I know that the league forbids "wink wink" hangshake deals. This is what got Minni in trouble with Joe Smith. But if I'm Boston talking to Posey's agent I at least explain this scenario as a "possibility" as long as Posey continues to play at a high level and demand good contracts.
Posey could sign with another team for the MLE. There would be an 8% increase in each year of the deal. So roughly this:
Year 1: 5.8 mil
Year 2: 6.2 mil
Year 3: 6.7 mil
Year 4: 7.2 mil
Year 5: 7.7 mil
That leaves these possible contracts:
2 years 12 million
3 years 18.7 million
4 years 25.9 million
5 years 33.6 million
Posey and his agent are demanding a 4 or 5 year deal.
Seems reasonable.
But if we let him know that if he signs with us at 3 years 12 million he can have a player option after the first year... then he can get a 80% increase of 6.8 million. I see nothing illegal about explaining this to him. In fact, his agent should be bringing up the possibility. It's all within the rules and all common sense. One more year and we have "early bird rights". 3 years 12 million is just to provide him financial security. But let him opt out after year 1 and get 6.8 million from us.
Year 1: 3.8 million
Year 2: 6.8 million
So yes... he could make 12 million over his first two years by signing a MLE contract, but by going this route he would have made 10.6 million over the first two years. Yes, it's a pay cut... It's actually 1.4 million less. But the big difference is that after those two years he will have been a Boston Celtic for 3 seasons and we will have his full Bird rights. He then can get a killing. He could get a contract starting at 8-10 million. I mean... at that point he could literally get a max contract. But lets say for some reason we just gave him 8 million a year after those 3 years
Lets say after those 2 years he signed for 3 more years at 8 million a year... even then:
Year 1: 3.8 million
Year 2: 6.8 million
Year 3: 8 million
Year 4: 8 million
Year 5: 8 million
3 years: 18.6 million
4 years: 26.6 million
5 years: 34.6 million
He'd actually be making MORE from Boston
... Now do I think Posey would actually take this risk and hope that in 2 years he could command a deal starting at 8 million? No way... not happening. He'll go for the financial security. But if Posey and his agent are so confident that they deserve 5 years 33.6 million right now using the MLE I don't see why they wouldn't have confidence that he could play his way to a contract in Boston making 5 years 34.6 million+. :-P This is where it's a longshot. But if Posey is happy here and thinks he can stay a contributor ... maybe he decides to take the risk and play with his boys.... hoping that he gets rewarded at the end.
Basically If I'm a sleezy GM I tell him, "pssss... sure you can get 5 years 33.6 million from the Lakers... but I'll find a way to get you 5 years 40 million if you just stick with us and let us use the MLE to bring in some help. UBUNTU BABY! DO it for the good of the team, Posey!" (which again is the kind of thing that got McHale in trouble with Joe Smith... but still)