Forward James Posey agreed to a four-year, $25 million contract with the New Orleans Hornets yesterday, leaving the Celtics after helping them win their 17th NBA championship in his only season in Boston.

Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein, had said recently that a contending team could soon step up and make the offer needed to land his client. New Orleans was that team. An NBA source said Posey is expected to sign the contract by week's end and have an introductory press conference in New Orleans next week.

"It's always tough," said Posey by telephone from Los Angeles, where he and his former teammates were taping the ESPY Awards. "It's a tough decision with the team and what we had accomplished as an organization and with the Celtic pride. We were able to win it all. For it to come down to this is never easy."

The Celtics signed Posey last Aug. 28 to a one-year contract with a player option for a second season. The Cleveland native averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game this past season and was a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. Posey, who also won a title with Miami in 2006, was considered one of the Celtics' leaders and was a key player in their championship run. But, as expected, on June 30 the nine-year veteran opted out of his contract, which would have paid him $3.4 million next season.

According to an NBA source, the Celtics were willing to give the 31-year-old their full midlevel exception over three years, starting at $5.5 million next season. Boston, however, wasn't comfortable adding a fourth year. Posey also received interest from Cleveland, Detroit, Washington, Toronto, and the Lakers.

"We liked James and we wanted him back," said Celtics general manager Danny Ainge. "He got a good deal in New Orleans. We were unwilling to go four years. We have to manage the business and manage the future and the present. We offered James Posey the most over the next two years than any other team, but fourth-year security was very important to him. We didn't feel it was in our best interest as a franchise to do that. We wish him well. He was part of a championship team. We did what he could to bring him back."

Posey and several other Celtics were at TD Banknorth Garden Monday night with Ainge and team owners for the premiere of the championship DVD. Posey acknowlegded being stressed over free agency, and said several times that it would be a business situation and added that the Celtics were his top option. Source: Boston Globe