Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Since a lot of folks seem to have in their mind that the Celtics have to make some moves in the off-season, lets at least stick to what’s feasible.
The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement stipulates that a team at or over the salary cap MAY NOT replace a traded player with a player or players whose salaries exceed 125% of the traded player’s salary plus $100,000 (a team under the salary cap has more wiggle room, but that is not the case with the Cetlics).
In other words, the salaries have to be within 25% (plus $100,000) of each other.
That’s why any realistic trade scenario for a premier veteran would have to include Theo Ratliff and/or Wally Szczerbiak.
Ratliff has one year and $11.6 million remaining on his deal, while Szczerbiak’s price tag is $12 million in 2007-08.
Other than Paul Pierce, there isn’t another player on the roster slated to make more than $4.5 million in 2007-08.
So before you get too happy with potential trades in your mind, keep in mind big name players like Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal and Pau Gasol are well-paid.
Garnett in 2007-08: $22 million
O’Neal in 2007-08: $19.7 million
Gasol in 2007-08: $13.7 million
Without Szczerbiak, Ratliff or both involved, it becomes nearly unfeasible to come within 25% of a the money earned by a top-flight veteran.
Salary for this year’s No. 5…
The fifth pick will earn a salary around $2.548 according to the NBA Rookie salary scale for the 2007-08 season.
The last five No.5 picks…
2006 - Shelden Williams, Duke (drafted by Atlanta)
2005 - Raymond Felton, University of North Carolina (drafted by Charlotte)
2004 - Devin Harris, Wisconsin (drafted by Washington)
2003 - Dwyane Wade, Marquette (drafted by Miami)
2002 - Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Benetton Treviso, Italy (drafted by Denver)
Comments (4)
LW: As long as everyone understands "a player or players" in trade negotiations, I don't see any reason they can't find some quality players out there that will bring the Celtics back to playoff form. Last year they held a lot of opponents close - it's a matter of time before they hit upon the right combination of late game players that can come off the bench and put it away.
Posted by KSM | May 30, 2007 11:31 AM
Posted on May 30, 2007 11:31
I don't think we can work it out to get Garnett or Jermaine O'Neal. However, the one name that really intrigues me is Shawn Marion.
Supposedly, the Suns might want to move him because of financial considerations. I think if you can turn that #5 pick and maybe a fringe player into him (matching salary, too), the C's could be really good next year.
Posted by Teddy P. | May 30, 2007 2:30 PM
Posted on May 30, 2007 14:30
KSM: It's possible that one reason they might not be able to find "some quality players" to bring them back to playoff form could be because they might not have the bargaining chips on their roster to make another team want to trade "some quality players."
Also, before you hone in on finding the right mix late in the game, the Celtics have some other issues. Particularly on the defensive end where they were in the bottom half in point allowed, in the bottom third in field goal percentage allowed.
Teddy: They'd still have to move Theo or Wally to be able to match salary with Marion.
Posted by Worthy | May 30, 2007 10:25 PM
Posted on May 30, 2007 22:25
Worthy:
I guess I'll have to wait until rookie camp opens to see who they bring in; I should probably check the rule book (contract-wise) to review who is invited to the camp.
Posted by KSM | May 31, 2007 7:21 AM
Posted on May 31, 2007 07:21