...7 Celtics Off-Season Priorities...

I think these are the Green's top priorities:

1. Get Paul Pierce's situation figured out

I know I am in the minority who believe that Pierce may not end up in a C's uniform forever. I believe he wants to be a Celtic forever, and I know he wants his #34 up in those rafters, but there is a business reality to this situation.

As Captain, and as the obvious tentpole in the middle of this 3 ring circus, Pierce's situation is a very interesting one. He has 1 year remaining, as a player option, for 21.5 Million. Now is the time that all sports fans say, "why would he leave 21.5 million on the table?" Well, this is why.

He, and his agent, most likely believe a team is out there who is willing to sign him for 4 years, 60 million right now. That is option 1. Leave the C's, go to the Clippers (for example), finish off your career at home, with 60 million fans and 60 million bucks.

Option 2 is to stay with the C's, get your guaranteed 21.5 this year and then hope you can get 3 more years at 13 million (or so) per year. But really? Will the C's value him higher than Rondo? Will he be easy to retain?

I don't think it will be easy, and I think Pierce will test this free-agent market.

2. How hurt is Kendrick Perkins?

His injury could be a long-term issue for the C's. There are major roster holes on the Celtics - it may not feel that way but it will only get multiplied and microscoped over the next few years. We have to build this team back up, and that includes locking up a true big man, which Perkins is. However, with the snowball effect injuries have on big men, it is a bit scary. They best have the most capable Dr's. in sports working on his leg, because he is a big part of this team's future.

3. Will Ray Allen remain in Green?

He had such a roller coaster playoff - it is really unbelievable. I have no idea to be honest about Ray Allen and if he needs to be a Celtic. Part of me says, "yes, absolutely. He is the only man on offense willing to move, continuously. We have to keep him. But then there is the part of me that says if you rely on a jumpshooter, you don't win titles. What teams have won titles relying on a jump shooter? And we relied on him. As Garnett aged, Perkins got hurt, and Rondo was neutralized a bit by Kobe, it was up to Ray to hit his shots. He did in game 2, and he didn't in Game 7. And thats that.

4. Is Rasheed retiring?

The money left over is huge. We lose him, we gain millions. Will he be cooperative and decide in a timely manner, you can almost guarantee he won't. The reason that it is critical this happens quickly is because the amazing Free Agent class has a tremendous potential, and things will happen very quickly.

5. Who is our Backup PG?

I feel this needs to be addressed in the draft. The Free Agent Class at PG is very thin - and given the needs of a lot of teams, I think even landing a Steve Blake type player is a long shot. I don't like the draft, I don't trust the draft, and I don't believe in the draft, but I have no solution here. I know the answer isn't re-upping Nate Robinson, not on this team.

6. We have 6 players, who are the rest going to be?

If we keep Pierce, we have 6 players on contract. If we don't, and if Rasheed retires, we have 4. Garnett, Rondo, Perkins and Glen Davis. If Perkins is hurt for the first 1/2 of the season, we potentially go into this year with 3 players.

The most likely scenario is that Pierce stays, Wallace goes, Perkins can't start the year, and we have 5 guys on our roster. I think it's likely we keep Tony Allen, we pick up 2 rookies in the draft, and 1 guy at Summer League. That is a very porous roster, and Ainge has his work cut out for him.

But remember, when everything was at it's darkest, Ainge pulled off the Ray Allen trade on draft night in June '07, and we were saved.

7. Do we have a coaching staff?
Doc is no fool. Thibadeau moving to Chicago is a huge deal. Doc wanting to go back to Florida, for good reason, and live at home is a big deal. I think that Doc sees the writing on the wall, in many respects. I believe the coaching turntable will spin very soon. Will Doc take over in Orlando? Will McHale and Ainge reunite in Boston? Who will coach this defense? What are we going to look like next year?

Lastly, I'd like to build my dream team, based on assumption that the C's stay under 90 million cap space, and taking into account all I can. (*'s are the deals I am imagining for the player for '10)

PG - Rondo (9 million)

SG - Allen (6 million)

SF - Pierce (*21.5 million)

PF - Garnett (*18.8 million)

C - Perkins (4.4 million)

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Bench - Shaq (4 million)

Bench - Davis (3.3 million)

Bench - Blake (*3.5 million)

Bench - Matt Bonner (1.5 million)

Bench - JJ Redick (5.5 million)

Rookie - who cares (1 million)

Rookie - who cares (.75 million)