Celtics & Free Agency: Who Will Be Mr. Lucky $4 Million

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

With both the Celtics ownership: Wyc and the Celtics management: Ainge
making a strong team committment to sign a Mid-Level Free Agent in 2004,
one ponders the possibilities of who this free agent might be. While the 
upcoming class of Free Agents isn't as talented as this year's, there still are some
interesting players available. 

- Could it be the very sweet shooting -- 57 % two-point shooter; 97 % free throw 
shooter -- though slightly undersized Lithuanian guard Arvydas Macijauskas of Tau Ceramica, the Number One team in Europe? (Unlikely if they are trading for
Quentin Richardson.)

- Perhaps frontcourt help is desired and they'll look to FP Bologna's 6-10 Erazem
Lorbeck. He, the former Michigan State player and Euro Tournament MVP, 
currently is tickling the twines at about 76 percent and has post skills so many
American Big Men lack.

- Then again,  they could be swayed by the fine numbers Andres Nocioni is putting
up for the loaded Tau Ceramica: 19.5 points and 8.5 boards in 33 minutes of playing 
time.

- Or maybe Ainge will pull another fast one on the Mavericks and steal away 
Ognjen Askrabic from them. Ognjen has been compared to Stojakovic,
though he's more of PF type, and basically does it all -- scores, rebounds,
passes, and blocks shots -- for Reflex.

                                   ________________________

Then again, Ainge may stick to more known American quantities like:

- There's the previous mentioned Quentin Richardson and his 19 points and 
7 rebounds.  I rather see them trade for him than sign him as a free agent,
as he's restricted and you never know with Donald T.   

- Brent Barry offers the Celtics another scoring and passing option.

-  Jamal Crawford is restricted and likely to perform well under new coach
Skiles. So, he may surprisingly stay with the Bulls.

- Darius Miles is on the trading block as it is, so you could possibly steal
him away, even if he's a restricted free agent.

- Mehmet Okur is intriguing, but more in the $7 million range.

- Stromile Swift, another restricted free agent, would add some much needed
athleticism to the celtics frontcourt. 

- Gordon Gricek can shoot, but the Magic may hold on to him.

- Rashed Wallace is very available and would be a free agent steal at
$4 mil, but you'd have to rehabilitate his attitude a wee bit.

- Ron Mercer: Is he worth $4 million?

- Carlos Arroyo, a vast improvement over Mike James, can direct a running offense.

- Greg Ostertag: You can never have enough big men.

- Same goes for Vlade Divac.

- Hidayet Turkoglu, another restricted and intriguing free agent, that will require
a sign and trade.  

Ray