Many were called. Marquis was chosen.
This time next season we will all be singing the praises of Danny Ainge for his astute re-signings of …
1) Ray Allen
2) Nate Robinson
3) Marquis Daniels
…if the Celtics gain that oh-so-close but elusive 18th banner and they are solid contributors.
Or, if the Cs fall short again….
We might be questioning why he couldn’t/didn’t get that magic piece of the puzzle to help our burgeoning senior Celtic citizens to get over the hump and instead, settled for the familiar.
If you haven’t heard the news – Boston re-signed Marquis Daniels to fill that swing defender position that so desperately needs filling.
Chris Forsburg of ESPN was the only reporter on top of the story early with an article recently pointing out how Daniels might just be the right option after all. Coincidence? Maybe he has an eight ball, or is it a crystal ball. Nice prediction in any event.
Me? I’m okay with it. With the other pickings looking flawed in one way or another, there weren’t many options out there with a better all around game than Daniels. Those that were, wouldn’t be signing for the $2.5 million that Marquis did.
This Gives Danny More Flexibility
So the biggest immediate upside to this re-signing is that Danny has his 2/3 defender now and still has Sheed’s contract up his sleeve unless…
Wallace returns to the scene of the crime, too. It is possible. The Celtics remaining need is a big man unless Rasheed is the next to return and be that big man. If you hear someone say ‘Rasheed’s back’, your first reaction will probably be… ‘What about his back?’
With vampires and werewolves gaining in popularity from the Twilight series, twilight might be the appropriate description for Rasheed’s own (barely) undead performance during the regular season. Hey, I heard Aaron Gray is available. Hey again. I know that Sheed played fairly well in the playoffs. I can still have a little fun with him.
Apparently, Daniels and his agent knew that the market for an oft-injured, though versatile swing man might not be all that good right now. They looked around and returned to the Celtics. The Celtics looked around and said ‘Ye-ah, we aren’t seeing better options for that money either.’
Marquis had started off well in his first season in Green, then endured a finger injury courtesy of a Rajon Rondo fast ball in practice, before getting it fixed. Once he returned, he wasn’t quite the same player and Tony Allen was being something he hadn’t been in a long while…consistently productive. Doc Rivers made a surprise move and Tony was in, while Marquis was out for the playoffs.
Chris Tomasson of Fanhouse appears to have broken the story first…
The Boston Celtics have reached an agreement to re-sign swingman Marquis Daniels for $2.5 million on a one-year deal, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told FanHouse on Thursday.
“It’s a good opportunity for him,” Bartelstein said. “It’s a fresh start for him after the injury.”
Daniels will sign a one year contract in hopes of cashing in on a bigger payday next season, Mark Bartelstein, Daniels’ agent told Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald.
Too Quiet
Daniels’ quiet demeanor and his sometimes too quiet game of last season hopes to turn this season into a quiet riot on the court. He will be one of many Celtics seeking Redemption Road.
Now it’s time to look at big man options for Sheed’s contract…or is it?
