From the Boston Globe’s Celtics Blog:
An NBA source said tonight that Detroit free agent forward Rasheed Wallace has committed to sign with the Celtics on July 8 when free agents are able to sign. Wallace is expected to get a two-year deal using the mid-level exception (expected to be about $5.6 million to $5.8 million).
There is no such thing as loyalty in professional sports. I guess it makes sense. The team owners are running a business and the only way to keep butts in seats is to win. For the GM, the only way to keep your job is to win and the only way to win is to make the best possible decision at any given time about who to keep and who to dump to keep the wins coming. I know all this. I do. But, as a fan, it’s next to impossible to love your team without identifying with and loving the players. I guess the more years you watch and the more you get your heart broken, the more you come to realize that you’ll be happiest if your only loyalty is to the team. Easier said than done though. So besides Leon Powe getting tragically dumped by Danny Ainge like yesterday’s garbage (too much? perhaps. don’t care. still pissed.) there were some other free agency and trade goings-ons lately and here they are:
That’s a whole lot of changes and I didn’t even include them all. This is going to be a crazy off-season. It’s going to be super weird seeing some of these guys in different jerseys. I can’t WAIT for the season to start up again!
I’m sick about this. It now occurs to me that my two favorite players in the NBA do not play for the Boston Celtics (James Posey and Leon Powe). I’m shocked by the Celtics decision to not extend Powe a qualifying offer. Powe’s agent said it best:
What does it say when a player like Leon Powe, a great human being, who played through injury and pain for three straight years for the Boston Celtics, including in a playoff game after tearing his ACL, is rewarded by the team saying to him “we only have a short window to win, and you are not a part of our plans because you are now injured.”
It shows you the true state of the NBA.
The Celtics are traditionally a class act. I have great respect for the organization as a whole, but they truly missed it on this one. (Via True Hoop)
The minute Leon went down, I was afraid this was going to happen… I just didn’t think it would. I suppose there is always a chance that Leon could end up back with the Cs, but I’m not getting my hopes up. If this truly is goodbye, then I just want to say thank you to Leon for all the great memories and for being the heart and soul of my favorite team.
You will be missed! 
Related news:
————————————-
Update #1: This is from the official Celtics site…
Powe’s Progress
As for Leon Powe, who’s an unrestricted free agent, Ainge said that the C’s would be keeping tabs on his progress as he rehabilitates his left knee from the ACL/meniscus injury he suffered in Game 2 against the Bulls. Powe just went home to California to continue his rehab but is no longer under contract with the Celtics.
With a long rehab ahead of Powe, the Celtics aren’t breaking ties with him, but there’s a lot of uncertainty about when he would be ready to contribute again. When that time comes, he’ll be free to sign with any team he wants.
“We know that Leon is not going to be available to play until late in the season, possibly,” Ainge said.
So, I guess there is always the possibility he could be back. I know I’ve been drama queening out on Twitter today and no player is above the team… but if there was ever a player who could be above the team, it’s Leon. Life goes on, though and I guess like everyone else, I’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
————————————-
Update #2: According to The Boston Herald & NESN.com, Powe thinks he’s done in Boston based on a convo with Danny Ainge.
“They told me, ‘Good luck with another team.’ Doc (Rivers) told me that he wanted me there, and he would do whatever he could to make sure I came back, but Danny came to me yesterday saying that they only have a two-year window, and I would be taking up a roster spot for someone else,” he explained.
But that doesn’t mean he is officially off the C’s radar.
“We love Leon, and would consider having Leon back at any time, once he gets healthy,” Ainge said.
That’s where Powe’s and Ainge’s feelings begin to differ.
“I wasn’t feeling a vibe like that,” he said. “I knew they wouldn’t (offer a qualifying offer), so I just have to move on.”
Sigh.
Not ready to give up? Sign the petition to re-sign Leon Powe — Powe-tition!
