The Boston Celtics are one of the strongest NBA teams in the league. However, the franchise lacks a player who can bring in star power. That is, the Boston Celtics need a veteran star who can instill more confidence in the likes of Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart and Isaiah Thomas in the hardwood court. With this is mind, the Boston Celtics are said to be targeting a deal with Manu Ginobili from the San Antonio Spurs to bring in a mentor with a championship attitude in the roster.
In a surprirsing move, the San Antonio Spurs have lost Manu Ginobili in free agency. While the Gregg Popovich assured earlier this year that the older Big Three of the team, which included Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Ginobili, are amenable to the changes in relation to the increasing role of Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green, it looks like one his veteran stars do not feel the same. Moreover, rumors are rife that Manu Ginobili is attracting a number of lucrative offers in the NBA free agent market.
Although free agents, such as Kevin Durant, Al Horford and Hassan Whiteside, are available in the market, the culture of the San Antonio Spurs works to the advantage of Manu Ginobili. Working alongside Tim Duncan and Tony Parker for years, Ginobili becomes a prized catch to teams that aim to inculcate a winning culture in their young stars. Will the Boston Celtics be the first team to benefit from the wisdom of Manu Ginobili?
"I guess in a couple of weeks I'll think more about my future," shared Manu Ginobili earlier in response to the questions regarding his future with the San Antonio Spurs. He added, "Surely I will sit down with Pop [coach Gregg Popovich], Tim [Duncan] and some of my colleagues to chat. Then we will see what the objectives are and whether something will change or not. It is still early to see it. It will not depend on my determination of what my colleagues do or anything. But I want to know what the plan is."
Apart from Ginobili, the San Antonio Spurs are also faced with the uncertainty of Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Both stars have been reported to mull over retirement following their ages and injuries. However, no word has been provided by either party.
"I have no idea," confessed Danny Green when asked of the plans of the older Big Three in the San Antonio Spurs roster. He added, "I will tell you this, I have seen Manu in the gym the last couple of days but I think he's working for his last summer of doing the Olympic Games, the World Games. Other than that, I don't think they know. To be honest with you, if they did I think somebody around us would know what their decisions are. I don't think they know. I think Timmy is still waiting to see, I think Manu is still waiting to see after the Olympic Games. I think Manu is kind of waiting to see what Timmy does."
What do you think? Will the Boston Celtics truly benefit from pursuing Manu Ginobili? Or should he just re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs? What about Tim Duncan and Tony Parker? Should the San Antonio Spurs still extend their contracts? Or should they just pursue younger and healthier free agents?
