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Resetting the Boston roster after the team inked Leandro Barbosa to a one-year, veteran-minimum contract on Wednesday:

GUARANTEED CONTRACTS (14)  

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($11 million), Avery Bradley ($1.6 million), Jason Terry ($5 million), Courtney Lee ($5 million); Leandro Barbosa ($854,389**)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($16.8 million), Brandon Bass ($6 million), Jeff Green ($8.4 million), Jared Sullinger ($1.3 million*)
Center: Kevin Garnett ($11.6 million), Chris Wilcox ($854,389**), Jason Collins ($854,389**), Darko Milicic ($854,839**), Fab Melo ($1.3 million*)

 
NON-GUARANTEED CONTRACTS (1)  

Kris Joseph ($473,604)

 
MONEY ON THE BOOKS (3)  

Keyon Dooling ($854,389**), Jamar Smith ($25,000), Dionte Christmas ($236,800)

 
TRAINING CAMP INVITES (2)  

Rob Kurz, Micah Downs

 
FREE AGENTS FROM 2011-12 SEASON (1)  

Mickael Pietrus, Sean Williams (Waived by Rockets)

 
THE DEPARTED (9)  

Ray Allen (Heat), Greg Stiemsma (Timberwolves), Jermaine O'Neal (Suns), JaJuan Johnson (Rockets), E'Twaun Moore (Magic; Waived by Rockets), Sasha Pavlovic (Trail Blazers), Ryan Hollins (Clippers), Marquis Daniels (Bucks)

 
Estimated total salary committed (guaranteed/partial deals): $72.5 million
(* = 120% of rookie scale; ** = League pays portion of veteran-minimum deal)


A handful of thoughts on Boston's roster status less than two weeks before the regular season tips off in Miami:

(Read full post)

The addition of veteran center Darko Milicic brings the Celtics to 14 guaranteed contracts for the 2012-13 season, one shy of the regular-season limit. That leaves three young players competing for one final spot, but might further aid training camp competition throughout the roster as some veterans will likely be playing for their own jobs as well (albeit with guaranteed money in their pocket). Let's reset the Celtics' roster:

GUARANTEED CONTRACTS FOR 2012-13 (14)  

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($11 million), Avery Bradey ($1.6 million), Jason Terry ($5 million), Courtney Lee ($5 million); Keyon Dooling ($854,389**)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($16.8 million), Brandon Bass ($6 million), Jeff Green ($8.4 million), Jared Sullinger ($1.3 million*)
Center: Kevin Garnett ($11.6 million), Chris Wilcox ($854,389**), Jason Collins ($854,389**), Darko Milicic ($854,839**), Fab Melo ($1.3 million*)

 
NON- OR PARTIALLY GUARANTEED 2012-13 CONTRACTS (3)  

Kris Joseph ($473,604); Jamar Smith ($473,604), Dionte Christmas ($473,604)

 
TRAINING CAMP INVITES (1)  

Rob Kurz

 
FREE AGENTS FROM 2011-12 SEASON (2)  

Mickael Pietrus, Marquis Daniels

 
THE DEPARTED (8)  

Ray Allen (Heat), Greg Stiemsma (Timberwolves), Jermaine O'Neal (Suns), JaJuan Johnson (Rockets), E'Twaun Moore (Magic; Waived by Rockets), Sean Williams (Waived by Rockets), Sasha Pavlovic (Trail Blazers), Ryan Hollins (Clippers)

 
Estimated total salary committed to guaranteed contracts: $71.4 million
(* = 120% of rookie scale; ** = League pays portion of veteran-minimum deal)


A handful of thoughts/reminders on Boston's roster status:

(Read full post)

Over the holiday weekend, HoopsWorld updated their Celtics' salary page to include a breakdown of the four-year deal that Jeff Green inked last month. The contract escalates over the first three seasons, then contains a fourth-year player option (total value of the expected $36 million). For the 2012-13 Celtics, the important number is an $8.385 million salary. With that nugget of knowledge, we now have a better idea of where Boston's payroll stands as the new season approaches. Let's reset the roster:

SIGNED FOR 2012-13 WITH SALARY ESTIMATES (13)  

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($11 million), Avery Bradey ($1.6 million), Jason Terry ($5 million), Courtney Lee ($5 million); Keyon Dooling ($854,389**)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($16.8 million), Brandon Bass ($6 million), Jeff Green ($8.4 million), Jared Sullinger ($1.3 million*)
Center: Kevin Garnett ($11.6 million), Chris Wilcox ($854,389**), Jason Collins ($854,389**), Fab Melo ($1.3 million*)

 
NON- OR PARTIALLY GUARANTEED 2012-13 CONTRACTS (3)  

Kris Joseph ($473,604); Jamar Smith ($473,604), Dionte Christmas ($473,604)

 
FREE AGENTS FROM 2011-12 SEASON (2)  

Mickael Pietrus, Marquis Daniels

 
THE DEPARTED (8)  

Ray Allen (Heat), Greg Stiemsma (Timberwolves), Jermaine O'Neal (Suns), JaJuan Johnson (Rockets), E'Twaun Moore (Magic; Waived by Rockets), Sean Williams (Waived by Rockets), Sasha Pavlovic (Trail Blazers), Ryan Hollins (Clippers)

 
Estimated total salary committed to guaranteed contracts: $70.6 million
(* = 120% of rookie scale; ** = League pays portion of veteran-minimum deal)


A few quick thoughts/reminders on Boston's roster status:

(Read full post)

The Boston Celtics trekked home from the Las Vegas Summer League, their 10-game aestival slate complete, with at least five players that will vie for a roster spot next season. Much of Boston's offseason work is complete as, including partially and non-guaranteed deals, the Celtics currently own a full 15-man roster (though more players could be added to promote competition when camp opens in late September and there's no guarantee Boston will carry 15 players). Let's start with a glance at where the roster/salary cap stands at the moment:

SIGNED FOR 2012-13 WITH SALARY ESTIMATES (12)  

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($11 million), Avery Bradey ($1.6 million), Jason Terry ($5 million), Courtney Lee ($5 million*)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($16.8 million), Brandon Bass ($6.8 million*), Jeff Green ($9 million*), Jared Sullinger ($1.3 million**)
Center: Kevin Garnett ($11 million*), Chris Wilcox ($854,389***), Jason Collins ($854,389***), Fab Melo ($1.3 million**)

 
NON- OR PARTIALLY GUARANTEED 2012-13 CONTRACTS (3)  

Kris Joseph ($473,604); Jamar Smith ($473,604), Dionte Christmas ($473,604)

 
FREE AGENTS FROM 2011-12 SEASON (4)  

Keyon Dooling, Mickael Pietrus, Marquis Daniels, Jermaine O'Neal

 
THE DEPARTED (7)  

Ray Allen (Heat), Greg Stiemsma (Timberwolves), JaJuan Johnson (Rockets), E'Twaun Moore (Rockets), Sean Williams (Rockets), Sasha Pavlovic (Trail Blazers), Ryan Hollins (Clippers)

 
Estimated total salary committed to guaranteed contracts: $70.5 million
(* = Estimated salary; ** = 120% of rookie scale; *** = League pays portion of veteran-minimum deal)


A handful of thoughts on Boston's roster situation:

(Read full post)

When the Celtics inked Sean Williams in the final week of the 2011-12 regular season, it was a move that barely got your attention with the playoffs nearing. Boston essentially had an open roster spot with Jermaine O'Neal having undergone season-ending wrist surgery and the team signed Williams with the goal of giving him a chance to compete for a roster spot this summer.

Call it a $49,966 investment in the 2012-13 season.

Without Williams' nonguaranteed contract at their disposal this summer, Courtney Lee might not have ended up in Boston. The Celtics were able to bundle Williams with E'Twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson, Sasha Pavlovic, a trio of second-round picks, and some cash as part of a three-team sign-and-trade that was finalized Friday and allowed Boston to ink Lee to a four-year deal.

Boston gave up non-essential, end-of-the-bench depth -- including a player like Williams that was a longshot to make the roster -- to bring in a player that will compete for a starting job. Williams (and Moore) is expected to be waived by cap-conscious Houston and will be left searching for his next NBA opportunity, but he'll have played a major role in helping how the Celtics' 2012-13 roster was constructed.

With that in mind, an updated glance at where Boston stands after Friday's deal:

SIGNED FOR 2012-13 WITH SALARY ESTIMATES (11)  

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($11 million), Avery Bradey ($1.6 million), Jason Terry ($5 million), Courtney Lee ($5 million*)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($16.8 million), Brandon Bass ($6.8 million*), Jeff Green ($9 million*), Jared Sullinger ($1.3 million**)
Center: Kevin Garnett ($11 million*), Chris Wilcox ($854,389***), Fab Melo ($1.3 million**)

 
NON-GUARANTEED 2012-13 CONTRACTS (2)  

Kris Joseph ($473,604); Jamar Smith ($473,604)

 
FREE AGENTS FROM 2011-12 SEASON (5)  

Restricted: Greg Stiemsma ($1.1 million)
Unrestricted: Keyon Dooling, Mickael Pietrus, Marquis Daniels, Jermaine O'Neal

THE DEPARTED (6)  

Ray Allen (Heat), JaJuan Johnson (Rockets), E'Twaun Moore (Rockets), Sean Williams (Rockets), Sasha Pavlovic (Trail Blazers), Ryan Hollins (Clippers)

 
Estimated total salary committed to guaranteed contracts: $69.7 million
(* = Estimated salary; ** = 120% of rookie scale; *** = League pays portion of veteran minimum deal)


A handful of thoughts as the Celtics look to complete their offseason roster construction:

(Read full post)

With forward/center Chris Wilcox coming back to Boston next season, the Celtics now have 12 players on board for the 2012-13 season. Our updated glance at where the team's roster and finances stand with the latest move:

SIGNED FOR 2012-13 WITH SALARY ESTIMATES (11)  

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($11 million), Avery Bradey ($1.6 million), Jason Terry ($5 million*)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($16.8 million), Brandon Bass ($6.8 million*), Jeff Green ($9 million*), JaJuan Johnson ($1.1 million), Jared Sullinger ($1.3 million**)
Center: Kevin Garnett ($11 million*), Chris Wilcox ($854,389***), Fab Melo ($1.3 million**)

 
NON-GUARANTEED 2012-13 CONTRACTS (3)  

E'Twaun Moore ($760,000); Kris Joseph ($473,604); Sean Williams ($915,000)

 
FREE AGENTS FROM 2011-12 SEASON (7)  

Restricted: Greg Stiemsma ($1.1 million)
Unrestricted: Keyon Dooling, Mickael Pietrus, Marquis Daniels, Sasha Pavlovic, Ryan Hollins, Jermaine O'Neal

 
Estimated total salary committed to guaranteed contracts: $66.2 million
(* = Estimated salary; ** = 120% of rookie scale; *** = League pays portion of veteran minimum deal)


The usual caveats here: None of the Celtics' offseason moves have been finalized and we're still awaiting official contract values. Barring an unexpected use of the biannual exception, Wilcox would be a minimum deal of $1.35 million for a 10-year veteran (though the league picks up a large portion of that move, putting Boston on the hook for merely 63 percent of the total value (teams only pay the amount of a second-year veteran on one-year, veteran-minimum deals). Last year he played for the taxpayers' mini-midlevel exception of $3 million.

So the Celtics remain comfortably above the cap, but still about $8 million away from the luxury tax threshold. That gives them some wiggle room in pursuit of another shooting guard, particularly if they simply guarantee the likes of E'Twaun Moore to help fill out the roster on low-cost deals.

The question everyone seems to want to know is can Boston still make a run at O.J. Mayo or Courtney Lee. Yes, but as we've stressed in this space before, it's anything but easy.

(Read full post)

The Boston Celtics practically doubled their roster number in recent days, officially signing three rookies Tuesday and nearing deals with both Jeff Green and Jason Terry. What do these signings mean for the roster moving forward? Is there still room for the likes of Ray Allen and Brandon Bass? Let's crunch the numbers in our latest roster reset:

SIGNED FOR 2012-13 WITH SALARY ESTIMATES (10)  

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($11 million), Avery Bradey ($1.6 million), Jason Terry ($5 million)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($16.8 million), JaJuan Johnson ($1.1 million), Jared Sullinger ($1.3 million**); Jeff Green ($9 million*), Kris Joseph ($473,604)
Center: Kevin Garnett ($11 million*), Fab Melo ($1.3 million**)

 
NON-GUARANTEED 2012-13 CONTRACTS (2)  

E'Twaun Moore ($760,000); Sean Williams ($915,000)

 
FREE AGENTS FROM 2011-12 SEASON (10)  

Restricted: Greg Stiemsma ($1.1 million)
Unrestricted: Ray Allen, Brandon Bass, Keyon Dooling, Mickael Pietrus, Marquis Daniels, Sasha Pavlovic, Ryan Hollins, Jermaine O'Neal, Chris Wilcox

 
Estimated total salary committed to guaranteed contracts: $58.7 million
(* = Estimated salary, awaiting official; ** = 120% of rookie scale)

For the purpose of this exercise, we're doing a little bit of assuming (that deals with Green and Terry will be finalized) as well as some guesswork on the numbers while awaiting official contract values for the likes of Garnett and Green (which won't likely be finalized until after the moratorium; we're using Green's $9 million figure from last year as a guide this year though that number might be lower).

We're also assuming that the Celtics went to 120 percent of the rookie scale with Sullinger and Melo. But going high on all of the estimated numbers, the Celtics still have roughly $15 million max to fill out their roster. And they don't want to get too close to that $74 million threshold because they want to leave room to absorb more salary during the season (whether it be injury replacements or taking on a little extra salary in the trade).

Even still, that means Boston still seemingly has enough room to bring back both Allen and Bass (though it won't leave much to fill out the end of the bench). Regardless, Boston still has room to do some combination of the following:

* Offer Ray Allen a two-year, $12 million contract ($6 million on book for next season)

* Offer Brandon Bass in the vicinity of $6 million in the first year of a long-term deal (though a lower number would provide more wiggle room). If unable to bring back Bass at an agreeable number, the team could facilitate a sign-and-trade in order to bring back an asset.

* Use the bi-annual exception (or part of it) to bring back a role player like Mickael Pietrus or fend off any modest offer sheets that Greg Stiemsma receives. The $2 million value will still require the likes of Pietrus to take a bit of a discount, but a veteran might be enticed by the roster Boston is putting together for another title run.

* Fill out the end of the roster with low-budget options like Moore and Williams, or any other minimum salary player. Remember that the league pays a portion of all one-year veteran contracts, so even a long-time veteran with a $1+ million price tag only counts against Boston's books at a fraction of the cost. For instance, Pietrus made $1.2 million last season, but Boston only paid $854,000.

As the Celtics' offseason unfolds, we'll maintain a look at how their roster is shaping up and the salary cap situation. In re-signing Kevin Garnett to a three-year contract extension Saturday, here's how Boston's roster looks (as always, with help from the fine folks at salary site ShamSports.com):

SIGNED FOR 2012-13 WITH SALARY (5)
Guards: Rajon Rondo ($11 million), Avery Bradey ($1.6 million)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($16.8 million), JaJuan Johnson ($1.1 million)
Center: Kevin Garnett ($11 million*)

FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS WITH SALARY HOLD (2)
Jared Sullinger ($1.1 million), Fab Melo ($1.1 million)

NON-GUARANTEED 2012-13 CONTRACTS (3)
E'Twaun Moore ($760,000); Sean Williams ($915,000); Kris Joseph ($473,604)

FREE AGENTS FROM 2011-12 SEASON (11)
Restricted: Greg Stiemsma ($1.1 million)
Unrestricted: Ray Allen, Brandon Bass, Jeff Green, Keyon Dooling, Mickael Pietrus, Marquis Daniels, Sasha Pavlovic, Ryan Hollins, Jermaine O'Neal, Chris Wilcox

Total salary committed to guaranteed contracts (including rookies): $43.7 million

The big news for Sunday is that the Celtics are willing to offer Allen a two-year, $12 million contract in hopes of retaining the soon-to-be 37-year-old shooting guard. Considering the way Allen struggled at the end of the season while battling bone spurs in his injured ankle, some have suggested the price tag might be a bit steep. The Celtics would be banking on a healthy Allen reverting to form, this after still shooting a career-best beyond the 3-point arc last season. They're also trying to prevent him from being lured away from someone like the Miami Heat, their chief Eastern Conference rival.

While Boston has to be responsible in its quest to remain under the luxury tax threshold (roughly $74 million), thereby having the full mid-level ($5 million) and bi-annual ($2 million) exceptions at its disposal to further lure talent, adding Allen at around $6 million next season won't detour that. Garnett's salary from last season has already been halved and Allen earned $10 million last season. Combine those discounts on a team that spent $79.5 million total and they're shimmying their way back down.

There's still a lot of big-money decisions to be made even beyond Allen, including whether to utilize their rights to work a long-term deal with Brandon Bass (who opted out at $4.3 million looking for a raise) and then there's Jeff Green (who the team would love to bring back and had a $9 million price tag before his heart ailment).

But Boston does have potential to fill out the end of its roster rather economically, including the rookie contracts and non-guaranteed options for Moore and Williams. The Celtics can still splurge a bit on the likes of Allen and Green, and still leave themselves enough wiggle room to utilize the full mid-level as well.

That means Boston can still pursue any of the big-name bench options that are on the market, including O.J. Mayo and Jamal Crawford (with Jason Terry and Nick Young among others for the team to be interested in).

Keep in mind, the Celtics would seemingly desire to bring back the likes of Pietrus or Dooling (and must fend off any bidders for Stiemsma). But being over the salary cap limits their ability to re-sign those players without using exceptions, unless those players agree to play for the minor raises Boston can offer given their limited rights after spending just one season in green.

Don't pay much mind to cap holds. Boston is going to be over the salary cap and the holds only ensure they can't splurge before signing their own free agents. Allen is on the books for $15 million until his situation is resolved, while Green and Bass account for another $19 million. One way or another, those numbers will dip. Heck, Boston is still has an $8.3 million cap hold on Nenad Krstic (though it's interesting to see Sportando's report Sunday that he is leaving CSKA Moscow). The Celtics could still use some big-man help next season and Boston owns his rights from the Kendrick Perkins trade with Oklahoma City. Krstic earned $5.5 million during the 2010-11 season before bolting overseas during the lockout.

With word that the Celtics intend to sign veteran swingman Sasha Pavlovic, Boston appears set to reach the 15-man roster limit. That doesn't necessarily mean they're done with offseason transactions as trades remain in play and there's the possibility that some of these minimum deals are not fully guaranteed (particularly for camp invites), which could allow the Celtics a low-cost way to shuffle the back end of their roster.

Let's start with the position-by-positon break down of players currently under contract (or will be once their deals are approved by the league):

Point guards: Rajon Rondo, Keyon Dooling
Shooting guards: Ray Allen, Avery Bradley, E'Twaun Moore
Small forwards: Paul Pierce, Jeff Green, Marquis Daniels, Sasha Pavlovic
Power forwards: Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass, Chris Wilcox, JaJuan Johnson
Centers: Jermaine O'Neal, Greg Stiemsma

If our estimates are correct, the Celtics are currently committed to paying a whopping $86.1 million in salaries if we pencil in Stiemsma, a camp invite whose size and skill set could earn him the role of backup center, makes the final roster. If the luxury tax threshold remains around $70 million as it was last season, that's an additional $16 million the team will have to foot (taxpayers must pay dollar for dollar over the threshold). A breakdown of current contracts (again, assuming minimum contracts for the veteran players signed in recent days):

Celtics salaries: Garnett ($21.2 million), Pierce ($15.3 million), Rondo ($10 million), Allen ($10 million), Green ($9 million), O’Neal ($6.2. million), Bass ($4 million), Wilcox ($3 million), Bradley ($1.5 million), Dooling ($1.4 million), Daniels ($1.3 million), Pavlovic ($1.3 million), Johnson ($895,700), Moore ($490,180), Stiemsma ($490,180).

The Celtics have three other players in camp trying to fight their way onto the roster in Gilbert Brown, Michael Sweetney, and Jamal Sampson.

(Note: Updated 12/12 to reflect Wilcox earning $3 million from taxpayer mid-level exception)

The Boston Celtics will open training camp Friday afternoon at the Sports Authority Training Center at HealthPoint and could boast 14 bodies for the official start of the 2011-12 season. The Celtics currently boast six players under contract and, when the league allow transactions to begin at 2 p.m., it's expected the team will officially add a handful of bodies, while also welcoming a group of camp invitees looking to compete for a roster spot. A glance at the players expected at camp:

Contract: Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Jermaine O'Neal, Avery Bradley
Expected additions: Keyon Dooling, Marquis Daniels
The Rookies: JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore
Training camp invites: Gilbert Brown, Michael Sweetney, Jamal Sampson, Greg Stiemsma

The biggest question is if (and when) the Celtics will have restricted free agent Jeff Green in camp. Before the lockout, the team extended a $5.9 million qualifying offer. Now, Green can accept that offer and play out the final year of his current deal, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, the two sides can negotiate a long-term extension, or Green can field offers from other squads (but Boston can match any offer).

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge expressed a desire to bring back not only Green, but has reached out to the representatives of unrestricted free agents Glen Davis and Delonte West during the days leading up to the opening of camp. Once transactions begin, the Celtics should have a better idea of the market and can determine their options from there. The Celtics will have the $3 million mini mid-level exception as their only bait above a minimum contract.

(h/t: Ridiculous Upside for help with camp invites)

With the addition of Delonte West, the Celtics' roster is now maxed out with 15 players under contract for the 2010-11 season. Here's a look at where Boston currently stands:

Players signed for 2010-11 (with salary)

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($9.1 million), Ray Allen ($10 million), Avery Bradley ($1.2 million), Nate Robinson ($4.2 million), Von Wafer ($854,389*), Delonte West ($854,389*)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($13.9 million), Kevin Garnett ($18.8 million), Glen Davis ($3 million), Marquis Daniels ($2.5 million), Luke Harangody ($473,604)
Centers: Kendrick Perkins ($4.6 million), Jermaine O'Neal ($5.9 million), Shaquille O'Neal ($1.4 million), Semih Erden ($473,604)

Free agents from the 2009-10 team

Departed: Tony Allen (Memphis), Shelden Williams (Denver)
Unsigned: Brian Scalabrine, Michael Finley

Other players in the mix

Non-guaranteed contracts: Oliver Lafayette ($762,195), Tony Gaffney ($762,195)

*Note: Wafer signed a one-year deal at the veteran minimum, which is $915,852 for a player with four years experience. The league pays a portion of any veteran signed for one season at the minimum, leaving the team to pick up the salary of a player with two years experience, which is $854,389. Terms of West's deal were not immediately disclosed, but the most Boston could offer is the veteran's minimum, which is $1.07 million for a player with six years experience. If it's a one-year deal, the league would again pay a portion of the contract.

Those 15 contracts put Boston at a rough total of $77.3 million. The one lingering question is how much the Celtics paid Rasheed Wallace as part of his buyout when they waived him (and the $13 million remaining over the final two years of a three-year contract) last month. Wallace intends to retire from basketball. Boston spent in the neighborhood of $84.8 million last season and received a hefty $14.9 million luxury-tax bill (Teams must pay dollar for dollar for everything over the luxury-tax threshold, which remains around $70 million this season.)

Two things left to ponder:

Is Danny done making deals?: After signing West on Wednesday, I asked Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge if he could grade his offseason moves, which included signing an astounding 11 players (only Garnett, Davis, Rondo, and Perkins were previously under contract). He wouldn't bite, hesitant to close the window on his offseason dealings.

"Once we get to training camp, then I'll address all of the offseason things," said Ainge. "We're still in the offseason."

While Ainge has positioned the Celtics well for the 2010-11 season, his bargain signings also offers the Celtics some roster mobility should additional moves need to be made during the season, including if any of these low-risk, high-reward signings don't pan out.

The 15 best players: Asked what the addition of West, seemingly maxing out the Boston roster, meant for Gaffney and Lafayette (and any other camp invitees), Ainge said they were still in the mix for opening-day roster spots.

"They'll have the chance to compete," said Ainge. "We'll keep the best players."

In so many words, Ainge seems to be suggesting that the team is willing to eat a contract (or otherwise maneuver to create space) if a player like Gaffney or Lafayette proves themselves worthy of a spot.

With the addition of Shaquille O'Neal, the Celtics' roster has bloated to 14 players under contract for the 2010-11 season, one fewer than the maximum (with second-round draft choice Luke Harangody still unsigned). Here's a look at where Boston currently stands:

Players signed for 2010-11 (with salary)

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($9.1 million), Ray Allen ($10 million), Avery Bradley ($1.2 million), Nate Robinson ($4.2 million), Von Wafer ($915,852)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($13.9 million), Kevin Garnett ($18.8 million), Glen Davis ($3 million), Rasheed Wallace ($6.3 million), Marquis Daniels ($2.5 million)
Centers: Kendrick Perkins ($4.6 million), Jermaine O'Neal ($5.9 million), Shaquille O'Neal ($1.4 million), Semih Erden ($473,604)

Free agents from the 2009-10 team

Departed: Tony Allen (Memphis), Shelden Williams (Denver)
Unsigned: Brian Scalabrine, Michael Finley

Other players in the mix

Nonguaranteed contracts: Oliver Lafayette, Tony Gaffney
Invited to camp: DeShawn Sims

(Note: HoopsHype recently updated its salary database to include a four-year breakdown of Pierce's extension that the site suggests pays annually as follows: $13.9 million, $15.3 million, $16.8 million, $15.3 million. There are some slight differences in its numbers with our friends at ShamSports, but that might be related to projected bonuses.)

Those 14 contracts put Boston at a rough total of $82.3 million so far. Boston spent in the neighborhood of $84.8 million last season and received a hefty $14.9 million luxury-tax bill. (Teams must pay dollar for dollar for everything over the luxury-tax threshold, which remains around $70 million this season.)

The team still has to sign second-round draft choice Harangody (likely for the rookie minimum of $473,604), but that would temporarily max out the roster at 15 bodies, which seemingly would leave Lafayette and Gaffney on the outside looking in as they prepare to compete for jobs at training camp. However, there still remains the unsettled situation surrounding Wallace and whether he will retire, or whether Boston will use his contract as potential trade bait before that happens. If Wallace departs, it could free up a roster spot heading into camp.

The Celtics seemingly would want at least one open spot to promote camp competition. Boston cannot simply wait on Harangody because second-round draft choices that do not receive a required tender become free agents by Sept. 6.

Northeastern standout Matt Janning, who received a camp invite with the Celtics, signed a multiyear deal with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, bringing some security to his future.

With Marquis Daniels agreeing to re-sign with the Celtics Thursday, here's an updated look at the players under contract for the 2010-11 season and how Boston might fill out its roster moving forward.

Players signed for 2010-11 (with salary)

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($9.1 million); Ray Allen ($10 million); Avery Bradley ($1.2 million); Nate Robinson ($4 million)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($15.3 million*); Kevin Garnett ($18.8 million); Glen Davis ($3 million); Rasheed Wallace ($6.3 million); Marquis Daniels ($2.5 million)
Centers: Kendrick Perkins ($4.1 million); Jermaine O'Neal ($5.9 million); Semih Erden ($473,604)

Free agents from the 2009-10 team

Departed: Tony Allen (Memphis); Shelden Williams (Denver).
Unsigned: Brian Scalabrine; Michael Finley.

(Note: Pierce's salary is a best guess, averaging out the reported $61 million over four years, though the Celtics are likely to distribute the money in escalating amounts over the life of the deal. Utilizing the average annual amount, that leaves the Celtics at a rough total of $80.7 million for those 12 players. Boston spent in the neighborhood of $84.8 million last season and received a hefty $14.9 million luxury tax bill (teams must pay dollar for dollar for everything over the luxury tax threshold, which remains around $70 million this season).

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said last week he hoped the team would gets its roster to at least 13 players before training camp, where low-cost options like Oliver Lafayette and Tony Gaffney, who have non-guaranteed contracts, should compete for jobs to fill out what's likely to be a 15-man roster entering the 2010-11 season (particularly with Perkins sidelined for the first half of the season following ACL surgery).

The Celtics are likely to add at least two more minimum contracts, one of which could be second-round draft choice Luke Harangody, who would command the rookie minimum of $473,604. The team is also still seeking depth at the wing, as well as an additional big, with veteran minimums ranging from $762,195 (for a second-year player) to $1.35 million (for a veteran with 10+ years of experience).

The biggest uncertainty remains whether Wallace returns or if Boston is able to trade his contract in exchange for a player -- or players -- that can fill a need.

With Nate Robinson agreeing to re-sign with the Celtics Friday, here's an updated look at the players under contract for the 2010-11 season and how Boston might fill out its roster moving forward.

Players signed for 2010-11 (with salary)

Guards: Rajon Rondo ($9.1 million); Ray Allen ($10 million); Avery Bradley ($1.2 million); Nate Robinson ($4 million)
Forwards: Paul Pierce ($15.3 million*); Kevin Garnett ($18.8 million); Glen Davis ($3 million); Rasheed Wallace ($6.3 million)
Centers: Kendrick Perkins ($4.1 million); Jermaine O'Neal ($5.9 million); Semih Erden ($473,604)

Free agents from the 2009-10 team

Departed: Tony Allen (Memphis); Shelden Williams (Denver).
Unsigned: Brian Scalabrine; Marquis Daniels; Michael Finley.

(Note: Pierce's salary is a best guess, averaging out the reported $61 million over four years, though the Celtics are likely to distribute the money in escalating amounts over the life of the deal. Utilizing the average annual amount, that leaves the Celtics at a rough total of $78.2 million for those 11 players. Boston spent in the neighborhood of $84.8 million last season and is set to pay a hefty $14.9 million luxury tax bill (teams must pay dollar for dollar for everything over the luxury tax threshold, which remains around $70 million this season).

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said earlier this week he hoped the team would gets its roster to at least 13 players before training camp, where low-cost options like Oliver Lafayette and Tony Gaffney, who have non-guaranteed contracts, should compete for jobs to fill out what's likely to be a 15-man roster entering the 2010-11 season (particularly with Perkins sidelined for the first half of the season following ACL surgery).

The Celtics are likely to add at least two more minimum contracts, one of which could be second-round draft choice Luke Harangody, who would command the rookie minimum of $473,604. The team is also seeking depth at the wing and an additional big, with veteran minimums ranging from $762,195 (for a second-year player) to $1.35 million (for a veteran with 10+ years of experience).

The biggest uncertainty remains whether Wallace returns or if Boston is able to trade his contract in exchange for a player -- or players -- that can fill a need.