Posey to leave Celtics; Thanks for your help!!

Could the Celtics miss out on their two biggest targets this offseason?
On the day before NBA free agents can begin signing contracts, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported this morning that the Hornets are zeroed in on former Celtics swingman James Posey. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Express-News suggested that the Spurs are at the front of the line for Corey Maggette.

In today's edition, the Times-Picayune's John Reid writes: The Hornets are targeting Boston Celtics free agent James Posey to solve their needs at shooting guard, but whether Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower can pull off a deal is uncertain.
Free agents can begin signing contracts Wednesday, and Posey is one of the most sought after on the market. Posey, who can play shooting guard and small forward, appears to be one of the Hornets' No. 1 targets. However, it likely would take a full mid-level exception offer of $5.8 million for him to consider coming to New Orleans.

Since July 1, the first day teams could begin contacting free agents, Bower has been in discussions with Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein. Posey, 6 feet 8, was the Celtics' top reserve and played a key role against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. "Jeff and I have had a lot of conversations," Bartelstein said. "We're talking." Bartelstein represents a handful of Celtics, including first-round draft choice J.R. Giddens and free agents Eddie House and Scot Pollard. The Hornets were previously talking with the seemingly popular agent about Jannero Pargo, a free-agent guard New Orleans hopes to bring back, according to the Times-Picayune.