Rumor (source unlisted): Celtics might acquire Steven Hunter

[cdif911]

the only thing Hunter has on Powe is size. Hunter is nearly 7 feet. Powe is maybe 6'8 on a good day. As they say, you can't teach size, and Hunter has that.

Would I rather have Powe?  Absolutely.  I would be willing to part with BBD, Pruitt and Scal though, that'd make sense

[sully00]

It is more than size and per minute production because they are not comparable players.  Part of the reason Powe's per minute is so good is that you have to get him out of the game in certain matchups most of them traditional, he is not a player that could start for most teams in the NBA even at PF because of his size.

Hunter is a 7' who has put up comparable numbers offensively to this team's current starting center.  Something this team currently does not have.  I don't think he is great or even good but I think he might be the best available option if Perk can't go.

As for Leon Powe I think he is a nice story and a guy who plays hard but is extremely overrated by the fans of this team.  He is talked about as if he was this team's 6th man and not a guy essentially yanked from the playoff rotation.

When things like this come up I try and look at why they would or wouldn't do it.  I am not sold that Leon is poised for the expanded role some are expecting.  If they feel he is a top 8 rotation player then you are right they probably wouldn't consider it.  But if they view him as having the same part time role he had last season then he becomes expendable.

[Brickowski]

Stephen Hunter is terrible.  If there is any truth to this rumor, what it really means is that Perkins' shoulder still isn't right and Ainge is scrambling for a replacement with some experience.

[Roy Hobbs]

Hunter is a 7' who has put up comparable numbers offensively to this team's current starting center.

But his defense is nowhere near Perk's. 

Saying that he matched Perk's production offensively isn't than impressive. Perk without the defense is not a very good player.

[guava_wrench]

It is more than size and per minute production because they are not comparable players.  Part of the reason Powe's per minute is so good is that you have to get him out of the game in certain matchups most of them traditional, he is not a player that could start for most teams in the NBA even at PF because of his size.

Hunter is a 7' who has put up comparable numbers offensively to this team's current starting center.  Something this team currently does not have.  I don't think he is great or even good but I think he might be the best available option if Perk can't go.

As for Leon Powe I think he is a nice story and a guy who plays hard but is extremely overrated by the fans of this team.  He is talked about as if he was this team's 6th man and not a guy essentially yanked from the playoff rotation.

When things like this come up I try and look at why they would or wouldn't do it.  I am not sold that Leon is poised for the expanded role some are expecting.  If they feel he is a top 8 rotation player then you are right they probably wouldn't consider it.  But if they view him as having the same part time role he had last season then he becomes expendable.

The key point in your post is "if Perk can't go". With Perk's shoulder history, we need a serviceable backup for emergencies, which we don't yet have.

[cordobes]

Hunter is a 7' who has put up comparable numbers offensively to this team's current starting center.

But his defense is nowhere near Perk's. 

Saying that he matched Perk's production offensively isn't than impressive. Perk without the defense is not a very good player.

Ditto.

I can't honestly say I remember Hunter playing dressed in a Denver jersey, but I assume he's pretty much the same player he was in Philly. So, his main positives are:
- he's a better player than POB
- he's fast for a guy of his height, hustles and doesn't make many mistakes.

Offensively, he's as good as Perkins. Perhaps more fluid and explosive, but less though. Both of them are clearly bellow average.

Defensively, he's not even close to Perks. Lacks the footwork or the strength to defend the post. Not very clever. He's a better shot blocker, but that's all. 

So, I guess I wouldn't mind to trade Scal and Pruit for him, as long as we don't need Brian as a security to play the 3/4 (I'm not certain about this though).

Powe, although IMO grossly overrated by the Celtics fanbase (he can score in the low post when facing lesser defenders and rebound, but he's very inconsistent; besides that, he only offers hustling and he brings the effort every night - something that shall not be overlooked; he's mediocre doing everything else), is a much more valuable player than Hunter. Makes no sense to trade him for a lesser player who we don't need that much.

As someone as said before, BBD is a better post defender than Hunter - he's got the size to hold position and has very quick feet that allow him to show off and fight screens. Hunter can't.

And what we need, at least for the playoffs, is someone like PJ.

[acieEarl]

Little off topic but

If Maglore could get his head out of his ass and want to play he'd be a great pickup. I've heard the last two teams he was on he just didn't care.

Maybe if he was surrounded by Garnett and the other he would conform? He was an All-Star Center and isn't that old.

[Roy Hobbs]

^ Magloire signed with Miami.

If the Celtics had really been desperate for a center of Hunter's skill set because they were worried about Perk, they would have signed Brian Skinner to a minimum salary deal.  They're not going to trade Pruitt and Powe, when they could have had an equal player for nothing but cash.

[cordobes]

^ Magloire signed with Miami.

If the Celtics had really been desperate for a center of Hunter's skill set because they were worried about Perk, they would have signed Brian Skinner to a minimum salary deal.  They're not going to trade Pruitt and Powe, when they could have had an equal player for nothing but cash.

Maybe not. If the team sees Pruitt and Scal as expendable (and if Sam and Miles sign for the season, they probably are), trading would be a better move, on budgetary terms, than signing a new guy.

Magloire is far worse than Hunter, in my opinion.

[Roy Hobbs]

^ Magloire signed with Miami.

If the Celtics had really been desperate for a center of Hunter's skill set because they were worried about Perk, they would have signed Brian Skinner to a minimum salary deal.  They're not going to trade Pruitt and Powe, when they could have had an equal player for nothing but cash.

Maybe not. If the team sees Pruitt and Scal as expendable (and if Sam and Miles sign for the season, they probably are), trading would be a better move, on budgetary terms, than signing a new guy.

Eh...  Skinner would have cost about $1.5 million (when taking into account both the luxury tax and the league subsidy).  If the team had traded Pruitt to another team for a conditional second rounder, they would be in the exact same economic position they are now (after doubling Pruitt's salary under the tax), without having to entertain the silly idea of trading Powe.

It's simply a nonsensical proposition, and it won't happen.  Danny isn't going to give up a legit asset for a poor player, the equivalent of whom he could have had for less.

Magloire is far worse than Hunter, in my opinion.

I agree with that, or, more accurately, I don't disagree.  Magloire is terrible at this stage. 

[BballTim]

^ Magloire signed with Miami.

If the Celtics had really been desperate for a center of Hunter's skill set because they were worried about Perk, they would have signed Brian Skinner to a minimum salary deal.  They're not going to trade Pruitt and Powe, when they could have had an equal player for nothing but cash.

  Not saying they're doing this deal, but maybe they're just interested in a little height off the bench. At this point in time is Skinner really much of an upgrade over BBD?

  I don't see why they'd trade Powe in the deal, but Scal and Pruitt for Hunter makes sense if Denver's looking to get rid of Hunter. Both of them are buried on the bench if we sign Cassell (ugh) and keep Miles.

[nickagneta]

After reading through this entire thread and reading all the rumors and possibilities and the back and forth, I just can't believe anyone hasn't just suggested that rather than doing all this foolishness for a player the caliber of Hunter or if they were to sign some stiff that is still available, why don't they just play BBD at the 5 spot exclusively.

He's definitely wide enough and strong enough to play against centers throughout the league and although he will be giving up height, hopefully with his lower body strength he can move the opposing centers out of their comfort spots and negate the height advantage.

I just don't see where anyone who might be available would be able to do that much better of a job than Davis. As long as Davis isn't in there with Powe a lot I think he would get a lot better overall results than Hunter, Skinner, Magliore or players of that caliber would provide.

[Mr October]

After reading through this entire thread and reading all the rumors and possibilities and the back and forth, I just can't believe anyone hasn't just suggested that rather than doing all this foolishness for a player the caliber of Hunter or if they were to sign some stiff that is still available, why don't they just play BBD at the 5 spot exclusively.

He's definitely wide enough and strong enough to play against centers throughout the league and although he will be giving up height, hopefully with his lower body strength he can move the opposing centers out of their comfort spots and negate the height advantage.

I just don't see where anyone who might be available would be able to do that much better of a job than Davis. As long as Davis isn't in there with Powe a lot I think he would get a lot better overall results than Hunter, Skinner, Magliore or players of that caliber would provide.

It would be really nice if the C's had a shot blocker off the bench. Giving Davis some burn at the 5 in small doses sounds good. Especially if KG is also on the floor.

I hope POB pans out. If he doesn't, then the C's are left with only 2 players that stand 6-10 or taller in the rotation.

[JBcat]

After reading through this entire thread and reading all the rumors and possibilities and the back and forth, I just can't believe anyone hasn't just suggested that rather than doing all this foolishness for a player the caliber of Hunter or if they were to sign some stiff that is still available, why don't they just play BBD at the 5 spot exclusively.

He's definitely wide enough and strong enough to play against centers throughout the league and although he will be giving up height, hopefully with his lower body strength he can move the opposing centers out of their comfort spots and negate the height advantage.

I just don't see where anyone who might be available would be able to do that much better of a job than Davis. As long as Davis isn't in there with Powe a lot I think he would get a lot better overall results than Hunter, Skinner, Magliore or players of that caliber would provide.

I agree Nick and if the Celtics are still concerned with height or lack thereof I should say with their bigs then the PO signing was a very bad one taking up a roster spot then going on to consider a 3 for 1 deal for a subpar center.  It doesn't make much sense.  PO is the guy they are hoping will develop if they need to go to a big with some real length.  At least for now during the beginning of the season.  If they don't have any faith in PO at this moment they would have been better of not signing him, then sign someone like Brian Skinner, and wouldn't have to consider a 3 for 1 deal losing Powe and gaining a less than average center or average at best.   

Someone mentioned before the salary implications with Powe and BBD both being free agents next offseason and not wanting to possibly re-sign at least one of them or both for money. Well if the Celtics were willing to go as far as 3 years for the full mle with Posey the salary implications would be similar if we offered say Powe a 2 year 6 mil deal and BBD 2 year 4 mil deal next offseason.  I don't see why we couldn't do that and still be in the trade market for a star with possibly Ray's expiring deal and some of our young talent. 

[TradeProposalDude]

Not totally unrelated to this rumor... but he called me twenty minutes ago... stating that Scalabrine has been a missing act for a while. Maybe he is making something out of nothing, who knows, and we could see him later on... he just hasn't heard anything recently. He says that he thinks he's a goner, perhaps might even be bought out. If not, a trade could be in the works. I actually do think he might be bought out though. The Celtics are very very very impressed with Darius Miles. And there's no way Sam is signing a "non guaranteed contract" unless he knows he is coming back. Danny generally has respect for his vets and their leadership. If Danny didn't want Cassell, he wouldn't have signed him to any contract.