Odd headline to come across: "Celtics extend offer to Maggette." The Boston Globe's excellent Marc J. Spears offered the news. Yeah, the Celtics, who just won a title and have guys named Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett manning the 2-4 positions on the court, the team who will be tapping the Grousbeck kids' college funds to pay the luxury tax for the next few years. Those Celtics, going after one of the top free agents on the market, one of the few guys assured to switch teams and certainly worth more than the mid-level.If the Clippers renew their commitment to Elton Brand, as expected, Corey Maggette's gone. He'd have to be renounced by the Clippers in order to squeeze in Baron Davis' $13 million. That means L.A. can't sign-and-trade Maggette, which would have been the easiest way for the guy to get a contract in the $7-10 million per year range. Assuming all that happens (Maggs is renounced, Brand resigns for $13 million or so), Maggette's options above the mid-level shrink profusely. There's Philadelphia (if they strike out on Josh Smith), Memphis (unlikely), and maybe Golden State.
So if it becomes a mid-level fiesta, Boston's brilliant for getting into the sweepstakes early. They can offer Maggs the same contract almost every other team can ... and they can also offer the best shot at a ring (though the Lakers might quibble). Can they offer a starting role? I don't see Allen slipping into back-up mode just yet, not after that glorious Finals performance.
Luckily, Maggs has been ... taught how to deal with a bench role. In 2006-07, when the Clippers just missed on a playoff berth, Maggette came off the bench 44 times. His scoring output -- already illustrious -- increased in that role, though his famous efficiency dipped substantially. Would Maggette go back to a sub-30 minutes/game prison, all in the name of team success and perhaps a promise of the two-guard spot when Allen's contract expires in two years? Keep in mind that Maggs is 28 and hasn't had one of those massive contracts yet in his career.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-02-2008 @ 10:05AM
dave said...
i don't think maggette's decision is as easy as you make it out to be. the spurs have also offered their mid-level exception. maggette would be coming off the bench in boston (there is no way he will start ahead of allen or pierce), whereas, in san antonio, he is sure to start (given pop's penchant for bringing manu off the bench and maggette being a better offensive option than bowen).
the spurs have also been courting maggette for years going so far as to almost getting a deal done with the clippers two seasons ago. the celtics are just trying to fill a roster spot that james posey is leaving vacant. it seems like if maggette wants to do the right thing he would sign with the spurs. there is no way the celtics will repeat and with 2009 being an odd year, the spurs have a good chance of getting ring #5.
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7-02-2008 @ 11:15AM
radja9697 said...
"there is no way the celtics will repeat and with 2009 being an odd year, the spurs have a good chance of getting ring #5."
with reasoning like that, you know-i'm convinced.
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7-02-2008 @ 1:00PM
dave said...
i was half kidding. here's something a little more reasonable: ok, the celtics could repeat, but it's going to harder. being the champs means having a target on your back. everyone will be gunning for them next season. the elite teams in the east are going to be better. the raptors look pretty scary (if o'neal stays healthy). even if the piston make some big trade(s), they will get back valuable players in return. the younger teams will have another year together to solidify their teams. hell, the hawks were a game away from upsetting the celtics this year. the celtics might repeat, but it won't be a 60+ win cakewalk like last year.
secondly, the spurs always win in odd years, i'm not making it up. true. there is no science involved, and it absolutely doesn't make them a lock, but "odds" are good.
just like a laker fan to ignore a perfectly reasonable post only to attack the last sentence which was, obviously, tongue in cheek and making no point while doing it. pretty weak, dude.
sorry, about the finals. my condolences.
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7-02-2008 @ 1:50PM
Basketball.org said...
Wouldnt the Orlando Magic be the perfect situation for Maggette? A young soon to be contending team who is a player or two away from being the elite team in the east. He gets to start and contribute. Which starting five would you rather have next year and in the future? Nelson, Hedo, Lewis, Howard and Maggette or Pierce, Allen, KG, Rondo and Perkins?
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