For the fourth year in a row the Boston Celtics will play on Christmas Day, opening the truncated NBA season with a nationally televised game from Madison Square Garden. The likelihood of a fifth consecutive Christmas Day game, however, is looking increasingly less feasible.
With the expiring contracts of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, General Manager Danny Ainge has set the Celtics up to take a run at virtually any free agent next summer, filling in the remaining roster spots with a majority of one-year deals this season. Big names such as Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, and Deron Williams were all scheduled to become free agents, but it is becoming less likely that they will infact be on the open market. Paul has since said he will remain with the Clippers for at least two years and Dwight Howard is looking to be traded to either the Nets or Lakers at some point this season, two teams which he intends on signing longterm with. Williams’ future seems to be contingent upon the ability of the Nets to trade for Howard, if they are able to, Williams and Howard will be the cornerstones to the Nets future in Brooklyn. If not, Williams will likely be the only big name free agent on the market next season.
There are two major problems in relying solely on luring free agents to Boston following this season.
1. A core group of players must be in place in which free agents will want to be with and play around. Kevin Garnett was only convinced to allow a trade to Boston when the Celtics traded for Ray Allen to play alongside Paul Pierce. If those pieces weren’t in place Garnett would have never come to Boston. Why then would Deron Williams, a point guard, choose Boston in free agency to play with an aging Pierce and another star point guard in Rajon Rondo? The only way to lure a guy like that, or any other star for that matter, to Boston is to have more pieces in place for the future.
2. With the new collect bargaining agreement a player can make up to $40 million more in salary by re-signing with the team they currently play for, which is part of the reason for the CP3 trade and the future Howard trade (I know I’m pontificating a bit here, but lets face facts). The league is trying to make it more difficult for players to leave their current teams with monetary incentives.
The only rational way for the Celtics to move into a new era, without a similar 20 year lull that they experienced following the original Big 3, is to break-up the current roster.
There should be no player on the current roster that is untouchable, from Rondo to Pierce, the Celtics need to blow up the roster now before they make a playoff push that once again comes up short. Undoubtedly the Celtics will have games this season where they will look unbeatable, but the inevitability of going up against younger, healthier rosters will be their downfall.
I am in no way saying that the Celtics as currently constituted have no chance at a championship, in fact I will go as high as 6% or so. Based on the new CBA and the lack of resources to lure big name free agents, the Celtics need to make moves with more than one eye toward the future. Organizations desire expiring contracts and the Celtics have a plethora of them.
Ray Allen’s skill set, leadership, and expiring contract will make him the most attractive chip in the trade market. Team’s that need that extra push for the playoffs will inquire with Boston and for the right price Ainge should pull the trigger.
Pierce and Garnett will likely be the most difficult to move. Pierce is signed for the next three years with just over $45 million left on his contract, but a team looking for that same kind of leadership as they move into the playoffs may inquire with Ainge on the price of his services. Garnett’s gaudy $21 million owed this season will make him difficult to move and the Celtics are looking forward to having the cap space when his contract is up. Again, however, for the right deal Ainge should not hesitate to pull the trigger.
Fortunately, Danny has proven that he can be an aggressive GM. Trading for Allen and Garnett were bold moves in 2007, but worked out well. It will be tough to see the Big 3 broken up, and even tougher for Ainge to pull the trigger, but for the betterment of the franchise and the future of the Celtics I expect the general manager’s telephone bills to be through the roof with calls both to and from other GM’s.
Enjoy this year’s Christmas cheering because without a few bold moves it may be the last time in awhile the Celtics play with Yuletide spirit.
Sean Sendall – follow me on Twitter
Tags: Boston Celtics, Christmas Day, NBA, Opening Day, Sean Sendall
