Jared Weiss interview on the Celtics

[Ed Monix]

Jared Weiss of The Athletic (former CelticsBlog writer) was recently on one of the Ringer’s NBA podcasts.

This is a breakdown of the information he gave;

- He advocates for Rob Williams to start now.

- Believes Celtics targeting all sorts of bigs is just noise outside of Boston

- He does know that the Celtics have been ‘actively pursuing’ Vucevic.

- Says the Celtics didn’t want Myles Turner because they wanted a sub MLE (mid level exception) or go full max all-star centre.

- Says Celtics have been ahead of the curb on valuing wings over centres for years but the curb has caught up now in that area.

- He thinks Theis will get 15 + million in free agency so he may be a trade candidate at the deadline.

- Celtics understand although they got huge value off Theis, him being dominated by Bam cost them a trip to the Finals, so they are calculating how to reassess their future centres going forward.

- Likes Romeo Langford skill set but sees him as a 4 year project. Uses Terry Rozier as an example when Celtics were in the running for Serge Ibaka in 2016, he was told by a team source that Celtics management would not trade Rozier for Ibaka (Rozier seen at the time as poor pick), Weiss says now Rozier is seen as a very good player so they were right to play the long game and not give up on their young talent early.

- States he thinks, to get Vucevic, the Celtics will need to include 3 draft picks, two recent young players also.

- Says the Celtics have been active in the trade discussions about Kemba Walker. Believes if Kemba can’t stay healthy this season, the Hayward exception could be the only way to get someone to replace Kemba as his max deal would be seen as a sunk cost.

- Says it will be telling if Celtics don’t use full Hayward exception by this off-season it’s a sign that ownership does not want to go into the luxury tax for this team, as they don’t believe in their potential to contend.

- What Weiss has been told, Celtics management believe there are players that will be attainable this off-season, but aren’t currently available. Alludes to not just Bradley Beal but perhaps Karl Towns.

- He would be surprised if the Celtics trade for Harrison Barnes but does believe it could be seen as a safe manoeuvre.

- Says the rumours that the Celtics want to kill teams in every trade is a myth. What he’s heard, is that Ainge and management have a firm valuation of players and they don’t waiver from it, so Celtics stubbornness & willing to walk away, frustrates teams.

- Celtics rumoured trade for LaMarcus Aldridge is false but would be one of a few teams interested if he was bought out, as they want another stretch big.

- Tristin Thompson was someone they really wanted for post season defence and leadership purposes. Weiss is curious if they would be willing to move him in a deal. Noticed that Stevens said recently that Celtics won’t be able to play all three centres anymore.

- Celtics were interested in Blake Griffin before he chose Brooklyn Nets.

- Celtics originally offered the MLE to Paul Millsap but after he chose to return to Denver, next on their list was Ibaka...then Thompson.

[Roy H.]

Hmm.  I like Theis a lot, but who is giving him $15 million per year?

[Ed Monix]

Hmm.  I like Theis a lot, but who is giving him $15 million per year?

I’d say it was the off the cuff estimate.

I think Weiss is alluding to the fact, Theis will get an overpay offer from another team because of his versatility.

It is a pretty baron free agency this off-season though, and most of the league will have considerable cap space.

[gift]

Hmm.  I like Theis a lot, but who is giving him $15 million per year?

I’d say it was the off the cuff estimate.

I think Weiss is alluding to the fact, Theis will get an overpay offer from another team because of his versatility.

It is a pretty baron free agency this off-season though, and most of the league will have considerable cap space.

I don't know, but if they can get an asset for Theis, do it. It's asset acquiring time. Suit up, Ainge.

[Jiri Welsch]

So basically we need to make a trade, but Danny might sit on his hands like usual.

I read a recent interview Ainge had with Brian Robb and he (Ainge, that is) came off as defensive about making a trade around the deadline. He said something to the effect of, "name me a team that's made a deadline deal and it helped them win a championship." Robb, being respectful, cited both Gasol and Crowder/Iguodala. Ainge seems to have forgotten about his PJ Brown and Cassell buyout pickups in 2008. Anyway, the idea that you can't use the trade deadline as a chance to set yourself up better long term (and not just that season) is bothersome. Ainge needs to do something ASAP. Fans are rightfully getting restless.

[todd_days_41]

Hmm.  I like Theis a lot, but who is giving him $15 million per year?

One of the teams with cap space, but no one Tier 1 to use it on (of which there could be quite a few).

[Celtics2021]

Hmm.  I like Theis a lot, but who is giving him $15 million per year?

If Theis is a $15 million a year guy, then he should definitely be worth at least a 1st in the trade market right now.  That signals his on-court value.  It also means his Bird rights provide value.  A capped team could get a player worth more than the MLE, and preserve the MLE for a different free agent, while a team with cap space who would have otherwise made a run at Theis in the offseason at such an amount can effectively save cap space because his hold is less than his future salary.  And even if Weiss is off by 25% and he's a $12 million guy this is still true.

[GreenCoffeeBean]

There is no point in trying to compete this year and overpaying. Our team is too young. Just be patient and wait a year.

[todd_days_41]

Ainge needs to do something ASAP. Fans are rightfully getting restless.

A restless fanbase is just about the last reason Ainge is going to make a trade. Though it may frustrate you, Ainge is not a pushover to public opinion. If he sees value -- in either buying or selling -- he'll take it. If he doesn't, he'll wait until the offseason when larger deals more commonly get done.

As for Theis' value, a quick look at some guys in the $12-15MM range suggests that's not a stretch for him.

http://www.espn.com/nba/salaries/_/page/3

[Sophomore]

I’m starting to move to team sell. We are stuck in the middle. The complementary players aren’t doing it for us, but maybe another team near contention will want to try them. There aren’t a lot of sellers this year, so the market may be better than average. I’m starting to be open to moving the guys who might have some value - Theis, even Smart.

If playing the rookies more costs us a few games, who cares? They’ll get the development opportunities they sorely need.

[todd_days_41]

I’m starting to move to team sell. We are stuck in the middle. The complementary players aren’t doing it for us, but maybe another team near contention will want to try them. There aren’t a lot of sellers this year, so the market may be better than average. I’m starting to be open to moving the guys who might have some value - Theis, even Smart.

If playing the rookies more costs us a few games, who cares? They’ll get the development opportunities they sorely need.

I agree. I would sell on Theis, Kemba (if someone would take him), and Thompson (if someone would take him). Get a back-up C back in one of the deals just to fill the slot until season end and play Time Lord and / or a little Taco occasionally to see how far he's come. 

[NKY fan]

There is no point in trying to compete this year and overpaying. Our team is too young. Just be patient and wait a year.

There is always a reason to compete. You can’t just throw in the towel and p--- of the Js. On the other hand if the Js are not enough to at least win the play in and make a round one competitive series (despite our horrible role players ) I think we should seriously evaluate whether they are the right duo to build around.
We need to see more high stake games where the Js have to carry us and evaluate. It makes sense to add a player that will resemble a type of player the Js have to rely on 2 years from now...
In other words it makes sense to to make a “Bogut” type of trade  you know similar to the one the warriors made when it was clear that curry and Thompson are not ready to compete... with that they almost defeated the mighty Spurs that year... so I want to see something like that:
Bring a solid power forward - get to play Brooklyn in round one and make life hell to them. That will be a great sign for things to come

[Jiri Welsch]

Ainge needs to do something ASAP. Fans are rightfully getting restless.

A restless fanbase is just about the last reason Ainge is going to make a trade. Though it may frustrate you, Ainge is not a pushover to public opinion. If he sees value -- in either buying or selling -- he'll take it. If he doesn't, he'll wait until the offseason when larger deals more commonly get done.

As for Theis' value, a quick look at some guys in the $12-15MM range suggests that's not a stretch for him.

http://www.espn.com/nba/salaries/_/page/3

You're right that a fanbase should not be the motivating factor for a GM to make a deal.

A better way to phrase my sentiment would have been, "Fans that watch this team closely can see that these guys are never going to "grow into" a contender. Roster moves are needed. It might be better to do it now and set us up to compete sooner rather than later."

[todd_days_41]

Ainge needs to do something ASAP. Fans are rightfully getting restless.

A restless fanbase is just about the last reason Ainge is going to make a trade. Though it may frustrate you, Ainge is not a pushover to public opinion. If he sees value -- in either buying or selling -- he'll take it. If he doesn't, he'll wait until the offseason when larger deals more commonly get done.

As for Theis' value, a quick look at some guys in the $12-15MM range suggests that's not a stretch for him.

http://www.espn.com/nba/salaries/_/page/3

You're right that a fanbase should not be the motivating factor for a GM to make a deal.

A better way to phrase my sentiment would have been, "Fans that watch this team closely can see that these guys are never going to "grow into" a contender. Roster moves are needed. It might be better to do it now and set us up to compete sooner rather than later."

Sure.

One of the main reasons I think Ainge will be cautious as a buyer at this year's deadline is he has a target for the TPE in the offseason, and from a cap perspective he doesn't want to shut himself out of it.

Its the same reason I think Ainge is poking around to move Kemba (not because of his knee or fit). He needs some financial flexibility to improve the team.

[Kuberski33]

I believe everything that Weiss states. Kemba as a sunk cost is one that many here will have to digest. It's too bad - this team 3 years ago looked to be at the start of a possible mini dynasty. Instead it's going nowhere anytime soon except lower in the standings. 

Some of this was out of everyone's control - some of it is on the GM & Coach - specifically the drafting and not being able to get the ego's/personalities to coexist.