Target- JR Smith

[Army_of_One_Nation]

With the current roster of talent and veteran leadership, Ricky Davis would have had a positive role on the team.
JR Smith is a very underrated defensive player. He could be a good addition if he accepts a salary that can be manageable for the Celtics but is reasonable enough for him to consider.

[Who]

Leandro Barbosa, on the other hand, who was mentioned on another thread ... I'd love to add him as a go-to scorer off the bench.

One year left on his contract. He'd be an excellent backup PG / combo guard. Give the team a completely different look when Rondo is off the court + gives the team great speed and scoring as a two guard alongside Rondo.

I think he could have a larger impact than JR Smith next season as a key reserve.

Barbosa would also be a good complement to West as far as bench guards go. Would need a 3rd emergency point guard on the roster.

Assuming Barbosa chooses to exercise his option for next year, a straight up trade for JO would work numbers-wise. Would allow Toronto to clear some additional cap space.

Boston could probably also take back another small contract, like Joey Dorsey's or Solomon Alabi's, to clear even more off the Raptors' books.

I wouldn't bring back Delonte West if they landed Barbosa.

Barbosa = backup PG

He is too limited defensively and on the backboards to play all of his minutes as a SG. Needs to be split between the PG spot and SG spot to take full advantage of his skill-set.

I have little interest in Barbosa if he isn't the backup PG.

He would be. West would back up Allen at SG, and serve as a backup PG when distributing, not scoring, were needed.

I don't see that working out.

I think Delonte and Barbosa will get in one another's way and limit each other's effectiveness and the backcourt's effectiveness as a whole.

I think the Celtics would be best off with a three guard rotation of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Leandro Barbosa. Adding a fourth body, particularly a combo guard like Delonte West, I think that weakens the rotation.

I'd take Barbosa over Delonte because Barbosa's scoring ability creates more matchup problems for the opposition. 

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These should be the Celtics perimeter combinations. 

Rondo + Ray + Pierce
Rondo + Ray + Green
Barbosa + Ray + Green
Barbosa + Pierce + Green
Rondo + Barbosa + Pierce
Rondo + Barbosa + Green

A five man perimeter rotation. With four bigs to create a nine man rotation.

They'll need four bigs because their starting center is likely to be limited minutes wise. Plus there is a strong chance their backup big men will be limited skill-set wise and best used at one position and for 16-22 minutes rather than a longer period.

Then have a non-rotation defensive specialist wing with enough quickness (and serious size / length) to defend the two spot at a high level where necessary. Someone like Rodney Carney.

A third string point guard, another backup wing (fourth or fifth in depth chart) and some more big man depth.

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I don't think adding Delonte to that perimeter rotation makes it stronger. I think it makes it weaker.

There is a great mix of skill-sets there. Plenty of places where they can create matchup problems for opposing teams. I think Delonte (as a regular rotation player) lessens that ability.

Or said differently, which of the lineups are harder for the opposing team to matchup against? The ones above or the lineups you'll get by adding Delonte West into the mix?

I am not sure how well I explained what I am trying to say.

[Lucky17]

Leandro Barbosa, on the other hand, who was mentioned on another thread ... I'd love to add him as a go-to scorer off the bench.

One year left on his contract. He'd be an excellent backup PG / combo guard. Give the team a completely different look when Rondo is off the court + gives the team great speed and scoring as a two guard alongside Rondo.

I think he could have a larger impact than JR Smith next season as a key reserve.

Barbosa would also be a good complement to West as far as bench guards go. Would need a 3rd emergency point guard on the roster.

Assuming Barbosa chooses to exercise his option for next year, a straight up trade for JO would work numbers-wise. Would allow Toronto to clear some additional cap space.

Boston could probably also take back another small contract, like Joey Dorsey's or Solomon Alabi's, to clear even more off the Raptors' books.

I wouldn't bring back Delonte West if they landed Barbosa.

Barbosa = backup PG

He is too limited defensively and on the backboards to play all of his minutes as a SG. Needs to be split between the PG spot and SG spot to take full advantage of his skill-set.

I have little interest in Barbosa if he isn't the backup PG.

He would be. West would back up Allen at SG, and serve as a backup PG when distributing, not scoring, were needed.

I don't see that working out.

I think Delonte and Barbosa will get in one another's way and limit each other's effectiveness and the backcourt's effectiveness as a whole.

I think the Celtics would be best off with a three guard rotation of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Leandro Barbosa. Adding a fourth body, particularly a combo guard like Delonte West, I think that weakens the rotation.

I'd take Barbosa over Delonte because Barbosa's scoring ability creates more matchup problems for the opposition. 

------------------------------------------------

These should be the Celtics perimeter combinations. 

Rondo + Ray + Pierce
Rondo + Ray + Green
Barbosa + Ray + Green
Barbosa + Pierce + Green
Rondo + Barbosa + Pierce
Rondo + Barbosa + Green

A five man perimeter rotation. With four bigs to create a nine man rotation.

They'll need four bigs because their starting center is likely to be limited minutes wise. Plus there is a strong chance their backup big men will be limited skill-set wise and best used at one position and for 16-22 minutes rather than a longer period.

Then have a non-rotation defensive specialist wing with enough quickness (and serious size / length) to defend the two spot at a high level where necessary. Someone like Rodney Carney.

A third string point guard, another backup wing (fourth or fifth in depth chart) and some more big man depth.

--------------------------------------------

I don't think adding Delonte to that perimeter rotation makes it stronger. I think it makes it weaker.

There is a great mix of skill-sets there. Plenty of places where they can create matchup problems for opposing teams. I think Delonte (as a regular rotation player) lessens that ability.

Or said differently, which of the lineups are harder for the opposing team to matchup against? The ones above or the lineups you'll get by adding Delonte West into the mix?

I am not sure how well I explained what I am trying to say.

I take your point. Ideally, a three guard rotation should be enough.

I have concerns about Barbosa's durability. While a three-guard rotation should be enough for the 96 available minutes, I think a 4th is required. Particularly if Ray Allen's minutes are going to be managed during the regular season (he should get closer to 30 minutes a night than 35, as he has).

Also, there will be times when a defensive guard will be necessary. Rather than overtax Rondo (having him D up the opposing SG), or bring Pierce to play SG, I'd rather be able to bring in West for those matchups.

Rondo for 36 minutes a night, Ray for 32, leaving 30 minutes available for Barbosa and/or West. Most nights, Barbosa could play more than half of those, but I doubt he can play all 30. I think his effectiveness is maximized at around 20 minutes, maybe a little more.

[Dante]

Ill take Barbosa any time.

[mc34]

Picture Rondo running the break, being flanked by Green and Smith. I'd love to see Smith in Boston. His off the court issues should drive down his price, but I feel like Doc and the Big 3 would be able to keep him under control here.

Does anyone know if there's a free agent machine (similar to ESPN's trade machine) where we can see if certain signings work out under the salary cap?