David Wesley

[Michael Joseph Byrnes <mbyrnes@leland.Stanford.EDU>]

David Wesley played very well last year, but I think it would be a mistake
to re-sign him at the money he will command on the open market.  

He is not a star, and signing him will consume more salary cap money than
he is worth.  

With or without Wesley, the C's are going nowhere next year.  The Celtics
best bet for future success is to ride out the next few years until they
have more cap room, while trying to build a nucleus of talent through the
draft.  THEN, use the cap money to lure a star who can make a difference.

Would you rather sign Wesley now, or go after Stephon Marbury or Allen
Iverson (if Larry Brown makes a team player of him) in two years?  

With Rick Pitino on board, top-flight free agents will *want* to play for
the Celtics.  Pitino *must* make sure that, when the time comes, the
Celtics have the cap room to sign such players.

In the meantime, Pitino can work on building the supporting cast to go
with the future BIG-TIME free agents.  Signing Wesley now will only get
them mediocrity in the long-term.

Michael Byrnes
mbyrnes@stanford.edu