Bring back Al Jeff (begin rolling eyes now)

[Who]

Over-rated rebounder = doesn't box out, gave up a huge number of offensive boards to opposing teams last season in Utah.

[Who]

BOS
trades Ray Allen, Krstic, & picks to Memphis
receives Al Jefferson

UTAH
trades Al Jefferson to Boston
receives Rudy Gay

MEM
trades Rudy Gay to Utah
receives Ray Allen, Krstic, & picks

That would be an appalling bad trade for Memphis. To lose a young stud like Rudy Gay while only getting an aging Ray Allen and his soon to expire contract in return. They would have to pretty desperate to dump his contract to this. I hope that's not the case. It would be a major mistake.

Excellent trade for Utah. Gay is a better asset than Big Al. Plus, this will help free up some big man minutes for them to finally acquire an above average defensive center. Let Favors develop at the four and keep Millsap. Nice young nucleus in the frontcourt. Excellent.

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

Need to sign a starting quality SG for it to be worth considering for Boston.

Maybe JR Smith for the MLE. Keep Jeff Green. The 2012 FA cap space would be gone after acquiring Big Al's big contract anyway. JR Smith could give them a nice 16-17ppg punch on the wing. Run with Rondo. Knock down open jumpers off Rondo's dribble penetration and double teams from the post.

Or maybe go in a different direction and sign someone like Tayshaun Prince. He looked pretty good defending the two when Tracy McGrady was starting alongside him and incapable of defending quicker guards. Quality D. More rebounding help. All-round offensive package. Mis-match at the two with his size, talented post player. With Jeff Green at the backup SF, this would give Boston three wings with great size and strong post up games.

Hmm ... I don't know. A lot depends on who replaces Ray in the starting lineup. If it's Delonte West, I hate it. If it's another weak starting SG, I hate. If it's someone good ... I don't know, it's interesting, not sure.

I think I'd rather hold onto Ray + keep the 2012 cap space but there is some interest in the idea.

[miraclejohan]

What's low-risk about taking up $39 million over the next 2 years? That's a pretty clear-cut statement that we won't be adding any major pieces over this period. So no, it's a pretty high-risk move, given Jefferson's track record.

I may be wrong, but I thought Al was due $13 mil over the next 2?  Regardless, 13 for a young scoring big who is STILL ONLY 26 and has yet to be given a real opportunity to be mentored is, to me, low-risk.  Young bigs are easier to trade than 37 year old wings, no matter how amazing their shape and shooting are.  

KG played with worse, and was never questioned for his defense.

You are seriously asking me to compare Al Jefferson to Kevin garnett?  That';s what got Al Jeff the bad rep to begin with: he was asked to be Kevin garnett on TWolves and he of course couldn't do it.  To expect every (read ANY) player to have the defensive intensity, desire, and relentlessness of KG is wholly unfair.  We have been lucky AND spoiled to have him here.

Pierce has always been an underrated defender. Jefferson, however, has always displayed matador defense at its finest. After we traded him away, Pierce went on the record to say that some players on the roster just cared about their 15 points. He's had ample opportunity to show he has put it together in Utah, and that was a major flop.

Pierce could have easily been talking about Gerald Green or telfair.  People could have said the same for Pierce before he was surrounded by vets who helped him mature and realize his full game and be able to trust his teammates instead of taking over games himself.  

So forgive me if I am less than thrilled about how he's going to work out with us.

Forgiven.  Forgive ME if I am less than thrilled about watching the big 3 fade away and have our young core emerge as only rondo, green, and delonte.  And more than that, forgive me for wanting to try utilizing KG's intensity like a torch and pass it down to a young player who needs it that could help the celtics remain relevant while also revitalizing his own career and identity.

[CoachBo]

Uh, no. Not at that price. Ever.

[BballTim]

I think getting Jefferson back would, assuming he could learn defensive concepts and execution from KG, solidify our young core as the big 3 ages: Rondo, West, Green, Jefferson.

Yeah. If Mark Blount could learn effort, and Glen Davis could learn 4 inches, they would be great players too. All of these have about the same chance of happening.

  Al wasn't a horrible defense as a pf on the Celts. When he was paired with Perk we were better than usual on defense. His problem is that he's forced to play the center position on defense instead of being paired with a good defender. Not saying he's really good or anything, but pairing him with (frequently undersized) power forwards doesn't help.

[the_Bird]

Forgiven.  Forgive ME if I am less than thrilled about watching the big 3 fade away and have our young core emerge as only rondo, green, and delonte.  And more than that, forgive me for wanting to try utilizing KG's intensity like a torch and pass it down to a young player who needs it that could help the celtics remain relevant while also revitalizing his own career and identity.

Admit it.  

You just want to start singing "No layups!  No eaaa-sy baskets! No layups!" again.

I don't know if Big Al is the answer or not, but if he's available I'd take a chance on him, even with that contract.  Gotta do something, Miami's going to get better, and Chicago's even better (and there's no way we can match up against their athleticism).

Thing is, I'm not sure about a Rondo/Big Al pairing; he's not exactly a guy who can get up and down the court.

EDIT: One other thought; trading for Big Al (assuming that Utah was looking mostly to get out from his contract, not looking for much in return other than expiring deals) wouldn't be much more of a risk than when Danny traded for Raef.  Raef had what...  I think three years at some pretty steep dollars left on his deal, and he was never half the player that Big Al has been.

With the CBA negotiations going on, forget cap space in 2012; ain't nobody going to have any, anyway.

[miraclejohan]

Admit it.  

You just want to start singing "No layups!  No eaaa-sy baskets! No layups!" again.

There is definitely a part of me that loves the idea of reacquiring the key pieces we traded away to get Allen & KG....I could be like the past 4 years were all a wonderful dream, except when we wake up we have a title, playoff mentality, and KG on the bench as a player coach insisting on defensive execution.

And also, I may have stopped recording those songs, but I've NEVER stopped singing. 

[kozlodoev]

What's low-risk about taking up $39 million over the next 2 years? That's a pretty clear-cut statement that we won't be adding any major pieces over this period. So no, it's a pretty high-risk move, given Jefferson's track record.

I may be wrong, but I thought Al was due $13 mil over the next 2?  Regardless, 13 for a young scoring big who is STILL ONLY 26 and has yet to be given a real opportunity to be mentored is, to me, low-risk.  Young bigs are easier to trade than 37 year old wings, no matter how amazing their shape and shooting are.

Sorry, that was a typo. 29 million - 14 next year, and 15 the year after. As far as risk is concerned, "low-risk" in the NBA is someone you can get rid of easily, or someone who doesn't kill your cap space -- and taking on Jefferson's does both.

KG played with worse, and was never questioned for his defense.

You are seriously asking me to compare Al Jefferson to Kevin garnett?  That';s what got Al Jeff the bad rep to begin with: he was asked to be Kevin garnett on TWolves and he of course couldn't do it.  To expect every (read ANY) player to have the defensive intensity, desire, and relentlessness of KG is wholly unfair.  We have been lucky AND spoiled to have him here.

Jefferson wanted to go somewhere and be the top dog. Too bad he's not cut to carry a team on his own, but it's not like someone forced him into something he didn't want to do.

What you seem to be suggesting is that Jefferson got his reputation by being on an awful team. I'm just saying that Garnett was on awful teams and never had this reputation so... make of it what you will.

Pierce has always been an underrated defender. Jefferson, however, has always displayed matador defense at its finest. After we traded him away, Pierce went on the record to say that some players on the roster just cared about their 15 points. He's had ample opportunity to show he has put it together in Utah, and that was a major flop.

Pierce could have easily been talking about Gerald Green or telfair.  People could have said the same for Pierce before he was surrounded by vets who helped him mature and realize his full game and be able to trust his teammates instead of taking over games himself.

He could also have been talking about Brian Scalabrine. But it was Al Jefferson who was averaging exactly 15 points per game that season. Again, make of it what you will.

So forgive me if I am less than thrilled about how he's going to work out with us.

Forgiven.  Forgive ME if I am less than thrilled about watching the big 3 fade away and have our young core emerge as only rondo, green, and delonte.  And more than that, forgive me for wanting to try utilizing KG's intensity like a torch and pass it down to a young player who needs it that could help the celtics remain relevant while also revitalizing his own career and identity.

Fair enough. But Al Jefferson is not the piece you're looking for. This team is in a position to do better.

[Brendan]

Jefferson wanted to go somewhere and be the top dog. Too bad he's not cut to carry a team on his own, but it's not like someone forced him into something he didn't want to do.

This is a bit disingenuous way to describe Al Jefferson's career path.
1. I don't think he wanted to leave the C's - he apparently still has a very close relationship with Doc Rivers - I expect he probably wanted to stay, and in fact remember him saying something to that extent between the Ray Allen and KG trades.

2. He did resign with the Wolves, but considering he eventually injured his ACL, that was probably a wise decision. Realistically near max extensions for borderline All Star players should always be signed by the player for financial reasons.

3. He didn't orchestrate his trade to Utah.

Have you seen quotes since he left about being the big dog or something to that extent?

[CFAN38]

If we can get big al without trading any of our top 4 rr,ray,paul, KG. Then im all for it. maybe JO + sign and trade baby? Big als post game would be a big help to our team and has become redundent in Utah. Then fill out the 5 position by bringing back kristic, and the 4 by signing k-mart or landry. This lineup would allow us to limit KG minutes by using al at 5/4, k-mart or landry as back up, and green playing some 4.

Center  Big al, Kristic
PF      KG, K-mart/Landry
SF      Pierce, Green
SG      Ray, West, Avery
PG      Rondo,west, avery (could use a vet or a true pg rookie)

[moiso]

Find a way to get Mayo as well, and I'm in.  

Honestly, I don't know what to think about Jefferson, but quality big men are so hard to come by these days.  And honestly, if this team is going back to the lottery, at least we would get to watch Jefferson's low post game (which I personally love to watch) for the next few years.  

Ugh, I really don't want to see OJ Mayo in green.

Jefferson would do well to have someone like KG to play with, but I'm not sure he'll ever reach his potential. I'd stay away from him at this point.

Well, maybe you would be happy if they could include TA so he could beat down Mayo a few more times

[miraclejohan]

What's low-risk about taking up $39 million over the next 2 years? That's a pretty clear-cut statement that we won't be adding any major pieces over this period. So no, it's a pretty high-risk move, given Jefferson's track record.

I may be wrong, but I thought Al was due $13 mil over the next 2?  Regardless, 13 for a young scoring big who is STILL ONLY 26 and has yet to be given a real opportunity to be mentored is, to me, low-risk.  Young bigs are easier to trade than 37 year old wings, no matter how amazing their shape and shooting are.

Sorry, that was a typo. 29 million - 14 next year, and 15 the year after. As far as risk is concerned, "low-risk" in the NBA is someone you can get rid of easily, or someone who doesn't kill your cap space -- and taking on Jefferson's does both.

I consider low-risk any contract 3 years or shorter, especially for a young player who at least has two tools and some would argue still has All-Star "potential."  A 3 year deal, after the first year, is a 2 year deal which, while not immediately expiring, could look attractive to a team looking to unload a 4 or 5 year deal (this years examples: Iguodala, Gay, etc).

KG played with worse, and was never questioned for his defense.

You are seriously asking me to compare Al Jefferson to Kevin garnett?  That';s what got Al Jeff the bad rep to begin with: he was asked to be Kevin garnett on TWolves and he of course couldn't do it.  To expect every (read ANY) player to have the defensive intensity, desire, and relentlessness of KG is wholly unfair.  We have been lucky AND spoiled to have him here.

Jefferson wanted to go somewhere and be the top dog. Too bad he's not cut to carry a team on his own, but it's not like someone forced him into something he didn't want to do.

What you seem to be suggesting is that Jefferson got his reputation by being on an awful team. I'm just saying that Garnett was on awful teams and never had this reputation so... make of it what you will.

There was an interview I remember when it was rumored Big Al to Philly for Iverson.  Al Jeff said "I don't want to break up this team, I don't want to go nowhere."  The fact that he was traded for KG made him step up his own expectations in an attempt to make that jump and he didn't do it because he is not Kevin Garnett.  He was (and remains) ill-prepared to make the next jump - that's the point of my proposal - to get him here with solid vets in KG and Pierce who would be able to give him the help he needs to make that next step.  If he stays on the island of lost teams year after year he will never be more than he is right now, which I agree with you, is a completely average player not worth 14 mil.

Pierce has always been an underrated defender. Jefferson, however, has always displayed matador defense at its finest. After we traded him away, Pierce went on the record to say that some players on the roster just cared about their 15 points. He's had ample opportunity to show he has put it together in Utah, and that was a major flop.

Pierce could have easily been talking about Gerald Green or telfair.  People could have said the same for Pierce before he was surrounded by vets who helped him mature and realize his full game and be able to trust his teammates instead of taking over games himself.

He could also have been talking about Brian Scalabrine. But it was Al Jefferson who was averaging exactly 15 points per game that season. Again, make of it what you will.

I make of that that Pierce was tired of youngsters who rationalized losing with their stats and that Pierce wanted to win.  That does not necessarily read to me as an indictment of specific players but of the mentality of that team as a whole and the fact that Pierce saw his own window in Boston closing and didn't want to leave to keep it open.  But I can see where your interpertation comes from too. 

[miraclejohan]

If we can get big al without trading any of our top 4 rr,ray,paul, KG. Then im all for it. maybe JO + sign and trade baby? Big als post game would be a big help to our team and has become redundent in Utah. Then fill out the 5 position by bringing back kristic, and the 4 by signing k-mart or landry. This lineup would allow us to limit KG minutes by using al at 5/4, k-mart or landry as back up, and green playing some 4.

Center  Big al, Kristic
PF      KG, K-mart/Landry
SF      Pierce, Green
SG      Ray, West, Avery
PG      Rondo,west, avery (could use a vet or a true pg rookie)

I don't see that happening unless we get one of the big 4 involved and a third team.  Utah would be nuts to take JOneal at this point in his career and they already have Millsap and Cousins who are way better than Baby.  I wouldn't mind trying to throw expiring/sensible contracts and draft picks at them but I don't think Ainge thinks highly enough of Big Al to part with those assets.  Though I do think Ainge is watching the window shut and wondering how to end up on the right side so he may take a chance like this, not necessarily on Jeff, but on another young who could potentially evolve into a Rondo, Green, West, player x core.

[miraclejohan]

Jefferson wanted to go somewhere and be the top dog. Too bad he's not cut to carry a team on his own, but it's not like someone forced him into something he didn't want to do.

This is a bit disingenuous way to describe Al Jefferson's career path.

Agreed.  He had to adopt a "big dog" mentaility because that was the role he was unfairly traded twice into and again into when DWill was shipped out of Utah.  Imagine Al's mindset - he was PUMPED to get to Utah and play alongside DWill on a playoff team where he didn't need to be the primary offensive threat and then watch the whole thing desintegrate....no Sloan, no DWill, log jam at PF/C, he might as well never have left Minnesota.  Not that this is rationale for why he has underperformed, but his psyche has to be pretty beat down by now, and no matter how psyched he gets to go get to the next level, he's still in the same position that Pierce was pre-big 3. 

Bring him home.