Almost three weeks after the Boston Celtics played their final, ill-fated game, Greg Stiemsma still requires a walking boot to move. It’s impossible for us to tell just how much plantar fasciitis impacted his production during the playoffs, but it’s clear his left foot hurt worse than he let on.

One year after entering the Celtics’ training camp as a long shot to make the team, Stiemsma has earned his place in the NBA. He is a restricted free agent, and — as a 6-foot-11 big man with reasonable mobility who blocks more people than an enraged Twitter user and possesses a surprising outside touch on his jump shot – he’s all but promised a spot in the Association next season. One question that still hasn’t been answered, though, is whether he will have an encore season in Boston.

He wants to, which makes sense considering that Boston provided him with his first NBA opportunity, but there’s still the question of money to iron out if the Celtics want him, which they almost certainly will as long as the contract is reasonable (big men don’t grow on trees, ya know). (Boston Herald)

“I’m hoping it will all fall into place,” Stiemsma said. “I don’t want to get too caught up in the details, but I’m just hoping for the best and we’ll see what it brings. I’m hoping that everything works out. I’d really love to come back to Boston.”

Greg Stiemsma will be in Boston for the next few days to pack up his apartment, but the free agent center doesn’t want Celtics fans to read anything into the move.

“It’s just that I have a month-to-month lease and I’m not going to be there in July at all so I can save a little money by getting out of my apartment,” Stiemsma said. “I’m hoping to re-sign on a new lease soon.”

How much is Stiemsma worth? Legitimate big men are routinely overpaid in free agency, so it’s difficult to tell. One would think he might earn somewhere in the vicinity of Joel Anthony money ($3 million per), but really, I have no idea what type of contract offers Stiemsma will receive. I mean, Darko Milicic made $20 million over four years. All it takes is one zany general manager to throw too much money at Stiemsma and suddenly the Celtics will think twice about matching the offer.