Lex Nihil Novi - Ainge Quietly Retains Theo Ratliff's Expiring Contract

by **bobheckler** Thu Aug 24, 2017 1:26 pm

Ainge Quietly Retains Theo Ratliff's Expiring Contract

June 30, 2007

There is a broad, league-wide assumption that Celtics center Theo Ratliff is valuable only because of his $11.7 million contract, which expires after next season.

On Thursday, Danny Ainge somehow managed to hold onto the Ratliff asset, which will become pivotal when the team kicks off its campaign for a free agent next week.

Actually, this is not just an assumption. Ratliff's large salary slot remains the most likely means to acquiring another impact veteran.

But something got lost in the haze of Thursday night's trade for Ray Allen.

The Celtics, with Allen, are about to begin an era of true perimeter excellence.

They're also headed into a defensive black hole.

If only they had another defense-minded big to help out Kendrick Perkins.

But hold on.

If Ratliff wasn't being metered down in the mail room for the best available sign-and-trade deal, wouldn't he actually be that guy?

Even as he calculates the Ratliff factor in every potential move, Ainge has had these thoughts. He may even be having them more than ever.

What if Ratliff, a terrific post defender when healthy, actually sticks around to add experience to a team that is now embracing age?

Ratliff only played two games last season before undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured disc in his back. However, Ainge believes chances are good that the 34-year-old shot-blocker will be ready by the opening of training camp.

He's even entering that magical time known as a contract year. Ratliff has to play for the last deal of his career this season, if he indeed wants to continue playing.

``We're not done (making moves), and Theo has been working extremely hard to come back from his surgery,'' Ainge said yesterday. ``He had disc surgery, and everyone assumes that the guy is done. But I don't assume that he's done at all.

``Theo can still help us. He and Perk together could really help us under the basket. Theo has been working extremely hard. He believes that he can be healthy, and I think this is going to be an important year for him, because he has a chance to earn a new contract.''

Ratliff hasn't just been working out. He has stayed local. He's been a common sight at the Celtics' workout facility in Waltham.

Ainge has drawn up his list of free agent targets - most of whom are likely to require the huge matching number that only Ratliff's contract can provide.

But here's a hint about that list: It doesn't include many - if any - big defenders.

If Ratliff is, as Ainge suspects, serious about playing again, then there is little doubt that he can fill a gaping need on this team.

Indeed, add a motivated Ratliff to the mix next year, and the veteran team that Paul Pierce craves could be a lot closer to reality than anyone thinks - especially now that Allen has come aboard.

``The addition of Ray Allen will motivate our whole team,'' said Ainge. ``We'll get Paul's spirit back and add Ray's spirit, and that's the sort of thing that can trickle down to some of the other veterans like Theo and Scal (Brian Scalabrine). That's critical to the success of any team. I'm talking about a day-to-day love of the game.''

Even for a guy who hasn't been a day-to-day factor since he donned the green at this time last season.

Then again, he could be gone in another month.

Either way, Ratliff has never been more valuable - here, anyway.

bob
MY NOTE: Ratliff's contract ended up being key in making the numbers work for the KG trade.

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