Celtics chance of getting Kevin Looney increase after Russell deal

[Green-18]

I’d be shocked if Looney doesn’t return to Warriors.

Would rather we get Vonleh before someone else does.

The Warriors have hard-capped themselves with the Russell S&T and probably can afford him at no more than the minimum.  Thus Looney is unexpectedly available.

This.   Looney is free game.  With all of the money being spent I think he's going to be a bargain.  The only two players I'd like the C's to go after on a 3 or 4 year contract are Looney and WCS.  If not then a 2 year deal for Robin Lopez works for me.

I'll take Looney above everyone else.  High IQ, high motor, and solid rebounder.  Looney lacks strength against larger Centers, but he should be serviceable against 80% of the league.  It's going to be important for the Celtics to reestablish their defensive effort from two years ago.  There's no way our guards and wings will stay committed if they are consistently let down by the frontcourt.

[saltlover]

Don’t we only have 5m to spend? Don’t other contenders who have the MLE have way more than us?

Not really.  It depends a little on Kawhi — if he spurns the Clippers they could get involved.  But the Lakers aren’t going to spend big on a Looney given their current roster construction (or they shouldn’t).  Toronto would have the full MLE, but with Ibaka and Gasol it would seem they should focus on other positions.  Dallas could steal a center.  Houston probably isn’t an attractive option because a player would be blocked by Capela. There’s not a lot of cap room left at this point, and a lot of mid-levels have been used too.

[LilRip]

Don’t we only have 5m to spend? Don’t other contenders who have the MLE have way more than us?

Not really.  It depends a little on Kawhi — if he spurns the Clippers they could get involved.  But the Lakers aren’t going to spend big on a Looney given their current roster construction (or they shouldn’t).  Toronto would have the full MLE, but with Ibaka and Gasol it would seem they should focus on other positions.  Dallas could steal a center.  Houston probably isn’t an attractive option because a player would be blocked by Capela. There’s not a lot of cap room left at this point, and a lot of mid-levels have been used too.

Ooh thanks for clarifying. TP! I like our chances better now! We’re sorely in need of a big who won’t be a negative out there

[Walker Wiggle]

Looney as our starting center is depressing.

I don't think so. Not on a team with an elite PG and very good players 2-4.

Looney is not a stiff. People who really followed GSW last year felt like he was a big part of his success, and his shoulder injury in the Finals was one of the underappreciated reasons they lost that series (that is, it wasn't just Durant and Klay). For the way NBA defense is played now, which requires a center to bang down low and be active on the perimeter switched onto guards, he's very good.

[footey]

I’d be shocked if Looney doesn’t return to Warriors.

Would rather we get Vonleh before someone else does.

The Warriors have hard-capped themselves with the Russell S&T and probably can afford him at no more than the minimum.  Thus Looney is unexpectedly available.

Yes but that is all we can offer him as well. Would think he'd rather stay there.

[bellerephon]

I’d be shocked if Looney doesn’t return to Warriors.

Would rather we get Vonleh before someone else does.

The Warriors have hard-capped themselves with the Russell S&T and probably can afford him at no more than the minimum.  Thus Looney is unexpectedly available.

Yes but that is all we can offer him as well. Would think he'd rather stay there.

The Celts could have the full MLE, 9 million dollars.

[saltlover]

I’d be shocked if Looney doesn’t return to Warriors.

Would rather we get Vonleh before someone else does.

The Warriors have hard-capped themselves with the Russell S&T and probably can afford him at no more than the minimum.  Thus Looney is unexpectedly available.

Yes but that is all we can offer him as well. Would think he'd rather stay there.

If nothing else, we could offer hm the room exception, which would practically equal his career earnings to date.

[Who]

Looney as our starting center is depressing.

I don't think so. Not on a team with an elite PG and very good players 2-4.

Looney is not a stiff. People who really followed GSW last year felt like he was a big part of his success, and his shoulder injury in the Finals was one of the underappreciated reasons they lost that series (that is, it wasn't just Durant and Klay). For the way NBA defense is played now, which requires a center to bang down low and be active on the perimeter switched onto guards, he's very good.

I got depressed for GSW whenever I saw Golden State have to start him at center. Looney was just the best of a bunch of bad options that the Warriors had at center.

It would be even more depressing for us. We don't have a Draymond or even a Durant to help Looney on the boards and in the paint.

Looney is a 15mpg bench player.

[liam]

Looney as our starting center is depressing.

I don't think so. Not on a team with an elite PG and very good players 2-4.

Looney is not a stiff. People who really followed GSW last year felt like he was a big part of his success, and his shoulder injury in the Finals was one of the underappreciated reasons they lost that series (that is, it wasn't just Durant and Klay). For the way NBA defense is played now, which requires a center to bang down low and be active on the perimeter switched onto guards, he's very good.

I got depressed for GSW whenever I saw Golden State have to start him at center. Looney was just the best of a bunch of bad options that the Warriors had at center.

It would be even more depressing for us. We don't have a Draymond or even a Durant to help Looney on the boards and in the paint.

Looney is a 15mpg bench player.

He's only 23...

[Who]

Looney as our starting center is depressing.

I don't think so. Not on a team with an elite PG and very good players 2-4.

Looney is not a stiff. People who really followed GSW last year felt like he was a big part of his success, and his shoulder injury in the Finals was one of the underappreciated reasons they lost that series (that is, it wasn't just Durant and Klay). For the way NBA defense is played now, which requires a center to bang down low and be active on the perimeter switched onto guards, he's very good.

I got depressed for GSW whenever I saw Golden State have to start him at center. Looney was just the best of a bunch of bad options that the Warriors had at center.

It would be even more depressing for us. We don't have a Draymond or even a Durant to help Looney on the boards and in the paint.

Looney is a 15mpg bench player.

He's only 23...

I liked him coming out of college but his limited improvement over his 4 years in the NBA doesn't convince me there is much more improvement to come from him.

[footey]

I'd be fine with Looney; playing a few years with the GSW is a real positive. He plays hard, rebounds well, finishes well. Really good at ball movement, back door cuts. 

He is a bit light (220) so won't be able to cover the bigger centers in the NBA. But it looks like we are going to be doing a lot of match up play at the center position. Would not surprise me to see our starting center any given night will depend on the other team's starting center.