Guard – Boston Celtics – 6’3″, 180 lbs

Strengths

Delonte has a mid-range jump shot a lot of guards would kill for. He attacks the basketball well and plays outstanding defense for his size. Probably one of the best combo guards in the leauge, can run an offense well or play off the ball. Every team needs players like Delonte West. He’s a hard-worker that can fill multiple roles.

Weaknesses

Sadly for West, most of his weaknesses are out of his control. He struggles daily with psychological issues; though he made a lot of progress in that area last year and was able to stay out of trouble off the court. As mentally healthy as he was last season, he just couldn’t stay on the floor because of physical issues. He broke a wrist, sprained an ankle, etc.

What He’ll Cost

Now that we have a better idea of what the CBA will look like, I’d bank that Delonte would garner anywhere from the vet minimum to 2 million dollars annually. He’s a really good player when his mind and body are right, but there are risks involved with signing him.

Three Potential Fits

Boston Celtics

This is probably where Delonte wants to be. It’s familiar to him. He knows the team. He knows the players. And he knows the coach. Doc was his first coach. People forget that Danny Ainge drafted Delonte before dealing him for Ray Allen. The fans love Delonte. The city loves Delonte. He’s the exact kind of player that Boston celebrates. Hard-working, nothing easy. He’s a natural fit in green. When Rajon Rondo got hurt in the playoffs last year, anybody remember who was playing point guard for Boston ? ? ? ….Delonte West.

Chicago Bulls

If I’m the Chicago Bulls, I’ve already called Delonte’s agent to see if he’s interested in the Bulls. Chicago fans have been complaining to no end about starting Keith Bogans instead of a real starting shooting guard. I actually kind of like Bogans as a bench guy, but if the Bulls are hell-bent on an upgrade, Delonte is the guy. He’s a better offensive player. A better defensive player. And he’d probably be cheaper. He could also handle playing the point in a pinch. Basically, he’s a no-brainer.

Los Angeles Lakers

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. But I have to face facts; the Lakers bench is awful. And if their backup for Kobe Bryant (Shannon Brown) departs, Delonte could be a player that they contact for the job. Yuck.

Prediction

The Celtics fan in me says he probably stays in Boston. There are just so many advantages for it. 1) He doesn’t have to move. 2) He doesn’t get a shortened training camp with a team he deosn’t know, which means he doesn’t get put at the end of the bench because of unfamiliarity. 3) I think he wants to come back. – I’d actually have said it’s a guarantee Delonte stays with the Celtics if Boston hadn’t drafted E’Twaun Moore who figures to play a very similar role. At the end of the day, I think he reups with Boston on the short-term.