Celtics=next superteam?

[pokerface]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/new...rozier-jaylen-brown/133p7iqhqcizdzpnevero3fsg

I've really envied this team the last few seasons...almost as much as the Warriors. They are pretty much a loaded team already and now there is talk of them moving up in the draft to secure Bamba. They own the Kings and Grizzlies picks next season (some protections) plus have Rozier and Brown to wheel and deal with. Is there any player they can't have? The assets they own are unbelievable!

 

[Phrazbit]

IMO, the Celtics, the Sixers and... THE SUNS!!! These are the obvious up and coming teams, teams that if they don't suffer brutal bad luck or screw themselves should be contending squads over various parts of the next decade.

However... I would view ANY current trade rumors with about 500 grains of salt. Nothing even CAN happen right now, because the season isn't over. IMO, most of the chatter (teams moving up or down, teams having specific free agents in mind, ect ect) are mostly the result of writers pursuing click bait. Just look at the doofus from New York claiming the Suns are going to pursue Beasley...

I'd be willing to bet... HALF of my testicles that the Suns won't so much as speak to Beasley during free agency.

I've got no clue what Boston's intentions are, but I know this much about Ainge, the likelihood of him blowing enough of their trade equity to move all the way from 27th to top 5 is really really slim. He has a team that is a touch away from contending titles right now. IMO he is WAY more likely to trade for a current young star (like Towns, Leonard or Davis) than to blow their flexibility on a raw prospect.

 

[pokerface]

Phrazbit quote:

I've got no clue what Boston's intentions are, but I know this much about Ainge, the likelihood of him blowing enough of their trade equity to move all the way from 27th to top 5 is really really slim. He has a team that is a touch away from contending titles right now. IMO he is WAY more likely to trade for a current young star (like Towns, Leonard or Davis) than to blow their flexibility on a raw prospect.

I don't know man.... The article makes a lot of sense to me. Center is their one weak area. They have the assets to spare and squander if necessary. Plus they have quality players that are tradable and not needed so much. A mix of players and picks could easily get the job done without hurting them much at all.

Yeah Bamba is a gamble and prospect. Ainge is shrewd and may not bite but he may still go there...If not for Bamba then maybe JJJ (but also another project).

 

[Phrazbit]

Well, I'm not willing to gamble a testicle, like I am about the Suns laughable "interest" in Beasley, but I would be shocked to see the Celtics move into the top of the draft without a more polished player as their target.

If Bamba, as some boards project, goes between like 8th-13th... then that seems more reasonable, but I don't see the Celtics paying the cost in trade and draft equity it would take to get into the top 6 or so.

They're pretty damn good NOW, they've got the ammo to trade for someone to make them great NOW. Bamba does not help them now, and is a maybe for the future. The Celtics will be a contender for the next decade... unless they screw it up. Paying a premium to move up for a really raw prospect like Bamba is the type of move that could screw it up.

 

[Ronin]

If they trade for Anthony Davis....

 

[elindholm]

I'd be willing to bet... HALF of my testicles that the Suns won't so much as speak to Beasley during free agency.

Do you mean one of them, or half of each one?

 

[Russ Smith]

they also have to be careful moving Brown or Rozier because Hayward's injury is not one where a full recovery right away is guaranteed, and Kyrie has a recent history of injuries too. Eventually one of those 2 would be good trade bait but they have to be careful about moving them and then finding out they're not 100%. Hayward just had surgery a few days ago to remove the plates and screws, they said 6 weeks before he returns to basketball activities, they expect him at full strength by training camp but you just never know with that sort of injury.

They have a chance to be REALLY good yes, but they have some questions.

Philly is similar if the Fultz mystery works out they could be really good next year but there's no guarantee on Fultz, and they still have the issue that Embiid is a spectacular talent, who can't seem to stay healthy. Hopefully his career goes the way of Steph Curry where the Warriors were on the brink of trading him because of the persistent ankle problems, and then suddenly Curry was able to stay healthy and become an all star.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Phrazbit quote:

I've got no clue what Boston's intentions are, but I know this much about Ainge, the likelihood of him blowing enough of their trade equity to move all the way from 27th to top 5 is really really slim. He has a team that is a touch away from contending titles right now. IMO he is WAY more likely to trade for a current young star (like Towns, Leonard or Davis) than to blow their flexibility on a raw prospect.

I don't know man.... The article makes a lot of sense to me. Center is their one weak area. They have the assets to spare and squander if necessary. Plus they have quality players that are tradable and not needed so much. A mix of players and picks could easily get the job done without hurting them much at all.

Yeah Bamba is a gamble and prospect. Ainge is shrewd and may not bite but he may still go there...If not for Bamba then maybe JJJ (but also another project).

Bamba is not a gamble. His D makes him a sure thing.

 

[Bufalay]

Do you mean one of them, or half of each one?

Which would make you more likely to take the bet?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Bamba is not a gamble. His D makes him a sure thing.

I don’t know about sure thing, but pairing that defensive physical capability with Stevens defensive coaching seems a great match to maximize Bamba.

 

[Krangodnzr]

If I were Ainge I would offer their pick, Brown, and the Grizzilies pick to move up to Dallas' spot. Why would Dallas do this? They need a lot more talent and this would be the beginning of the right moves to get talent. I think Dallas is in a spot that they will miss out on a player that would really move the needle for them.

 

[GatorAZ]

If I were Ainge I would offer their pick, Brown, and the Grizzilies pick to move up to Dallas' spot. Why would Dallas do this? They need a lot more talent and this would be the beginning of the right moves to get talent. I think Dallas is in a spot that they will miss out on a player that would really move the needle for them.

Brown was the #3 pick and hasn’t done anything to hurt his value. He’s still 21. Ainge isn’t a trading a young core player.

 

[Ronin]

JMO I do not think that anyone on the Celtics is untouchable. Especially if you want a player like Anthony Davis.

 

[Phrazbit]

Bamba is not a gamble. His D makes him a sure thing.

No such thing. And if he doesn't develop something offensively he won't see the floor.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Brown was the #3 pick and hasn’t done anything to hurt his value. He’s still 21. Ainge isn’t a trading a young core player.

Gotta give up something to move up 20 something spots. Griz pick next year ain’t going to do it. Conley coming back. Likely picking in teens. Sac pick next year is equivalent (or worse) to pick celts trying to get this year (1. It’s a year later 2. In less quality draft).

 

[Hoop Head]

Bamba is not a gamble. His D makes him a sure thing.

I don't buy that. He's a gamble, like any rookie. If his offense doesn't come around is he really worth a top 5 pick? I don't think so. Every rookie or draft pick is a gamble to a certain degree but I think Bamba is more of a gamble than Ayton, Bagley, and perhaps even Jaren Jackson Jr.

 

[Hoop Head]

Phrazbit quote:

I've got no clue what Boston's intentions are, but I know this much about Ainge, the likelihood of him blowing enough of their trade equity to move all the way from 27th to top 5 is really really slim. He has a team that is a touch away from contending titles right now. IMO he is WAY more likely to trade for a current young star (like Towns, Leonard or Davis) than to blow their flexibility on a raw prospect.

I don't know man.... The article makes a lot of sense to me. Center is their one weak area. They have the assets to spare and squander if necessary. Plus they have quality players that are tradable and not needed so much. A mix of players and picks could easily get the job done without hurting them much at all.

Yeah Bamba is a gamble and prospect. Ainge is shrewd and may not bite but he may still go there...If not for Bamba then maybe JJJ (but also another project).

How is Center their weak area when they have Horford there playing at an All-Star level?

Stevens system only calls for 1 big and Horford has done really well in that role. I don't think they have any weak areas right now but because of Horford's age they'll need to add someone in a year or two to take over. I'm glad Boston is in the East though.

Philly and Boston in the East and the Suns and Timberwolves in the West, provided the Wolves don't trade KAT, should be the teams to beat in 3 years or so. I think Indiana has a chance also with a good core developing with Oladipo and Myles Turner. If they can get another quality player I wouldn't write them off. The Pelicans are similar to the Pacers, just one more quality player to go with Davis and Holiday and they'll be contenders but their window is a little shorter because of Holiday's age. I don't think Cousins is that 3rd star either. Davis is much better without him.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

How is Center their weak area when they have Horford there playing at an All-Star level?

Stevens system only calls for 1 big and Horford has done really well in that role.

Don't they start Baynes a lot of times next to Horford?

 

[Hoop Head]

Don't they start Baynes a lot of times next to Horford?

It depends on who they play. They started them together for 35 games in the regular season and split games in the playoffs, the Sixers series they started them together but only 3 games in the Bucks and 4 in the Cleveland series. I didn't go through and see which games they started together in the regular season but they started together more than I thought they did. Baynes is used similar to how the Warriors use Pachulia or McGee though, 15-20 minutes. He only averaged 18 minutes a game.

 

[Hoop Head]

There used to be a site that listed how often a player played at various positions, like 40% of the time they played PG, 50% at SG, and the rest at SF but I can't find that site now. I thought it was on Basketball-Reference but I can't find it anywhere on there.

Does anyone know what site reports that?

 

[GatorAZ]

Gotta give up something to move up 20 something spots. Griz pick next year ain’t going to do it. Conley coming back. Likely picking in teens. Sac pick next year is equivalent (or worse) to pick celts trying to get this year (1. It’s a year later 2. In less quality draft).

Not arguing that but Ainge isn’t trading 21 year old Jaylen Brown.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Not arguing that but Ainge isn’t trading 21 year old Jaylen Brown.

So what do you think he can offer that can realistically climb from 27 to say, 5 or 6?

Even in a pupu platter offering there has to be a central piece to entice someone giving up the shot at a very talented player.

Smart is not a centerpiece

Rosier is marginal and a soon to be free agent

He’s not trading Tatum

Not trading kyrie or the Hayward, and both coming off injuries so not centerpieces either.

Sacramento pick is a year later in a worse draft and variable given no one knows if they’ll improve.

The Griz pick is also a year away and likely worse than whatever pick the celts trade for this year as the Griz are almost certain to be better next year and it’s a weaker draft.

Jaylen seems like the most likely piece available to move when you think about it.

Remember, it’s not what ainge wants to give up, it’s what the receiving team needs to receive to entice it to drop over 20 spots from a position of strength in a stellar draft.

 

[Hoop Head]

Brown is more than likely the player Boston will move in a trade. Tatum is too good of a scorer and Ouchie hits on the other assets they have. Brown is the odd man out with a healthy Hayward and Tatum next year. I know Brown is the best defender of the 3 but they won't just let Tatum go unless it's for a sure thing, not a pick like Bamba. The Celtics cupboard is finally being emptied out and it's about time. Hopefully they don't add an All-Star frontcourt player to clear it out completely because then they're superteam instead of the verge of becoming one. They still have a GM who has a good eye for talent, even at the end of the round where they'll be picking, so they'll be able to keep their bench stocked with their own picks over the next few years.

 

[Raze]

So what do you think he can offer that can realistically climb from 27 to say, 5 or 6?

Even in a pupu platter offering there has to be a central piece to entice someone giving up the shot at a very talented player.

Smart is not a centerpiece

Rosier is marginal and a soon to be free agent

He’s not trading Tatum

Not trading kyrie or the Hayward, and both coming off injuries so not centerpieces either.

Sacramento pick is a year later in a worse draft and variable given no one knows if they’ll improve.

The Griz pick is also a year away and likely worse than whatever pick the celts trade for this year as the Griz are almost certain to be better next year and it’s a weaker draft.

Jaylen seems like the most likely piece available to move when you think about it.

Remember, it’s not what ainge wants to give up, it’s what the receiving team needs to receive to entice it to drop over 20 spots from a position of strength in a stellar draft.

I'm not sure why you're asking the question. Why would Ainge want to break up this team? They just made a heck of a run even thought they were short two studs.

IF Danny is trading Jaylen it's for a vet star like KAT or Davis. It doesn't make any sense to trade an up and coming star (who potentially is the best player on the team) for a younger prospect. Why start over again?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Brown is more than likely the player Boston will move in a trade. Tatum is too good of a scorer and Ouchie hits on the other assets they have. Brown is the odd man out with a healthy Hayward and Tatum next year. I know Brown is the best defender of the 3 but they won't just let Tatum go unless it's for a sure thing, not a pick like Bamba. The Celtics cupboard is finally being emptied out and it's about time. Hopefully they don't add an All-Star frontcourt player to clear it out completely because then they're superteam instead of the verge of becoming one. They still have a GM who has a good eye for talent, even at the end of the round where they'll be picking, so they'll be able to keep their bench stocked with their own picks over the next few years.

How is Brown the odd man out?

Kyrie - PG
Brown - SG
Hayward - SF
Tatum - PF
Hortford - C

That's a possible lineup of death right there if Kyrie and Hayward are healthy and Tatum and Brown take another step, as young players that talented normally do.