John Collins!

Barnes would be great..

John Collins!

I do wonder if these 2 big lineups are an inadvertent test to see how Collins could fit with the Cs. Ainge's comment on defense leaves me hesitant to bet on a Collins to the Celtics trade but If one of Theis, R Williams, and Thompson is traded away and replaced with Collins the team wouldn't really have to change their current scheme.

When's the deadline?
I'm sure I could Google it, but where's the fun in that?

March 25th, I believe.

Quote from: Roy H. on February 04, 2021, 03:50:37 PM

John Collins!

I do wonder if these 2 big lineups are an inadvertent test to see how Collins could fit with the Cs. Ainge's comment on defense leaves me hesitant to bet on a Collins to the Celtics trade but If one of Theis, R Williams, and Thompson is traded away and replaced with Collins the team wouldn't really have to change their current scheme.

It is interesting. Clearly Theis as a 4/swing hasn’t really worked. But  from a fit perspective Theis/Collins, TT/Collins, Williams/Collins could well as you have a good defender and a floor spacer in Collins. Issue with Collins will be his overall cost (to obtain him and to sign him long term) as well as his temperament of wanting to be more involved in the offense. From an age/talent/position standpoint, this he checks off a lot of boxes for Boston. He’s not great defensively but could also be a function of Atlanta as well.

Keith Smith has a great article about Ainge's radio appearance
https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/2/4/22266370/danny-ainge-is-looking-for-shooting-with-size-with-the-boston-celtics-trade-exception



Alex Kennedy gives the key points here,

Alex Kennedy
@AlexKennedyNBA
Danny Ainge said that the Celtics want to add "shooting with size" prior to the trade deadline.

Recently, Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca was on Clubhouse and said something similar. Pagliuca said that Boston wants to add a power forward who can shoot



Bottom line it sounds like DA wants to make a move at the deadline using the TPE to acquire a PF who can shoot and not negatively impact the team defensively.


Players who jump out as fits to those parameters

Harrison Barnes
Aaron Gordon
JaMychal Green
Kyle Anderson
Otto Porter

These are small forwards aren’t they ? I thought PJ Ticker fits the description

Here's my list of people I'd be ecstatic with using the TPE on:

Harrison Barnes: 17PPG, 6RPG, 4APG, 50% FG, 41% 3P, 87% FT. Championship experience, has been a consistent 17+ on good efficiency over the last 4 years, plays solid defence. He'd be my #1 target.

Aaron Gordon: 14PPG, 7RPG, 4APG, 43% FG, 37% 3P, 61% FT. Not as consistent on offence as Barnes, but he's a better playmaker and a more dynamic athlete. Currently out hurt with a severe ankle sprain though, and won't be back until March :/

John Collins: 18PPG, 8RPG, 2APG, 56% FG, 42% 3P, 80% FT. Probably the most dynamic offensive force we could look to acquire. He's been a 20/10 guy for 3 years now, on insane efficiency. Doesn't add much defensively, but with his athletic tools and a good defensive coach maybe he could grow there.

Nikola Vucevic: 23PPG, 11RPG, 4APG, 48% FG, 43% 3P, 84% FT. Likely not who DA has in mind, given he's a true centre, but Vuce is a star and I would love him here. Not nearly as realistic as many of the others given he's arguably a top 5 offensive big in the league, but I won't stop advocating for my binkie!

Gorgui Dieng: 9PPG, 5RPG, 2APG, 55% FG, 52% 3P, 84% FT. Over the last two seasons has developed an actual perimeter jump-shot, shooting 38% on 2.4 attempts over the last two seasons. He's playing really elite defence this year too, and has improved his passing. Problem is he's a centre, and of a similar calibre to all our others.

There are others, but I don't know how much they fit the bill of shooting with size. Guys like Terrence Ross and Wayne Ellington.