Identify perfect fits for Tatum and Brown

[Rosco917]

Actually Ball is a fine defender with 3 full inches on Smart. He could easily switch between 1 through 4.

However, I worry that Ball doesn't have enough gravitas for Tatum. 

[Csfan1984]

Assuming I have Brown at SF and Tatum at PF...

I like Smart as PG with Tatum and Brown getting more time with the ball. But the PG off the bench should be a guy who can either score at a high level or create to contrast Smart. Rondo would be fine for the bench PG or an improved sniper in PP.

Upgrade of Smart would be Holiday. Upgrade bench PG Schroder.


Fournier is another good fit. I like Langford and Nesmith as back ups depending on need.

Upgrade of Fournier would be Devin Booker. Upgrade bench Josh Hart or Kevin Huerter.


Center is the problem no one currently on the roster I like as the starter. I'd like all 4 guys as backups though.

I'd like to see team with a great big Bam, Embid, Jokic or Towns

[tonydelk]

Are we talking about FA's, realistic trade targets or dream scenario.  I'll skip the dream because it will never happen. 

If FA's not much the C's can do.  If they want flexibility next year then left Fournier walk and sign a PG to a 1 year deal. 

PG - Devonte Graham - 1 yr deal
SG - Marcus Smart
SF - Jaylen Brown
PF - Jayson Tatum
C - Al Horford

If they think they can win a championship now then the below is probably the best starting 5 they could realistically get.

PG - Malcolm Brogden - New coach, trading him for Smart and TT creates flexibility.
SG - Jaylen Brown
SF - Evan Fournier
PF - Jayson Tatum
C - Al Horford

[Moranis]

Bledsoe, Adams, 10

for

Smart, Thompson, Langford, 2022 1st (lotto)

Draft Davion Mitchell at 10 (hopefully)

PG - Bledsoe, Mitchell, Pritchard, Edwards
SG - Brown, Fournier
SF - Tatum, Nesmith, Ojeleye
PF - Horford, Parker, G. Williams
C - Adams, R. Williams, Brown

Fairly quickly sub Fournier in for Horford or Adams (match-up dependent on which one). 

Obviously not perfect fits, but a fairly realistic trade that gives Boston a more balanced team as well as a top 10 pick.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Bledsoe, Adams, 10

for

Smart, Thompson, Langford, 2022 1st (lotto)

Draft Davion Mitchell at 10 (hopefully)

PG - Bledsoe, Mitchell, Pritchard, Edwards
SG - Brown, Fournier
SF - Tatum, Nesmith, Ojeleye
PF - Horford, Parker, G. Williams
C - Adams, R. Williams, Brown

Fairly quickly sub Fournier in for Horford or Adams (match-up dependent on which one). 

Obviously not perfect fits, but a fairly realistic trade that gives Boston a more balanced team as well as a top 10 pick.

The #1 reason I want this trade to happen is for us to play the Hornets in the playoffs and face Rozier

[JBcat]

A healthy Gordon Hayward. 

But seriously though without a score first PG to get in the way an all around player and willing passer like Gordon I think would fit in well with Tatum and Brown and those 3 at the 2,3, and 4 positions with Smart at PG, while also easing some of the scoring burden.   it would also be an everything switch defense, and with Horford at the 5 spot much of the time you don’t necessarily need a traditional PG.

Fournier is pretty good, but not at the level I’m thinking.  I’m also not sure how vital PG is if we are going to play Smart and Pritchard there.  Maybe a mid level exception guy for more depth.

[Birdman]

Bledsoe, Adams, 10

for

Smart, Thompson, Langford, 2022 1st (lotto)

Draft Davion Mitchell at 10 (hopefully)

PG - Bledsoe, Mitchell, Pritchard, Edwards
SG - Brown, Fournier
SF - Tatum, Nesmith, Ojeleye
PF - Horford, Parker, G. Williams
C - Adams, R. Williams, Brown

Fairly quickly sub Fournier in for Horford or Adams (match-up dependent on which one). 

Obviously not perfect fits, but a fairly realistic trade that gives Boston a more balanced team as well as a top 10 pick.

Moranis I wish u was the GM!! That be a great trade

[bogg]

Actually Ball is a fine defender with 3 full inches on Smart. He could easily switch between 1 through 4.

However, I worry that Ball doesn't have enough gravitas for Tatum.

I just can't see paying Ball nearly the same as Jaylen (and don't kid yourself, that's what it takes to scare New Orleans off), and hard-capping yourself in the process potentially costing Beal or someone else, when you can have Smart so much cheaper and with so much more roster flexibility. The Lonzo arguments all seem only half thought-out. "Lonzo Ball" in a vacuum and "Lonzo Ball S&T for $22-25 million a year" are two entirely different propositions.

[Tr1boy]

Actually Ball is a fine defender with 3 full inches on Smart. He could easily switch between 1 through 4.

However, I worry that Ball doesn't have enough gravitas for Tatum.

Don't want to hear about Lavar

so no Ball for me

[Who]

You know I was thinking as I read this "what I would really like is quick PG who pushes the ball in transition, can drive in the halfcourt offense, hit open jump-shots and is not selfish". Does not need to be a star. Just someone who does the little things.

And then I was thinking about what PGs might fit that mold and it was depressing how few PGs I could think of. Most PGs are either score first and/or ball-dominant or defensive PGs who are limited offensively.

And I was looking at this list of PGs and one name stood out - Mike Conley - and I was longingly looking at Mike Conley for his sound decision making an all-around PG play on both ends of the court. Then looking at the rest of the PG list and wondering why so few of others had his skill-set when I came across one other name -- the man of the moment, Cameron Payne.

- Doesn't shoot too much.
- Is very quick. Pushes the ball hard. Can drive in the halfcourt.
- He has been shooting well this season but not in the past so some concerns about whether he will maintain this year's shooting but looks like he could be a solid shooter.
- works reasonably hard on D. Does fine for a small PG.
- sound decision maker.

And I am thinking myself, have I been overlooking / undervaluing that proposed idea of going after Cameron Payne this summer with the MLE ... and I think I have.

He could be really good for this team. A true PG.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I think Brogdon is literally perfect for them, he's available but not sure what Indy would want from us

[Who]

I absolutely love a younger Horford or a young Marc Gasol type center next to Jaylen and Tatum. Vlade Divac type.

A center who you can run your offense through in the high post. A high-skilled player who can pass at a high level and make enough jump-shots to keep defenses honest. A versatile defender like Horford is perfect but a less rounded one like Marc Gasol would be perfectly fine also. Even a lesser defender again in Vlade so long as you get that offensive weapon.

Basically, a facilitator at center.

Jaylen and Tatum are scorers. I love them having a big man who they can pass through and help get into better higher efficiency scoring positions. Someone who makes their lives easier. Someone who stops them from having to do everything off the dribble 25 feet from the hoop with 5 defenders keyed on them because of their starting position. Give them a big man who can move the ball around, vary their attacking positions and allow them easier attacking lanes.

That is why I value a facilitating center so highly & why I value the offensive skill over the defensive quality.

[A Future of Stevens]

I absolutely love a younger Horford or a young Marc Gasol type center next to Jaylen and Tatum. Vlade Divac type.

A center who you can run your offense through in the high post. A high-skilled player who can pass at a high level and make enough jump-shots to keep defenses honest. A versatile defender like Horford is perfect but a less rounded one like Marc Gasol would be perfectly fine also. Even a lesser defender again in Vlade so long as you get that offensive weapon.

Basically, a facilitator at center.

Jaylen and Tatum are scorers. I love them having a big man who they can pass through and help get into better higher efficiency scoring positions. Someone who makes their lives easier. Someone who stops them from having to do everything off the dribble 25 feet from the hoop with 5 defenders keyed on them because of their starting position. Give them a big man who can move the ball around, vary their attacking positions and allow them easier attacking lanes.

That is why I value a facilitating center so highly & why I value the offensive skill over the defensive quality.

You could argue that archetype is one of the rarest in basketball. I agree wholeheartedly that it could alleviate some of the issues when our offense bogs down. I am mildly hopeful that having Horford around Timelord can help to reel in some of his passing mistakes. The kid has vision, just needs to refine it.

[Rosco917]

What in the world is the fascination with Lonzo Ball? He has gone from slightly underrated to severely overrated. The dude was on a team that just finished 10 games under .500. That team included Zion, Ingram, Adams, and Bledsoe - not amazing, but decent enough looking on the surface.

I feel like the people who want Lonzo like the idea of him more than the actual player. Like, they look at his stats and highlights, but don't realize his flaws. Smart and Lonzo actually have extremely similar stats if you want to go down that road, except Lonzo shot 4.8% better from 3 last season (previous 3 years, they are almost exactly the same).
[/quote

Compared to Marcus Smart:

He's not quite the defender, but very good. He shoots about the same amount, but is a bit more efficient and probably can  improve more. He's a considerably better passer, and he's particularly good in transition, which Smart just isn't. With our wings, this is a priority.

He does not pound the rock. He's a flow guy. And he's very long and still very young.

He does exactly what the C's really need form a point guard, but doesn't get in the way.

Perfect analogy. TP

[td450]

You know I was thinking as I read this "what I would really like is quick PG who pushes the ball in transition, can drive in the halfcourt offense, hit open jump-shots and is not selfish". Does not need to be a star. Just someone who does the little things.

And then I was thinking about what PGs might fit that mold and it was depressing how few PGs I could think of. Most PGs are either score first and/or ball-dominant or defensive PGs who are limited offensively.

And I was looking at this list of PGs and one name stood out - Mike Conley - and I was longingly looking at Mike Conley for his sound decision making an all-around PG play on both ends of the court. Then looking at the rest of the PG list and wondering why so few of others had his skill-set when I came across one other name -- the man of the moment, Cameron Payne.

- Doesn't shoot too much.
- Is very quick. Pushes the ball hard. Can drive in the halfcourt.
- He has been shooting well this season but not in the past so some concerns about whether he will maintain this year's shooting but looks like he could be a solid shooter.
- works reasonably hard on D. Does fine for a small PG.
- sound decision maker.

And I am thinking myself, have I been overlooking / undervaluing that proposed idea of going after Cameron Payne this summer with the MLE ... and I think I have.

He could be really good for this team. A true PG.

Always been a Conley fan.

Following this line of thinking, I see Davion Mitchell as fitting this mold, and being strong enough to cover bigger players on switches too. This may be the time to overpay some for a pick to get that done.

We need to find two starters, either from our younger guys, or some other way. I really think this is a draft to find one or even both of those positions. I truly hope we try to get a point guard or a power forward in this draft.