If Marquis Daniels was a stock listed on NYSE, he would have just jumped from overpriced with ‘sell’ recommendations to ‘buy’ recommendations and into the undervalued portfolios of mutual fund managers.
Just a few months ago, Marquis was an Indiana Pacer. Bird said, ‘don’t come round here no more’. A team option for $7.5 million for this season was wisely declined, making Marquis a free agent.
We might argue over how much, but he is worth a sight more than the $1.99 million he agreed on to play with this team, even in this buyers’ market. After the waiting, Danny Ainge gets another player for discounted dollars.
Call it the championship card. Call it ‘the race’ card. Like Seinfeld, Danny doesn’t leave home without it. (I was going to use the Karl Malden original commersh, but Superman say Petty twice at 4 minutes in. No lie. Plus it’s funnier.)
You use it to attract a player who can get more money elsewhere.
Danny Ainge knows full well that ‘playing for a title’ has tremendous attraction for many players. Playing for Doc Rivers and with KG, Paul, Ray, and even Rondo just adds to the cache. Perkins and Wallace are teammates, too? Bonus.
When scouring the league for players, Danny can play the race card. That is…how would you like to be in the only race that matters, the race for the NBA Championship? He leveraged that magnet with great skill in bringing James Posey, P.J. Brown, Sam Cassell, and Eddie House into the fold in year one.
The Celtics payroll is rightly eaten up largely by a three horse power engine. Those three stallions will drive this team on a title run again this year. Danny knows he needs to leverage the chance to be a part of that special opportunity to get the best possible support players he can. Add something to your resume that few players get to add. Make it happen and be a part of NBA history forever.
A player that has averaged 58.5 games a season, Marquis Daniels took a big financial risk in signing for the one year BAE. He assuredly could have worked a multi year deal from someone for something in between the one year deal he signed for and that $7.5 million. Instead, he said this where I want to be – almost at any cost.
Injury is something that is always feared by player and organization alike. If the player has a long term contract, the organization takes the risk. Without that contract, the player is taking a big risk. To many players, those of high integrity, getting a chance to play on a team like the Celtics is worth it. Say hello to Marquis Daniels.
Daniels has made about $22 million in his career. Unless he has handled his money like Antoine Walker, he won’t go hungry if the worst happens. So it is about what is most important in his life.
Daniels’ Choice
Play for $2 million and a chance at real glory or get a 4 year deal with someone else for maybe 12-15 million? At least a 3 year deal for $9 million would be realistic, right? That $7 million difference is 33% of his total lifetime earnings to date.
Some players, like Corey Maggette, will opt for the big dollars every time. Championships don’t pay the bills. Some want a shot at the title. Others are happy with a one way ticket to Palookaville.
But a solid year as a significant cog in a title contender will increase your value and league wide attraction, as James Posey discovered. And that is after you get a special ride and incredible experience that only 3-4 teams can offer in any given season. You just might fulfill your ultimate basketball dream.
Playing for the Celtics now is like playing for the Yankees. The winning tradition is always there. You fill other teams arenas for them. Calendar dates are circled in every NBA city. Tickets are sold out early for those games. The house be a rockin’, baby. Many will come to see this special Celtic team perform, not their own team. Bring your ‘A’ game. You will need it most every night.
But the real reason is a true shot at a title. You don’t want to be questioning yourself years later saying,
“You don’t understand. I coulda had class. I could have been a contender. I coulda been somebody.”
On the waterfront. Celtic Nation. The Beantown Ballers. National attention, every play counts intensity, the chance at being The Champion. Is it worth it?
Just ask Marquis Daniels.
With this salary structure, Danny knows he must look for players like this every year. Posey was underpaid and both he and Danny knew it. Posey already had one championship. He was going to sign with New Jersey. Eddie House and Doc Rivers convinced him he was wanted and needed by the Celtics to help accomplish something special here.
Daniels has never won a title, but he has experienced the playoffs. No convincing phone calls needed.
Whatever happens this season, Marquis can go for a multi-year deal next season, perhaps with the Celtics. If he helps the Celtics achieve that dream, he most likely won’t get an offer like Posey got, but he will certainly get a better deal next season.
Danny was looking for a Posey. Daniels was the man…..and a man of his word. Daniels decided to listen to his heart. Looking for a chance to do something special, Marquis wants to be somebody. Marquis is…. running down a dream.
