Several Ray-related threads going.
Could someone who is A) more familiar with the trade checker, and B) knows how to use make the poll think work create a "hypothetical trades for Ray" thread? It seems like many folks would get misty eyed, but let him go for the right pieces, and there are quite a few possible scenarios. Since he's at the end of the trail, financially strapped teams are likely targets...
Alright. I'll mess around and try to create some trades involving Ray as the centerpiece from the Celtics. Mostly, I've tried to:
-Make sure the other team has a vested interest in shedding salary next season and would actually consider such a trade.
-Make sure there is some rationale for why the Celtics might make such a trade, involving this year and the next 3 seasons as well (as the summer of 2012 is the next possible time we could be major free agent players; Pierce and perk will have new deals and KG and Sheed will have expired.
http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=33584.msg648374#msg648374)
The general idea behind these ideas is a "Nomar for Orlando and Doug" type trade.
Not everyone will agree that each trade satisfies those criteria, but oh well. It's just for fun.
Ray for Prince and Hamilton
Obviously only if Prince is expected to heal before the playoffs, he'd add a decent defender off the bench and would be an expiring next year. we'd let all our other expirings go this offseason and end up with a similar payroll next season as this one. Hamilton can reproduce a lot of what Ray does. Major negative is his contract though.
Ray and Scal for Iggy and Dalembert
Philly's been trying to move Dalembert for a while. Iguodala is a GREAT defender and athlete; and young to boot. But there are rumors Philly would move him to move Dalembert. His contract does go past the potential free agency target. Dalembert could be a useful spot shotblocker/rebounder, and would be an expiring contract next year. after we let our other expirings go (I like having expirings around if you can afford them so that you are always in position to take advantage of a Pau situation).
Ray for Hinrich, Salmons, Ty Thomas
If the Bulls shed Salmons and Hinrich, they would be a legitimate player to add 2 max free agents to a core of Deng, Noah, and Rose. They have to want to do that, right?
Salmons would be an expiring next year, and Hinrich is a nice solid combo guard. Ty Thomas is a great athlete but questionable prospect; however, long term, we could potentially lock him at a deal that ends up being a perk-like below market deal. And all contracts could conceivably expire by the target 2012 if Thomas is not extened more than 2 years.
Ray for Dunleavy and Murphy
Gives us a ton of expiring deals next year, prevents Cleveland from adding a deadly 3 point shooter and very good rebounder in Murphy who could really spread the floor from the PF spot and really help our rebounding. Dunleavy has been back for a bit now, and is actually playing close to Ray's current level right now. Major drawback is Dunleavy/Pierce playing the 2 spot and further creating a logjam at PF/C; Dunleavy is an injury risk as well.
Ray, Giddens, Sheldon for Curry, Jeffries, Douglas, Gallinari
Would NY give up Gallinari to be able to get rid of Jeffries and Curry? Doglous is a tough and pretty promising rookie; Gallinari, Douglas, TA, Pierce, And Daniels would form a rotation at the 2/3. Curry and Jeffries would be expiring deals next year; our payroll wouldn't be affected much since Gallinari and Douglas are still on rookie deals next year.
Ray and Walker for Butler, Miller, Blatche
There've been grumblings about Butler and Blatche being dealt. They'd save some dough next year. Miller, if healthy, is a decent Ray replacement; not sure we'd lose much with Butler/Pierce/Miller at the 2/3 over Pierce/Ray. Blatche is a great talent if he matures; worth the risk, I say. He's very young, and people grow up with a change of scenery.
Ray and Baby for Jameson, Foye, Blatche
Foye is the SG replacement in this scenario with the C's taking back a worse contract (but a player that still expires in 2012).
Ray and Baby for Maggette, Turiaf, Randolph, Bell
Warriors get salary relief. Celtics get a young, talented player. Bell should be back in March. Turiaf's a tough defender. Maggette's an excellent offensive player. His deal is one year longer than I'd like. If we could get Morrow as well (or instead of Bell) that'd be better.
Ray and a 1st for Martin and Nocioni
Predicated on Sac wanting cap space to go for a guy that complements Tyreke Evans better than Martin. Martin is an excellent Ray replacement and Nocioni adds depth.
Ray and Scal for Kirilenko, Korver, Brewer
Brewer is a nice young defender and Korver gives us what we want from the 2 spot. Kirilenko can circulate as a backup defensive forward and will be an expiring contract next year. Utah saves some money this year and gets out of Kirilenko's deal for next year.
Poll