Matt Barnes strongly considering Celtics?
Barnes? Count me in.
Update: A. Sherrod Blakely reports Barnes is likely headed elsewhere. His probable suitors? The Lakers, Mavericks and Heat. Yuck. I’m going to puke.
Boy, that was a quick 180 on Matt Barnes’s availability.
Earlier today Danny Ainge spoke about Matt Barnes as though he were a pipe dream, but now Barnes is reportedly strongly considering the Celtics.
“The problem with Matt Barnes,” Ainge said in an interview with WEEI earlier today, “is that he is a terrific player, he started last year, and he opted out of his contract so I think he has some expectations of making more money than he had than last year. All we have to offer is the veteran minimum.”
I guess he might be willing to take the min after all. (Orlando Sentinel)
Those with knowledge of the situation say Barnes is strongly considering the Heat or the Celtics, among several other teams.
The Barnes’ camp still contends that the Magic have not offered him a contract and have moved on after signing free agent guard-forward Quentin Richardson.
The defensive-minded Celtics might make more sense. Boston is looking for back-up help behind small forward Paul Pierce and at power forward behind Kevin Garnett after the retirement of Rasheed Wallace.
The Heat are crowded at the small-foward and power-forward spots.
I’d like Barnes on the C’s. He can shoot a little, he can defend a little, and he will allow the Celtics to finally meet the NBA’s tattoo quota. Is he really willing to take the minimum?
(Thanks to our reader Jeff on the heads up)
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Celtics Blog, Featured | Jay King | July 15, 2010
Oh boy, that would be a terrific steal by DA, but I ain’t jumpin as long as he hasn’t inked a contract..
It all seems a little far fetched to opt out with the Magic to finally accept the veteran minimum with the C’s (apart from the fact that the Celtics are way better than Orlando of course) when a lockout is on his way and players are expected to look for job security and a big paycheck above all
I really hope it happens though
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Seems like it was too good to be true.
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If its between Boston and Miami, I have a feeling he would pick the Celtics…..less money, but far greater chance for playing time. In Boston, he would easily be one of the first ones of the bench to come in for Paul or even Ray. Too many wings in Miami, not enough minutes….and Barnes could fill the tattoo quota if you put him on a team with Scal, Danny Ainge and Steve Nash.
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thats a dream steall—he can play backup SG, SF,—-and can defend—-like i said before tho —this guy would have some great character to come to Boston and play—because he hasnt made 8mil in 7 years in the NBA—quite possibly my new fav player if he sacrificed money when he has never got a good deal in 7 years in NBA
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He’d be one of my faves too. He’s only made $7.6 million in his career though, according to Forsberg. He might be out for a payday. P.S. – The NBA, where “only” made $7.6 million happens.
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I’ll be absolutely shocked if he comes to the Celtics, or signs any minimum deal. Shocked.
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I was the same way. But the rumor must be out there for a reason, right?
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Thanks for the props Jay!!! =D
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No prob. Thank YOU, sir.
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Another option might be Jerry Stackhouse?
He is already drooling over MIA but if they don’t grab him what about him as a possibility?
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Ehhh… he wasn’t THAT bad last year, but he could be Finley’s grandfather.
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According to Sherrod Blakely’s Twitter, the Celtics are now behind Miami, Dallas and.. wait for it.. the Lakers in Barnes’ pecking order..
I really hope DA cashes in on this one.. if he can’t pull this deal together, I’ll have to jump back into Daniels’ bandwagon..
Fortunately, the suspense won’t last very long as ESPN will broadcast Matt Barnes’ “The Decision” tomorrow.. phew..
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My guess is he goes to LA because it’s where he’s from, he played at UCLA, and now that Bell is out of the picture LA wants a backup wing player too.
Bummer JO took the whole MLE. I like the move to get him but not the fact that he handcuffed us on getting another wing.
Why DANNY?!!! Why not just offer 3 years at $3.5 mil? How much is it going to hurt?! It’s not like he’s that old! He’s younger than Ray, KG and Paul!
I don’t know if he’d come for that but it’d leave us with $2.3 to go get someone else.
Oh well. What’s done is done.
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I’m thinking LA too. They can give him a little more money too.
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This guy can really play and make a difference. If it happens then banner #18 will be much closer than with TA.
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I’d love this signing. He’s a tough bastard too.
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JO wouldn’t have come over for 3.5mil, he definitely wanted to play for a contender, but there’s a limit to that. Miami probably would have paid him a lot more than that, and they could have since they had his Bird Rights.
Now I doubt Miami would have paid more than 6mil however, so since Boston offered the full MLE, the dollar values between Miami and Boston were similar, and he chose Boston.
Boston offers 3.5, when Miami will pay 6, and that choice probably changes.
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By the way, I take anything Blakely says with a grain of salt. So let’s just see how this plays out.
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I’m waiting on his decision. He said via Twitter that it’ll come tomrorow.
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