I think you need to lower your expectations.
Celtics entering the long slow rebuild. Not top level stars are coming here for awhile.
Guys go where the money is, especially when they haven't yet signed a big deal. That's why tanking isn't the only option. Greg Monroe is not going to sign with the Spurs for the minimum just because he wants to win.
Mike
Guys go where the money is when nobody else is offering comparable money.
When comparable money is offered, free agents go to best situation. That is not the Celtics.
But who says the C's aren't the best option for someone like Monroe? He'd be the primary offensive option here, and he'd have the chance to grow with several young prospects. And to be honest, if you want to win why would you leave the weak East to go the incredibly difficult West?
I generally agree with you on the top-level stars that they won't be signing here, but someone like Monroe is a different situation I think.
I agree. Monroe is the type of guy Boston can target.
Sorry, if I was unclear above. I was talking in general MBunge's guys go where the money comment rather than to the Monroe part. Sorry if that was unclear. I should have highlighted it in first response.
Monroe is the type of talent Boston can and should pursue. He is not an A-List talent and maybe not even a B list talent. Monroe is not an established All-Star in this league nor has he ever been close to being an All-Star. Monroe is an up and coming talent. He will not be a first or second choice of the top FA buyers on the market. Monroe will be a 2nd or 3rd tier FA and he is the type of young talent Boston should pursue.
And if Boston is willing to grossly overpay (over market value, well past level player is good value at) such a player, they have a great chance of nabbing a player like Monroe.
If a 2nd, or more, team(s) come in and offer comparable contract ... Boston's chances of getting a player like Monroe go way down. Celtics need that overpay to be confident of getting their man.
Good examples of rebuilding teams signing guys like Monroe to overpay contracts = Utah Jazz signing Carlos Boozer and Memo Okur. Washington Wizards signing Gilbert Arenas.
Sign up and coming talent to overpay contracts and bet on team to improve to be worth that big payday further down the line. That is Boston's best options in FA.