The Replacements
Tony Allen: Allen is a good defender who is a threat on offense. Unfortunately, he's often more of a threat to self-destruct than to actually do much damage against the opponent. I'm a fan of Tony Allen but personally, I think it may be time to bid him adieu if the right replacement comes along.
Replacements:
Kelenna Azubuike - I've been hyping up Buike for over a year now and I think the C's should go after him. He's been completely misused by Don Nelson (who's misused a lot of his bench this season) and he could use a change of scenery.
Devin Brown: I've always liked Devin Brown. What's not to love? He's solid, he's cheap, he's effective.
Antoine Wright: Wright was a draft bust who started to show some signs of life but he's still a huge question mark. While his play picked up with more playing time, his shooting dropped and he managed a woeful 26% from three point land. I'd rather have Tony than this 'Toine.
J.R. Smith: I'd think he'd stay in Denver, which is a shame because I don't think it's the right place for him if he's ever going to blossom into the star he should be. He might be a little pricey but Smith is a monster talent who might just blossom on the Celtics. I'm sure someone will make a run at him and overpay him but I'd love to see if we couldn't lure him to Beantown.
Fred Jones: Jones, like Antoine Wright, is another solid player who is the victim of wild expectations. I'm not sure why the Raptors thought he'd be good enough to warrant the contract they gave him but that doesn't mean he isn't a servicable player. That being said, like Wright, he's not someone I'd be willing to lose Tony Allen for.
Maurice Evans: Mo Evans is about equal to Tony Allen. He's steadier than Tony but he doesn't have Tony's upside or defensive skills. He's someone you settle for, not someone you target.
James Posey: Posey has a player option on his contract that I hope he won't use but this is a business and he probably could squeeze out one more solid contract from someone. While I like Posey, if someone offers him MLE money or a deal longer than two years, I'd have to let him go.
Replacements:
I'd include Azubuike and Devin Brown to this list. I'd consider keeping J.R. Smith in mind as well but he doesn't help defensively and part of me would be nervous with TA and J.R..
Mickael Pietrus: If the C's could get Pietrus for the MLE, I'd probably go for him over Posey. Pietrus has been lost in the shuffle in Golden State but he's the type of guy that I think could blossom in the Posey role on a veteran team like Boston. He'll never be a star and could flame out if someone signs him and expects too much out of him but he'd be a great fit for the C's.
Josh Childress: Childress is likely going to cost a good chunk of change so the odds of us getting J-Chill are slim-to-none. Of course, I wouldn't be that upset since then I wouldn't have to root for someone nicknamed J-Chill.
Michael Finley: I'm not sure if he's leave Texas but Finley has shown that he still has some life left in him and he wouldn't be a bad replacement should we lose Posey.
Devean George: George has a recognizable name but his game has really declined. I'd almost rather roll the dice and rely on our late first round pick to help us out here than George. Still, if the C's are in a bind, he's worth a look.
Quinton Ross: Ross strikes me as a plan C. He's gotten more minutes than he probably should because the Clippers are terrible but he's a solid defensive player who could help the Celtics off of the bench.
Jarvis Hayes: If Ross is plan C, then Hayes is plan D. He's the epitome of average.
Dorrell Wright: Wright is a restricted free agent which could ruin any hopes of him becoming a Celtic. At 22, he's still young and has improved his game over the years. That being said, he's still unproven and offering him anything more than three million dollars a year is probably too big of a risk for a team that already has three max contracts on its ledger.
Gordon Giricek: I had no idea what team Giricek was on and I'd like to keep it that way.
Eddie House/Sam Cassell:
Back up PG seems like a key need but it's not as bad as I had once thought. To start, Rondo has been amazing this season and the backup role isn't going to be nearly as influential as I'd expected. Also, Gabe Pruitt seems to be coming along and he might be able to get some spot minutes in the third guard role next season. I'd love to see him get some minutes at the end of the season but we might have to wait to see what he can bring. That being said, The Alien hasn't exactly lived up to the hype and he might not even be playing next year. If we lose Cassell, I'd think we'd want to find a more "pure" backup than House.
Replacements:
Salim Stoudamire: He's basically a young version of Eddie House. That being said, House's veteran attitude and locker room presence is probably worth more than most people give him credit. If for some reason House decides to leave, I'd dial up Salim in a heartbeat.
Jason Williams: He'd be a great replacement if Cassell decided to leave. He doesn't do much on the defensive end but then again neither does Sam.
Louis Williams: This will never happen but I really like Williams and think he's a year or two away from becoming a real impact player. Maybe not a star but a poor man's Barbosa. I can't imagine the Sixers let him go, especially to Boston.
Chris Duhon: I'm not sure if Duhon would be willing to resign himself to backup status (and backup money) without looking around at teams that could use him as a starter but he'd be a great candidate to back up Rondo.
Delonte West: We all know what he can and can't do. He wouldn't be a bad option as a back-up at the 1 and 2.
Carlos Arroyo: Arroyo, like Duhon, is probably looking for a place where he might be able to earn some more minutes and that isn't Boston. Still, it's worth sending out the feelers to see if he'd be up for backing up Rondo.
Sebastian Telfair: Obviously this will never happen but I really do think that Telfair is going to become a nice little backup point guard in this league. I wouldn't mind welcoming him back, especially if Sam stays on as a coach and helps tutor Bassy.
Earl Boykins: Nothing special but he's a solid option for backup to Rondo.
Anthony Johnson: He's a lot like Cassell. A solid point guard who is getting up there and might not have much left in the tank. Still, he can run the point and handle backup minutes and after dealing with Josh Smith for a few years (and then losing in Sac-town), I'm sure he'd jump at the chance to play for a veteran winning team.
Keyon Dooling: He's not a terrible last resort but he's not a good backup option.
Ty Lue: I've always liked Lue but he's more of a third guard than actual backup. Pruitt would have to be ready for some heavy lifting if we sign Lue.
Juan Dixon: I'm not a huge fan of Dixon but he seems to have carved out a niche in the NBA. If he costs just the vet minimum and there's no other options... Did I mention I'm not a huge fan of Dixon?
Janerro Pargo: While I'm not a fan of Dixon, I simply don't like Pargo. He's one step above Smush Parker (and one below Jason Hart) on the list of point guards I'd hate to see on the Celtics.
Damon Stoudamire: We left him hanging this season so I'm not sure he'd be interested. If he was, he's one of the better options IMO.PJ Brown: PJ hasn't done too much but thankfully the C's haven't needed it. PF/C isn't a high priority IMO because I'm a big fan of Powe and Big Baby. Still, it's always good to have 6 more fouls and a legit backup big.
Replacements:
Brian Skinner: I've always been a fan of Skinner and think he'd fit in well off the bench.
Kurt Thomas: Most people would probably put Thomas as #1 on their list but I prefer Skinner. Still, you can't go wrong with either guy.
Kwame Brown: After suffering through a career of getting yelled at by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, one can only imagine that Kwame watches Kevin Garnett cursing up a storm and thinks, "Man, I hope I never have to play there." Kwame is more effective than he gets credit for (although not nearly as effective as he could and should be) and wouldn't be a bad fit but I just can't imagine it happening.
Desagana Diop: Diop doesn't have the offensive game of PJ Brown, or PJ O'Rourke for that matter, but he'd be worth a spot on the bench. He's a solid defensive player and could help rest Perkins.
Juwan Howard: Howard was supposed to team up with KG this year but we all know what happened. There's not much left in the tank but he's a good emergency backup.
Scot Pollard: I never liked the Pollard signing and hope that he's gone. Odds are this spot will be taken by our draft pick but if it is left open...
Replacements:
Patrick O'Bryant: O'Bryant might be a complete bust but I'll roll the dice on him than settle another year of Pollard.
Randolph Morris: Morris has been one big disappointment but he's still big so maybe playing on the Celtics could help him grow as it did with fellow Kentucky disappointment Rajon Rondo. I wouldn't hold my breath but this is Scot Pollard's roster spot we're talking about.
Chris Anderson: Pollard said "Hey kids, do drugs." Chris Anderson actually did drugs. I think it's time we had someone who actually walked the walk and didn't just talk the talk.
So in the end, I wouldn't mind seeing these spots filled next year by: Kelenna Azubuike, James Posey, Eddie House, Jason Williams, Brian Skinner, 1st round draft pick.
