Maybe Wyc prefers letting Ray expire for non-championship caliber team

[ssspence]

I think there is absolutely something to this.  I don't think Wyc has tied Danny's hands here, but I feel pretty confident that if Danny cannot turn Ray into a VERY good player or two, Wyc has made it clear that he is not interested in taking on bad contracts for the next few years.

If they look at the team, and do not think they can win a championship next year, I think they could really go into cost-cutting mode, trying to save as much luxury tax money as possible.  And to be honest, I can't blame them.  I sure as heck don't want them raising ticket prices next season, just so we can watch KG limp to a second round exit. 

Danny is in a tough position right here, because they are really at a crossroads.  He can try to shift the deckchairs, and get a little younger, but he can't pay a premium for it.  And unfortunately, this teams championship dreams live and die with KG's decrepit knees, not Ray's expiring contract.

Bingo! There's the key. You can't win a title without a high quality big man (unless if you have the greatest player ever at guard paired with the best small forward of his decade).

Kevin Martin paired with Rondo in the future is not going to win a championship. The ultimate future goal will be to find the next great big man to pair with Rondo. Nothing should get in the way of that.

If Amare Stoudamire or Chris Bosh can be had, absolutely go for it. Otherwise I'll stick with our starting lineup and see what happens.

Somebody's gotta score the ball, no matter what position they play.

Mr. October -- where you been?

[moiso]

I think there is absolutely something to this.  I don't think Wyc has tied Danny's hands here, but I feel pretty confident that if Danny cannot turn Ray into a VERY good player or two, Wyc has made it clear that he is not interested in taking on bad contracts for the next few years.

If they look at the team, and do not think they can win a championship next year, I think they could really go into cost-cutting mode, trying to save as much luxury tax money as possible.  And to be honest, I can't blame them.  I sure as heck don't want them raising ticket prices next season, just so we can watch KG limp to a second round exit. 

Danny is in a tough position right here, because they are really at a crossroads.  He can try to shift the deckchairs, and get a little younger, but he can't pay a premium for it.  And unfortunately, this teams championship dreams live and die with KG's decrepit knees, not Ray's expiring contract.

Bingo! There's the key. You can't win a title without a high quality big man (unless if you have the greatest player ever at guard paired with the best small forward of his decade).

Kevin Martin paired with Rondo in the future is not going to win a championship. The ultimate future goal will be to find the next great big man to pair with Rondo. Nothing should get in the way of that.

If Amare Stoudamire or Chris Bosh can be had, absolutely go for it. Otherwise I'll stick with our starting lineup and see what happens.

perfect post.

[QuinielaBox]

agree with chris. i'm as guilty as anyone of spending wyc's money in trade ideas, but i think the reality of the situation is we're all just going to have to sit here and take it with this group because of so much riding on KG's legs regardless of who is shuffled in and out around him.

here's to hoping the all-star break brings good health, less excuses in the locker room, less trash talk on the floor, and more actionable success in basics like rebounding and defensive intensity.

Everybody's thinking is brutally honest here. Is there anyway we can trade back Garnett for Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes? I think everybody knows the answer to that one, though. My thinking is that we trade Glen Davis and maybe Scalabrine and Tony Allen for a couple of role players to work with Sheed and Marquis Daniels down the stretch and Doc tries to lighten the load (or even shut down) of the Big three injured. Either way, I believe this season is toast for contending for a title.

[Mr October]

I think there is absolutely something to this.  I don't think Wyc has tied Danny's hands here, but I feel pretty confident that if Danny cannot turn Ray into a VERY good player or two, Wyc has made it clear that he is not interested in taking on bad contracts for the next few years.

If they look at the team, and do not think they can win a championship next year, I think they could really go into cost-cutting mode, trying to save as much luxury tax money as possible.  And to be honest, I can't blame them.  I sure as heck don't want them raising ticket prices next season, just so we can watch KG limp to a second round exit. 

Danny is in a tough position right here, because they are really at a crossroads.  He can try to shift the deckchairs, and get a little younger, but he can't pay a premium for it.  And unfortunately, this teams championship dreams live and die with KG's decrepit knees, not Ray's expiring contract.

Bingo! There's the key. You can't win a title without a high quality big man (unless if you have the greatest player ever at guard paired with the best small forward of his decade).

Kevin Martin paired with Rondo in the future is not going to win a championship. The ultimate future goal will be to find the next great big man to pair with Rondo. Nothing should get in the way of that.

If Amare Stoudamire or Chris Bosh can be had, absolutely go for it. Otherwise I'll stick with our starting lineup and see what happens.

Somebody's gotta score the ball, no matter what position they play.

Mr. October -- where you been?

Its been a couple of months at crazy working and moving. But, I've been lurking when I've had a little time.  

I hear ya about the scoring.

1. KG and Sheed need to get the in the post, when a drought starts - even just for a couple of possessions in a row. (both have shown more willingness to do so in the playoffs, so I have hope)

2. The team needs to make a better freaking effort on the boards. Rondo can't run without good defensive rebounding. And you'll score more if you get some more offensive rebounds.

3. Pierce wants to be a go-to guy still, but his body isn't willing. He needs rest. He is trying to do too much right now.

4. But ultimately it comes down to KG's health. He's the emotional engine. The intimidation, effort, intensity starts with him.

[moiso]

agree with chris. i'm as guilty as anyone of spending wyc's money in trade ideas, but i think the reality of the situation is we're all just going to have to sit here and take it with this group because of so much riding on KG's legs regardless of who is shuffled in and out around him.

here's to hoping the all-star break brings good health, less excuses in the locker room, less trash talk on the floor, and more actionable success in basics like rebounding and defensive intensity.

Everybody's thinking is brutally honest here. Is there anyway we can trade back Garnett for Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes? I think everybody knows the answer to that one, though. My thinking is that we trade Glen Davis and maybe Scalabrine and Tony Allen for a couple of role players to work with Sheed and Marquis Daniels down the stretch and Doc tries to lighten the load (or even shut down) of the Big three injured. Either way, I believe this season is toast for contending for a title.

Unfortunately the guy that needs to be replaced is the most untradeable guy on the team with the biggest salary.

[droopdog7]

I think Ainge has the freedom to do what he thinks will increase the title chances this year as long as it doesn't bring back long term bad contracts.

That kind of removes trading Ray from the equation, since trading him to get better/younger players means taking back longer contracts (the only incentive for other teams to trade their young talent for Ray being his expiring vs their longer contracts).

This has actually been my stance the whole time.  No way we trade Ray (and his 17 mil salary) for all long term contracts.  I believe Danny when he says they are looking for a player and an expiring contract.  That is why I don't believe Martin and Nocioni would be feasible from the Celts end.  Martin and Kenny Thomas (expiring) would be more palatable but I Sac likely would not do that.

So in the end, we will be faced with taking a lesser player if we insist on tasking an expiring contract as well.  For that reason, I don't think he will be traded.  That is probably the safest thing to do anyway, given the situation we are in.

[Witch-King]

   lol, is it too late to trade for Allen Iverson?

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/iversal01.html

Philly is opting to play their young talent down the stretch, regardless of the fact that AI's shooting percentage, shot selection and defense have markedly improved from last season to this one...I'm interested to see how well Tracy McGrady will fare in New York; both the 76ers and the Knicks are teams that will likely be on the outside looking in as we approach the playoffs so it might benefit us to steal some veteran talent from the 76ers before that time comes.

I wonder how Tmac's proposed trade to New York will affect LeBron's decision of whether or not to stay in Cleveland after this season - Tmac is basically a veteran version of LeBron James, though he has never led a team that has advanced farther than the first round of the playoffs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=714haGstoHk