Celtics Off-Season News

[Vermont Green]

I would trade Brogdon first.  He has the highest salary and I feel he is the least valuable to the Celtics.  I would be fine with Smart starting and White being the 6th man and playing starter minutes.

One question though, could we include Grant (sign and trade) and Brogdon in the same trade?  I know that the Base Year Compensation restrictions will apply to Grant as he is likely to get more than a 20% raise.  That means only half his salary counts as out going as I understand it.  But if we combine with Brogdon (about $20M) and say Grant's contact is $10M, we could take back:

 ($5M + $20M) X 1.25 = $31M (about)

Is that allowable or is there some restriction on that (there usually is some restriction).

[gouki88]

Bobby Manning
@RealBobManning

Haynes: The Boston Celtics are fielding calls on the multitude of quality guards on their roster, sources tell B/R. With Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard all deserving of playing time, Boston is looking to create some position balance, sources say

I really hope they don’t trade White. Brogdon was great off the bench until his injury. Smart and Pritchard should be the players to shop.

I was about to post almost the same.

My top choice to trade is Smart.   I don’t say this lightly. Marcus has seemed like a devoted Celtic from the start and he brings a lot to the table.  I just think it’s a win-win -win:
1. Trade Smart for a roster balancing big
2. Move DW to starting PG slot (unless a top flight floor general is acquired).  An improvement IMO.
3. Open minutes for Pritchard - I think he’s got Eddie House 2008 impact written all over him.  Plus can pass, boards for his size, and no let-up in his game.

This would be ideal for me too. Collins and Stewart seem to be names floating around

[Goldstar88]

Bobby Manning
@RealBobManning

Haynes: The Boston Celtics are fielding calls on the multitude of quality guards on their roster, sources tell B/R. With Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard all deserving of playing time, Boston is looking to create some position balance, sources say

I really hope they don’t trade White. Brogdon was great off the bench until his injury. Smart and Pritchard should be the players to shop.

I was about to post almost the same.

My top choice to trade is Smart.   I don’t say this lightly. Marcus has seemed like a devoted Celtic from the start and he brings a lot to the table.  I just think it’s a win-win -win:
1. Trade Smart for a roster balancing big
2. Move DW to starting PG slot (unless a top flight floor general is acquired).  An improvement IMO.
3. Open minutes for Pritchard - I think he’s got Eddie House 2008 impact written all over him.  Plus can pass, boards for his size, and no let-up in his game.

I don’t think Brad is super high on Pritchard. Stevens has said on several occasions that he values players that can switch on defense. Payton doesn’t fit that bill. I wonder if DA would try to make a trade for him. I like Pritchard, but I’d be surprised if he was here next season.

[cman88]

Bobby Manning
@RealBobManning

Haynes: The Boston Celtics are fielding calls on the multitude of quality guards on their roster, sources tell B/R. With Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard all deserving of playing time, Boston is looking to create some position balance, sources say

I really hope they don’t trade White. Brogdon was great off the bench until his injury. Smart and Pritchard should be the players to shop.

I was about to post almost the same.

My top choice to trade is Smart.   I don’t say this lightly. Marcus has seemed like a devoted Celtic from the start and he brings a lot to the table.  I just think it’s a win-win -win:
1. Trade Smart for a roster balancing big
2. Move DW to starting PG slot (unless a top flight floor general is acquired).  An improvement IMO.
3. Open minutes for Pritchard - I think he’s got Eddie House 2008 impact written all over him.  Plus can pass, boards for his size, and no let-up in his game.

I don’t think Brad is super high on Pritchard. Stevens has said on several occasions that he values players that can switch on defense. Payton doesn’t fit that bill. I wonder if DA would try to make a trade for him. I like Pritchard, but I’d be surprised if he was here next season.

As much as fans think its going to be Brogdan, I think Pritchard is the guy celtics ultimately trade.

I think we likely see Pritchard/Grant out.....and then who comes in is the question. It's pretty clear celtics have too many guards and need front court depth. I mean Horford/Timelord isnt cutting it....one is old and needs to be managed and the other is injury prone and needs to be managed in season.

[No Nickname]

what are our thoughts on Grant Williams? I know the consensus is we probably will not keep him (unless his value is down). and he didn't play much in the playoffs.

But, he was a huge factor in us coming back against Miami. and IMO our two biggest rivals in the east are still Milwaukee/Philly. and he is very good against Giannis. I would hate to move away from him and look more towards beating a team like Miami (who may just go back to what they were last year barring any improvements).  and look past the more talented teams that probably will be there again.

He is  a smart player with a good basketball IQ,  he has worked hard on his three point and body, this turned his career around.    He is small and not very athletic but uses strength and basketball IQ.   One of the few guys we have to lean on guys to fatigue them who an hold their ground.   He is a three point sniper, poor rebounder for his physical assets.  He complains about the refs too much.  He can't play the five despite what folks say at least not play it well.   

I think he is replaceable.  Hauser can shoot but not do all the other little things.   But signing a back up PF with some more size would take the sting out of losing him real quick, see Naz Reed.   Seems like a good team mate.

I hated him his first two years as he was too heavy to play well and not athletic to play small.    He has always been smart, and high IQ.   He has made a player out of himself.

Grant's greatest attribute is he's one of the few guys who could play even passable defense against Giannis.

Semi Ojeleye was on this roster for that sole purpose.  He was beefy enough, with quick feet, that he could at least stay between Giannis and the basket 60% of the time.

He could even occasionally draw an offensive foul.  That's what Grant can do.

But since we didn't play the Bucks, we didn't get to see Grant's greatest attribute this postseason.

If we trade Grant, who covers Giannis in an ECF next year?  Can Isaiah Stewart do that?

[No Nickname]

Bobby Manning
@RealBobManning

Haynes: The Boston Celtics are fielding calls on the multitude of quality guards on their roster, sources tell B/R. With Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard all deserving of playing time, Boston is looking to create some position balance, sources say

I really hope they don’t trade White. Brogdon was great off the bench until his injury. Smart and Pritchard should be the players to shop.

I was about to post almost the same.

My top choice to trade is Smart.   I don’t say this lightly. Marcus has seemed like a devoted Celtic from the start and he brings a lot to the table.  I just think it’s a win-win -win:
1. Trade Smart for a roster balancing big
2. Move DW to starting PG slot (unless a top flight floor general is acquired).  An improvement IMO.
3. Open minutes for Pritchard - I think he’s got Eddie House 2008 impact written all over him.  Plus can pass, boards for his size, and no let-up in his game.

As much as Smart frustrates me, he bleeds Celtic Green.  I mean what other guy in the league would dye his hair his team's color?  Especially an ugly green?

That guy LOVES being a Celtic.  That's not a reason to keep him, but it does factor into my thinking.  You'd lose a KEY piece of the Celtic's culture if he leaves via trade.

[Who]

what are our thoughts on Grant Williams? I know the consensus is we probably will not keep him (unless his value is down). and he didn't play much in the playoffs.

But, he was a huge factor in us coming back against Miami. and IMO our two biggest rivals in the east are still Milwaukee/Philly. and he is very good against Giannis. I would hate to move away from him and look more towards beating a team like Miami (who may just go back to what they were last year barring any improvements).  and look past the more talented teams that probably will be there again.

He is  a smart player with a good basketball IQ,  he has worked hard on his three point and body, this turned his career around.    He is small and not very athletic but uses strength and basketball IQ.   One of the few guys we have to lean on guys to fatigue them who an hold their ground.   He is a three point sniper, poor rebounder for his physical assets.  He complains about the refs too much.  He can't play the five despite what folks say at least not play it well.   

I think he is replaceable.  Hauser can shoot but not do all the other little things.   But signing a back up PF with some more size would take the sting out of losing him real quick, see Naz Reed.   Seems like a good team mate.

I hated him his first two years as he was too heavy to play well and not athletic to play small.    He has always been smart, and high IQ.   He has made a player out of himself.

Grant's greatest attribute is he's one of the few guys who could play even passable defense against Giannis.

Semi Ojeleye was on this roster for that sole purpose.  He was beefy enough, with quick feet, that he could at least stay between Giannis and the basket 60% of the time.

He could even occasionally draw an offensive foul.  That's what Grant can do.

But since we didn't play the Bucks, we didn't get to see Grant's greatest attribute this postseason.

If we trade Grant, who covers Giannis in an ECF next year?  Can Isaiah Stewart do that?

I'd still love to bring Semi back. I thought he was a brilliant 3rd stringer. His man defense at PF/SF was impressive. Great deep reserve to be able to turn to against top PFs like Giannis.

[feckless]

We would not have lost to Miami with a healthy Brogdan.  He is a leader on this team, in the locker room, with the 2nd unit, and finishing games.  Keep Brogdan and trade the inconsistent and often not smart Smart.

[Vermont Green]

We would not have lost to Miami with a healthy Brogdan.  He is a leader on this team, in the locker room, with the 2nd unit, and finishing games.  Keep Brogdan and trade the inconsistent and often not smart Smart.

I agree that losing Brogdon was an impact in the MIA series.  I think we still should have been able to beat them though.  And if losing Brogdon was an impact, losing Smart would have been an even bigger impact, in my opinion.  If Brogdon is a leader on the second unit, Smart is a leader on the first unit, and certainly at least as much of a leader in the locker room.

I think it is a good idea to trade one of Smart, White, and Brogdon if it results in better roster balance.  They are all good players, I just see Brogdon and the least important of the three.

[Neurotic Guy]

We would not have lost to Miami with a healthy Brogdan.  He is a leader on this team, in the locker room, with the 2nd unit, and finishing games.  Keep Brogdan and trade the inconsistent and often not smart Smart.

I agree that losing Brogdon was an impact in the MIA series.  I think we still should have been able to beat them though.  And if losing Brogdon was an impact, losing Smart would have been an even bigger impact, in my opinion.  If Brogdon is a leader on the second unit, Smart is a leader on the first unit, and certainly at least as much of a leader in the locker room.

I think it is a good idea to trade one of Smart, White, and Brogdon if it results in better roster balance.  They are all good players, I just see Brogdon and the least important of the three.

It's definitely a good debate as all 3 bring a lot to the table.  I've been on the DW train for a while as my preferred starter at the '1' over Smart.  I think DW is a smarter player, more consistent, better long-range shooter, and less likely to fall into the end of game sloppy, mindless mode that drives most of us here crazy.  As much as I like Smart and love when he's playing his DPOY-level defense, I find his shot selection maddening at times and he gets caught up in the 'scoring leader' role and gets tricky/fancy (sloppy) passing the ball - often when up double-digits.   As much as I want Smart's D on the court at the end of games, I want a smarter, steadier offensive facilitator - and I think DW will be better in that role in end-of-game and solid-lead contexts.   

Brogdon spent the better part of the year as a wildly consistent contributor coming off the bench. It was great... a luxury... knowing he was there to sustain/extend leads or to change the flow of a game if things weren't heading in the right direction.  The downside - we all know he is as fragile as Rob (well, close) and having him and Rob in the top 6 is risky.  Smart is a high value guy on a good contract who can bring back a player who can balance the roster -- with the bonus of opening the '1' for Derrick White.   

Depending on the return I guess I'm OK with any of the 3 going -- but as of now I prefer keeping DW and MB.

[JSD]

The perfect offseason to me:

- Resign Jaylen Brown to the max extension.
- Sign Justice Winslow full MLE (2 years)
- Sign and trade Grant Williams, Pritchard, Muscala, Kornet, Hauser and Champagnie to the Bulls for Vuc OR Kings for Barnes (S&T $20 Mill X 4 years)
- Fill the bench out with good locker room veterans.

Vuc
Tatum
Brown
White
Smart

Brogdon
Winslow
Horford
TL
Gallo
JD
Rivers
Smith Jr
TJ Warren
Wes Mathews
#35 pick

[Who]

- Sign Justice Winslow full MLE (2 years)

Winslow has played only 29 games, 48 games, 26 games and 11 games in each of his last 4 seasons.

Not an MLE player. A minimum contract guy and I am not even sure he is worth risking a roster spot on given how injury prone he is.

I had the same idea (Winslow) albeit on a minimum deal rather than the MLE but I was scared off of Winslow after seeing how many games he has missed in recent seasons. It is a pity. His physical defense and rebounding would be a nice addition to our bench corps on the wing.

[JSD]

- Sign Justice Winslow full MLE (2 years)

Winslow has played only 29 games, 48 games, 26 games and 11 games in each of his last 4 seasons.

Not an MLE player. A minimum contract guy and I am not even sure he is worth risking a roster spot on given how injury prone he is.

I had the same idea (Winslow) albeit on a minimum deal rather than the MLE but I was scared off of Winslow after seeing how many games he has missed in recent seasons. It is a pity. His physical defense and rebounding would be a nice addition to our bench corps on the wing.

Full MLE will outbid everyone. If he can stay healthy he’s the absolute best wing the Celtics could realistically add to this team. 1 or 2 years at MLE money is not going to break the bank, particularly if we can address our need for a big through trade.

[Celtics4ever]

- Sign Justice Winslow full MLE (2 years)

Talk about undercutting the legitimacy of your statement.

[Phantom255x]

How about Jaylen + Pritchard for LaMelo + Hayward

Charlotte dumps Hayward, gets back Jaylen, will add with the #2 pick as well to that core. C's get a legit PG, and you can offload 1 of Smart/Brogdon somewhere else to acquire a big man to help Horford/Timelord.