he's not coming back unless we offer him the Vet's min and he accepts it. Other than that, fuck him.

From what it seems like, changes in the starting line up will occur.

 

[DJT]

I think they should keep Big Baby, he could be huge for them, especially when KG leaves.

 

[Dorado]

Watch for a power move this off-season. I think we might go after Dwight.....

 

[DJT]

That would be nasty...but I really don't see what Orlando would get (and like) out of it. They won't want an old KG, Pierce, Allen...etc.

 

[Pugz]

That would be nasty...but I really don't see what Orlando would get (and like) out of it. They won't want an old KG, Pierce, Allen...etc.

you dont read or know much do you? lol.


if dwight doesnt sign an extension he can just outright sign with boston. theyll have the cap space.

and to be honest, id rather sign with rondo and jeff green then other teams if i was dwight..

 

[DJT]

you dont read or know much do you? lol.


if dwight doesnt sign an extension he can just outright sign with boston. theyll have the cap space.

and to be honest, id rather sign with rondo and jeff green then other teams if i was dwight..

After next season...his contract goes through 2012 if i'm not mistaken.

 

[werebarret]

They need a scorer off the bench badly. A Jason Terry or Jamaal Crawford type that can come in and provide instant offense. If they can find one of those types using the MLE (if they even have an MLE in the new CBA), then I think they can make one more run.

 

[DJT]

JR Smith is available, he may take a salary cut to play their, but I still think he'll go somewhere else.

 

[Pugz]

he wont take a that much of a cut to play with an aging team. but hed be a decent look.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Big Baby should come home