Could Joel Anthony be more than just dead weight on the books?

[chambers]

I think he's here as salary filler for future trades.
Isn't his salary 3 million? That's a big chunk and I wouldn't be surprised if Danny has something in the works at the moment.
Green+Anthony+first rounder for....(insert 13 million dollar player here).
But to answer the OP's question- no he's not here for his play. He's a money matcher.

[Who]

Useful player.

I really like his quickness, mobility and shot-blocking. Not well rounded enough to be anything more than a low minute player but has enough valuable strengths to be a useful.

I'd say he is generally somewhere in between a top notch third string center to a bit below average but solid option as the main backup center. Due to the C's lack of rim protection and interior defense, I could even see Joel Anthony as a 15mpg starting center. But that is more an indictment of the Celtics roster than praise for Joel Anthony.

[SHAQATTACK]

I doubt it.

He barely sniffed the floor for the heaters.

He is just basically .....visiting the Celtics on his way out of the NBA

[Section301]

He's also a serviceable big man to plug in for 15 minutes a game in case they move Bass (which is an ongoing expectation).  And Anthony can play some minutes at the 5 so we can see if Sullinger can be productive when moved back to his natural position at the 4, which is a question that's worth asking.  Sully has looked good, but we've seen him defending the post much more than we seen him defending in open space, which will happen more often at the 4. 

[Yenohb]

The Canadian connection. He's here to babysit Olynyk on Defense.

He'll be a good defensive mentor for our bigs.

[Chris]

Joel Anthony... don't over-think it.

This, and besides with the cash rec'd from both trades, they might buy him out of 2014-15.

I doubt it.  Unless he agrees to just opt out of next years contract, I think they will carry him through the trade deadline next year.

What flies under the radar is that with the way the C's are set up salary-wise, Anthony's contract is actually an asset compared to the expiring salaries they sent out.  Unless some real dramatic moves are made in the next month, the C's are not going to be far enough under the cap this summer for them to actually make use of cap space.  So, it will make more sense for them to stay above the cap, and retain their trade exception.

This means that to make deals, they will need salary ballast, and Anthony's expiring deal next year will be a nice addition to pair with guys like Bass, Green, Rondo, or any other expiring contract they might look to deal. 

In the NBA, there is a sweetspot of flexibility.  If you have a ton of cap space, that is great, but it really limits you, because you have to waive bird rights on guys to do that.  If you are up against the tax line, its not good.  But for teams who are right around the salary cap, it gives them a lot of flexibility to trade the assets they have.  And Anthony helps them stay in this sweet spot. 

[pokeKingCurtis]

Joel Anthony... don't over-think it.

This, and besides with the cash rec'd from both trades, they might buy him out of 2014-15.

I doubt it.  Unless he agrees to just opt out of next years contract, I think they will carry him through the trade deadline next year.

What flies under the radar is that with the way the C's are set up salary-wise, Anthony's contract is actually an asset compared to the expiring salaries they sent out.  Unless some real dramatic moves are made in the next month, the C's are not going to be far enough under the cap this summer for them to actually make use of cap space.  So, it will make more sense for them to stay above the cap, and retain their trade exception.

This means that to make deals, they will need salary ballast, and Anthony's expiring deal next year will be a nice addition to pair with guys like Bass, Green, Rondo, or any other expiring contract they might look to deal. 

In the NBA, there is a sweetspot of flexibility.  If you have a ton of cap space, that is great, but it really limits you, because you have to waive bird rights on guys to do that.  If you are up against the tax line, its not good.  But for teams who are right around the salary cap, it gives them a lot of flexibility to trade the assets they have.  And Anthony helps them stay in this sweet spot.

TP

It's both fascinating and scary to imagine what Ainge would do next.

Out of nowhere Ainge dealt for a bunch of picks. He turned Jordan freaking Crawford into two seconds (AT WORST). The unassuming "garbage" in Bogans, Joel Anthony, Bayless and Hump are now valuable filler. Several good looking rookies.

The Perk trade made me realize how cold and ruthless trader Ainge could be. The roster had fantastic chemistry but once Quisey went down Ainge didn't hesitate one bit to smash it into bits. It was like the ground disappeared from under me.  But it turned out to be a very decent trade (in my opinion).

So now, any moment, a deal could be made. He could land a potential blue chip guy like Hayward with picks and simply matching salaries.

Hump could be gone and I've grown to like him quite a bit.

You think Pressey's safe? Just because he's an okay looking rook? Nope. Neither is AB.

Lee's value was basically pumped up then ruthlessly harvested. Can't say enough how the hiring of Stevens is just awesome (and thus, am plugging it here).

Sully looks amazing...but he could be GONE. Just. Like. That.

Of course, Rondo could be gone. For the RIGHT deal, Ainge wouldn't hesitate.

He could be trading for even more picks. Could be doing it for a star. Could be doing it for a blue chipper.

To have Ainge conduct all this is a very nice privilege. He has yet to truly, completely objectively "blow it" in the long run and I suspect that won't happen anytime soon (if ever).

[Tr1boy]

Like a Perk. Lots of toughness, works hard, has length and is physical. He is coming from a winning environment. Knows his role

I think Stevens won't have alot of choice and will play him sooner or later. And Anthony should impress

If we trade bass, maybe Anthony will take his players options and stay here. I like him

[hwangjini_1]

Joel Anthony... don't over-think it.

This, and besides with the cash rec'd from both trades, they might buy him out of 2014-15.

I doubt it.  Unless he agrees to just opt out of next years contract, I think they will carry him through the trade deadline next year.

What flies under the radar is that with the way the C's are set up salary-wise, Anthony's contract is actually an asset compared to the expiring salaries they sent out.  Unless some real dramatic moves are made in the next month, the C's are not going to be far enough under the cap this summer for them to actually make use of cap space.  So, it will make more sense for them to stay above the cap, and retain their trade exception.

This means that to make deals, they will need salary ballast, and Anthony's expiring deal next year will be a nice addition to pair with guys like Bass, Green, Rondo, or any other expiring contract they might look to deal. 

In the NBA, there is a sweetspot of flexibility.  If you have a ton of cap space, that is great, but it really limits you, because you have to waive bird rights on guys to do that.  If you are up against the tax line, its not good.  But for teams who are right around the salary cap, it gives them a lot of flexibility to trade the assets they have.  And Anthony helps them stay in this sweet spot.

thank you chris for a good analysis of salary and "sweet spots." i intentionally do not invest a lot of my time in understanding the nuances of the points you bring out. (color me lazy.)

so....for my benefit, would you please expand some more on the points you mention. such as, what exactly is a spot that is sweet, and what makes it so saccharin? 

why oh why is being against the tax line holy hell?

how exactly does being around the salary cap endow teams with lots of flexibility?

thanks in advance for your wisdom on this dense and elusive topic...oh, and tp as well.

[the_Bird]

It's a small thing, but I hope that the presence of Jo-elle Anthony doesn't keep them from bringing Colton Iverson stateside next season.  I'd like to see Iverson get a shot; he seemed like he had "solid career backup" potential during summer league. 

Hell, I wouldn't mind seeing them re-sign Hump (at reasonable dollars) for that role, too.  I like that Anthony can block a shot or two, but he's SO limited in everything else that I really hope the fact they're paying him $3.8M doesn't keep them from making other moves. 

[vjcsmoke]

we could do worse than Anthony.  he is known for hard nosed defense and is used to a backup role so he won't complain about minutes.  we can always deal him later if he picks up his option.  if he doesn't the becomes a free agent and comes off our books. 

we also picked up draft picks and managed to unload the useless brooks and a Jordan Crawford who had played himself into a payraise but not with us.  a win win deal for the Celtics.  and they still have bass, green, and hump as fairly useful trade chips at the deadline.