Give me your best Morris trade idea

[Jvalin]

Aron Baynes - Agreed on two-year, $10.6 million deal to stay with Boston.

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/07/01/nba-free-agent-tracker-lebron-james-paul-george-demarcus-cousins/746904002/
(not 2 years,  $11 million as initially reported by Shams)

Assuming we 'll sign Baynes via non-Bird rights, his contract structure will most likely look like this

2018/19: $5,193,600 (120% of his salary in the previous season)
2019/20: $5,453,280 (5% raise)
SUM: $10,646,880

payroll for 2018/19

1. Hayward $31,214,295
2. Horford $28,928,710
3. Irving $20,099,189
4. Tatum $6,700,800
5. Morris $5,375,000
6. Baynes $5,193,600
7. Brown $5,169,960
8. Rozier $3,050,389
9. Yabusele $2,667,600
10. Williams $1,640,400
11. Wanamaker $1,512,601
12. Theis $1,378,242
13. Semi $1,378,242
14. Nader $1,378,242
15. Smart ? ? ?
Jackson $92,857

SUM: $115,780,127 That's without counting Smart's salary.

The tax line is $123 million.

$123,000,000 - $115,780,127 = $7,219,873

If we want to avoid the tax, we can offer Smart up to $7,219,873 (in year 1).

Basically we need Smart to sign his QO, otherwise it seems likely that Morris is the odd man out.

So my question is this: What's your best Morris trade you can come up with?

Here are two ideas that I like (I' ve read them here on celticsblog)

1. Morris to the Wolves for Keita Bates-Diop (#48 this year) + one more second rounder

2. Morris to the Pacers for their 2019 first (kind of a homer idea, but oh well). We take no contracts back.

[Fafnir]

A lot depends on how much Smart's offer is for. We could easily end up trading Morris mid season as well after we have a better feel for the rotation. Or the tax dodge could be built around Yabu.

I also do not think the C's are dead set against paying the tax this year if they cannot find a deal that makes sense for them. If Morris is out of the rotation that makes sense if he's still playing a lot and we have a injury here or there (please no injuries this year please) it makes less sense.

[rondofan1255]

If Smart leaves, then Morris for Beverley.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Your numbers are a bit off.

Wannamaker is in the 830,000 range. Williams could have signed for anywhere from 1,500,000 to 1,600,000. Also, Nader can and likely will be stretched in the scenario you describe.

That said, first step is figuring out what you can get Smart for. If he signs the QO, they probably sign Bird to a 4 year deal similar to Ojeleye's. If they do those things, they stay out of the luxury tax for another year -- that is something that will help when they need to sign Brown-Tatum-Rozier.

If, on the other hand, Smart signs a deal for 4 years at 40 million, they would need to move Morris.

[wiley]

If Smart leaves, then Morris for Beverley.  Khyri Thomas

Yes Beverly is better for now...but we have legit 3 pg's plus Hayward's distribution skills.  Without Smart we need a guy like Thomas to defend 1-3...and he can shoot.

[rondofan1255]

If Smart leaves, then Morris for Beverley.  Khyri Thomas

Yes Beverly is better for now...but we have legit 3 pg's plus Hayward's distribution skills.  Without Smart we need a guy like Thomas to defend 1-3...and he can shoot.

Pistons trading Khyri Thomas for Morris (again) would be extremely strange. They gave up two 2nds for Khyri.

[action781]

If Smart leaves, then Morris for Beverley sounds good if LAC is interested in that.

If Smart stays, then looking at the deals signed I think it will be at a level that we could keep Morris and instead trade one or two of Yabusele/Semi/Nader to get under the tax level and I think that's our best route. 

[Diggles]

Run it back, pay the tax and wait until the trade deadline to move him if we are struggling.    He is insurance in case someone breaks their leg/ankle 

[wiley]

If Smart leaves, then Morris for Beverley.  Khyri Thomas

Yes Beverly is better for now...but we have legit 3 pg's plus Hayward's distribution skills.  Without Smart we need a guy like Thomas to defend 1-3...and he can shoot.

Pistons trading Khyri Thomas for Morris (again) would be extremely strange. They gave up two 2nds for Khyri.

I know it would have to be sweetened or otherwise expanded...
but they could use Morris for sure as part of their new front court...

[the_gunner]

My best Morris-trade would bedre Morris, Kyrie and 3 1st. Round picks for Anthony Davis.

Davis seems not pleased with Rondo and Boogie leaving, so he might make a trade request sooner than we believe, and we will be the ones who can make the best offer.

[Celtics4ever]

Quote
Run it back, pay the tax and wait until the trade deadline to move him if we are struggling.    He is insurance in case someone breaks their leg/ankle

TP, I agree sometimes the best trade is one you don't make....

[Celts Fan 508]

Morris, Rozier, Kings pick, Memphis pick for KAT.

[TheBig3]

Keep him, I think his aggressiveness would play well covering the warriors.....

[TheSundanceKid]

Run it back, pay the tax and wait until the trade deadline to move him if we are struggling.    He is insurance in case someone breaks their leg/ankle

If you pay the tax this year then you shorten the window that this "big 5" can play together by 2 years at least. If you feel that it is worth hampering the years when Brown and Tatum are hitting their prime for a final year of Morris then fine. Personally I think that's unnecessary and very poor cap management.