Rumor : Celtics discussing Ray for Hinrich trade with the Bulls

[Fafnir]

The Bulls have really played themselves back into contention (at least from a playoff perspective) since Christmas or so.  Read an item that the Bulls are 13-4 with Hinrich is the starting lineup since Christmas.

The problem for them is that they've played themselves into a predicament.  If they were still playing like they were in early December, this team would be shopping Hinrich big-time, no questions asked. 

Now, this winning has teased the organization and they're most likely are going to go at it hard to make some noise come April-May. I think they intend to keep Hinrich to make it happen.

This is a classic case of a mediocre team that may sacrifice some future flexability at the expense of a 1st or 2nd round exit this year.  This current group has plateaued. 

I don't think it can be said that they playeaued with young players like Noah, Thomas and Rose on their team.

He means the team has plateaued this year.

Noah/Rose/Thomas may all very well become much better players, but the Bulls are playing as well as they're going to this year.

[Evantime34]

The Bulls have really played themselves back into contention (at least from a playoff perspective) since Christmas or so.  Read an item that the Bulls are 13-4 with Hinrich is the starting lineup since Christmas.

The problem for them is that they've played themselves into a predicament.  If they were still playing like they were in early December, this team would be shopping Hinrich big-time, no questions asked. 

Now, this winning has teased the organization and they're most likely are going to go at it hard to make some noise come April-May. I think they intend to keep Hinrich to make it happen.

This is a classic case of a mediocre team that may sacrifice some future flexability at the expense of a 1st or 2nd round exit this year.  This current group has plateaued. 

I don't think it can be said that they playeaued with young players like Noah, Thomas and Rose on their team.

He means the team has plateaued this year.

Noah/Rose/Thomas may all very well become much better players, but the Bulls are playing as well as they're going to this year.

Oh, I misunderstood. I completely agree with that.

[Donoghus]

The Bulls have really played themselves back into contention (at least from a playoff perspective) since Christmas or so.  Read an item that the Bulls are 13-4 with Hinrich is the starting lineup since Christmas.

The problem for them is that they've played themselves into a predicament.  If they were still playing like they were in early December, this team would be shopping Hinrich big-time, no questions asked. 

Now, this winning has teased the organization and they're most likely are going to go at it hard to make some noise come April-May. I think they intend to keep Hinrich to make it happen.

This is a classic case of a mediocre team that may sacrifice some future flexability at the expense of a 1st or 2nd round exit this year.  This current group has plateaued. 

I don't think it can be said that they playeaued with young players like Noah, Thomas and Rose on their team.

I don't think Thomas is a guy to build around anymore at this point. I just don't think he's necessarily a good fit with this team.  They screwed up on that draft day trade with Portland.

 I do think Rose and Noah are a good start, though.  Gibson and Johnson are showing promise too.  However, I think with the likes of Deng & Hinrich in addition to those guys, they're not gonna get much farther than they have.  They need frontcourt help and I think they need to move some guys around as well as free up cap space if they have any chance to truly contend in the Eastern Conference down the road.

They're most likely "one and done" this postseason.

[Fafnir]

I like Deng a lot, I think Deng/Rose/Noah plus good use of their cap space will set them up to compete for years.

[Donoghus]

I like Deng a lot, I think Deng/Rose/Noah plus good use of their cap space will set them up to compete for years.

I still think he's a bit of a tease although he has put up some solid numbers this year.

[Chris]

I like Deng a lot, I think Deng/Rose/Noah plus good use of their cap space will set them up to compete for years.

I agree, and I think the Bulls do as well.  If they could find a good big man (Boozer or Bosh) and SG (Wade, or if they miss out on him, perhaps Ray), that is a contender.

[Fafnir]

I like Deng a lot, I think Deng/Rose/Noah plus good use of their cap space will set them up to compete for years.

I still think he's a bit of a tease although he has put up some solid numbers this year.

I don't think he'll be the monster offensive player he was that one year, but he's solid all around.

They still need a true top 10 guy, but they have the cap space to go get that.

[xmuscularghandix]

Whether or not this trade makes the C's any better THIS YEAR (although I think it does), is not the only issue.  If the Celtics do not trade Ray Allen, then they lose the ability to get any talent for his roster spot, EVER.  Since they are over the cap, they cannot spend the $19MM that will be freeing up.  So, their only option will be to re-sign Ray.  Now, would you rather have Hinrich and Thomas next year and the year after, or a 36 year old Ray Allen.  Tyrus Thomas is also EXACTLY what the C's need.  Some athleticism to help spell KG, play some D, and help them to compete with the atheltic teams like ATL.

This is a GREAT trade, if it went down.

Well, they could sign and trade him.  Wouldn't get as much value, but they could get a useful player or two.

Nowhere near as much value as they could get by trading him NOW.

Exactly, because he's expiring. Thats what makes him have value in two ways.

1. he can join a lower seeded playoff team, and bring that clutch shooting/ veteran experience.
2. At the end of the year he leaves and you can sign a young superstar.

[Fafnir]

Whether or not this trade makes the C's any better THIS YEAR (although I think it does), is not the only issue.  If the Celtics do not trade Ray Allen, then they lose the ability to get any talent for his roster spot, EVER.  Since they are over the cap, they cannot spend the $19MM that will be freeing up.  So, their only option will be to re-sign Ray.  Now, would you rather have Hinrich and Thomas next year and the year after, or a 36 year old Ray Allen.  Tyrus Thomas is also EXACTLY what the C's need.  Some athleticism to help spell KG, play some D, and help them to compete with the atheltic teams like ATL.

This is a GREAT trade, if it went down.

Well, they could sign and trade him.  Wouldn't get as much value, but they could get a useful player or two.

Nowhere near as much value as they could get by trading him NOW.

Exactly, because he's expiring. Thats what makes him have value in two ways.

1. he can join a lower seeded playoff team, and bring that clutch shooting/ veteran experience.
2. At the end of the year he leaves and you can sign a young superstar.

Only if the team has a low payroll other than him.

[PosImpos]

I agree, and I think the Bulls do as well.  If they could find a good big man (Boozer or Bosh) and SG (Wade, or if they miss out on him, perhaps Joe Johnson), that is a contender.

Fixed