<cite dir="ltr"><cite></cite> </cite> The Celtics just agreed to terms with one of the hottest free agents still on the market - James Posey, a player who should give the Celtics defense a significant upgrade.</p> This 6-8 forward, known in particular for his role as a defensive stopper on the 2006 Miami team that won the NBA title, averaged 7.7 points, five boards and one steal per game last season.</p> The deal came together with relative haste. Though Danny Ainge, the Celtics’ director of basketball operations, had been in touch with Posey over the last month, discussions gained momentum yesterday, after Reggie Miller informed the Celtics that he would not come out of retirement to join the team.</p> By this afternoon, the sides had reached agreement on a deal that will pay Posey just over $3 million - the amount left on the team’s mid-level exception - next season. The full contract will pay him $7 million over the next two years, with Posey holding an option on the second season.</p> Posey’s decision is significant, considering that the Celtics initially considered his price to be too high. But dynamics of the market drove Posey’s price down.</p> According to agent Mark Bartelstein, Posey could have received more to play in some other locations, but was attracted by the Celtics’ growing allure as eastern conference contenders.</p>
7M over two? Meh. Would rather have Patterson as Posey is declining fast and Patterson is coming off his best season, but whatever.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Premier)</div><div class='quotemain'>7M over two? Meh. Would rather have Patterson as Posey is declining fast and Patterson is coming off his best season, but whatever.</div></p> Patterson had his best statistical season for two major reasons:</p> 1. Milwaukee had injury woes up the wazoo.</p> 2. Can you say "contract year?"</p> I like Patterson, and he would have been a nice addition too, but Posey is the more versatile defender and he can shoot the 3. He's only 30.</p> </p>
I like the Posey signing for the celtics. With Wade and/or Shaq hurt a lot of the time, the Heat still won a lot of games, and I think it's because they had guys like Posey. He has a fairly complete game, and knows how to win.</p> The Celtics could have done a lot worse.</p> </p>
I agree, pretty good signing. They still need to finish things off strong and grab a big guy and a PG, but they seem willing to put the right pieces in place.
Good signing, even if you think they overpaid. There arent a lot of options out there and I would take Posey over Patterson anway.</p>
