Who plays PG if Kemba is traded? (split)

[slamtheking]

Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier are available, as is All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. The Magic have been looking for point guard help, kicking the tires on Ricky Rubio recently. Celtics guard Kemba Walker remains a favorite of Magic coach Steve Clifford, but it’s unlikely Boston, without much depth behind Walker, will part with him at this point.

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/03/16/nba-trade-rumors-storylines-to-follow

He also reports that the Celtics will likely ''pursue Barnes right up until the deadline''.

To sum up:
- Gordon, Fournier are available
- the Magic like Kemba
- the C's like Barnes

How about this trade?



C's starting lineup after the trade

PG: Smart
SG: Brown
SF: Barnes 
PF: Tatum
C: Theis/Thompson/Timelord

6th man: Fournier

Good ideas, but Orlando offloading Fournier and Gordon doesn’t deserve a Kemba return. What if we just went after those two players for a combo of guys like Nesmith, Theis, and some pieces to stay under the hard cap?

Not saying I’m married to it but the idea is keeping our top 4 while adding two really high level role players. One under contract, one off the books next season. Fournier might walk but might also be sign-and-trade bait, or be a valuable guy if he wants to stay.

https://tradenba.com/trades/R7Sh6v420

Wouldn't do it cause I'm not high on Fournier, but that's just me.

Not sure whether we could re-sign Fournier and still use the full TPE. The luxury tax would explode through the roof. Chances are we could either re-sign him and use a small part of the TPE or let him walk and use the full TPE.

If you ask me, I'd view Fournier as a few months rental. I'd be perfectly fine with letting him walk (unless of course we can't attract a better player via the TPE).

keeping Fournier on a decent deal would be a big reason to do it.  resolves a bench issue for next year where we're not reliant on Romeo and Nesmith to make big contributions. 

the big concern is that losing Kemba leaves us with a gaping offensive hole at PG as well as a good FT shooter down the stretch of close games

[Who]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

[slamtheking]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

I love Pritchard too but he's still got his ups and downs as a rookie.  not ready to throw him into the starting lineup just yet.  I do think that if Kemba finishes his contract here, Pritchard would be definitely ready to start by then regardless of whether we still have Smart

[Jvalin]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. Imo, Pritchard is expendable. He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. All in all, I like his game. He's certainly a useful player to have. I just think we can easily replace what he brings to the table.

[Who]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. I believe Pritchard is a solid role player (at least for now). He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. Nice back-up option, that's for sure. He may become a decent starter down the road. Nothing special though.

Similar descriptions could be made of players like Derek Fisher.

Being a strong team offensive weapon is a major asset for a role player when placed next to star players. That is what Pritchard brings to the table. They are very few role player PGs who can handle the ball, make strong decisions, setup the team and hit outside shots at the levels that Pritchard can.

Pritchard doesn't need to be a star to be a long term fixture at starting PG.

[Jvalin]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. I believe Pritchard is a solid role player (at least for now). He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. Nice back-up option, that's for sure. He may become a decent starter down the road. Nothing special though.

Similar descriptions could be made of players like Derek Fisher.

Being a strong team offensive weapon is a major asset for a role player when placed next to star players. That is what Pritchard brings to the table. They are very few role player PGs who can handle the ball, make strong decisions, setup the team and hit outside shots at the levels that Pritchard can.

Pritchard doesn't need to be a star to be a long term fixture at starting PG.

Don't get me wrong, he's certainly a useful player to have. I just think we can easily replace what he brings to the table. Most PGs are reliable ball handlers and decent shooters. Pritchard is pretty good at both these things, but we can easily find someone else who provides a similar package (with better defense as well).

Can we find another Marcus Smart? Nope, I don't think so. Smart is a unique player. Pritchard is just a useful one. At least this is how I see it.

[Vermont Green]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

This got me thinking.  I looked at the 3-man line up for Tatum and Brown with the 4 main PGs on the team.  Here is the result:

Walker-Tatum-Brown      328 min     +34 pts    (+3.73 pts/36)
Smart-Tatum-Brown       282 min     +20 pts    (+2.55 pts/36)
Pritch-Tatum-Brown       108 min     +32 pts   (+10.67 pts/36)
Teague-Tatum-Brown     125 min     +77 pts   (+22.18 pts/36)

This is a decent sample size but a surprising result.  The data support trading Walker but starting Teague, not Pritchard (who knew?).  Hard to believe that Teague+Tatum+Brown is that good in 125 minutes.

[td450]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. I believe Pritchard is a solid role player (at least for now). He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. Nice back-up option, that's for sure. He may become a decent starter down the road. Nothing special though.

Similar descriptions could be made of players like Derek Fisher.

Being a strong team offensive weapon is a major asset for a role player when placed next to star players. That is what Pritchard brings to the table. They are very few role player PGs who can handle the ball, make strong decisions, setup the team and hit outside shots at the levels that Pritchard can.

Pritchard doesn't need to be a star to be a long term fixture at starting PG.

Don't get me wrong, he's certainly a useful player to have. I just think we can easily replace what he brings to the table. Most PGs are reliable ball handlers and decent shooters. Pritchard is pretty good at both these things, but we can easily find someone else who provides a similar package (with better defense as well).

Can we find another Marcus Smart? Nope, I don't think so. Smart is a unique player. Pritchard is just a useful one. At least this is how I see it.

Kris Dunn is pretty much identical to Smart in every way. He's less unique that Celtics fans would like to admit.

[slamtheking]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. I believe Pritchard is a solid role player (at least for now). He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. Nice back-up option, that's for sure. He may become a decent starter down the road. Nothing special though.

Similar descriptions could be made of players like Derek Fisher.

Being a strong team offensive weapon is a major asset for a role player when placed next to star players. That is what Pritchard brings to the table. They are very few role player PGs who can handle the ball, make strong decisions, setup the team and hit outside shots at the levels that Pritchard can.

Pritchard doesn't need to be a star to be a long term fixture at starting PG.

Don't get me wrong, he's certainly a useful player to have. I just think we can easily replace what he brings to the table. Most PGs are reliable ball handlers and decent shooters. Pritchard is pretty good at both these things, but we can easily find someone else who provides a similar package (with better defense as well).

Can we find another Marcus Smart? Nope, I don't think so. Smart is a unique player. Pritchard is just a useful one. At least this is how I see it.

I have to disagree with this.  if this was so easy to replace, we'd have someone better than Teague backing up Kemba.  Smart doesn't provide what Pritchard provides in terms of shooting, ball handling and passing.   Add Edwards and Waters in the mix on this for not being able to provide what Pritchard provides. 

Pritchard's no all-star but he's bringing abilities to this team that the other PGs are not.

[Jvalin]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. I believe Pritchard is a solid role player (at least for now). He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. Nice back-up option, that's for sure. He may become a decent starter down the road. Nothing special though.

Similar descriptions could be made of players like Derek Fisher.

Being a strong team offensive weapon is a major asset for a role player when placed next to star players. That is what Pritchard brings to the table. They are very few role player PGs who can handle the ball, make strong decisions, setup the team and hit outside shots at the levels that Pritchard can.

Pritchard doesn't need to be a star to be a long term fixture at starting PG.

Don't get me wrong, he's certainly a useful player to have. I just think we can easily replace what he brings to the table. Most PGs are reliable ball handlers and decent shooters. Pritchard is pretty good at both these things, but we can easily find someone else who provides a similar package (with better defense as well).

Can we find another Marcus Smart? Nope, I don't think so. Smart is a unique player. Pritchard is just a useful one. At least this is how I see it.

I have to disagree with this.  if this was so easy to replace, we'd have someone better than Teague backing up Kemba.  Smart doesn't provide what Pritchard provides in terms of shooting, ball handling and passing.   Add Edwards and Waters in the mix on this for not being able to provide what Pritchard provides. 

Pritchard's no all-star but he's bringing abilities to this team that the other PGs are not.

Just because we don't have a similar player right now on the roster, it doesn't mean that it would be difficult to find one. You want an example? Tomas Satoransky. He can do everything Pritchard does, plus he's 6 inches taller, hence he's a way more versatile defender.

If you ask me, I believe Smart is a way better passer than Pritchard. I would argue he's the best passer on our team.

[Celtics2021]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. I believe Pritchard is a solid role player (at least for now). He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. Nice back-up option, that's for sure. He may become a decent starter down the road. Nothing special though.

Similar descriptions could be made of players like Derek Fisher.

Being a strong team offensive weapon is a major asset for a role player when placed next to star players. That is what Pritchard brings to the table. They are very few role player PGs who can handle the ball, make strong decisions, setup the team and hit outside shots at the levels that Pritchard can.

Pritchard doesn't need to be a star to be a long term fixture at starting PG.

Don't get me wrong, he's certainly a useful player to have. I just think we can easily replace what he brings to the table. Most PGs are reliable ball handlers and decent shooters. Pritchard is pretty good at both these things, but we can easily find someone else who provides a similar package (with better defense as well).

Can we find another Marcus Smart? Nope, I don't think so. Smart is a unique player. Pritchard is just a useful one. At least this is how I see it.

I have to disagree with this.  if this was so easy to replace, we'd have someone better than Teague backing up Kemba.  Smart doesn't provide what Pritchard provides in terms of shooting, ball handling and passing.   Add Edwards and Waters in the mix on this for not being able to provide what Pritchard provides. 

Pritchard's no all-star but he's bringing abilities to this team that the other PGs are not.

Just because we don't have a similar player right now on the roster, it doesn't mean that it would be difficult to find one. You want an example? Tomas Satoransky. He can do everything Pritchard does, plus he's 6 inches taller, hence he's a way more versatile defender.

If you ask me, I believe Smart is a way better passer than Pritchard. I would argue he's the best passer on our team.

I completely agree with this.  Smart has terrific court awareness and is deceptively good at misdirection to create space for passes.  He doesn't have Pritchard's handle, but he would absolutely be a superior starting option to Pritchard.  Peyton has been a very pleasant surprise, and is fine value on a rookie scale deal for the role he provides, but he's replaceable.

[liam]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. I believe Pritchard is a solid role player (at least for now). He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. Nice back-up option, that's for sure. He may become a decent starter down the road. Nothing special though.

Similar descriptions could be made of players like Derek Fisher.

Being a strong team offensive weapon is a major asset for a role player when placed next to star players. That is what Pritchard brings to the table. They are very few role player PGs who can handle the ball, make strong decisions, setup the team and hit outside shots at the levels that Pritchard can.

Pritchard doesn't need to be a star to be a long term fixture at starting PG.

Don't get me wrong, he's certainly a useful player to have. I just think we can easily replace what he brings to the table. Most PGs are reliable ball handlers and decent shooters. Pritchard is pretty good at both these things, but we can easily find someone else who provides a similar package (with better defense as well).

Can we find another Marcus Smart? Nope, I don't think so. Smart is a unique player. Pritchard is just a useful one. At least this is how I see it.

I have to disagree with this.  if this was so easy to replace, we'd have someone better than Teague backing up Kemba.  Smart doesn't provide what Pritchard provides in terms of shooting, ball handling and passing.   Add Edwards and Waters in the mix on this for not being able to provide what Pritchard provides. 

Pritchard's no all-star but he's bringing abilities to this team that the other PGs are not.

Just because we don't have a similar player right now on the roster, it doesn't mean that it would be difficult to find one. You want an example? Tomas Satoransky. He can do everything Pritchard does, plus he's 6 inches taller, hence he's a way more versatile defender.

If you ask me, I believe Smart is a way better passer than Pritchard. I would argue he's the best passer on our team.

I completely agree with this.  Smart has terrific court awareness and is deceptively good at misdirection to create space for passes.  He doesn't have Pritchard's handle, but he would absolutely be a superior starting option to Pritchard.  Peyton has been a very pleasant surprise, and is fine value on a rookie scale deal for the role he provides, but he's replaceable.

Smart with 1 assist last night and one turnover. Pritchard in half the minutes 1 assist 0 turnovers.

[todd_days_41]

This trade makes too much sense for the teams to actually do it:

https://tradenba.com/trades/-qnLT6mj5

(Bulls 2022 1st to TOR would be Top 10 or lottery protected)

[Celtics2021]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. I believe Pritchard is a solid role player (at least for now). He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. Nice back-up option, that's for sure. He may become a decent starter down the road. Nothing special though.

Similar descriptions could be made of players like Derek Fisher.

Being a strong team offensive weapon is a major asset for a role player when placed next to star players. That is what Pritchard brings to the table. They are very few role player PGs who can handle the ball, make strong decisions, setup the team and hit outside shots at the levels that Pritchard can.

Pritchard doesn't need to be a star to be a long term fixture at starting PG.

Don't get me wrong, he's certainly a useful player to have. I just think we can easily replace what he brings to the table. Most PGs are reliable ball handlers and decent shooters. Pritchard is pretty good at both these things, but we can easily find someone else who provides a similar package (with better defense as well).

Can we find another Marcus Smart? Nope, I don't think so. Smart is a unique player. Pritchard is just a useful one. At least this is how I see it.

I have to disagree with this.  if this was so easy to replace, we'd have someone better than Teague backing up Kemba.  Smart doesn't provide what Pritchard provides in terms of shooting, ball handling and passing.   Add Edwards and Waters in the mix on this for not being able to provide what Pritchard provides. 

Pritchard's no all-star but he's bringing abilities to this team that the other PGs are not.

Just because we don't have a similar player right now on the roster, it doesn't mean that it would be difficult to find one. You want an example? Tomas Satoransky. He can do everything Pritchard does, plus he's 6 inches taller, hence he's a way more versatile defender.

If you ask me, I believe Smart is a way better passer than Pritchard. I would argue he's the best passer on our team.

I completely agree with this.  Smart has terrific court awareness and is deceptively good at misdirection to create space for passes.  He doesn't have Pritchard's handle, but he would absolutely be a superior starting option to Pritchard.  Peyton has been a very pleasant surprise, and is fine value on a rookie scale deal for the role he provides, but he's replaceable.

Smart with 1 assist last night and one turnover. Pritchard in half the minutes 1 assist 0 turnovers.

Holy small sample size, Batman!  Pritchard has 5.4 assists per 100 possessions this year, while Smart has 8.7 assists/100.  5.4 would equal Smart’s career low, at age 21 in his second season.

[slamtheking]

I don't see this hole at PG if Kemba leaves. Pritchard is ready to start now. Right now. He will be a top 20 if not top 15 PG in the league as soon as next season.

We already have our replacement at PG.

I love Pritchard's game. His steadiness, his decision making, his shooting chops. Useful enough on defense. Just a solid all-round PG with excellent outside shooting.

Me neither, but mostly because I'm very high on Smart. I believe Pritchard is a solid role player (at least for now). He's a terrific shooter + ball handler. He's an OK passer. He ain't explosive/tall enough to consistently create his own shot. He scores most of his points as an off-ball shooter. Nice back-up option, that's for sure. He may become a decent starter down the road. Nothing special though.

Similar descriptions could be made of players like Derek Fisher.

Being a strong team offensive weapon is a major asset for a role player when placed next to star players. That is what Pritchard brings to the table. They are very few role player PGs who can handle the ball, make strong decisions, setup the team and hit outside shots at the levels that Pritchard can.

Pritchard doesn't need to be a star to be a long term fixture at starting PG.

Don't get me wrong, he's certainly a useful player to have. I just think we can easily replace what he brings to the table. Most PGs are reliable ball handlers and decent shooters. Pritchard is pretty good at both these things, but we can easily find someone else who provides a similar package (with better defense as well).

Can we find another Marcus Smart? Nope, I don't think so. Smart is a unique player. Pritchard is just a useful one. At least this is how I see it.

I have to disagree with this.  if this was so easy to replace, we'd have someone better than Teague backing up Kemba.  Smart doesn't provide what Pritchard provides in terms of shooting, ball handling and passing.   Add Edwards and Waters in the mix on this for not being able to provide what Pritchard provides. 

Pritchard's no all-star but he's bringing abilities to this team that the other PGs are not.

Just because we don't have a similar player right now on the roster, it doesn't mean that it would be difficult to find one. You want an example? Tomas Satoransky. He can do everything Pritchard does, plus he's 6 inches taller, hence he's a way more versatile defender.

If you ask me, I believe Smart is a way better passer than Pritchard. I would argue he's the best passer on our team.

I completely agree with this.  Smart has terrific court awareness and is deceptively good at misdirection to create space for passes.  He doesn't have Pritchard's handle, but he would absolutely be a superior starting option to Pritchard.  Peyton has been a very pleasant surprise, and is fine value on a rookie scale deal for the role he provides, but he's replaceable.

prior to this year, I would have agreed but this year Smart's passing has been haphazard and off the mark more often than not.  trying to hard to make the flashy pass rather than the basic fundamental pass that will get the job done with a lot less risk of being off target or turned over.