The Hottest Celtics Free Agent Rumors

[mark at 10thumbs.org]

nicely gathered Ray... my take below

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Gathered from across the electromagnetic spectrum...

- Recently released shot-blocker extraordinaire Adonal
Foyle  is working out at the Parish/Ray Big Man's
camp,and rumors have him signing with the Celtics, a team
that needs another shot-blocker off the bench.

For the Veteran's Minimum, it's a no-brainer, as
Foyle's skill set is eerily reminiscent of Young Lad
Perkins, and Adonal is much loved by Leo Papile.
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Word has it that he's close to Clifford Ray from his days in Golden St. I
would actually advocate giving Foyle a $2M deal for 1 year. It would
probalby outbid other teams and might make it more possible to package him
and Scal at the deadline if someone in that $5-6M range is available.  I
don't really want to do something like that but there's little hurt in
keeping the poss. open.

I think Foyle would be an underated defensive addition --- the likes of
when PHO originally signed Raja Bell.

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- Although the Celtics first option in the backup Big
Man sweepstakes is PJ Brown, but the C's could very
well be outbid for Brown's services.
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I'd obviously still like Brown the most, but i'm wondering why CHI didn't
resign him. Too lazy right now to look if the Nocionni resigning prevented
it but that concerns me a touch.

But whether its Brown, Foyle, Skinner, Marc Jackson, Tsakalidis or Melvin
Ely --- this team still needs AT LEAST one more backup PF/C. Desperately.

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- Ainge is talking with Keith Van Horn about joining
the team and subbing for Pierce.
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This is interesting --- i know there were rumors about KVH being
approached but haven't heard BOS attached to those.  I almost wonder if
KVH wouldn't be able to contribute more to this team offensively than
Reggie Miller. Miller might ahve more drive though.... it sounds like KVH
isn't really itching to get back into the L. KVH is an upgrade over
Scalabrine.

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- Reggie Miller will make his decision known soon.
He's working out twice a day and looking good. It's
either continue his retirement or join the Celtics.
Right now, the Celtics are ahead.
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At first I thought this Reggie miller stuff was a joke -- publicity stunt
like when Pitino tried to get Jordan.... but it's also intriguing. Jeff
Clark made a great point on Celticsblog today in his article that Reggie
Miller could also fill the off-court role that Walker used to play of
go-to guy for the press so KG and Pierce don't have to ... since it's not
really something they like to do.

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- If the Reggie unretirement falls through, Allen
Houston is next on Celtics radar.
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This has got to be a joke. Reggie Miller is a unique talent and a special
personality.  Houston is a deadly shooter but probably less healthy than
Reggie despite being several years younger.  I'd rather go after a guy
like Devin Brown or Derek Anderson (who's had his own injury issues, i
know).

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- Antoine Walker badly wants to rejoin the Celtics.
Trouble is, he'll have to relinquish most of his
salary in a buy out to do so.
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Even at $1M this would be a mistake of EPIC proportions. I loved Walker
even though i was glad to see him go.  And i was OK with getting him back,
then happy again to see him go.

But now he would come back not as a "veteran all-star" but as a "veteran
NBA champion". I just think that potential for him chucking up ill-advised
3s, not listenig to Doc and/or subsuming his game is off the charts.

Let The Walker Eras end.

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- Saras could very well be bought out next by Golden
State, and there's a good chance the Celtics would
sign him, unless Sam Cassell suddenly becomes
available.
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I'd probably put Saras as #3 on my availabe FA PG list (should he be
waived/bought out) after (1) Randy Livingston and (2) Keith McLeod. I
don't see much chance of Cassell being bought out... he has much more
value in a trade

In fact a deal that would make sense for both teams would be a Cassell for
Juwan Howard deal.  Howard has said he doesn't want to be in MIN w/o KG
and he would step into the starting spot w/ Brand out for 6 months. With
Cassell, MIN would have $26 Mil in expiring contracts with which to trade
for some talent to rebuild their team or with which to get under the cap.

(the other) mark