Poll: Smart for Lonzo Ball Yay or Nay

[Rosco917]

I like Smart, and he is the heart of a mostly heartless Celtic team...but too often he forgets who he is as a player, taking ill-advised 3 point shots. He also gives unsolicited advise and criticism to players during close games. He forgets where his true value really is. I don't see this as changing.

With Ball you get a young 6-6" pass first PG, that scores better than Smart and defends well too. We need what he brings.

[gouki88]

No because getting Lonzo would require a sign and trade which would hard cap us. We need to make more moves, we can't be handcuffed to roster we have now.

Exactly. If we're talking just a player swap I'd do it every day. But we're not

[nickagneta]

Hold on now. That Kemba trade shaved ~$7 million off next year's salary. If we did a sign and trade for Ball at say around $19 million while sending out Smart and Thompson(one or both could be redirected elsewhere), that could take another +$4 million off the salary. The team at that point is:

Ball, Brown, Nesmith, Tatum, Horford
Pritchard, Langford, Parker, Grant Williams, Timelord, Edwards, Mo Brown

That's 12 signed guys, a team salary around $123 million and the apron is going to be a bit above $142 million.

If Fournier will sign for $16 million first year, that would still leave $3 million or so to grab a vet and the team could go with 14 players and sign two 2-way players who do count against team salary.

My math might not be 100% accurate but I think a sign and trade for Ball might work. Yes, the team would lose a trade exception or two but

Ball/Pritchard/Vet min guy
Fournier/Langford/Edwards
Brown/Nesmith
Tatum/Grant/Parker
Horford/Timelord/MoBrown

Could be under the apron and looks like an improved team.

If others want to run numbers, it might be doable. I think.

[bogg]

Can't afford to be hard capped this season for something that isn't a significant upgrade. Simple as that.

[Alleyoopster]

We haven't heard from his Dad in some time. Doesn't mean he won't raise his obnoxious head again. Wouldn't want him causing disruptions within the team or organization. I'll pass on this idea.