Big play for the Hornets as they try to close the gap with the Lakers and Spurs. They've signed prized free agent James Posey to a four-year deal for the full mid-level exception -- about $25 million.
The Celtics evidently never budged from their stance on not wanting to offer Posey more than a two- or three-year deal. There were bigger-name free agents out there, but few -- if any -- who can contribute at both ends the way Posey can. Quietly, he was a major factor in Boston's championship and brings veteran leadership to a young team on the rise.