Sports Insider by Frank Coppola: Champion Celtics look toward future as NBA draft looms

June 25, 2008

Champion Celtics look toward future as NBA draft looms

After a week's worth of celebration, it's time for Celtics fans to take a look toward the team's future. The NBA draft is Thursday night, but Boston doesn't figure to make much noise with the last pick in each of the two rounds. Hey, that's the price you pay for having the league's best record.

No, the Celtics' biggest offseason news will come via the free-agent market, most notably their attempts to re-sign a couple key members of their championship team.

Here is a look at Boston's six free-agent players and the chances of each returning to the Celtics:

James Posey, SF/SG
Age: 31
Stats: 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 38 percent 3-point shooting
Outlook: Posey is unquestionably the key figure for the Celtics this season. He was Boston's top player off the bench, an outstanding defender who had an incredible knack for knocking down big 3-pointers in key situations. He's one of the team's emotional leaders and has two championship rings to his credit. His value may never be higher, and at 31, this could be his last chance for a big payday. The guess here is that the Celtics bring him back with a decent raise.

Eddie House, PG/SG
Age: 30
Stats: 7.5 points, 2.0 assists, 39 percent 3-point shooting
Outlook: Another key figure off the bench, House's outside shooting and hustle were a spark for the Celtics all season long and made him a fan favorite. Even when Doc Rivers stubbornly left him on the bench in certain games in favor of Sam Cassell, House never lost his cool and drained a number of big 3-pointers in the playoffs. His return may depend on Boston's ability to bring in a true backup point guard for Rajon Rondo. If the Celtics don't view House as that backup, he'll probably leave in favor of more playing time elsewhere.

P.J. Brown, PF
Age: 38
Stats: 2.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 0.4 blocks
The numbers don't tell the whole story with Brown, whose defensive ability gave him more playing time than expected in the playoffs, especially when Kendrick Perkins got hurt. Brown will forever be remembered by Celtics fans for his Game 7 effort against the Cavs: 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting, six rebounds and 20 big minutes off the bench. Brown was coaxed out of retirement at the All-Star break and will likely call it quits for good this time now that he got his elusive championship ring.

Tony Allen, SG/PG
Age: 26
Stats: 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Although Allen is a tremendous athlete, he's been injury prone during his four years with the Celtics and never seemed to be one of Doc Rivers' favorites. His upside will probably convince some other team to throw a decent contract his way during the offseason, which would mark the end of his stay in Boston. The only way he stays is if Eddie House leaves and the Celtics think Allen is the best player to fill that void.

Sam Cassell, PG
Age: 38
Stats: 7.7 points, 2.1 assists, 41 percent 3-point shooting
Cassell was a lightning rod for criticism from some fans, including myself, who saw him as a bad fit in the Celtics' offense. Cassell is a shoot-first point guard whose shot selection is questionable at best. In most part, Boston was a much better team with Eddie House on the floor, although the need for a true backup point guard was exposed in the series against the Pistons. Cassell isn't the answer, so don't bet on a return.

Scot Pollard, C
Age: 33
Stats: 1.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, 22 games played
Outside of comic relief, Pollard brought very little to the table during his first year with the Celtics. He missed most of the year with injuries and wasn't very effective when he did play. The development of Leon Powe and Glen Davis certainly seems to make him expendable. It would be a surprise to see him return.

Posted by Frank Coppola at June 25, 2008 01:13 PM

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