<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Celtics swingman James Posey now can sign a new contract at any time. Unfortunately for the NBA champion Celtics, they aren't the only title contender apparently interested in him. After a moratorium period that began July 1, NBA free agents can sign as of today. The Celtics' free agents include Posey, guards Eddie House, Sam Cassell, and Tony Allen, forward-center P.J. Brown (who is expected to retire), and center Scot Pollard. But the big question is whether Posey, a key reserve in Boston's run to the title, will be back. While Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein, wouldn't say which teams were interested in his client, he did say they were contenders. Among those also expected to be wooing the Cleveland native are the Cavaliers, Wizards, Hornets, Spurs, and Lakers. "We're just working through this thing," said Bartelstein yesterday. "Free agency is just a moving roller coaster. He'd like to get something done, and he'd like to get something done quickly and be over with it. Every team that is interested has a chance to win a title." Although a Celtics official has denied it, an NBA source said Posey was initially offered a three-year, $12 million deal by Boston, but the source said the Celtics have improved that offer. The most the Celtics can offer is the midlevel exception, expected to start at $5.58 million next season. At 31, the 6-foot-8-inch, 215-pound Posey seems to be interested in getting close to the midlevel exception and a lengthy deal. Boston currently has about $72 million committed in salary for next season and the salary cap, released last night, is $58.68 million, the luxury tax $71.15 million. Any team over the luxury tax has to pay a $1 tax for every $1 it exceeds the tax. The Celtics were also very interested in Clippers free agent forward Corey Maggette, but according to the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press, Maggette agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal with the Warriors. Losing out on Maggette likely will add to the urgency for Boston to re-sign Posey. The Celtics are giving a strong look to Hornets free agent center Chris Andersen and have worked out free agent centers David Harrison, Patrick O'Bryant, and Randolph Morris and forward Darius Miles.</div> Boston Globe
