Could L. Aldridge play center if we get another lock down perimeter defender?

[TheFlex]

I am actually not all that thrilled about possibly getting LaMarcus Aldridge (or other power forwards like Love, for example). I believe acquiring him forces the C's to trade one of Sullinger and Olynyk, as well as wave goodbye to Brandon Bass and potentially solid buy low guys such as Jonas Jerebko and Gigi Datome. None of them are as good as said All-Star PFs, but having to surrender some personnel flexibility in signing them is a less ideal option to signing DeAndre Jordan or Jimmy Butler or trading for DeMarcus Cousins.

However, could Aldridge play center and by doing so afford the Celts a bit of leverage in Sully/Olynyk trade talks and Bass/Jerebko/Datome extension negotiations if they acquire a lock down defender at the 3? If we acquire Wesley Matthews for $10m annually in addition, we'd have a plethora of "LeBron stoppers," so to speak.

What if we traded #28 + Olynyk to Detroit for #8 and select Stanley Johnson? Other options include but are not limited to (from most to least realistic): signing DeMarre Carroll, moving up for Justise Winslow, signing Danny Green, S&Ting for Jimmy Butler, S&Ting for Kawhi Leonard.

In order to sign both Aldridge and Matthews we'd need to at least renounce Bass and trade Wallace. We could use the Minny 1st and #45 this year to deal him to Philadelphia, which would still leave us with #16. I would trade it + #33 for a 1st in the 26-30 range and pick up a future lotto-protected 1st in the process and select Robert Upshaw. Max Aldridge and sign Matthews to $10m. Bring back Jerebko and Datome.

Smart/IT/Pressey
Wesley Matthews/AB/James Young
Stanley Johnson/Jae Crowder/Datome
Sullinger/Jerebko
Aldridge/Zeller/Upshaw

[Beat LA]

Offensively, perhaps, but certainly not defensively.  Kind of like this, ahaha -



And when we get to talking about defensive rotations, etc., it comes down to the part where Sean Connery says, "what happens at 11:00?" lol . I suppose this is perfect for Kevin Love, as well, haha .



This is what happens when either of these guys tries to play defense -



It's a new experience for them .

[CFAN38]

I think LMA is fine splitting his minutes between the 4 and the 5 much like Tim Duncan. While not a great defensive center he has more length then any current center and will be fine.

As for the rest of the front court. I imagine KO or Sully would be shipped to the blazers as part of a sign and trade. Asuming it is sully who is traded the Cs would be left with LMA, KO and Zeller. I think starting LMA along side Zeller would work fine and give the Cs great spacing. That would leave KO as the 3rd big and likely Jerebko returning to be the 4th big (Bass will warrant to much $$ for this role. Another option that I love would be drafting Harrell to play the 4th big in the rotation. His skill set could be the perfect match with these 3. Some minutes at the 4 will also go to Crowder or another SF that the Cs use in their small ball 4 lineup.

[Irish Stew]

I like the idea of bringing in the trio of Mathews, Aldridge, and Upshaw. The way Upshaw is impressing people both in newfound maturity and on the court potential, I think that we might actually be lucky to get him at 16. I expect him to be the biggest climber in this year's draft.

[moiso]

I like the idea of bringing in the trio of Mathews, Aldridge, and Upshaw. The way Upshaw is impressing people both in newfound maturity and on the court potential, I think that we might actually be lucky to get him at 16. I expect him to be the biggest climber in this year's draft.

Why do we think Upshaw has newfound maturity?  Because of what he says in interviews?  Even Royce White and Larry Sanders sound very mature in interviews.  Because someone knows what things to say does not make them mature.

[knuckleballer]

I think it could work defensively.  Sully guards the thicker stronger big while Aldridge guards the more athletic big.  Plus he would be at the 4 when playing along side Zeller or Upshaw.

Coming away with Aldridge and Matthews as well as Stanley Johnson and Upshaw would be a coup.

Everybody is saying the Rockets, Mavs, and Spurs are the more likely landing spots for him, but the weaker Eastern conference has to be of interest to him.

[knuckleballer]

I like the idea of bringing in the trio of Mathews, Aldridge, and Upshaw. The way Upshaw is impressing people both in newfound maturity and on the court potential, I think that we might actually be lucky to get him at 16. I expect him to be the biggest climber in this year's draft.

Why do we think Upshaw has newfound maturity?  Because of what he says in interviews?  Even Royce White and Larry Sanders sound very mature in interviews.  Because someone knows what things to say does not make them mature.

He's obviously a risk.  I wonder if playing 3,000 miles away from his home and leaving some of his bad influences behind could help him.

[Who]

Definitely. It's going to be a tough sell to convince Aldridge to leave Portland and come to Boston to play a position full time that he doesn't want to play though.

Always irritated me that Aldridge didn't learn how to be a better defender at center. Being able to play that center position has always (since the day he entered the league) been a big weapon for him. His speed and offensive talent makes him very difficult for opposing players.

[Endless Paradise]

Don't see any way he comes to Boston to play a position he's repeatedly said he doesn't want to play.

[Celtics4ever]

I don't see him switching his game for us.  He is an established star, would instantly be our best guy and I don't see him doing it.

Playing center  is a  mindset as much as anything.   He does not have that mindset.

[TheFlex]

Don't see any way he comes to Boston to play a position he's repeatedly said he doesn't want to play.

Ah, didn't realize he was averse to playing the 5.

Now I really hope he isn't our fireworks. Would rather replace him in this idea with Greg Monroe.

[Endless Paradise]

Don't see any way he comes to Boston to play a position he's repeatedly said he doesn't want to play.

Ah, didn't realize he was averse to playing the 5.

Yep. He's so averse to it that Portland was forced to play a comparatively-undersized J.J. Hickson at center alongside Aldridge back in 2011-12.

[TheFlex]

Don't see any way he comes to Boston to play a position he's repeatedly said he doesn't want to play.

Ah, didn't realize he was averse to playing the 5.

Yep. He's so averse to it that Portland was forced to play a comparatively-undersized J.J. Hickson at center alongside Aldridge back in 2011-12.

What do you think about replacing him in this lineup with Monroe and instead of signing Matthews bringing aboard Danny Green or DeMarre Carroll?

[crimson_stallion]

Don't see any way he comes to Boston to play a position he's repeatedly said he doesn't want to play.

Ah, didn't realize he was averse to playing the 5.

Yep. He's so averse to it that Portland was forced to play a comparatively-undersized J.J. Hickson at center alongside Aldridge back in 2011-12.

What do you think about replacing him in this lineup with Monroe and instead of signing Matthews bringing aboard Danny Green or DeMarre Carroll?

I think Aldridge is the type of talent that, if you have a chance to acquire him, you do it anyway.

There is not a single PF on this roster that is good enough to make Aldridge anything less that a gigantic upgrade. 

With Aldridge you have a guy who has (over the past three seasons) has averaged 22.5 points, 10 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 1 block while shooting 47% / 31% / 82.6% along with only 1.8 turnovers and 2.1 fouls.

That's outstanding overall production, and it certainly doesn't hurt to have a guy who's 6'11" with a 7'5" wingspan, who can pass and can score from anywhere (in the post, from midrange, from three and gets to the line) at the Power Forward spot.  That is a absolute match-up nightmare for any team, on any night. 

Seriously, how do you defend a guy like Aldridge?  You can put a rim protecting big on him to take away his post game, but that's not easy because he has a deadly fadeaway jumper that's practically unblockable.  Even if you take that away, how many centers of that type are going to be comfortable chasing him out to on deep jumpers, or the three point line?  If they do, he's got the mobility and ball handling ability to drive past them and get to the basket.  He's just such a versatile offensive player and he's incredibly difficult to guard or game-plan against. 

Those are the type of guys you want on your team, not on the other team.