6 days to go: who gets cut?

[Vermont Green]

I just don't see RJ Hunter as being that valuable.  He just doesn't seem to have NBA level physicality.  He has a good feel for the game and I think he would be a good shooter if he wasn't over-matched physically but really, best case, what can he be?  That is why I think he is odd man out right now (along with Bentil). Jackson seems to have slid himself in somehow as that 3rd PG.  Not sure how that happened so quickly but good for him.

I  think Gerald Green in the near term is better than either Young or Hunter.  Having Green takes pressure off Brown.  I think that is Green's value.  Without Green, there would be more pressure for Brown to play right away.  Neither Young or Hunter can provide that.  I actually think Young is slowly but surely figuring it out.

As far a Mickey and Bentil, not much difference

[saltlover]

I expect a trade

I don't.  I think it is very hard to make a trade to reduce roster size 5 days before the deadline.  All teams are trying to reduce roster size.

There are some teams out there who don't have 15 or more guaranteed contracts.  There are also some who might, but would prefer either Hunter or Young to their current options for last roster spot.  The key is convincing a team to trade for one as opposed to just signing him when he's released, or claiming him off waivers.

[danglertx]

I know this won't be popular on this forum, but I could see Hunter, Young, Bentil and Mickey all get cut.  I think there will be better options out there and we will need roster space next year.  A guy like Holmes in Philly might get cut.  I think Prince is still out there.  We potentially need three roster spots next year.  I don't see Hunter or Young being more valuable than a vet like Prince if we are serious about contending this year.

[saltlover]

I know this won't be popular on this forum, but I could see Hunter, Young, Bentil and Mickey all get cut.  I think there will be better options out there and we will need roster space next year.  A guy like Holmes in Philly might get cut.  I think Prince is still out there.  We potentially need three roster spots next year.  I don't see Hunter or Young being more valuable than a vet like Prince if we are serious about contending this year.

It's not that it isn't popular, it just isn't accurate.  Ainge isn't going to cut four players that he controls the rights to beyond this season.  It's not how he operates.

Any or all four could be traded, but not cut outright.  (And Prince left the Celtics on somewhat acrimonious terms not even two years ago, and was one of the worst players in the NBA last year.  Definitely not cutting people for him.)

[Rhyso]

Would be curious to know why Jackson is considered safe in this discussion by many? I haven't watched him play much, all I saw from the last game was a lot of over dribbling. I think all of these guys could be good, but we have 3 servicable point guards in IT, Rozier, and Smart.

[saltlover]

Would be curious to know why Jackson is considered safe in this discussion by many? I haven't watched him play much, all I saw from the last game was a lot of over dribbling. I think all of these guys could be good, but we have 3 servicable point guards in IT, Rozier, and Smart.

He's safe partly due to contract (he has $650k guaranteed for next season), partly because he's a rookie (expectations are lower for his first pre-season than his competitors 2nd and 3rd pre-seasons), and partly because on draft night the Celtics pretty much said Jackson had a guaranteed roster spot this year (so his training camp performance is practice, and not an audition.)

[vjcsmoke]

I'm really not sure who gets cut.  I sort of think there's a trade involving Rozier and one of Young and Hunter, resulting in no cuts.  Both Young and Hunter also have option decisions to be made -- do the Celtics pick up the option on the one they keep?

Neither Jackson nor Mickey get cut.

Why would you trade a good player like Rozier to make room for bottom of the roster guys like Young and Hunter?  Makes no sense.

What probably happens is we make a decision after last pre-season game and trade either Young or Hunter for a future 2nd round pick.

[saltlover]

I'm really not sure who gets cut.  I sort of think there's a trade involving Rozier and one of Young and Hunter, resulting in no cuts.  Both Young and Hunter also have option decisions to be made -- do the Celtics pick up the option on the one they keep?

Neither Jackson nor Mickey get cut.

Why would you trade a good player like Rozier to make room for bottom of the roster guys like Young and Hunter?  Makes no sense.

What probably happens is we make a decision after last pre-season game and trade either Young or Hunter for a future 2nd round pick.

It wouldn't be to make room for Young/Hunter.  It would be to acquire a player who could help more at a different position.  I think Rozier is the fourth guard in the rotation, and still won't get that much time once the season is going.  I never want to see Tyler Zeller play a meaningful minute as a Celtic, so I was thinking a big.  Rozier and Hunter combined can bring back about $4.6 million in salary, and Rozier and Young can bring back $5.5 million.

[ThePaintedArea]

I'm really not sure who gets cut.  I sort of think there's a trade involving Rozier and one of Young and Hunter, resulting in no cuts.  Both Young and Hunter also have option decisions to be made -- do the Celtics pick up the option on the one they keep?

Neither Jackson nor Mickey get cut.

Why would you trade a good player like Rozier to make room for bottom of the roster guys like Young and Hunter?  Makes no sense.

 Presumably because in that scenario you are also getting back a good player from a team that needs a point guard or third guard.

[spikelovetheCelts]

I would like to see Gerald Green traded with RJ. His cap hit is friendly. Sac could gives us a big man.
 
Young look likes he is about to take off to me. His stroke looked good last nigt.

[saltlover]

I would like to see Gerald Green traded with RJ. His cap hit is friendly. Sac could gives us a big man.
 
Young look like he is about to take off to me. His stroke looked good last nigt.

Green cannot be traded until December 15th.