Assuming the C's get a quality Big

[Brendan]

Via the MLE, LLE, or vet min (let's say McDyess or Rasheed) - how about this trade to add some depth at the center spot.

It would save Memphis a million or so, more if Scal or Tony took a buyout (or they don't pickup Pruitt's contract.) And Darko could be useful for extra size off the bench. Since he'd be the fourth or fifth big man, and his roll would be just to bang with a guy like Howard or Shaq, or put a hand up on Big Z or Yao, I think he'd fill that roll okay. They could resign Powe as the depth at PF - and that would give more minutes early to see how good he can be. A 13 PER isn't great, but its okay from your 10th or 11th guy off the bench. At 23 and with a most comparable at age to Jermaine O'Neal - I think he still could be a late bloomer.

Anyways this is just a tactical move to fill out the roster more efficiently, not a big strategic change.

[LarBrd33]

Darko probably isn't realistic.  He's an expiring contract as well.  The kind of players we should be looking at are guys like Kaman who may or may not be in his team's long term plans.  He's making 10-12 mil for the next 3 years and they may not want to hang on to him while they still have to pay Baron Davis and Zach Randolph.  I really don't see why the Clippers wouldn't take a collection of expiring contracts for him.

[Brendan]

Darko is a marginal talent, Kaman is still considered solid. I think the LAC can get more for Kaman then Scal and Tony.

Both Scal and TA could be re-traded by Memphis or bought out, in either case that gives them some flexibility. Then again Chris Wallace is in charge down there so the C's should probably ask for Rudy Gay as a throw in.

[crownsy]

Darko is a marginal talent, Kaman is still considered solid. I think the LAC can get more for Kaman then Scal and Tony.

Both Scal and TA could be re-traded by Memphis or bought out, in either case that gives them some flexibility. Then again Chris Wallace is in charge down there so the C's should probably ask for Rudy Gay as a throw in.

any good jab at wallace gets a TP from me 

[Who]

I think the Celtics may be able to get away with that trade if they added some cash considerations. I'd definitely consider this trade a possibility.

Especially if the Grizzlies draft Thabeet, because in that scenario Darko is simply in the way.

I'd be very happy with that type of trade. I think Darko would blossom in an environment like this. I also think Perkins and Clifford Ray would be an excellent example for him, Perk is exactly the type of player whom Darko should be imitating.

[Brendan]

Darko is a marginal talent, Kaman is still considered solid. I think the LAC can get more for Kaman then Scal and Tony.

Both Scal and TA could be re-traded by Memphis or bought out, in either case that gives them some flexibility. Then again Chris Wallace is in charge down there so the C's should probably ask for Rudy Gay as a throw in.

any good jab at wallace gets a TP from me 

I can always use em when I get em.

[indeedproceed]

I want some Gortat in green.

[Brendan]

I think the Celtics may be able to get away with that trade if they added some cash considerations. I'd consider it a possibility.

Especially if the Grizzlies draft Thabeet, because in that scenario Darko is simply in the way.

I'd be very happy with that type of trade. I think Darko would blossom in an environment like this. I also think Perkins and Clifford Ray would be an excellent example for him, Perk is exactly the type of player whom Darko should be imitating.

I could see the C's sweetening with cash and maybe getting a pick too, Memphis uses the cash to buyout Scal and Tony (or pay their salaries and hope to dump them again.) In the end it saves them four million to give up a guy they don't want. (Especially with Gasol and Thabeet.) I can't see them loving the Magic pick either guaranteed money for someone who will be redundant with all their youth. Maybe they swap that pick for our late second rounder.

[twentythree9]

Darko is not a banger and doesn't play defense.  I think we need someone more in the PJ Brown mold - length, clogs the paint, rebounds, is a physical presence and would be an added bonus if he can hit the open 15 footer.

This is why I'm not completely sold on Wallace or McDyess.  Both sort of qualify, but I think Wallace is a head case and I'm not too high on McDyess' defense.

[nickagneta]

I like the trade. Dumping Scal and Tony and adding a shot blocking bench presence that can rebound would be okay by me.

[Brendan]

Darko is not a banger and doesn't play defense.  I think we need someone more in the PJ Brown mold - length, clogs the paint, rebounds, is a physical presence and would be an added bonus if he can hit the open 15 footer.

This is why I'm not completely sold on Wallace or McDyess.  Both sort of qualify, but I think Wallace is a head case and I'm not too high on McDyess' defense.

I'm not looking for someone to fill the role McD or Wallace would - Darko would be to slot in behind the third big man. He'd probably be fourth off the bench until Powe returned (in my scenario), but fifth after Powe comes back.

[Chris]

Darko is not a banger and doesn't play defense.  I think we need someone more in the PJ Brown mold - length, clogs the paint, rebounds, is a physical presence and would be an added bonus if he can hit the open 15 footer.

This is why I'm not completely sold on Wallace or McDyess.  Both sort of qualify, but I think Wallace is a head case and I'm not too high on McDyess' defense.

I'm not looking for someone to fill the role McD or Wallace would - Darko would be to slot in behind the third big man. He'd probably be fourth off the bench until Powe returned (in my scenario), but fifth after Powe comes back.

The money should be spent elsewhere.  The C's can't afford to be paying a 4th or 5th big man that much money, when they have several other holes to fill. 

[cdif911]

I want some Gortat in green.

I like the idea, I just think he's gonna get overpaid

[kenmaine]

Are you guys reading Darko's five year old scouting report, or have you actually watched this stiff play? He sucks.
And McDeyss is old and chose to go to a non-contender when he had his chance to come here.
There are guys like Mikki Moore available for reasonable money because they're just not that good. I really hope that Perk can stay healthy, in which case either Baby or Leon can fill in short-term.
Anyway, with the salary cap, it's not possible to have a great team AND have many really good backups. The C's as constituted still have the best team in the league if KG comes back healthy.

[Brendan]

The money should be spent elsewhere.  The C's can't afford to be paying a 4th or 5th big man that much money, when they have several other holes to fill. 

The difference is its not 7 mill incremental - its more like half that in marginal cost. Your removing the salaries (sunk costs) for Tony Allen and Scal. And beyond that - I don't think the C's are worried about single year payroll as much as long term (they would have paid Posey for three years, just not 5, they paid money to buy a draft pick, etc.)

Unless there is another (reasonable) trade possibility for Scal and Tony Allen - but I don't think you'll get much more value for those guys. I'm willing to listen. And backup Center (even if he's not first big man off the bench) is still important spot, and for all the Darko hate, he's not a bad backup. Consider the backup centers we've had, basically no one who could see the court, except PFs playing out of position.