Steven Adams?

[mqtcelticsfan]

Unless a third team somehow got involved, I don’t see how we get it done financially.

We could theoretically absorb him into the cap space we'd open up by renouncing our FAs.

I can’t help but think that’s a waste of cap space.

It’s not my first choice of cap space, but depending on the return received in future draft compensation, there are definitely many worse ways to use it.  We’re not going to have enough space next season for a significant free agent with or without Adams on the roster, so might as well spend it now.  If you can get a starter at a position of need for two seasons and a future 1st to go with it, you really could do a lot worse.

I forgot about the prospect of getting compensation for taking on Adams. I certainly prefer trading for Adams to signing a guy like Vucevic, but I’d be highly concerned with the PG spot if we don’t address it.

Why would OKC send draft compensation if they were to move Adams? He's a legit starting center in this league.

Yeah, I see us giving up picks to get Adams. Probably 2 of our 3 firsts. Our 2 later firsts. Keeping the #14.

This isn’t a rose colored glasses thing. The Thunder are reportedly shopping the 21st pick to move Adams, Roberson or Schroeder.

[blink]

why would we give up picks to OKC if they are trying to dump Adams?  I mean the dumper needs to pay the toll right?
I am completely down with us picking up Adams, but lets not try and lose draft picks as well.

I think Adams is the best choice I have heard in all these threads to maximize the talent we have right now.
Our best players are Smart / Brown / Tatum / Hayward.  Those 4 only work with a big tough, great def / rebounding center.
Adams will still be valuable at the end of his current contract so if it isn't working out, or if we have other options he is a valuable trade chip. 

Adams can set good screens in the PnRoll w/ Smart / Hayward.  Adams isn't a malcontent.  He is a hard worker.  He fits.

I say go for Adams DA.  Make it happen and lets move on with finding some good players in the draft and filling out the roster.

[Surferdad]

why would we give up picks to OKC if they are trying to dump Adams?  I mean the dumper needs to pay the toll right?
I am completely down with us picking up Adams, but lets not try and lose draft picks as well.

I think Adams is the best choice I have heard in all these threads to maximize the talent we have right now.
Our best players are Smart / Brown / Tatum / Hayward.  Those 4 only work with a big tough, great def / rebounding center.
Adams will still be valuable at the end of his current contract so if it isn't working out, or if we have other options he is a valuable trade chip. 

Adams can set good screens in the PnRoll w/ Smart / Hayward.  Adams isn't a malcontent.  He is a hard worker.  He fits.

I say go for Adams DA.  Make it happen and lets move on with finding some good players in the draft and filling out the roster.

100% agree. Unfortunately I think they go for Vucevic who is not as good a defender. Fits Brad’s system better.

[blink]

why would we give up picks to OKC if they are trying to dump Adams?  I mean the dumper needs to pay the toll right?
I am completely down with us picking up Adams, but lets not try and lose draft picks as well.

I think Adams is the best choice I have heard in all these threads to maximize the talent we have right now.
Our best players are Smart / Brown / Tatum / Hayward.  Those 4 only work with a big tough, great def / rebounding center.
Adams will still be valuable at the end of his current contract so if it isn't working out, or if we have other options he is a valuable trade chip. 

Adams can set good screens in the PnRoll w/ Smart / Hayward.  Adams isn't a malcontent.  He is a hard worker.  He fits.

I say go for Adams DA.  Make it happen and lets move on with finding some good players in the draft and filling out the roster.

100% agree. Unfortunately I think they go for Vucevic who is not as good a defender. Fits Brad’s system better.

But Vucevic is an UFA right?  Wont he get a ton of interest and probably cost more than Adams?  I mean can Vucevic be had for 18 mil?
Vucevic is probably a better passer and offensive player than Adams, but he isn't nearly the def player.  We need a center who can cover for whomever is going to be pushed into playing the 4 (Tatum or Hayward).

[gpap]

Hayward and Baynes for Adams, Schroder and the 21st pick would work.

Celts get a point guard and a center. By the way, Adams and Schroder are both only 25.

[blink]

Hayward and Baynes for Adams, Schroder and the 21st pick would work.

Celts get a point guard and a center. By the way, Adams is only 25.

I know he is 25, he is young.  He seems to fit really well with Smart/ Brown / Tatum / Hayward.

[NKY fan]

Hayward and Baynes for Adams, Schroder and the 21st pick would work.

Celts get a point guard and a center. By the way, Adams and Schroder are both only 25.

Don’t see this happening. Maybe we add timelord and yabu and get Patterson and Roberson in addition if Okc are looking to get under the tax.
Adams plus shrouder contracts is a neutral value not liability not an asset
Hayward contract is a liability so we get rid of this liability in exchange for extra cap room.
I wonder if that is the exotic scenario from wyc-
African German plus 7 feet Kiwi

[mqtcelticsfan]

Hayward and Baynes for Adams, Schroder and the 21st pick would work.

Celts get a point guard and a center. By the way, Adams and Schroder are both only 25.

OKC is trying to cut a bunch of salary. This trade would not accomplish that well enough.

[RodyTur10]

Hayward and Baynes for Adams, Schroder and the 21st pick would work.

Celts get a point guard and a center. By the way, Adams and Schroder are both only 25.

Don't include Hayward and Schroder in this.

Hayward can potentially re-establish his value. And I know we're gonna hate watching Schroder play.
Also we'd much rather want a future pick ('24) than another pick in this draft, we have enough.

[gouki88]

I’d be so down for Adams. I think playing alongside Westbrook hurts his defensive rebounding quite a bit.

[JBcat]

This was my idea in a different thread — glad to see Sam Presti or Zach Lowe agrees with me.

My idea was Baynes for Adams, a 2nd in 2020 or 2021 (I’m indifferent), and their 1st in 2024.  This deal would literally save OKC $100 million in salary and luxury taxes over the next two years, and giving them back Baynes provides them with a player who can help make up some of what they lose in sending off Adams.

For us, it gives us a player who’s largely an improvement on Baynes, so we’re not taking a step back in this case.  At the same time, after a season he would provide an expiring contract that could be used to match any star that comes on the market next June or July, or the following trade deadline.

Also, it should not be a deal revolving around this draft.  Firstly, we have too many firsts already.  Secondly, a deal like this is one you pursue after looking into the free agent market (including figuring out if you can get Horford back into the fold), and not something you do that forecloses those options.

We should be able to command a reasonable price.  There aren’t many teams with the ability to take on Adams’ contract, and that his deal is for two years instead of one will scare away some teams that might want to try free agency next summer if they miss out this year.  With Jaylen being due a hefty raise, we won’t have quite the same flexibility, so using the space now to acquire Adams could make more sense.

First, good to see your name around here again with your cap expertise.

I think I’d prefer this trade than to just using cap space to sign Vucevic.  The main reasons if we want to enter the the free agent market sooner than later again with lots of space, or could use as an expiring contract next year in a trade as you stated, or if it works out really well we could just re-sign him again in a couple years as he fits closer to the timeline of Brown and Tatum, and on top of that it adds to our draft capital to remain flexible for other moves. 

For this offseason I think there could be lots of competition for Vucevic, maybe 25 mil per year, right?  Not as much competition for this type of Adams trade, plus its a net of only 20 mil in cap space used with Baynes going out.  Still have wiggle room for a PG, or other moves I would think.

[blink]

Hayward and Baynes for Adams, Schroder and the 21st pick would work.

Celts get a point guard and a center. By the way, Adams and Schroder are both only 25.

Don't include Hayward and Schroder in this.

Hayward can potentially re-establish his value. And I know we're gonna hate watching Schroder play.
Also we'd much rather want a future pick ('24) than another pick in this draft, we have enough.

I agree.  Let Hayward rebuild his value / game next year, we would be getting pennies on the dollar for him.
Figure out a way to take Adams only. 

[mqtcelticsfan]

I wonder what Patrick Beverley is looking for in FA. If it were possible, I’d be pretty interested in trading for Adams/21 and using some form of exception to sign Beverley.

[Muzzy66]

I initially did consider Adams, but to be honest I'm not really thrilled by the idea.

I really like what he offers, and I feel he could be a real difference maker in the right situation with his defense, rebounding and energy/physicality. 

My concerns are two-fold:
1. The fact that he's fairly limited offensively
2. The fact that he is making around $24M per year over the next 2years

Assuming Kyrie and Horford both walk, and Hayward has a player option next year, one of the only bright points about the Celtic's current situation is that they have the potential to have a max salary spot a year from now if the cards fall right. 

I'm worried that the Celtics don't have enough offense right now to be able to justify locking up $24M a year in a defensive specialist like Adams, and I'm concerned that one or two years from now it could be the type of contract that could hold Boston back from making a game changing signing.

I feel Boston would be better served making a play at somebody on a more friendly contract, such as:
- Clint Capella ($14M/5)
- Jusuf Nurkic ($11M/4)
- Domantas Sabonis ($2.7M/2)
- Derrick Favors ($17/2)

If you are going to go for somebody at/near max money then go hard and try to make a run at Andre Drummond ($25M/3). 

Failing those, I'd be hitting the free agent market.  Boston could try for an established vet like Vucevic, they could take a chance on the potential of Julius Randle, or they could take a high risk / high gain chance on Demarcus Cousins.

Personally if I were Ainge i'd take a gamble and go all in to try to avoid another rebuild.  Take a risk on Demarcus Cousins and try to offer him a short term deal for decent money - say $20M a year over 2 years.  Then try to swing a trade for Bradley Beal. Put a bit of faith in Gordon Hayward and hope he recovers well.  Match any offers for Rozier to keep him in Boston.

Assuming you need to give up Brown and Smart in order to get Beal, this leaves you with:

PG: Terry Rozier
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Demarcus Cousins

It's a risk, but as many teams have learnt lately (Raptors, Lakers) sometimes you need to take a risk in order to have a chance to excel.

Best case scenario, if Hayward and Cousins come back to even 85% of who they were in their prime, that team is an instant contender.

Worst case scenario - if Hayward remains a shadow of himself and Cousins becomes a head case  or has more injury issues, then you let both guys walk after two years and you still have a very nice young core of Rozier, Beal and Tatum to build around. 

Even in the worst case, things could be a lot worse.

[RodyTur10]

@Muzzy66: welcome, TP

Steven Adams has two years left on his contract. He'll expire together with Hayward (assuming no extensions).