Trading Ray = Biggest Mistake

[bostonpatriot]

If Ainge can't make a trade that improves the team this year, then he should trade Ray Allen some asset that helps in the rebuilding. Even a late first round.

[LB3533]

If you want to rebuild, then by all means trade Ray and everyone you can think that has value.

But if you believe this season isn't lost, then keep Ray and see how far this last train ride will go.

I honestly do not see how trading Ray for Josh Smith will help us this year.

If we rebuild and keep Rondo, trading for SMooth makes sense. The faster we can get him acclimated with Rondo and then next year with Jeff Green, the better.

But I think we can still make a last run with this team. Josh Smith is not the most efficient offensive player and we don't need that to be paired with Rondo on a nightly basis.

Outside of Smith's rebounding, I don't see how he can be that much help....he's poor shot selection will kill our offense even worse...losing Ray's efficiency is already a downgrade, but adding a chucker who is having his worst TS% of his career....that will sink the team for sure this season.

If you want to scrap this season and run and jam for the future, OK.

But I want to keep this train rolling and running and gunning with Ray is the best way to keep this train rolling.

[LooseCannon]

The downgrade from Ray Allen to Mickael Pietrus is the smallest from starter to backup, so if the Celtics wanted to shuffle around talent to bolster the center spot, the most logical player to trade is Allen.  Maybe Brandon Bass if you think JuJuan Johnson can take over his minutes.

If Brad Miller were healthier or Darko Milicic a better player, then Ray Allen and a first to Minnesota for Beasley plus one of those centers would make some sense if I were interested in a last run for this team.  I probably wouldn't do it because I tend to project Beasley as a dumber Antoine Walker with poorer shot selection, but it's an idea worth considering for those who do like Beasley.

[LB3533]

This team doesn't need more headcases in Beasley and Josh SMith.

[Galeto]

I don't really have any trade ideas but I just wanted to chip in and say Ray has really lost a step or two this year.  He can't separate from his man at all anymore when he tries to run around screens.  This doesn't just effect his game but since the Celtics keep running those plays for him 4-5 times a game or more, it has a negative effect on the offense, running a set that doesn't work.

As professional as he is and as great a shape as he keeps himself in, he's 36 trying to run away from guys who are a decade or more younger than him. He's lost his speed.  It gets annoying when the Celtics stand around watching him run for 10 seconds only for him to catch the ball on the wing with his defender right in his grill.  At that point, it's basically a one-on-one situation with the clock running down and bless Ray, he is not good in those situations.  When he was out, it was a nice change NOT to see those sets anymore.

Instead of treating Ray like he's still capable of running away from guys, I wished the Celtics would involve him by being more of a ballhandler on picks.  He is really, really good at throwing nice pocket bounce passes and he would also be able to get free for pullup mid-range jumpers which he's excellent at.   

[Employee8]

Clippers are putting forth a pathetic trade proposal.  From the Boston Globe:

The Clippers reportedly have an interest in Allen but are only willing to give up veteran guard Mo Williams, who has a player option for $8.5 million next season and has asked the team for an extension.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2012/03/08/doc_rivers_expects_celtics_to_stand_pat_at_deadline/?p1=Well_Sports_links

Uhh Mo Williams?  Looks like dreams for Bledsoe or any other young blood are out the window because all of a sudden, Clippers have wisened up when it comes to trades.

[Galeto]

I actually wouldn't mind a straight Ray for Mo Williams deal with no draft picks or other players involved.  Right now, I think Mo is a better fit for this roster, as the Celtics desperately need his scoring bunch off the bench.  It'd be nice to be able to rely on a guy bringing shooting and double digit scoring night after night off the bench.  Plus, the Celtics have looked their best WITHOUT Ray in the lineup, their most energetic and dominant defensively.  In addition to Ray slowing down on offense, his defense just hasn't been very good this year and he also gets beat to a lot of loose balls.  It was nice having Pietrus' defensive energy and speed in the lineup to balance out the age in the starting lineup.

After this season, if the Celtics wanted to trade Mo, I think they'll be able to find multiple suitors.  He shouldn't be that hard to move.  And if they wanted to keep him, well, they're going to have so much salary cap room that I would prefer keeping Mo on an one year as opposed to signing a bunch of undesirable guys to longer deals just to meet the cap minimum.

[Employee8]

I actually wouldn't mind a straight Ray for Mo Williams deal with no draft picks or other players involved.  Right now, I think Mo is a better fit for this roster, as the Celtics desperately need his scoring bunch off the bench.  It'd be nice to be able to rely on a guy bringing shooting and double digit scoring night after night off the bench.  Plus, the Celtics have looked their best WITHOUT Ray in the lineup, their most energetic and dominant defensively.  In addition to Ray slowing down on offense, his defense just hasn't been very good this year and he also gets beat to a lot of loose balls.  It was nice having Pietrus' defensive energy and speed in the lineup to balance out the age in the starting lineup.

After this season, if the Celtics wanted to trade Mo, I think they'll be able to find multiple suitors.  He shouldn't be that hard to move.  And if they wanted to keep him, well, they're going to have so much salary cap room that I would prefer keeping Mo on an one year as opposed to signing a bunch of undesirable guys to longer deals just to meet the cap minimum.

Dude no.  He's got another year with $8.5 million so we're stuck with him.  And he's lobbying for an extension with the Clippers so it stands to reason he'll do the same for us or he's going to be an unhappy camper.  And he is such a drop off from Ray.  Not to mention we have a logjam at the guard position with Moore, Bradley, and Dooling.  I'd rather give the reins to the rooks.

Getting Mo is getting a below average spark plug from the bench and eats up our cap space next year.  And giving Ray up for him? No thanks.

[LooseCannon]

Clippers are putting forth a pathetic trade proposal.

It's probably no worse than average for what teams have been offering for Ray Allen.

[PosImpos]

Clippers are putting forth a pathetic trade proposal.  From the Boston Globe:

The Clippers reportedly have an interest in Allen but are only willing to give up veteran guard Mo Williams, who has a player option for $8.5 million next season and has asked the team for an extension.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2012/03/08/doc_rivers_expects_celtics_to_stand_pat_at_deadline/?p1=Well_Sports_links

Uhh Mo Williams?  Looks like dreams for Bledsoe or any other young blood are out the window because all of a sudden, Clippers have wisened up when it comes to trades.

It would be colossally stupid for the Clips to trade Mo.  He's been one of their most explosive offensive players.

They'd be much better off keeping Mo as the 6th man and trading Foye + 1st.

[LB3533]

Our pick setting has been the worst this year.

KG, one of our best pick setters is playing more down low while at the 5 spot.

Bass is not a good pick setter. Same goes for Stiesma.

I think Wilcox is adequate, but he's no Perk, no BBD and not even as good as JO.

[Marcus13]

Clippers are putting forth a pathetic trade proposal.

It's probably no worse than average for what teams have been offering for Ray Allen.

Exactly.  So let's hold on to one of the most efficient 2-guards in the league and greatest shooter ever.

Seems pretty obvious

[jgod213]

if you're chicago how do you not go out and make a really strong offer for ray? be it a 3-way deal or whatever.

rip and watson are both real banged up, ray seems like the perfect compliment to rose, ray puts them even with miami.

[LooseCannon]

if you're chicago how do you not go out and make a really strong offer for ray?

What constitutes a strong offer?  I don't think Allen is worth that Bobcats pick.  Their other draft picks are likely to be weak.  I can't see them wanting to part with a key rotation player who is not a shooting guard.  They certainly shouldn't part with Taj Gibson or Omer Asik to get Ray.  Is there a player who is either a shooting guard or not a regular rotation member that you want?  The only player who could possibly fit description is rookie Jimmy Butler.

From Chicago's point of view, I don't think it makes sense to acquire Ray Allen unless you ship out Rip Hamilton.  Do you think Ainge will take on that contract?

If you wanted to do a deal with Chicago, Pietrus and his minimum salary for Jimmy Butler or the Bulls' own 2012 first-round pick (not the Bobcats protected pick) seems like the more logical trade.