07-06-2005, 03:04 PM
Players they might lose: Gary Payton, Antoine Walker
Players they might pursue: Stromile Swift, Earl Watson, Marko Jaric ®, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Ronald Murray ®
Current cap position: $49.3 million ($198,799 under the cap)
Analysis: The good news is that, with the tax savings built into the new rules, Danny Ainge will be allowed to spend the C's full mid-level exception this year. The bad news is that the free-agent point-guard class isn't great and Ainge has made no secret about his desire to add a point guard to this squad. It's unlikely that Payton will return and though the team likes their two young pseudo-points -- Delonte West and, to a lesser extent, Marcus Banks -- they know they need someone with more experience running the show.
Watson is probably the best fit for the style that Ainge wants to play, but Ainge is going to have competition from a number of other teams for Watson's services.
The Celtics also need another big man, especially if they're not bringing back Walker. Swift also could be an interesting pick. The Celtics still need athletes at the four and five positions and Swift is near the top of the heap. But he may command more cash than the Celtics have to offer.
If nothing materializes soon, don't be surprised if Ainge starts trading guys to keep upgrading his squad.
Players they might pursue: Stromile Swift, Earl Watson, Marko Jaric ®, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Ronald Murray ®
Current cap position: $49.3 million ($198,799 under the cap)
Analysis: The good news is that, with the tax savings built into the new rules, Danny Ainge will be allowed to spend the C's full mid-level exception this year. The bad news is that the free-agent point-guard class isn't great and Ainge has made no secret about his desire to add a point guard to this squad. It's unlikely that Payton will return and though the team likes their two young pseudo-points -- Delonte West and, to a lesser extent, Marcus Banks -- they know they need someone with more experience running the show.
Watson is probably the best fit for the style that Ainge wants to play, but Ainge is going to have competition from a number of other teams for Watson's services.
The Celtics also need another big man, especially if they're not bringing back Walker. Swift also could be an interesting pick. The Celtics still need athletes at the four and five positions and Swift is near the top of the heap. But he may command more cash than the Celtics have to offer.
If nothing materializes soon, don't be surprised if Ainge starts trading guys to keep upgrading his squad.
![[Image: boston.jpg]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/FattyJ16/boston.jpg)
