NBA – Celtics bet on a two-year project

Boston will not only find a big contender in Miami for the Conference Championship

, but also in the age of many key players in the squad that are in their 30s.

Boston's GM Danny Ainge had a big decision to make for this season: he could play all his cards renovating the team towards the future, or bet on experienced players that could fight for the title, despite them having already gone through the peak of their careers. With the memory of the 2008 title still fresh and the displeasure of losing last season's championship in game 7 still in their mouth, Ainge went for the second option, where he compromised the long-term goals looking forward for immediate results, that will only have a two-year window to give its fruits.

With the decision taken, it was time to work on the project, and the first thing to do was securing the continuity of those Doc Rivers, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce- who had decided to walk out the door, and happened to be responsible of giving Boston the prominence that they had enjoyed in the last years.

Coach Rivers had plans of spending more time with his family this season, but before taking a rest he was persuaded to take another shot for the ring. Then it was Allen's turn, and the $20 millions for two years that were offered to him were sufficient to resign a 35-year-old player that had just turned into a free agent. With Pierce, despite having opted out his contract, he showed a lot of predisposition to negotiate- agreeing to significantly reduce his pretentions- to continue defending the colors of his hometown team. A 4 year deal in exchange for $61 million was reached with "The Truth", who will turn 33 on October 13.

With Rasheed Wallace retired, the Celtics needed a new forward-center, and the placed their eyes on 31-year-old Jermaine O'Neal, whose season with Miami -13.6 PPG- didn't go unnoticed. He joined the team for two seasons and will receive $11 million. With Wallace's replacement taken care off, now the Celtics needed to find a solution to another pending issue: Kendrick Perkins' injury. He is expected to back until February losing half of the season- and Boston found in Shaquille O'Neal a really good opportunity considering the formula price-benefit. Although he is 38-years-old, his experience and presence cannot be underestimated, and having him in the team for two years in exchange of just $2.8 million was a chance that couldn't be missed.

Adding more age to the squad, 29-year-old Marquis Daniels signed for one more year and $2.5 million. The guard-forward averaged 5.6 PPG this past season for Boston.

With the departure of Tony Allen to Memphis Grizzlies, Boston went after Delonte West from Cleveland Cavaliers, and offered him one-year deal at the veteran minimum, which he accepted. The 27-year-old shooting guard returns as a free agent to Boston, after one season in Seattle and another one in Cleveland. He had been selected by the Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft -round 1, pick 24- and played on the team until 2007, when he joined the SuperSonics.

Even though he was signed back in 2007, Kevin Garnett is 34-years-old, and is part of the group of veterans whose contract expires in two years. Boston is placing all their championship hopes in a two-year project that if could be the last chance for many of their players to retire with one more ring.

NBA Celtics bet on a two-year project

By: andres@linkspacesa.com

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