Let me preface this by saying that I'm a Celtics fan. And that I love James Posey and what he can do for the team. As one of the best bench defenders in the league, he can lock down just about any teams' star player singlehandedly. He also is a solid perimeter shooter.
As it appears, the Celtics will sign either Posey or Maggette and they both will be vying for four years of the mid-level exemption at around $5.8 million a year.
It is by these criteria that I believe that Maggette is better for the team. Posey is most likely the better fit for next year, but four years from now he's going to be the same as he is now, maybe even a step slower.
Corey Maggette has been a starter for the Clippers and will have to accept a bench role (which the Boston Globe has reported he's OK with) to play for the Celtics.
He is a significant downgrade defensively from James Posey, but his contributions on the offensive end are impressive. He could provide some much-needed scoring off of the Celtics bench as their lone reserve to be able to create his own shot.
After the 2009 season is where the benefits of having Maggette really begin to appear. As a player who averaged 22 points per game last year, he has shown he can be a starter in the NBA. This would allow the Celtics amazing flexibility with their roster, perhaps even enough to trade Ray Allen and his expiring contract after next season.
With the incredible crop of free agents expected after the 2010 season, most of the teams in the league are going to be looking to free up cap space, making Ray Allen one of the most desirable trade options for most of the league.
The Celtics could also keep Allen and use their available cap space in 2010 to go after a big name free agent as well. Allen only becomes expendable if there is a reliable back up behind him on the bench who can contribute offensively. Enter Corey Maggette.
The Celtics were blessed this season with health, especially from their big three. Something Danny Ainge has to be concerned about is what to do if one of them goes down, especially Ray Allen or Paul Pierce. Kevin Garnet is irreplaceable, but a dynamic scorer like Maggette could be a suitable fill-in for either Pierce or Allen if a mid-season injury should occur.
7 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Devin Robinson about 1 year ago
Good arguments. Celtics do need to look past 2009 with so many 30+ players...Maggette would be a great addition! Go Celts!!! Back to back baby!!!
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Mackenzie Kraemer about 1 year ago
Very good argument. Great franchises don't rest on their laurels, they look to improve without breaking up what's there. Posey was a huge addition, but if Maggette is only going to get the MLE, he's probably a better option. And as a Nets fan, I know all about clearing cal for 2010.
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Dallas Wilson about 1 year ago
Good read.
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Alexa Freed about 1 year ago
Good article.
Although, I don't see Ray Allen being considered a "good" trade option after 2010. I think his contract expires in 2010 anyway. Or, 2011???
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Gabby C about 1 year ago
What? Why would Boston trade Ray Allen? He's done so much for them. I think Ray should retire in Boston. I think he's irreplaceable.
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Brandon Toussaint about 1 year ago
Ray Allen makes defenses stay honest. He gives u that extra fraction of a second to allow Pierce to get to the basket one on one instead of a double team waiting for him
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Joe C about 1 year ago
Maggette will not accept a bench role, that much is for certain. His record as a sullen cancer with the Clippers proves it. And, it is laughable to include mention of Maggette in the same breath with 8 time All Star Ray Allen. Sure, the Big Three are beyond 30, but, hey did that not just result in the largest turnaround in NBA history.
Face it, Ainge should pay out for the extra year that Posey wants and forget this Maggette nonsense.
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