Is Ricky Rubio gettable…

[GreenlyGreeny]

TT + GWill + Edwards for Rubio makes sense, particularly now that we know Madar is almost surely not coming over (we might have to throw in our 2021 2nd to get them to absorb GWill/Edwards, but so be it). Turn around and sign McConnell to the MLE, and suddenly we have plenty of depth in our back court assuming we re-sign Fournier:

Rubio/McConnell/Pritchard
Fournier/Smart/Langford

Add Tatum’s buddy Harry Giles as a reclamation project, and we’re looking solid all-around, particularly if Nesmith develops into a role player and Parker continues his comeback:

Jaylen/Nesmith
Tatum/Parker/Giles
Horford/Timelord/Moses

If we are going to standpat on any other trades, I like the above roster a lot whether or not we have a 2021 2nd as our 15th man. It’s a good mix of balance: veterans, youth, offense, defense, etc. If Smart and/or Timelord do not sign value extensions before the deadline, move them for deadweight/picks.

[Roy H.]

Rubio vs. McConnell:

https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1=mccontj01&p1yrfrom=2021&player_id2=rubiori01&p2yrfrom=2021

[CBS_Take a Report]

I’d probably target T.J. McConnell first.  They have similar strengths and weaknesses, but McConnell would be cheaper.

Yeah picking up a guy for just the taxpayer MLE like McConnell or even a guy like Ish Smith, guys that can pick up the pace when needed, works for. I would probably hedge toward Ish since his most recent past two years has him shooting threes better than Smart, Rubio or McConnell.

I like McConnell because his defense is quite good and he’s a great passer.  But Ish could work.

Patty Mills is out there, and George Hill will be once he’s waived.

There are a lot of really strong options that shouldn’t break the bank.

But those guys shouldn't be starters, while Rubio could be.  I think the point was to get someone good enough to relegate Smart to the bench.

Smart is better than Rubio though.

maybe not as an actual PG.

TP Moranis.

Exactly the point. Smart is a guard (not point only) who should be a spark plug in the locker room and off the bench. The attraction to Rubio is his ability to create with his passing and to avoid a defensive liability given his height (6’3”). We saw what happened to Kemba last playoffs. Huge liability. And Payton Pritchard for all his wonder doesn’t eliminate this liability (given his height).

[Roy H.]

I’d probably target T.J. McConnell first.  They have similar strengths and weaknesses, but McConnell would be cheaper.

Yeah picking up a guy for just the taxpayer MLE like McConnell or even a guy like Ish Smith, guys that can pick up the pace when needed, works for. I would probably hedge toward Ish since his most recent past two years has him shooting threes better than Smart, Rubio or McConnell.

I like McConnell because his defense is quite good and he’s a great passer.  But Ish could work.

Patty Mills is out there, and George Hill will be once he’s waived.

There are a lot of really strong options that shouldn’t break the bank.

But those guys shouldn't be starters, while Rubio could be.  I think the point was to get someone good enough to relegate Smart to the bench.

Smart is better than Rubio though.

maybe not as an actual PG.

TP Moranis.

Exactly the point. Smart is a guard (not point only) who should be a spark plug in the locker room and off the bench. The attraction to Rubio is his ability to create with his passing and to avoid a defensive liability given his height (6’3”). We saw what happened to Kemba last playoffs. Huge liability. And Payton Pritchard for all his wonder doesn’t eliminate this liability (given his height).

Is it worth paying a stop-gap, limited PG $18 million next season?

[CBS_Take a Report]

I’d probably target T.J. McConnell first.  They have similar strengths and weaknesses, but McConnell would be cheaper.

Yeah picking up a guy for just the taxpayer MLE like McConnell or even a guy like Ish Smith, guys that can pick up the pace when needed, works for. I would probably hedge toward Ish since his most recent past two years has him shooting threes better than Smart, Rubio or McConnell.

I like McConnell because his defense is quite good and he’s a great passer.  But Ish could work.

Patty Mills is out there, and George Hill will be once he’s waived.

There are a lot of really strong options that shouldn’t break the bank.

But those guys shouldn't be starters, while Rubio could be.  I think the point was to get someone good enough to relegate Smart to the bench.

Smart is better than Rubio though.

maybe not as an actual PG.

TP Moranis.

Exactly the point. Smart is a guard (not point only) who should be a spark plug in the locker room and off the bench. The attraction to Rubio is his ability to create with his passing and to avoid a defensive liability given his height (6’3”). We saw what happened to Kemba last playoffs. Huge liability. And Payton Pritchard for all his wonder doesn’t eliminate this liability (given his height).

Is it worth paying a stop-gap, limited PG $18 million next season?

When your current point guard options include a 2nd year point guard and a non-point guard you are attempting to convert to one isn’t that precisely when you try a stop gap point guard who is on a reasonable deal and in an expiring contract? Rubio should be motivated also given it is a contract year.

[Roy H.]

I’d probably target T.J. McConnell first.  They have similar strengths and weaknesses, but McConnell would be cheaper.

Yeah picking up a guy for just the taxpayer MLE like McConnell or even a guy like Ish Smith, guys that can pick up the pace when needed, works for. I would probably hedge toward Ish since his most recent past two years has him shooting threes better than Smart, Rubio or McConnell.

I like McConnell because his defense is quite good and he’s a great passer.  But Ish could work.

Patty Mills is out there, and George Hill will be once he’s waived.

There are a lot of really strong options that shouldn’t break the bank.

But those guys shouldn't be starters, while Rubio could be.  I think the point was to get someone good enough to relegate Smart to the bench.

Smart is better than Rubio though.

maybe not as an actual PG.

TP Moranis.

Exactly the point. Smart is a guard (not point only) who should be a spark plug in the locker room and off the bench. The attraction to Rubio is his ability to create with his passing and to avoid a defensive liability given his height (6’3”). We saw what happened to Kemba last playoffs. Huge liability. And Payton Pritchard for all his wonder doesn’t eliminate this liability (given his height).

Is it worth paying a stop-gap, limited PG $18 million next season?

When your current point guard options include a 2nd year point guard and a non-point guard you are attempting to convert to one isn’t that precisely when you try a stop gap point guard who is on a reasonable deal and in an expiring contract? Rubio should be motivated also given it is a contract year.

$18 million is not reasonable for a guy who was outperformed by an MLE-level free agent like T.J. McConnell.  Smart averaged almost as many assists as Rubio, despite being a “non-PG”.

We just traded Kemba to save $10 million this season.  Immediately wasting $18 million on Rubio would be incredibly negligent.

[liam]

I guess I'm in the minority here but Smart is a point guard. I'd much rather have a Smart/ Brown or Smart/Fournier or Smart/Nesmith backcourt than any of the bargain bin points out there. Smart is not a shooting guard.

[Moranis]

I’d probably target T.J. McConnell first.  They have similar strengths and weaknesses, but McConnell would be cheaper.

Yeah picking up a guy for just the taxpayer MLE like McConnell or even a guy like Ish Smith, guys that can pick up the pace when needed, works for. I would probably hedge toward Ish since his most recent past two years has him shooting threes better than Smart, Rubio or McConnell.

I like McConnell because his defense is quite good and he’s a great passer.  But Ish could work.

Patty Mills is out there, and George Hill will be once he’s waived.

There are a lot of really strong options that shouldn’t break the bank.

But those guys shouldn't be starters, while Rubio could be.  I think the point was to get someone good enough to relegate Smart to the bench.

Smart is better than Rubio though.

maybe not as an actual PG.

TP Moranis.

Exactly the point. Smart is a guard (not point only) who should be a spark plug in the locker room and off the bench. The attraction to Rubio is his ability to create with his passing and to avoid a defensive liability given his height (6’3”). We saw what happened to Kemba last playoffs. Huge liability. And Payton Pritchard for all his wonder doesn’t eliminate this liability (given his height).

Is it worth paying a stop-gap, limited PG $18 million next season?

Sure, why not?  Now if the question is are there better players out there, of course there are, but how easy are they to acquire, what is the long term contract look like, etc.  I think Rubio would be fine next year giving Pritchard another year to grow.  Rubio is not a scorer or shooter, but he is an excellent passer, solid rebounder, excellent steal generator, good foul shooter, etc.  He isn't going to demand the ball offensively, but can play within the offense and set players up.  If the cost is basically Thompson, I'd do that and wouldn't give it much thought since I don't think Thompson has much use to Boston. 

[CBS_Take a Report]

I’d probably target T.J. McConnell first.  They have similar strengths and weaknesses, but McConnell would be cheaper.

Yeah picking up a guy for just the taxpayer MLE like McConnell or even a guy like Ish Smith, guys that can pick up the pace when needed, works for. I would probably hedge toward Ish since his most recent past two years has him shooting threes better than Smart, Rubio or McConnell.

I like McConnell because his defense is quite good and he’s a great passer.  But Ish could work.

Patty Mills is out there, and George Hill will be once he’s waived.

There are a lot of really strong options that shouldn’t break the bank.

But those guys shouldn't be starters, while Rubio could be.  I think the point was to get someone good enough to relegate Smart to the bench.

Smart is better than Rubio though.

maybe not as an actual PG.

TP Moranis.

Exactly the point. Smart is a guard (not point only) who should be a spark plug in the locker room and off the bench. The attraction to Rubio is his ability to create with his passing and to avoid a defensive liability given his height (6’3”). We saw what happened to Kemba last playoffs. Huge liability. And Payton Pritchard for all his wonder doesn’t eliminate this liability (given his height).

Is it worth paying a stop-gap, limited PG $18 million next season?

When your current point guard options include a 2nd year point guard and a non-point guard you are attempting to convert to one isn’t that precisely when you try a stop gap point guard who is on a reasonable deal and in an expiring contract? Rubio should be motivated also given it is a contract year.

$18 million is not reasonable for a guy who was outperformed by an MLE-level free agent like T.J. McConnell.

We just traded Kemba to save $10 million this season.  Immediately wasting $18 million on Rubio would be incredibly negligent.

We still save the Kemba money. Contracts going out would have to equal Rubios coming in. I have no problem with looking at McConnell. But I thought we were attempting to add height to the position also?

[konkmv]

Misic would be great but he opted to stay in Europe

[Who]

Why bother with McConnell or Ish Smith when we have Pritchard?

Not enough of an immediate upgrade to block Pritchard's playing time & development.

[Vermont Green]

I have no interest in Rubio, certainly not at $18M.  I don't even see how we could send back enough salary to make it work but it would be at least 3 players, two of which would have to be replaced meaning Rubio would result in adding maybe $5M to $8M in salary.  I am thinking something like Thompson, GWill, Edwards (about $14M going out) plus then the cost of the players to fill the spots on the roster.

I don't think PG is going to be a problem for the team in any case.  If a decent vet on a decent contract can be had for say Thompson, fine, it would kind of rebalance our roster some.  But beyond that, I would rather do nothing than try to work something for Rubio.

[footey]

I used to favor going after him. The more I think about it, though, the more I'm inclined to give Marcus Smart the point guard reigns, especially if we are able to re-sign Fournier.  He would be surrounded by 3 outstanding shooters, and with either Rob or Al in the post, the ball should sing.  So long as Marcus really dedicates himself to being pass first point guard. I think he has it in him.

[Roy H.]

Why bother with McConnell or Ish Smith when we have Pritchard?

Not enough of an immediate upgrade to block Pritchard's playing time & development.

First, depth.  Smart will probably miss 15 or so games.

Second, McConnell is a better defender and passer than Pritchard (and equal or better than Rubio, while being much more efficient ).

[CBS_Take a Report]

I have no interest in Rubio, certainly not at $18M.  I don't even see how we could send back enough salary to make it work but it would be at least 3 players, two of which would have to be replaced meaning Rubio would result in adding maybe $5M to $8M in salary.  I am thinking something like Thompson, GWill, Edwards (about $14M going out) plus then the cost of the players to fill the spots on the roster.

I don't think PG is going to be a problem for the team in any case. If a decent vet on a decent contract can be had for say Thompson, fine, it would kind of rebalance our roster some.  But beyond that, I would rather do nothing than try to work something for Rubio.

I don’t understand this take at all. Point guard was a glaring weakness both offensively (ball movement, offensive sets) as well as defensively.