Rasheed Wallace might not retire after all
Jarrett Jack doesn't look too thrilled.
When Rasheed Wallace waltzed into the referee’s locker room following Game 7 of the NBA Finals, he wasn’t attempting to murder the men who sent the Lakers parading to the free throw line; he was only trying to say goodbye. At least, that’s how Sheed told it. It wouldn’t have been too out of character if Sheed had actually been going to tear the heads off of some striped shirt-wearing men.
But whatever the reason for his foray into the ref’s room, Sheed was definitely retiring. He was hanging them up for good. Or maybe not. (NBA.com)
With Doc Rivers deciding to return to the Celtics next season, and Boston close to re-signing Paul Pierce to a four-year deal, a source said Saturday night that there is a “possibility” that veteran forward Rasheed Wallace could re-think his decision last month to retire after 15 NBA seasons. The Celtics believed Wallace would retire after the team’s seven-game Finals loss to the Lakers, and he appeared to make the decision final a week or so later.
Because Wallace had two years and $13 million (including $6.32 million next season) remaining on his deal when he retired, the Celtics have been looking into moving his contract to another team, which would then get the savings from Wallace’s cap number, in exchange for assets. But obviously, if Wallace decides to play next season, that team wouldn’t get the money off of its cap.
Needless to say, Sheed’s potential retirement changes things. The Celtics had been dangling Sheed’s retiring contract in hopes of luring a game-changer or two. Now Sheed might come back? Bye-bye, trade bait. Hello, another year of Sheed! If he actually decides not to retire, that is.
For now, I can’t possibly think a team would trade for Sheed thinking he might not retire. No team wants to trade for Sheed’s retiring contract if there’s a chance — even if it’s only a tiny one — that they’ll be paying Sheed $12 mil over the next two seasons. It’s not happening. This report, even if it isn’t true, could kill any trade negotiations Danny Ainge has been in with other GMs.
As for the possibility of Sheed playing? Ummm… Sheed was a full-fledged favorite of mine by the end of the playoffs, even if he spent the regular season killing me softly. If he can get in shape — a big if, considering his body has been getting ever-lumpier for the past five years — Sheed would be a HUGE help while Perkins is injured, and a force off the bench once Perk comes back.
But I just don’t think Sheed has any motivation anymore. As lazy as he was last season, I’d be willing to bet he’d be at least as bad this coming year. His heart isn’t in it anymore, at least not during the regular season. And with Perk out until December or January, the Celtics don’t need a player who’s going to half-ass it for the first 82 games.
It’s weird, too, because if Sheed ever came back in shape he’d be the ideal player to replace Perk for a few months. I just have approximately zero faith that he will. Either way, he’ll probably still retire. I think.
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Celtics Blog, Featured | Jay King | July 4, 2010
Hey Jay, I been thinking about things that could happen if Sheed comes back. One thing to keep in mind, if he comes back and has to start until Jan or Feb, the starting job could keep him in shape. Well, at least in better shape then last year. The down side of him starting is he could be worn out and banged up by the All-Star break. I dont buy the fact that Sheed doesn’t try… I thought when the team was out to a 23-5 start he looked really good, at one point he led the league in 3-point percentage. Granted it was only after 27 attempts. My point is, I think when everyone started getting hurt and the team was playing 500 ball, he started throwing in the towel till the play-offs.by that point, seems they all throw in the towel until the play-offs..
I would love to see Sheed come back, I still think he gives us more than Brad Miller and Shaq.
Any possible way we can get Mike Miller??? And keep Ray??
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It’s possible we could get Mike Miller and keep Ray. We could sign both of them to free agent deals, assuming Miller would take the mid-level exception. And as for you thinking Sheed tried during the regular season: We’ll agree to disagree. Of course, in German “Sheed working hard” means “a whale’s vagina.”
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Jay if Sheed comes back, doesn’t he own all of our MLE?
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I’m almost positive you can use the MLE every year, regardless of whether the player you used it on in the previous year is still on the roster.
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I though that too Jay, but a few weeks back on WEEI I heard someone say if Sheed were to stay or keep all his money we would have no mid level to spend. I didn’t understand that.
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That would have been if Sheed had retired and Pierce had left. Then we would have been under the cap, and the MLE is only given to teams that are over the cap.
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