''Celtics focused on trying to add a 3rd star''

[Birdman]

Philadelphia is not trading Simmons to Boston.. that’s the last team they will trade Simmons to..they hate us and vice versa

[Wretch]

Silly trade machine trade #2
Sabonis to Boston
Richardson and Scrhoder and pick(s)/swap(s) to Pacers

Picks are the prize for the Pacers.  Players are salary match only.  The reason I chose Richardson over Smart is neither Richardson nor Schroder are long term contracts and if the Pacers do decide to rebuild they're not tied to long term money.  Also I think they could trade Richardson pretty easily as an expiring to a contender, assuming he doesn't crater statistically.

[slamtheking]

Why is Kevin Love on this poll?

I just wanted to make sure I've included at least a few realistic options in the poll. Love and Wall were stars in the past. They are still big names. Obviously, not all players on the list are equally valuable.

Love's probably the one realistic option in that list.  not exactly a third star but probably attainable with what we have on the roster.   Wall too for that matter since Houston's trying to stay bad and they're not playing him.  the issue with getting either of them is matching salaries without giving up a lot of young players.

I actually think plenty of players on the list are realistic targets. The C's have all their future firsts intact. Unprotected first-round picks are valuable assets. You get a player under team control for 8-9 seasons! The first 4 of these seasons are on a bargain contract under the rookie scale. We also got Horford on a partially-guaranteed contract for next season. Matching salaries shouldn't be a big issue.

Fwiw, the Nets acquired Harden for 4 presumably late firsts and 4 pick swaps.

a. Harden wanted out.  none of these players are looking to jump from their teams (yet)
b. those are known to be late firsts with Durant and Kyrie already on the team.  we don't have a Durant on our team who would put us in the top 10 teams practically single-handedly.
c. for the reasons you value unprotected firsts, that's the very reason we shouldn't just give picks away when we have no one else's picks as assets to help add cheap young talent to our roster.

Let me get this straight. At first, you were arguing that ''Love is probably the one realistic option in the list''. Are you now arguing that we shouldn't trade picks for a 3rd star? I'm not sure I follow your logic.

In any case:
a. Not true. We know for a fact Simmons wants out. He'd be my #1 target. Apparently, Sabonis and Wall want out as well. Personally speaking, I'd pass on Sabonis cause I think he'd be a bad fit on the C's. Wall is massively overpaid. He isn't the player he used to be anymore.
b. If we create a big 3 of Tatum-Brown-Simmons, we'll definitely be a top 10 team. I would argue we'd become a legit contending team for years to come.
c. I'd much rather have Simmons over a bunch of late firsts. This isn't the case for all teams, cause we already got 2 young All-Stars in Tatum and Brown. Simmons on his own doesn't move the needle. Simmons alongside the Jays is a game changer, sort of like Draymond Green is a game changer on the Warriors.

"At first, you were arguing that ''Love is probably the one realistic option in the list''. Are you now arguing that we shouldn't trade picks for a 3rd star? I'm not sure I follow your logic. "
I'm not arguing we shouldn't trade picks.  I don't see them as bottom-of-the-barrel assets to just be thrown away willy nilly.  I'm pointing out your reasoning why they'd be so valuable to another team would be a reason to keep as many as we can.   Of the players listed, I think Love is the most likely to moved by their teams with the least amount of assets needed to get him.  He's not exactly a 'star' player right now and his contract is egregious for what he's producing so that does present an issue with getting him without clearing out a lot of youth or Al who's been our most consistent player this year.  I've never been on the Love train that was rampant a few years ago but I do recognize his offense and rebounding would be helpful to this team.  It's like playing Kanter -->  good offense and rebounding that you try to use effectively without getting killed on D.

You are correct on Simmons wanting out -- my mistake.  overlooked him on the list.  Not a player I want for the simple reason I don't think he has the mentality of a winner.  If it was a matter of a low-cost trade to get him (my idea of low cost, not necessarily someone else's), I'd consider taking a make-good flyer on him but the potential negative impact to the locker room would be a big concern for me.  He's got talent but he hasn't really improved from his rookie year where I thought that if he worked on this game he could end up much like Magic.  He's not going to get anywhere close to that with his lack of development.
In any case, I don't see Simmons as the piece that makes us a contender and I have no interest in paying what Philly wants for him.  Would still need to acquire another bonafide scorer because we know Simmons is not that.  as for wanting him instead of a lot of late firsts, this is where you and I differ in his expected impact on the team.  I don't think adding him gets us into the top 10 teams in the league UNLESS he makes a major commitment to improve his shooting and succeeds.  Right now, he's a bigger Smart with less offense.  think about that for a moment before you assume Simmons makes us a contender.  I think adding the current Simmons might improve the team a couple of slots but not top 10.  Simmons performance in the last playoffs has left a lasting impression of his weaknesses.

Haven't heard Sabonis or Wall asking for a trade.  I'm not the most dialed-in person for rumors so this could be true.  Wall would be someone I could see moved but his contract is egregious as well.  A deal for him is an even more difficult problem in terms of matching salaries and not overpaying with bodies that damages the roster.

[Wretch]

Philadelphia is not trading Simmons to Boston.. that’s the last team they will trade Simmons to..they hate us and vice versa

I think that depends on how much Philly wants Dame.

Fans hate other teams.  Players, coaches and front offices are far more pragmatic.

With Dame (if he's 90% of historical Dame) I think Philly is in a real contender versus just a PO team.

[johnnygreen]

If Love is bought out I think he’d be a great fit with the Jays. He’s been playing really well as of late in 15-20 mins of PT. It looks like he’s happy with his role in the Cavs now, and they’re playing great as a team also.

The funny part about these Cleveland/Love buyout suggestions: Cleveland is a lot better than us right now. This team is going down the tubes of mediocrity, and we need to pivot or it’s going to end badly.

Cleveland has a better record, but Cleveland is not better than Boston.

To quote Bill Parcells, "You are what your record says you are". The idea that Boston is better, is fantasy world stuff. This has been a .500 team for the second straight season.

[GreenlyGreeny]

If Love is bought out I think he’d be a great fit with the Jays. He’s been playing really well as of late in 15-20 mins of PT. It looks like he’s happy with his role in the Cavs now, and they’re playing great as a team also.

The funny part about these Cleveland/Love buyout suggestions: Cleveland is a lot better than us right now. This team is going down the tubes of mediocrity, and we need to pivot or it’s going to end badly.

Cleveland has a better record, but Cleveland is not better than Boston.

To quote Bill Parcells, "You are what your record says you are". The idea that Boston is better, is fantasy world stuff. This has been a .500 team for the second straight season.

Exactly. We’ve been a .500 team for over 100 games at this point. Cleveland is now better than us. Yes, that’s how stagnant we’ve been: Cleveland is now better than us. No more “stay the course” or “just keep (whomever).” The mantra should be “just change, so we can possibly improve.”

Regarding another person’s comment about Simmons, Philly are pretty much our top rival in the East, so it’s easy to be skeptical we can get Simmons without giving up JB (and replacing JB with Simmons would not work…but do agree Simmons would be a great third star for the Jays if somehow doable).

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Maybe its been said, or maybe not, but the Wizards are 1-7 over their last 8 games, and their only win was against the Pistons.

Has Beal signed that extension? He's not going to ask out. That doesn't seem like his style, but the Wizards are going to be feeling increasing pressure if they continue on this direction.

They could be major sellers at the deadline, flipping any or all of Dinwiddie, KCP, Kuzma, and/or Beal to build for the future.

It's definitely a situation to continue to monitor. I think a lot of people saw their start to the season and just assumed they wouldn't be sellers at all this season. It's looking like it was fool's gold.

[nebist]

Possible deal for Sabonis:

Celtics Receive: Sabonis (3/56) and either Justin Holiday (2/12) OR Torrey Craig (2/10)

Pacers Receive: Josh Richardson (2/24), Juancho (1/7), Grant Williams (2/7 + QO), Payton Pritchard (3/8 + QO), and unprotected 1sts in 2022 and 2024.

This is a quantity deal for the Pacers, but it could have some appeal. They don't have to take back any bad $ long-term. It gives them flexibility on whether to try and stay competitive or continue towards more of a full re-build. Grant as a role-playing 4 would be a decent option if they want to keep Turner and expand his role. Richardson and Pritchard could be rotation players for them, if they want to stay competitive and of course the prize is the 2 unprotected 1sts. If they want to really blow it up, they can continue to make deals with Turner, LeVert, and Richardson and acquire more picks.


Celtics would be left with:

Smart, Brown, Tatum,  Sabonis, Timelord
Schroder, Nesmith, Langford, Holiday/Craig, Horford

[td450]

Maybe its been said, or maybe not, but the Wizards are 1-7 over their last 8 games, and their only win was against the Pistons.

Has Beal signed that extension? He's not going to ask out. That doesn't seem like his style, but the Wizards are going to be feeling increasing pressure if they continue on this direction.

They could be major sellers at the deadline, flipping any or all of Dinwiddie, KCP, Kuzma, and/or Beal to build for the future.

It's definitely a situation to continue to monitor. I think a lot of people saw their start to the season and just assumed they wouldn't be sellers at all this season. It's looking like it was fool's gold.

I'd much rather look to steal a quality rotation guy from the Wizards. They have a logjam of players.
Rui Hachimura is a solid power forward, and they have a lot of frontcourt guys to sort out. That would be a good get.

[Bobshot]

How about John Wall?

He looks healthy, and is sitting in limbo because he wants to start and the management says no.

He's owed a king's ransom the next two years, but if you want a guy, you figure something out--Lakers and Nets style.

Simmons is out--Philly will never deal him to an arch rival, and he will cost Brown. So no to that.

The guy to get is Wall. They can get him without giving up Tatum or Brown. Money makes the world go around....

[Rosco917]

I wonder how many shots will be available for this "3rd Star."

We know he's not gettin any of Tatums shots. And Brown will also dig his feet in too, when he's healthy.

You need a 3rd Star that doesn't rely on the pecking order mentality. IMO Sabonis is the guy, at 6-10 he takes just 12 shots a game to average 17. His rebounding is top 7. Most importantly... he's a fine passer too.

The center position is then shared by the 35 year old Horford and the injury prone Williams. Smart goes to 6th man and Schroder PG. 

[liam]

How about John Wall?

He looks healthy, and is sitting in limbo because he wants to start and the management says no.

He's owed a king's ransom the next two years, but if you want a guy, you figure something out--Lakers and Nets style.

Simmons is out--Philly will never deal him to an arch rival, and he will cost Brown. So no to that.

The guy to get is Wall. They can get him without giving up Tatum or Brown. Money makes the world go around....

How would we send out 40 million in contract money?

[td450]

I wonder how many shots will be available for this "3rd Star."

We know he's not gettin any of Tatums shots. And Brown will also dig his feet in too, when he's healthy.

You need a 3rd Star that doesn't rely on the pecking order mentality. IMO Sabonis is the guy, at 6-10 he takes just 12 shots a game to average 17. His rebounding is top 7. Most importantly... he's a fine passer too.

The center position is then shared by the 35 year old Horford and the injury prone Williams. Smart goes to 6th man and Schroder PG.

Sabonis might make a great fit, especially if we can keep Robert Williams. It does mean that everyone else has to be a shooter and hopefully a defender. Smart, Schroder and Richardson all have to go. They are all good enough defenders, but none of them is a quality shooter and none of them are the right kind of playmaker.

[LilRip]

I think we need a strong PG. Having Tatum and Brown act as secondary playmakers works but they’re at their best when they finish the play, rather than initiate them (especially Brown)

On that list, Fox intrigues me as well as John Wall. Neither can really shoot so PBS will need to get more shooters but having Horford, Tatum, Brown and now Langford and Grant, you’d think this team would have enough shooting (well, they do on some nights). I think if we can close out the rotation to have more catch and shoot players (cmon Pritchard! Pls play better!!!) rather than scorers (like Jrich or Schroeder) it would be better roster balance

[coco]

Lots of "pipe-dreams" on that list

From that list and being realistic..

I think someone like Siakam might be obtainable/workable