Roster Re-Set

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4706081/roset-reset-post-trade-glance


Roster reset: Post-trade glance
July, 12, 2013
JUL 12
4:05 PM ET
By Chris Forsberg | ESPNBoston.com


Now that the Celtics-Nets blockbuster trade has officially been completed, here's a glance at where Boston's roster stands at the moment:

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($12 million), Courtney Lee ($5.2 million), Keith Bogans ($5 million**), Avery Bradley ($2.5 million), Jordan Crawford ($2.2 million), MarShon Brooks ($1.2 million).

Forwards: Kris Humphries ($12 million), Gerald Wallace ($10.1 million), Jeff Green ($9 million), Brandon Bass ($6.5 million), Kelly Olynyk ($2 million), Jared Sullinger ($1.4 million), Kris Joseph ($788,000*)

Centers: Fab Melo ($1.3 million), Shavlik Randolph ($1.1 million*)

Unsigned draft picks: Colton Iverson ($490,180)

(Note: * = Nonguaranteed; ** = Estimated (Bogans will sign a 3-year deal, final two nonguaranteed)

That's 15 signed players and one draft pick. Both Randolph and Joseph have nonguaranteed deals and decisions will have to be made soon on both (more so with Randolph than Joseph). Randolph's deal becomes fully guaranteed on Aug. 1, while Joseph's contract becomes only $100,000 guaranteed on Aug. 1 and $200,000 guaranteed if not waived by Oct. 29.

The Celtics still have midlevel ($5.2 million) and biannual ($2.1 million) exceptions at their disposal, but would be unlikely to utilize them this offseason (or at least not the full value) without some additional shuffling (there's little reason to make any long-term commitments for a team in transition, anyhow). With the current 15-man roster, Boston is on the hook for roughly $72.3 million, which leaves them above the luxury tax threshold ($71.75 million), something the team would desire to dip below after paying tax in each of the past six seasons. By receiving Bogans via sign-and-trade, the Celtics are hard-capped and must not exceed the apron ($75.75 million) at any point this season.

For those who have asked (and plenty of you have), the Celtics cannot amnesty any of the incoming players. Teams can only amnesty the players it signed before the new collective bargaining agreement in 2011. That means Boston's only candidates for amnesty are Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley (which is to say they won't be using their amnesty clause).

If we're interpreting the collective bargaining agreement correctly, Boston can trade some of the incoming bodies, but only if their salaries are not aggregated when being moved. For example, Boston can still move Kris Humphries and his $12 million expiring salary, but cannot include any other outgoing players in that transaction.

Even if the Celtics elect to hang on to Humphries, when combined with Bogan's salary (a high number due to a provision called base-year compensation in the collective bargaining agreement; but not guaranteed after the first season), the team has potential to shed as much as $17 million next summer. The Celtics will hold a cost-efficient $2.2 million option on Brooks for the 2014-15 season as part of his rookie deal, while Joseph holds a $1.1 million qualifying offer if maintained through the year. The soon-to-be 31-year-old Wallace, currently the oldest player on Boston's roster, is owed $30.3 million over the next three seasons.



bob


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New Roster Re-Set, as of 7/23/13:

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4706212/roster-reset-pressey-faverani-make-16


A quick roster reset after the Boston Celtics officially inked Phil Pressey and Vitor Faverani on Monday. Let's start with a very unofficial look at where Boston's depth chart stands at the moment:

* Point Guards: Rajon Rondo ($12 million), Pressey ($0.5 million)

* Shooting Guards: Avery Bradley ($2.5 million), Courtney Lee ($5.2 million), MarShon Brooks ($1.2 million), Keith Bogans ($5.1 million), Jordan Crawford ($2.2 million)

* Small Forwards: Jeff Green ($9 million), Gerald Wallace ($10.1 million)

* Power Forwards: Jared Sullinger ($1.4 million), Brandon Bass ($6.5 million), Kris Humphries ($12 million), Kelly Olynyk ($2 million)

* Centers: Faverani ($2 million), Shavlik Randolph ($1.1 million), Fab Melo ($1.3 million)

* Unsigned draft picks: Colton Iverson ($490,180)

The logjams at the 2 and 4 spots make it tough to determine exactly how the depth chart will shake down. We'll probably have a better idea of that once the team makes its next move. And at least one more more seems inevitable to shed salary and clear roster space. Here's why:

* The Celtics currently have a total salary commitment of roughly $73.8 million. That leaves them over the luxury tax line ($71.75 million) and standing on the apron (hard-capped after receiving Bogans via sign-and-trade, the Celtics cannot exceed $4 million over the tax line at any point this season). Boston would desire to sink below the tax line to avoid looming repeater rates in the future, but has some trimming to do (and has to leave enough room when its done for potential in-season costs should injuries deplete depth).

* Boston has 16 signed players and only Shavlik Randolph is on a nonguaranteed deal. His contract becomes fully guaranteed on Aug. 1, which could tip Boston's hand if the next move doesn't come before then. If Randolph is retained, then it's likely another big will be moved before camp. If Randolph is released to free salary and a roster spot, it would appear the Celtics are not confident they can deal one of their other bigs.

* Second-round draft pick Iverson remains unsigned. He's stuck weighing his options as the Celtics clear their frontcourt logjam. If space opens, the Celtics can sneak him on for minimum money ($490K). If they need the roster spot, Iverson will spend next season overseas getting experience and a decent payday.


bob
MY NOTE: An excellent point about the timing of Shav's guarantee. If he's guaranteed by 8/1, there will be trades; if his contract is not guaranteed, then Danny's having trouble moving bigs.


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