NBA Rumors: Mickael Pietrus Likely Too Expensive for Boston Celtics

During the postseason, especially against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, Mickael Pietrus was one of the more valuable players on the Celtics team.

His great on-ball and perimeter defense was at least able to give the Celtics a player who could at least stay on LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, as Avery Bradley was forced to sit out of the series.

In addition, Pietrus is an above-average three-point shooter and hit countless momentum-changing long balls, especially in Game 5 of the series.

At the beginning of the offseason, it seemed like it would be a foregone conclusion that Pietrus would re-up with the Celtics.

Now, however, it seems like "Air France" might be flying out of Beantown.

According to his agent Bill McCandless, Pietrus has received offers from other teams that easily eclipse what the Celtics are offering.

He also discussed Pietrus' position on signing the veteran's minimum, one of a few options that Boston can afford:

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“MP will not play for the veteran’s minimum. Period. It’s not happening. That’s the beginning, middle and end of that. … He is not a veteran’s minimum player. There’s no chance he’ll ever sign for that."

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Boston can still offer Pietrus the biannual exception, due in part because the C's were forced to let go of Greg Stiemsma after he received an offer from the Timberwolves that was much higher than what the Celtics offered.

With all of this being said, it seems unlikely that Pietrus returns to Boston. With his value much higher than what it is when the Celtics gambled on him last season, the French forward stands to make far more money elsewhere, including overseas.

While he has repeatedly said that he loves Boston, the NBA is a business.

If he can make twice as much money elsewhere, good for him. In any case, Boston really is in no dire need of another perimeter scorer, after signing Jason Terry and taking part in a sign-and-trade with the Rockets for guard Courtney Lee.

Pietrus' defense will be missed, as the Celtics could really use a strong perimeter defender to pair with Bradley when he returns.

However, Pietrus is not worth any more than the biannual exception. Boston should not commit any more money to veterans because older players tend to get hurt at a far more frequent rate than their younger counterparts. 

It's time for both sides to move on.