Trading Ray Allen debate (merged)

[Who]

I think trading Ray will be very difficult.  First of all, the Celtics would have to take back bad contracts, ands there aren't nearly as many bad contracts in the league as there used to be.

I would look at Charlotte, which does have a number of bad contracts, which is one reason why Bob Johnson is desperate to sell the team.

If the Bobcats took Ray Allen's expiring deal for Boris Diaw and filler, the team would be more salable. The filler I would want is Raja Bell and the always injured Scott May.  I would waive May.

I want no part of Vlad Rad or Nazr Mohammed, and I doubt if the Bobcats would part with Diop (but you never know).

I'd need to see a second high level role player along with Diaw to deem it a worthwhile trade. Maybe Raja Bell is that player.

Still, while I like the idea of Diaw at small forward, it does seems like a large risk to me. He's been most comfortable in his career as a big when he can use his quickness in a spread out offense. I think he can be successful as a three, but I don't think it's a certainty. I'm not sure I'd trade Ray with doubts like that in my mind ... it could cost Championships.

Yeah, I'd probably be against the trade. But it was an interesting idea.

[vagrantwade]

Ray Allen trade threads are easily my least favorite thing about the Celtics fan base.

[thedawg]

The owners of Celtics are definitely asking Ainge to cut down the salaries next season and there is no way in hell he can do that with any other on our roster than Ray Allen.  It is a fact!

[CoachBo]

There isn't any evidence to suggest this.

But given the disaster that was last summer, it would not surprise me in the slightest.

[Fafnir]

The owners of Celtics are definitely asking Ainge to cut down the salaries next season and there is no way in hell he can do that with any other on our roster than Ray Allen.  It is a fact!

Care to cite any evidence of this fact? Just because we won't resign BBD at any price doesn't mean are payroll will end up dropping this year.

[celty86]

Trading Ray does not help payroll go down. Dollars in any trade have to come very close to matching. Trading Ray in theory only helps by adding multiple players with talent (and salary)to help add to our team depth. But trading Ray's individual talent may be a greater loss than any depth additions from the trade. That is Ainge's dilemma in contemplating this trade.

[dlpin]

The owners of Celtics are definitely asking Ainge to cut down the salaries next season and there is no way in hell he can do that with any other on our roster than Ray Allen.  It is a fact!

And how does trading an expiring contract cut salaries? Boston would need to get back about the same amount in contracts, which would in all likelihood be for more than just one season.

[Discoflux]

You guys are insane.  Until Ray Allen stops burying game winning 3 pointers off a running screen, trading him should be the last thing on your minds.

[Chris]

You guys are insane.  Until Ray Allen stops burying game winning 3 pointers off a running screen, trading him should be the last thing on your minds.

Fair enough, but I ask you this...if I am not coming up with ridiculous trade ideas for Ray Allen, can you please tell me how else I should be spending my time at work??

[BballTim]

You guys are insane.  Until Ray Allen stops burying game winning 3 pointers off a running screen, trading him should be the last thing on your minds.

  It's not about trading Ray. It's about what we do with three aging superstars who are about to enter the final year of their contract over the next three years. Do we re-sign them? Do we try and trade their contracts to reload on the fly?

[krish]

Celtics lost in playoffs not because of Ray allen's performance. It was because of poor bench and inconsistent performance from other starters as well. Ray made several clutch shots during the season and against bulls. He won celtics several games. He is well needed in Boston for next season. His salary can be adjusted after his current contract expires.
I want to see him retired here in Boston.

[wdleehi]

Celtics lost in playoffs not because of Ray allen's performance. It was because of poor bench and inconsistent performance from other starters as well. Ray made several clutch shots during the season and against bulls. He won celtics several games. He is well needed in Boston for next season. His salary can be adjusted after his current contract expires.
I want to see him retired here in Boston.

Outside of Pierce (who has been a Celtics his entire career) I can care less where these players retire. 


Players are goods.  The Celtics need to get the most out of these good either on the court or in trades. 

So, if a trade for Ray comes up that makes the Celtics better, pull the trigger.

[jambr380]

If we keep Ray, I'll be satisfied and think it is our best chance at a championship THIS season...that being said, I tend to think that Ainge HAS to trade Allen for a younger player in order for this team to not totally fall off a cliff in a couple of years. The salary cap situation has been well discussed and I would rather continue to spend the same amount on [quality] players, rather than simply just cutting our payroll, since wouldn't be able to sign any new FAs anyway.

If we keep Ray and sign him for 8 mill a year after that and Rondo basically takes the remainder of that money, that will be fine- I just don't think there will be any possibility of us being better than we are now...

I figure if Ainge isn't exploring every trade possibility [to make this team better], he isn't doing his job...

[MattG12]

I just posted this in another thread... but this thread may be more appropriate. By the way is the first and most likely last time I will ever try a trade post because I simply don't like speculation.

What if it was Ray for the second pick, which we use to get Thabeet... and then we sign Ben Gordon with the MLE. Then we don't need Sheed or Zaza or McDyess or anybody like that...

[bostonftw]

Ray Allen for a pick to get thabeet = downgrade. This teams focus is maximizing the chances of getting 18 while the 3 can still run that it was mentioned before that they don't mind paying the luxury tax. So unless it's going to be a huge upgrade, no one in the starting 5 is going to be touch. Sure, they're on the block but unless its going to be an improve, its a no.

Allen plays team, Gordon plays one on one game. I'd take ubuntu over "It's me time" any day.

This team needs a back up big guy, and a consistent production from the bench. That could be achieved without disturbing much of the teams chemistry.