FYI the Celtics literally CAN"T take on Batum, after using the full MLE they are hard capped at a number where they can't absorb Batum. And at 27 million Batum is fairly difficult to move.
The easiest solution is CHA sending out Zeller who makes 14 million, but I doubt the C's want him because taking back his salary cuts into the TPE you can generate and ideally you'd want to make one big enough for Beal (we can dream). One possible solution is sending Theis to CHA to replace Zeller and Zeller to a third team. That clears 9 million in salary which is enough. In this case the Celtics "pay" for the TPE by using Theis, CHA sends some picks to a third team to absorb Zeller. Here's an example, you can quibble with the draft picks each team gives up.
BOS
Out: Hayward (S&T), Theis
IN: TPE (33-37 million depending on Hayward contract)
CHA
Out: Zeller, draft pick(s)
IN: Hayward (S&T), Theis
NYK
Out: Nothing
IN: Zeller, draft pick(s)
Another possibility is OKC, who will have a trade exception big enough to absorb Zeller. This could be what the hold up is, waiting for OKC to sequence its moves so that it generates the TPE it needs to absorb Zeller or Batum.
I know people won't like trading Theis and if you think he's worth more than just getting a huge TPE then that's fair, but I think TT basically takes his role. Robert Williams then gets a shot at real minutes, and you can pick up another center with the BAE or for the min.
I'm pretty sure you can't combine the player salaries like that; you could get 2 separate TPEs (one the size of Hayward's, and another the size of Theis').
Not that that matters, because if Ainge trade Theis to get a TPE, that would be a disaster (unless he already had a trade for someone like Beal already lined up that needed the TPE)
Ya I wasn't sure about that, in any event that's not actually the primary motivation. Its more about using Theis as a value contract to incentive CHA to do a sign and trade with us. The general idea is that CHA would prefer to upgrade Zeller to Theis while also not having to stretch Batum and thus would be willing take Hayward via s&t to do it. If you can do it without having to give up Theis that's obviously preferable.
Its also about getting R Williams minutes.
That's like giving your neighbor your new TV just to keep an eye on your house while you're gone for the weekend. You don't need to give valuable assets for it, just toss them a six pack or $20 (or a 2nd rounder/cash). If they demand the TV, just walk away because it isn't worth it
I don't think Theis is a TV. He's a toast or blender, a really nice one but still. And a 30 million TPE isn't watching your house for a weekend, it could be anything from absolutely nothing to a new Car.
Tristan Thompson is arguably as good or close. That means Theis at 5 million has about 4-5 million dollars in surplus value for one season at a position where you can routinely find guys for the minimum (like Dwight Howard last year) to be very good backups. Robert Williams might already be that or better.
If its an option between a 30 million dollar TPE, or Daniel Theis for 1 year, i'd take the TPE. I know that's hard to fathom for people, but the TPE may be your last chance to be able to absorb a player (like say Beal) without having to give up Brown. Alternatively it could be used for a player like Heild, Aaron Gordon, ect without having to sacrifice Smart. Its an upside play for sure, and risky because there's a chance an opportunity never develops. But you have to roll the dice sometimes and I don't think 1 year of Theis is that much to gamble.
As I've said, I'd try everything else first. But if forced I'd include Theis.