Felt like bumping this thread. I still believe PHX is one our 2 / 3 most likely trading partners.
One adjustment: Tucker is the kind of find that tends to stand in the way of deals like this. The team who has him very rarely wants to give up that diamond in the rough, especially when they're rebuilding. With Bradley and Lee on the roster, I don't think he's key to this.
So I'd adjust as follows:
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=a8cpl7w To Boston: Gortat, Beasley, Wes Johnson
To Phoenix: Green, Bass, Melo
I believe both teams would need to seriously consider this.
Playoff line-up: Gortat starts at the 5, and Garnett at the 4. Sully is 1st off the bench in the front court, with Collins or Wilcox getting some minutes as needed depending on match-up. The other one is our last ditch / safety net.
Johnson backs up Pierce to the tune of 12 minutes a night, assuming PP is going to play about 35-36 a night in the playoffs.
In the bits I've seen him play, Johnson's defense has impressed me. Basically, Pierce is going to play the bulk of minutes regardless -- if Green can be used as an asset to net a 5, I'm comfortable with the risk of a guy like Johnson as a slight defensive downgrade. Neither guy can stop LeBron anyway -- no one can. I envision him making 2 3s a game and playing some D.
Beasley is a wildcard back-up. If the 2nd unit simply cannot score, I'd insert him in spots. Probably mostly as a 4, particularly against smaller teams. Yes, he's a defensive liability. But i still think there's a place for a bench guy who can and will get his own shot every time he hits the floor. He's there as that 10th, 11th guy. You have to take luggage if you're going to dish some -- Beasley is that guy in this deal.
OK, now tell me how bad this idea is, because...