Marc Spears has some good stuff for us, as usual, today:

On the first day of free agency in the NBA, the world champion Celtics, according to an NBA source, made contract offers to both Posey and Maggette. Since Boston, at most, has a mid-level exception available (expected to be about $5.8 million), it would seem doubtful they could land both players. Boston is also scheduled have New Orleans center Chris Andersen in for a visit today.

“I called [Posey] and just talked to him and told him how much we wanted him back,” Ainge said. “I told his agent and we had a conversation. So we’re still having conversations. After James, yeah, I called a lot of guys just to say that we had interest. But I can’t discuss names.”

Maggette, however, confirmed yesterday he was one of those names.

“I was very surprised they called. They just came off a championship,” said Maggette in a phone interview.

“It’s a great honor to even hear from them,” Maggette said. “Hopefully, I can look at some of the options. That’s a good option playing for those guys.”

“It’s not always about money,” Maggette said. “I’ve been in the league a long time and I’ve made a lot of money. I’m tired of losing. I want to get back to the playoffs and win.”

Maggette to Boston seems more likely than ever now, as the Clippers renounced his rights in order to find enough financial room for Baron Davis. That means that he cannot re-sign with the Clippers (they no longer have the MLE to spend) and they cannot work a sign-and-trade. So, Maggette will either take a big contract from a mediocre team with cap room (Philadelphia?) or take the full MLE with a contender/playoff team. My guess is that he takes a short deal for the full MLE and tests the free agent market again sometime soon, similar to what James Posey just did.

As for Chris Andersen, I’d rather bring in a long seven-footer than an energetic power forward who has had severe off-court issues.

The Celtics hope to sign a veteran backup point guard to a one-year, veteran minimum contract, an NBA source said. Candidates include Eddie House, who would return for a second season with Boston, Dallas’s Tyronn Lue, Orlando’s Keyon Dooling, Miami’s Jason Williams, and Chicago’s Chris Duhon. Lue, a 10-year veteran, played for Rivers in Orlando and is good friends with Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, but he said he hasn’t contacted either since the offer was made to his agent, Andy Miller.

“I just want to play for a winning team,” said Lue in a phone interview. “Boston is definitely a winning team. I’m trying to see what the best fit is for me.”

It is doubtful that there is any chance of signing the point guards listed above for the veterans minimum, except maybe Tyronn Lue. I think Lue might take that, as he wants to win, Doc loves him, and is great friends with Kevin Garnett. I think Lue is probably a better option than Eddie House, honestly. He can shoot nearly as well, can be trusted with the ball in his hands, and he is a much better defender.

Allen became an unrestricted free agent Monday when the Celtics declined to make him a qualifying offer.

Ainge, however, said Boston could still bring him back. When asked if the addition of draft picks J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker would affect Boston’s interest in Allen, Ainge said, “Time will tell. Those guys haven’t done anything yet.”

“I had a good conversation with Tony and I assured Tony that this doesn’t necessarily close the book for him here,” Ainge said. “We like Tony. He’s just moving forward in his career. If things might not work out with James or other free agents, Tony would be a guy that we’d be interested in returning to the Celtics.”

Atta boy, Danny. Let him down easy.

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