Who Is The Next "Dream Big" Target At The Deadline Or Offseason?

[SHAQATTACK]

As usual this team is always in need of a true center .

Anybody decent will hep fill the gapping wound in the Celtics back line .

[Phantom255x]

I am starting to think Vucevic is the play. Chicago got off to a hot start and was the 1 seed but they've lost 3 straight and are now the 6 seed. Regardless, Vucevic doesn't fit their long term plans and he's a rental this year who can probably be extended at a reasonable rate beyond this year (not a max-level deal). I could see Chicago flipping him at the deadline for some expiring salary + pick(s), which the C's can do.

He has his flaws for sure, but he's still a consistent 17/10+ kind of player and a nice scorer. And despite the age, I think he could absolutely be a nice player to have to help contend for the next 2-3 years AFTER this season.

Vucevic is already 35 years old.

I mean Horford was still very productive for us around those ages. We don't need a young superstar at center necessarily.

[Who]

I am starting to think Vucevic is the play. Chicago got off to a hot start and was the 1 seed but they've lost 3 straight and are now the 6 seed. Regardless, Vucevic doesn't fit their long term plans and he's a rental this year who can probably be extended at a reasonable rate beyond this year (not a max-level deal). I could see Chicago flipping him at the deadline for some expiring salary + pick(s), which the C's can do.

He has his flaws for sure, but he's still a consistent 17/10+ kind of player and a nice scorer. And despite the age, I think he could absolutely be a nice player to have to help contend for the next 2-3 years AFTER this season.

Vucevic is already 35 years old.

I mean Horford was still very productive for us around those ages. We don't need a young superstar at center necessarily.

I have a hard time trusting a center like Vucevic to stay viable into his mid to late 30s. A slow footed plodding center who was dodgy on defense in his prime nevermind as he gets older.

I have an easier time with a guy like Horford who was a plus athlete and a plus defender. Even if he lost some speed, he would still be a solid athlete. That is not Vuce.

That said, in fairness to Vuce, he is showing no signs of decline at 35yo + he has been remarkably healthy for most his career. He is playing very good offensive basketball and passable defensive basketball for the Bulls.

I am mixed. I am still nervous about his age & defense but his performance level & a low asking price makes him interesting.

[Phantom255x]

Kings are gonna sell off pieces at the deadline, and rebuild.

Simons, Pritchard, Hauser + Baylor + 2 future 1st rounders for Sabonis + Keion Ellis?

[Celtics4ever]

Kings are gonna sell off pieces at the deadline, and rebuild.

Simons, Pritchard, Hauser + Baylor + 2 future 1st rounders for Sabonis + Keion Ellis?

That is a big overpay for Sabonis and Ellis. Sabonis can score and rebound but his defense is sketchy.

[slamtheking]

Kings are gonna sell off pieces at the deadline, and rebuild.

Simons, Pritchard, Hauser + Baylor + 2 future 1st rounders for Sabonis + Keion Ellis?

what's the appeal for Sac?  some decent players and likely late first rounders for their top asset? 

[A Future of Stevens]

It's hard for me to get excited about defensively "average" centers. I feel like you have to be so unfathomably good on offense to make up for what you give up on that end.

Edit: I honestly haven't seen a King's game since the last time we played them. If people think Sabonis is much better on that end, sure lets take a whack at him.

[Phantom255x]

Kings are gonna sell off pieces at the deadline, and rebuild.

Simons, Pritchard, Hauser + Baylor + 2 future 1st rounders for Sabonis + Keion Ellis?

what's the appeal for Sac?  some decent players and likely late first rounders for their top asset?

I really don't think SAC is getting a whole lot better in a trade. He's making 44M with 2 years left after this season. Some teams like the Spurs absolutely have more to offer in trades but I don't think a lot of those teams would covet Sabonis if you think of their rosters and needs.

[Neurotic Guy]

Kings are gonna sell off pieces at the deadline, and rebuild.

Simons, Pritchard, Hauser + Baylor + 2 future 1st rounders for Sabonis + Keion Ellis?

what's the appeal for Sac?  some decent players and likely late first rounders for their top asset?

I really don't think SAC is getting a whole lot better in a trade. He's making 44M with 2 years left after this season. Some teams like the Spurs absolutely have more to offer in trades but I don't think a lot of those teams would covet Sabonis if you think of their rosters and needs.

On one hand I love the idea of getting Sabonis without losing JT, JB or White.  On the other hand - wow is that a lot of $$ for three guys (and DW close to 30M).

[Atzar]

Would anybody take a chance on Morant? 

I don't expect many takers on that idea, but IMO that's the kind of profile we need to look for.  Talented enough to make a difference, but red flags that depress his value into the range where we can realistically afford him. 

Zion might fit, but NOP doesn't own their own pick and has no incentive to bottom out right now.  Maybe next year. 

I feel like Sabonis is too well-regarded for us to conceivably win a bidding war.  We'd have to talk about JB imo and I'm not willing to go that far for Sabonis.

[Vermont Green]

Zion might fit,

He is on pace for only 41 games this season after only 30 games last season.

A trade of Simons, Hauser, and Scheierman works on Fanspo.  This would create a roster issue for BOS, but they could work around that.

I am not sure that Zion has any value.  Would NOP want to trade him for scraps like this or would it be better for them just hope he doesn't hit any of his contract guarantee triggers and cut him lose?  Looks like he will keep his weight below 295 lbs, but not so sure he will hit the games played targets.

If healthy and motivated, he would be great.  But I see it as unlikely that NOP would trade him for what BOS would likely offer.  NOP way as well play it out and hope he gets rolling, increasing his trade value.

[Neurotic Guy]

Zion might fit,

He is on pace for only 41 games this season after only 30 games last season.

A trade of Simons, Hauser, and Scheierman works on Fanspo.  This would create a roster issue for BOS, but they could work around that.

I am not sure that Zion has any value.  Would NOP want to trade him for scraps like this or would it be better for them just hope he doesn't hit any of his contract guarantee triggers and cut him lose?  Looks like he will keep his weight below 295 lbs, but not so sure he will hit the games played targets.

If healthy and motivated, he would be great.  But I see it as unlikely that NOP would trade him for what BOS would likely offer.  NOP way as well play it out and hope he gets rolling, increasing his trade value.

Simons and Hauser would work for Zion (or Ja I think). But neither is worth the risk.  OTOH it was risky getting KP - at least in terms of availability.   Zion is a beast; Ja is super talented but both are too risky. Agree with above that Sac would get a better offer for Sabonis unless Cs did the deal with JB. 

Swapping JB and Sabonis probably balances our roster better but I think losing JB is huge.  Not sure Sabonis is worth it. What other pieces could be swapped in that trade? I think JBs salary is about 10M more than DS so we?d need to send something along with JB. 

[Vermont Green]

Simons and Hauser would work for Zion

Not quite per Fanspo.  BOS can't take back more then they send out.  Zion=$39.4M, Simons+Hauser=$37.6M.  Off by about $1.7M, at least that is what Fanspo says.

I agree on the risk.  Zion is looking more and more like the next Ben Simmons every day.  It is tempting in that his salary beyond this season is not guaranteed, but it could be triggered if he plays enough games.  But if he is traded for and then just expires, you lose the cap slot.  BOS could sign someone with the Porzingis exception but that expires right after the season ends.

[Who]

Would anybody take a chance on Morant? 

I don't expect many takers on that idea, but IMO that's the kind of profile we need to look for.  Talented enough to make a difference, but red flags that depress his value into the range where we can realistically afford him. 

I wouldn't.

I am not that concerned about the character concerns / off court issues. I am more concerned that his game has stagnated (if not slightly declined) for the last 4-5 years. He hasn't improved his jump-shot. He hasn't improved his defense.

I don't think he would combine well with Jaylen & Tatum. Because (1) his lack of a jumper (2) he needs the ball in his hands lot which means it is not in Tatum's / Jaylen's hands. As a consequence, a large chunk of his offensive production will come at the expense of others rather than being additive.

[keevsnick]

Would anybody take a chance on Morant? 

I don't expect many takers on that idea, but IMO that's the kind of profile we need to look for.  Talented enough to make a difference, but red flags that depress his value into the range where we can realistically afford him. 

I wouldn't.

I am not that concerned about the character concerns / off court issues. I am more concerned that his game has stagnated (if not slightly declined) for the last 4-5 years. He hasn't improved his jump-shot. He hasn't improved his defense.

I don't think he would combine well with Jaylen & Tatum. Because (1) his lack of a jumper (2) he needs the ball in his hands lot which means it is not in Tatum's / Jaylen's hands. As a consequence, a large chunk of his offensive production will come at the expense of others rather than being additive.

Ya, he's simply not that good a fit for a team that already has two ball dominant wings.