Boston Celtics: Grading Every Player's Contract

Before the offseason started, the Boston Celtics had just four players under a guaranteed contract. Now, they have 13 that will play under a guaranteed contract next season and three others with non-guaranteed contracts. 

That means that the Celtics essentially dished out nine new guaranteed contracts throughout the offseason. Here, we will look at all of the new guaranteed contracts as well as the four remaining contracts and evaluate each one to see how good of a deal the Celtics are really getting. 

(Note: All of the contract data is courtesy of ShamSports.com)

Paul Pierce

2012-2013 salary: $16.8 million

Grade: B

Slated to make nearly $17 million next season, the Captain checks in as the highest earning player on the Celtics roster. He will earn significantly more than both Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo.

Now, that means a couple of things. Yes, the Celtics are over-paying for Pierce. But when you've been a loyal member of this franchise for as long as Pierce has, you get rewarded for your services. 

The amount he is being paid is nothing to get mad about really. All that matters is that with it, he will be a Celtic next season and likely for life. 

Kevin Garnett

2012-2013 salary: $11 million

Grade: A-

Re-signing Kevin Garnett was the first domino to the Celtics offseason. Once he was back on board, the Celtics could forget rebuilding and jump right back into contending once again. While many can question the length of the deal (3 years), it's hard to argue with the fact that just getting Kevin Garnett back was the biggest victory of the offseason. 

Plus, he may not even play out all three years. Really, the most important part of this contract is that Garnett is back. Oh yeah, and he took nearly a $10 million pay cut too. 

Rajon Rondo

2012-2013 salary: $11 million

Grade: A+

Say hello to the biggest bargain on the Celtics roster and by far the best dollar for dollar point guard. Many would argue that he is the best point guard in the league. It's hard to say whether that is entirely true. He is definitely the best passing point guard and the best point guard for the Celtics. 

For argument's sake though, let's say that both Chris Paul and Deron Williams are both better than he is (very debatable). Are they both worth over $5 million a year more than Rondo? 

No, at best they are all probably worth the same. I'd take Rondo on my team any day not only because he is the best point guard in several different aspects, but also because he is the best bargain out there. The Celtics are truly lucky to have him for that price. 

Jeff Green

2012-2013 salary: $9 million

Grade: B-

6'9" versatile forwards that run the court like gazelles and can score in basically any way from hitting three-pointers, to posting up, to taking the ball to the hoop are very hard to come by.The only other two that come to mind are LeBron James and Kevin Durant.  

Sure, Green is no LeBron or Durant, but he still is a great, young and unique talent that the Celtics will love coming off the bench and spelling both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. 

Let's not forget though that Green was disappointing two seasons ago when he first came to the Celtics and then sat out all of last season after career-threatening heart surgery. Now that $9 million seems a bit more risky, especially because his contract is for four years. 

If he can come back to the NBA and play to his full potential, as in his OKC days when he averaged 15 points and six rebounds a game, then he could be a great bargain and essential piece of the Celtics for at least the next four years. Let's hope that is the case. 

Brandon Bass

2012-2013 salary: $6.8 million

Grade: A

This season, we saw the start of Brandon Bass' prime. He had by far his best season and even made his way into the starting lineup thanks to some injuries and his own solid, consistent play. Now, the Celtics will have him locked up for seemingly the rest of his prime and for short money too. 

For a guy that consistently and efficiently gives you 12 and six every night, just south of $7 million is a great deal. 

Courtney Lee

2012-2013 salary: $5 million

Grade: A

Remember when the Celtics were willing to pay $6 million for 37-year-old Ray Allen? Instead, they paid $5 million for 26-year-old Courtney Lee saving $1 million and 11 years of age. With that in mind, I'd say it was a pretty good deal for the Celtics. Not to mention that in getting Lee, the Celtics also shed useless roster and cap space. 

Jason Terry

2012-2013 salary: $5 million

Grade: A-

Before Ray Allen even left, the Celtics signed Jason Terry as insurance. And it turned out to be a worthwhile and affordable insurance policy as Ray Allen did indeed leave. Now, the Celtics have the former Sixth Man of the Year who is coming off a season where he averaged 15 points a game off the bench for just $5 million.

The only slight problem I have with the contract is that it is three years long and Terry certainly isn't young. I can look past that though when he is leading the Celtics bench next season with timely threes. 

Avery Bradley

2012-2013 salary: $1.6 million

Grade: A+

The Celtics definitely have the most economical back-court in the NBA. First, Rondo is making much less than his elite counterparts and now, Avery Bradley is making less than $2 million. That is quite a bargain for the best defensive guard in the game right now. Bradley is an absolute game-changer and a cheap one at that. 

Soon enough, he will get rewarded monetarily for his efforts, but for now, his defense is coming very cheap. 

Jared Sullinger

2012-2013 salary: $1.3 million

Grade: B+

Jared Sullinger is ready for the NBA and more importantly, the Celtics rotation. He played very well during the Celtics' Summer League and proved a lot of naysayers wrong along the way. Now, he just needs to do the same on the NBA stage. If he can do what he showed during Summer League and in college then he will be well worth his price tag of just $1.3 million. 

Fab Melo

2012-2013 salary: $1.3 million

Grade: B-

First round draft picks Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo will both collect $1.3 million during their rookie seasons. However, only Sullinger will truly earn it. That is, if Summer League is any indication of what is to come. 

While Sullinger tore it up in Summer League, Melo struggled most of the time. He seems to be a real work in progress. With his athleticism and defensive abilities, he may be able to play up to his salary some day, just not next season. 

Chris Wilcox

2012-2013 salary: $0.9 million

Grade: A

Like Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox was also forced to sit out after heart surgery. Unlike Green though, the Celtics are not overpaying for Wilcox. just under one million dollars is a modest paycheck for someone who could make a significant impact off the bench. 

Last season, Wilcox started to show signs of being a solid contributor right before his heart condition was discovered. If he can return to that level of play, then he will end up being a real bargain for the Celtics. 

Keyon Dooling

2012-2013 salary: $0.9 million

Grade: A

What would you say the price tag should be on energy, veteran leadership and solid locker room presence? I'd say $0.9 million sounds about right. And let's not forget that Dooling can play too. He may not get big minutes, but he could make an impact as the only real backup point guard on the team. 

Even if he doesn't, his presence will still be felt in the locker room and on the bench.

Jason Collins

2012-2013 salary: $0.9 million

Grade: A

Yet another veteran minimum contract that will reap benefits for the Celtics. Instead of overpaying for Greg Stiemsma, the Celtics saved at least a couple million by picking up veteran center Jason Collins instead. 

Collins won't wow anyone statistically, but for the limited role he will have, he will be able to make an impact defensively and on the boards. That is all the Celtics will ask of him and he will deliver. Well worth less than one million dollars.