Kemba Walker (Kemba to formalize agreement on Sunday, pg 40)

[celticsclay]

If we do land Kemba and get a decent center, I think people are going to be very surprised at how much better the Celtics will be than last season.

Assuming the Bucks, Raptors and Sixers bring back their teams from this season, I don't see Kemba and a decent center making the Cs better.  Maybe the regular season will be better but I think reality will hit in the playoffs.  The Utah Hayward really needs to return or at least one of the Jays need to step up a lot to actually make the C's better.

This is a really unlikely scenario though. I think the Bucks will be the most similar, but I do think they lose Lopez who was pretty important for them. They also probably lose Mirotic who matters less. What happens with Brogden? They certainly seem weaker

I have no idea if Leonard stays or goes, but I guess 50% they are taken down a significant peg if he does.

Philly could be anything. It seems like there is a real lot of smoke for Butler leaving. Harris has made a pretty interesting comment about style of play being what he cares about the most. Definitely a chance they are gone.

So much in the air impossible to predict where we end up right now.

[Neurotic Guy]

I am a pretty big fan of Walker — likely due to him playing particularly well v. the C’s over the years.  I believe he will be a better personality fit than Kyrie and I think the downgrade talent-wise isn’t huge.  The loss of Horford and the unfulfilled promise of trading for AD are painful — and certainly not erased by a Walker signing.  I’ve come to a logical conclusion based on history — the C’s cannot bank on signing a top 10 FA.  It is unprecedented and therefore unlikely.  The C’s can, however, either trade for draft a top 10 player - precedents for both these methods.  So — everything irons out well if one of JT, JB or the Memphis miraculously pick turn out to be a 1st tier superstar.  If not, I want Danny to be accumulating trade assets - which I still consider to be his best chance at getting the necessary mega-talented player. 

So I like Kemba but he’s another 2nd tier star who we need to put around a superstar rather than being someone to build around.

[footey]

I am a pretty big fan of Walker — likely due to him playing particularly well v. the C’s over the years.  I believe he will be a better personality fit than Kyrie and I think the downgrade talent-wise isn’t huge.  The loss of Horford and the unfulfilled promise of trading for AD are painful — and certainly not erased by a Walker signing.  I’ve come to a logical conclusion based on history — the C’s cannot bank on signing a top 10 FA.  It is unprecedented and therefore unlikely.  The C’s can, however, either trade for draft a top 10 player - precedents for both these methods.  So — everything irons out well if one of JT, JB or the Memphis miraculously pick turn out to be a 1st tier superstar.  If not, I want Danny to be accumulating trade assets - which I still consider to be his best chance at getting the necessary mega-talented player. 

So I like Kemba but he’s another 2nd tier star who we need to put around a superstar rather than being someone to build around.

Didn't you read the memo? Jason Tatum is destined to become a superstar, now that Kyrie is gone.

[Neurotic Guy]

I am a pretty big fan of Walker — likely due to him playing particularly well v. the C’s over the years.  I believe he will be a better personality fit than Kyrie and I think the downgrade talent-wise isn’t huge.  The loss of Horford and the unfulfilled promise of trading for AD are painful — and certainly not erased by a Walker signing.  I’ve come to a logical conclusion based on history — the C’s cannot bank on signing a top 10 FA.  It is unprecedented and therefore unlikely.  The C’s can, however, either trade for draft a top 10 player - precedents for both these methods.  So — everything irons out well if one of JT, JB or the Memphis miraculously pick turn out to be a 1st tier superstar.  If not, I want Danny to be accumulating trade assets - which I still consider to be his best chance at getting the necessary mega-talented player. 

So I like Kemba but he’s another 2nd tier star who we need to put around a superstar rather than being someone to build around.

Didn't you read the memo? Jason Tatum is destined to become a superstar, now that Kyrie is gone.

Got the memo and filed it in my Happy Thoughts folder.

[footey]

I am a pretty big fan of Walker — likely due to him playing particularly well v. the C’s over the years.  I believe he will be a better personality fit than Kyrie and I think the downgrade talent-wise isn’t huge.  The loss of Horford and the unfulfilled promise of trading for AD are painful — and certainly not erased by a Walker signing.  I’ve come to a logical conclusion based on history — the C’s cannot bank on signing a top 10 FA.  It is unprecedented and therefore unlikely.  The C’s can, however, either trade for draft a top 10 player - precedents for both these methods.  So — everything irons out well if one of JT, JB or the Memphis miraculously pick turn out to be a 1st tier superstar.  If not, I want Danny to be accumulating trade assets - which I still consider to be his best chance at getting the necessary mega-talented player. 

So I like Kemba but he’s another 2nd tier star who we need to put around a superstar rather than being someone to build around.

Didn't you read the memo? Jason Tatum is destined to become a superstar, now that Kyrie is gone.

Got the memo and filed it in my Happy Thoughts folder.

LOL

[SparzWizard]

If we do land Kemba and get a decent center, I think people are going to be very surprised at how much better the Celtics will be than last season.

Assuming the Bucks, Raptors and Sixers bring back their teams from this season, I don't see Kemba and a decent center making the Cs better.  Maybe the regular season will be better but I think reality will hit in the playoffs.  The Utah Hayward really needs to return or at least one of the Jays need to step up a lot to actually make the C's better.

This is a really unlikely scenario though. I think the Bucks will be the most similar, but I do think they lose Lopez who was pretty important for them. They also probably lose Mirotic who matters less. What happens with Brogden? They certainly seem weaker

I have no idea if Leonard stays or goes, but I guess 50% they are taken down a significant peg if he does.

Philly could be anything. It seems like there is a real lot of smoke for Butler leaving. Harris has made a pretty interesting comment about style of play being what he cares about the most. Definitely a chance they are gone.

So much in the air impossible to predict where we end up right now.

They still have Khris Middleton and George Hill, who are big Celtics killers.

[rondofan1255]

If we do land Kemba and get a decent center, I think people are going to be very surprised at how much better the Celtics will be than last season.

Assuming the Bucks, Raptors and Sixers bring back their teams from this season, I don't see Kemba and a decent center making the Cs better.  Maybe the regular season will be better but I think reality will hit in the playoffs.  The Utah Hayward really needs to return or at least one of the Jays need to step up a lot to actually make the C's better.

This is a really unlikely scenario though. I think the Bucks will be the most similar, but I do think they lose Lopez who was pretty important for them. They also probably lose Mirotic who matters less. What happens with Brogden? They certainly seem weaker

I have no idea if Leonard stays or goes, but I guess 50% they are taken down a significant peg if he does.

Philly could be anything. It seems like there is a real lot of smoke for Butler leaving. Harris has made a pretty interesting comment about style of play being what he cares about the most. Definitely a chance they are gone.

So much in the air impossible to predict where we end up right now.

They still have Khris Middleton and George Hill, who are big Celtics killers.

Hill has an 18M team option for 2019-20 with only 1M guaranteed

[Roy H.]

If we do land Kemba and get a decent center, I think people are going to be very surprised at how much better the Celtics will be than last season.

Assuming the Bucks, Raptors and Sixers bring back their teams from this season, I don't see Kemba and a decent center making the Cs better.  Maybe the regular season will be better but I think reality will hit in the playoffs.  The Utah Hayward really needs to return or at least one of the Jays need to step up a lot to actually make the C's better.

This is a really unlikely scenario though. I think the Bucks will be the most similar, but I do think they lose Lopez who was pretty important for them. They also probably lose Mirotic who matters less. What happens with Brogden? They certainly seem weaker

I have no idea if Leonard stays or goes, but I guess 50% they are taken down a significant peg if he does.

Philly could be anything. It seems like there is a real lot of smoke for Butler leaving. Harris has made a pretty interesting comment about style of play being what he cares about the most. Definitely a chance they are gone.

So much in the air impossible to predict where we end up right now.

They still have Khris Middleton and George Hill, who are big Celtics killers.

Hill has an 18M team option for 2019-20 with only 1M guaranteed

They’ll waive him, but could bring him back at a lower salary.

[Fierce1]

6 mins ago – via Twitter chrisgrenham
Chris Grenham: Woj on @SportsCenter says the Celtics are “more than a strong front-runner” for Kemba. Added that Boston “could have a commitment as soon as Sunday night.”

[GreenFaith1819]

6 mins ago – via Twitter chrisgrenham
Chris Grenham: Woj on @SportsCenter says the Celtics are “more than a strong front-runner” for Kemba. Added that Boston “could have a commitment as soon as Sunday night.”

LOL Let's GO DANNY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Jvalin]

Ugh, I don't feel confident tying down 30% of the cap to a little guy like Kemba. I mean, he ain't even 6 feet tall without his shoes on. No matter how hard he tries on the defensive side of the ball, he's a mismatch waiting to happen. Not to mention, he's already 29 years old. By the time he enters the final year of his max contract he'll be 32-33 and we'll be paying him $37,605,000.

$32,700,000
$34,335,000
$35,970,000
$37,605,000

Committing ~140 million dollars to an undersized point guard who is about to enter his 30s can backfire. Other teams around the NBA have already shown buyer’s remorse with second-tier star players and massive contracts.

I'm not a fan of this move. I'd be more than fine with Smart running the point next season. Imo, our biggest need right now is a starting-caliber Center.

[jpotter33]

So much for free agency starting on Sunday, huh? Lol Seems like this year is the worst that I can remember regarding free agents and teams reportedly already talking.

[celticsclay]

Ugh, I don't feel confident tying down 30% of the cap to a little guy like Kemba. I mean, he ain't even 6 feet tall without his shoes on. No matter how hard he tries on the defensive side of the ball, he's a mismatch waiting to happen. Not to mention, he's already 29 years old. By the time he enters the final year of his max contract he'll be 32-33 and we'll be paying him $37,605,000.

$32,700,000
$34,335,000
$35,970,000
$37,605,000

Committing ~140 million dollars to an undersized point guard who is about to enter his 30s can backfire. Other teams around the NBA have already shown buyer’s remorse with second-tier star players and massive contracts.

I'm not a fan of this move. I'd be more than fine with Smart running the point next season. Imo, our biggest need right now is a starting-caliber Center.

By the time Walker ends his contract he will be a year younger than Chris paul is now, he is also an inch taller than paul and has been much healthier throughout his career than Paul has. I really find the kvetching about the prospect of getting a top 15 player in the NBA into his age 33 season strange...

[SparzWizard]

So much for free agency starting on Sunday, huh? Lol Seems like this year is the worst that I can remember regarding free agents and teams reportedly already talking.

Welcome to the Twitter-world and the advancement of technologies, where tampering does not even matter even if free agency does not start until June 30th.

Still waiting on Kyrie to tell us he's not coming back because lately it's all been media stirring the rumors and hypes.

[JBcat]

Ugh, I don't feel confident tying down 30% of the cap to a little guy like Kemba. I mean, he ain't even 6 feet tall without his shoes on. No matter how hard he tries on the defensive side of the ball, he's a mismatch waiting to happen. Not to mention, he's already 29 years old. By the time he enters the final year of his max contract he'll be 32-33 and we'll be paying him $37,605,000.

$32,700,000
$34,335,000
$35,970,000
$37,605,000

Committing ~140 million dollars to an undersized point guard who is about to enter his 30s can backfire. Other teams around the NBA have already shown buyer’s remorse with second-tier star players and massive contracts.

I'm not a fan of this move. I'd be more than fine with Smart running the point next season. Imo, our biggest need right now is a starting-caliber Center.

He’s been a pretty durable player but I understand your worry.  If he happens to decline fast by year 4, at the very least he could potentially be a matching salary for a trade for a younger star.

I’m excited though for the Kemba era as he is a high character star player.