Which one player would be the "perfect fit"?

[GreenlyGreeny]

The absolute best fit we can hope for is Horford giving his blessing to go to Brooklyn in exchange for KD (throw in Theis and Stauskas to make the dollars work, and then a ton of picks). That’s the dream. Runner-up is JB/Theis/picks for KD, but obviously not loving that as much. Both scenarios seem unlikely, but possible in the wake of Kyrie’s new circus and the fact KD’s legacy took a big hit when Curry won a title without him. KD has enough on D and is absolutely elite in O, so we would be front runners to repeat in the East. A rematch with the Warriors would be particularly epic with KD on our side. Let’s hope the basketball gods make it happen.

Third place: What would be absolutely amazing is if Horford gave his blessing to be traded to Washington alongside picks, Stauskas and Fitt for Beal. Tatum has called him his favorite player, so we’d be making Tatum happy. It’s not the best fit defensively, but perhaps Beal can buy-in and play the best D of his life. I certainly love this roster if Beal can handle PG and Smart is cool with running the D as our SG again:

Beal/White
Smart/Pritchard
Brown/Nesmith
Tatum/GWill
Timelord/Theis

That’s a Big 3, maybe a Big 4 if Timelord continues to grow, with lots of depth. Add an MLE, too, and maybe a TPE player. Epic.

[PAOBoston]

It’s crazy but Gordon Hayward is exactly what this team needs.

In theory? Yes. But waiting for a healthy Gordon Hayward is just a bad idea.

[libermaniac]

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Bruce Brown.

I would say Christian Wood going into the offseason but sadly he got traded during the Finals lol

Ya. I still don’t know how that’s even legal. What a ridiculous rule. I thought there was a trade deadline? What’s the benefit of starting the new trade season before the season is over?

[tenn_smoothie]

Yes, we need a key addition or two for this team going forward, but just as important is the need for a huge upgrade in our half-court offensive schemes. We are so one-dimensional and predictable, especially in a long playoff series, that our offense inevitably grinds to a stagnant series of forced dribble-drives or contested low percentage shots.

There is almost no off-ball player movement or screening. Ball movement improved significantly, but that was mostly passing the ball around the 3-point perimeter and not inside-out. Too many times. Tatum, Brown or Smart end up with the ball up high calling for a ball-screen with the shot clock winding down. Their options at that point become very limited. Without a more fluid, creative offense, adding an important player still doesn't prevent the scoring droughts that caused us to lose the finals this season.

The one "perfect fit" addition might just be an assistant coach who can improve the offense.

[keevsnick]

Bradley Beal if he forces his way here.

Interesting.  I know that Beal is a popular choice.

I don't love the fit.  We definitely need offensive talent, but Beal is somewhat of a ball stopper, he's largely inefficient, and he doesn't play much defense.  I think adding him has as much of a chance to lead to guys getting in the way of one another as it does improving the offense.  I also worry about how JB would take it, being relegated to a third option.

I tend to agree. We've watched this core go through three iterations. First with a score first no defense guard in Kyrie, then a score first little defense guard in Kemba, then with Smart at point and Tatum/Brown as 1/2 options. The last of those options was the best team. I'm not sure Beal at the price he will demand makes sense.

[celticinorlando]

Bruce brown

Beal is not a realistic target. Brown would be idea without breaking to the core

[jpotter33]

I like Barnes. Think he'd be an ideal 4 for us and solid third wheel to the Jays. He's also a good defender, too.

[byennie]

Bradley Beal if he forces his way here.

Interesting.  I know that Beal is a popular choice.

I don't love the fit.  We definitely need offensive talent, but Beal is somewhat of a ball stopper, he's largely inefficient, and he doesn't play much defense.  I think adding him has as much of a chance to lead to guys getting in the way of one another as it does improving the offense.  I also worry about how JB would take it, being relegated to a third option.

I tend to agree. We've watched this core go through three iterations. First with a score first no defense guard in Kyrie, then a score first little defense guard in Kemba, then with Smart at point and Tatum/Brown as 1/2 options. The last of those options was the best team. I'm not sure Beal at the price he will demand makes sense.

I think this is a bit of overanalysis on Beal. We're talking an All-NBA level player who is 28 years old and just recently average 30ppg for 2 years straight. He's in his prime, one of the best scorers in the league, and literally best friends with our franchise player. And he (likely) wants to be here. Does his game have any weaknesses? Sure, but man, he's a REALLY GOOD player.

We also have the salaries to match.

White, Theis, Nesmith is almost exactly right. You can help Washington by eating Kuzma's deal with the TPE, and they save $20M off the cap next year. If they cut KCP (only $5M guaranteed) and unload Theis, it's an instant reload. Washington goes into next offseason with a top-5 pick and two max slots.

Guards: Smart, Beal, Pritchard
Forwards: Brown, Tatum, Kuzma, GWill
Bigs: RWill, Horford

Add another veteran guard and a veteran big man and that's a ton of talent. Our defense will still be excellent, but our offense significantly improved. Smart / Beal / Brown / Tatum / RWill is an absolute nightmare matchup with 3 legitimate 25+ scorers and 2 DPOY candidates, and Horford / Kuzma / GWill / Pritchard is a nice bench in the making.

[blink]

Yes, we need a key addition or two for this team going forward, but just as important is the need for a huge upgrade in our half-court offensive schemes. We are so one-dimensional and predictable, especially in a long playoff series, that our offense inevitably grinds to a stagnant series of forced dribble-drives or contested low percentage shots.

There is almost no off-ball player movement or screening. Ball movement improved significantly, but that was mostly passing the ball around the 3-point perimeter and not inside-out. Too many times. Tatum, Brown or Smart end up with the ball up high calling for a ball-screen with the shot clock winding down. Their options at that point become very limited. Without a more fluid, creative offense, adding an important player still doesn't prevent the scoring droughts that caused us to lose the finals this season.

The one "perfect fit" addition might just be an assistant coach who can improve the offense.

I agree with this post 100%.  Even if we can’t replicate the movement of a team like the warriors we can improve our player movement without the ball, make opposing defenses have to expend more energy guarding us and having more wrinkles in our offensive game plan.  Even if we just did this and JT and JB played smarter with their drives to the bucket and and made improvements on protecting the basketball more it might be more impactful than any minor trade.

[pokeKingCurtis]

It’s crazy but Gordon Hayward is exactly what this team needs.

In theory? Yes. But waiting for a healthy Gordon Hayward is just a bad idea.

yea some things you just don't revisit.

[Jvalin]

It’s crazy but Gordon Hayward is exactly what this team needs.

Only on the offensive side of the ball. If we wanna maintain a strong defensive identity, he's not a "perfect" fit.

Don't get me wrong, I like his game. It's just that the thread is about finding the "perfect fit".

[Surferdad]

Mo Bama, Jalen Smith. Trey Burke. Marcus Morris.
Dennis Smith would be a good sign IMO.
Batum. Whatever guard Phx does not keep.
Bismack Biyombo. One of the Martin twins.
TPE's Kuzma or Brogdon

add in Barnes, Thad Young and John Collins and make a poll!

[Big333223]

I'd be looking at an Al replacement, as I love the other 4 starters. Sounds like John Collins is fully on the table, but don't think White and Theis get that done. SAC has already had conversations about acquiring Collins and they have a lot more to offer.

I'd love Isaac if he is healthy; same with Carter Jr. ORL and BOS seem to have a good working relationship with a couple of deals over the last couple of years. Not sure if we have anything they want, though.

John Collins…. What’s the asking price?

Theis + Grant + Nesmith + Stauskas + #1?

It does sound like Collins is available but the price is the question.

I think if the Celtics can get Collins without giving up one of the core 4, they should be going after him. That's the perfect fit, to me.

[BruceBanner18]

Bradley Beal if he forces his way here.

Interesting.  I know that Beal is a popular choice.

I don't love the fit.  We definitely need offensive talent, but Beal is somewhat of a ball stopper, he's largely inefficient, and he doesn't play much defense.  I think adding him has as much of a chance to lead to guys getting in the way of one another as it does improving the offense.  I also worry about how JB would take it, being relegated to a third option.

I tend to agree. We've watched this core go through three iterations. First with a score first no defense guard in Kyrie, then a score first little defense guard in Kemba, then with Smart at point and Tatum/Brown as 1/2 options. The last of those options was the best team. I'm not sure Beal at the price he will demand makes sense.

I think this is a bit of overanalysis on Beal. We're talking an All-NBA level player who is 28 years old and just recently average 30ppg for 2 years straight. He's in his prime, one of the best scorers in the league, and literally best friends with our franchise player. And he (likely) wants to be here. Does his game have any weaknesses? Sure, but man, he's a REALLY GOOD player.

We also have the salaries to match.

White, Theis, Nesmith is almost exactly right. You can help Washington by eating Kuzma's deal with the TPE, and they save $20M off the cap next year. If they cut KCP (only $5M guaranteed) and unload Theis, it's an instant reload. Washington goes into next offseason with a top-5 pick and two max slots.

Guards: Smart, Beal, Pritchard
Forwards: Brown, Tatum, Kuzma, GWill
Bigs: RWill, Horford

Add another veteran guard and a veteran big man and that's a ton of talent. Our defense will still be excellent, but our offense significantly improved. Smart / Beal / Brown / Tatum / RWill is an absolute nightmare matchup with 3 legitimate 25+ scorers and 2 DPOY candidates, and Horford / Kuzma / GWill / Pritchard is a nice bench in the making.

Not to speak for others but I would wager most, if not all, of those questioning Bealls fit would trade White and trash for him. That's a no brainer. What if you had to change the structure of the core?

Let's say Brown is of the table so it would need to be white, time Lord or smart, Grant, Pritchard, picks

[Csfan1984]

SGA
for
White, Stauskas, Theis and two first.

Also give TPE for Favors to sweeten deal.


SGA, Smart, Brown, Tatum, TL
PP, Nesmith, Grant, Favors, Al

Edit: this wasn't enough. Been looking at trades and I'm going to make a thread for a SGA trade. He is on a Jrue Holiday level and that's the minimum cost trade trade.