If available, why not just go after Kawhi instead of Lebron?

[CelticsQuestFor18]

Obviously Lebron is the best player in the league right now, hands down. But a healthy Kawhi Leonard is definitely Top-5 in the league and somewhere in the 3-4 range (depending on how you rank them in order between Kawhi and Davis).

People talk about the possibility of bringing in Lebron, but it's just complicated because we have no cap space and he's obviously not playing for MLE. Also, acquiring Lebron likely means a current max-player leaves and possibly a few more young players (and picks).

Meanwhile, Kawhi is scheduled to make 20M next year and while it would still take some players to help match salaries, it definitely wouldn't be as complicated is it would for Lebron, and likely wouldn't require trading away a current max player for him.

Kawhi is also the best "Lebron stopper" in the world and is proven in the playoffs too. Ainge knows superstars win in this league, and hypothetically adding Kawhi would mean we have a superstar and possibly two to three more emerging ones (Kyrie, Brown and/or Tatum - depending on exactly what the Kawhi trade is). It would also be a strategic move to keep him out of PHI/LAL, but also would sort of mitigate the effect of Lebron going to Philly (if we bring in Kawhi and bring back healthy Kyrie + Hayward).

Again, I said "if available", as I expect Kawhi and the Spurs sort it out and he stays put, but I just think if Kawhi does become available, Ainge will pounce or at least make an offer of sorts for him. Of course, we have to also assume his health checks out going forward.

Kawhi is not Lebron (no one is), but he's Top-5 in the league and if we're talking about adding another versatile, lengthy wing player, then it's probably wiser to go after Kawhi. It wouldn't mess up the current core as much as a Lebron sign and trade would, and adding Kawhi for sure should make us favorites to win it all next year (or 2nd best odds but right there with Golden State). Along with Kyrie, the Kawhi presents a huge mismatch problem for Golden State if we're talking a Finals appearance.

[Monkhouse]

If we're bringing in Kawhi, I would send Hayward out for him, plus Rozier, Yabusele, and two picks. Griz/Celtics.

[CelticsQuestFor18]

If we're bringing in Kawhi, I would send Hayward out for him, plus Rozier, Yabusele, and two picks. Griz/Celtics.

Bruh that pretty much contradicts what I said in the post LOL.

The framework for a deal could be done without a max player (like Hayward/Kyrie/Horford) being sent out, although it would definitely require one of Kings Pick/Jaylen being sent out too in the larger package.

[Monkhouse]

If we're bringing in Kawhi, I would send Hayward out for him, plus Rozier, Yabusele, and two picks. Griz/Celtics.

Bruh that pretty much contradicts what I said in the post LOL.

The framework for a deal could be done without a max player (like Hayward/Kyrie/Horford) being sent out, although it would definitely require one of Kings Pick/Jaylen being sent out too in the larger package.

I know that was on purpose lol.

All these LeBron/Kawhi/AD trade threads making my head spin.

How about we just keep the team as is, and if LeBron/Kawhi are really available, why not get both? LOL.

[CelticsQuestFor18]

If we're bringing in Kawhi, I would send Hayward out for him, plus Rozier, Yabusele, and two picks. Griz/Celtics.

Bruh that pretty much contradicts what I said in the post LOL.

The framework for a deal could be done without a max player (like Hayward/Kyrie/Horford) being sent out, although it would definitely require one of Kings Pick/Jaylen being sent out too in the larger package.

I know that was on purpose lol.

All these LeBron/Kawhi/AD trade threads making my head spin.

How about we just keep the team as is, and if LeBron/Kawhi are really available, why not get both? LOL.

Haha TP. And yeah it's pretty insane Lebron-to-Boston is actually a thing in the NBA world right now (even if it's to a small extent). Davis clearly isn't available for at least another two years I imagine.

I'm perfectly fine keeping the team as is, but certainly would hope if Kawhi is on the market, the C's enter the sweepstakes to see if they can land him. Tatum and our max-players should be untouchable in the deal IMHO, but see if you can work a trade for him otherwise.

If Kawhi stays though, I'm fine with that. San Antonio still challenges Golden State out West with a healthy Kawhi, and PHI and LAL don't get him in that case (win - win situation for us).

[gouki88]

He’s also not, y’know, unbearable with his antics sometimes. Giving up part of our plethora of assets for Kawhi would be cool, but his potential contract extension is scary

[Phantom255x]

Idk, something seems off about Kawhi. Maybe it's true he sat out the season after seeing what happened with Isaiah, and wanted to make sure he's fully healthy for next year and going forward.

But the fact that he didn't even attend any of the Spurs playoff games (home ones) and that he didn't communicate much with the team and Pop over the course of the season screams "red flag" in my books.

Also seems like Kawhi's camp (mainly his uncle) is actually a bit of a problem. Not to the extent of LaVar Ball drama (lol), but still a bit of a problem.

Now that said, if we trade for Kawhi and he seems on board (and of course is healthy), then I'll be ecstatic.   

[CelticsQuestFor18]

He’s also not, y’know, unbearable with his antics sometimes. Giving up part of our plethora of assets for Kawhi would be cool, but his potential contract extension is scary

What would a contract extension look like for Leonard with another team?

I know it's 5/219M super-max with San Antonio if he stays. What about if he is somewhere else?

[Csfan1984]

Easier to sign LeBron vs trade for Leonard that's why you want LeBron.

[CelticsElite]

We aren’t going after anyone

Kahwi has an injury that hasn’t gone away. Huge red flag

[CelticsElite]

If we're bringing in Kawhi, I would send Hayward out for him, plus Rozier, Yabusele, and two picks. Griz/Celtics.

so you send Hayward out, making every future free agent never consider Boston ever again

Seems smart

[kozlodoev]

What a novel concept... I wonder why we haven't talked about this before...

[wiley]

What a novel concept... I wonder why we haven't talked about this before...

Sometimes your delivery is perfect..   

[ETNCeltics]

IMO, Kawhi was the best player in the league last year before he got hurt.  I have no idea what to think of him now, with whatever is going on down there. Obviously, if he's healthy and wants to be in Boston long term, you offer a mega deal for him.

But from what I've read, he wants to go to LA. SAS say they're not entertaining offers for him, but even if they were, he's probably not an option for us.

I also don't think Lebron is "hands down" the best any longer. First half of the year, no doubt he was. IMO, 2nd half of the season, AD was the best player in the league. Even better than LBJ. With all the Bamba/KAT trade ideas, I'll always hold out hope that Ainge keeps his powder dry for an AD deal, or just does nothing at all but build around the current guys.

[Celtics4ever]

Because all of the sudden, he is a malcontent, so I would not.   Run it back and add Hayward and Irving is my vote.