To be sure, Ainge understands that better than most. As his career progressed, he was very much that kind of player as well, although smaller and less versatile. There are never too many energy guys for a coach to have at his disposal and certainly not with the résumé that Posey has built in recent years. Evidently, it just wasn't enough for the Celtics to give him that extra year and he took it as a slight when compared to the Big Easy. And considering the Hornets were just a game away and one more experienced player removed from reaching the conference finals, it's quite clear that they figured this is a sound enough investment to justify those final two years if Posey's athleticism has begun to wane.

Posey carried a bit of whine with his toughness early in his career for Denver, Houston and Memphis, and a lot of coaches didn't know how to take him. He has always been a rugged and instinctive defender, with his shot selection often becoming his worst enemy. But he outgrew that with the Heat because Pat Riley made it clear as long as he defended, he'd play. As a result, he became the kind of player coaches love and grew in stature as a hard-nosed perimeter defender during the Heat's 2006 title run.

If anything, he proved to be even smarter and more distinctive this season — especially by gaining the rep as a clutch 3-point shooter on top of his defense. So that's why all these teams were anxious to make their mid-level exception look more attractive than the next guy's. He doesn't make a lot of sense for young teams trying to reach the postseason, but for a final piece to a championship puzzle, Posey is a prize.

All things being equal, Posey will be a factor for the Hornets because of his experience and ability to maximize his impact in a limited amount of minutes. And unlike what happened to the Hornets in Games 6 and 7 against the Spurs in the West semifinals, he'll help minimize the wilting factor.

But he won't be the difference. So the rest of the Hornets better had better grow up over the next two seasons, or they'll regret those third and fourth years of the contract sooner than later.