We'll know the fate of Giddens today...

[Bankshot]

I don't understand why people are so desperate to get rid of Tony. He's like the 12th man on the team right now.  We have Marquis now so Tony is just an extra body and not worth much in a trade. 

[Mr October]

I don't understand why people are so desperate to get rid of Tony. He's like the 12th man on the team right now.  We have Marquis now so Tony is just an extra body and not worth much in a trade. 

Folks are just hoping his expiring contract (perhaps packaged with another expiring) will yield a solid role player in a mid season fire sale.

Other than that, he's our 12th man / wing insurance for the rest of the season.

[Jon]

I don't understand why people are so desperate to get rid of Tony. He's like the 12th man on the team right now.  We have Marquis now so Tony is just an extra body and not worth much in a trade. 

I agree.  All this talk of trading TA, Giddens, or anyone else on the end of the bench is fairly insignificant.  Who would we get for someone like one of them besides another 11th or 12th man?  If that's the case, is it really worth trading a player who isn't likely to get off the bench, but at least knows the system, for a player who is equally unlikely to get off the bench but doesn't know the system?  It's not exactly like teams are offering All Stars for either player.  

[wdleehi]

I don't understand why people are so desperate to get rid of Tony. He's like the 12th man on the team right now.  We have Marquis now so Tony is just an extra body and not worth much in a trade. 

Folks are just hoping his expiring contract (perhaps packaged with another expiring) will yield a solid role player in a mid season fire sale.

Other than that, he's our 12th man / wing insurance for the rest of the season.

His contract situation is worth more in the NBA right now then what he can provide the Celtics on the floor. 

Packaging him with Scali and JR gives the Celtics a chance to bring back a more usefull and better fitting replacement or PG. 

(though I want Scali in Boston.  Hope for a buyout and a resign)

[greenwise]

Come on. Powe got a minimum deal because he got hurt. I think he would've gotten $12/4 yrs if he did not suffer that injury. Powe is one of those guys that shows up on all of those efficiency/rebounding advanced statistics.

I think it's funny that we're calling a guy mediocre at drafting when he got Rajon Rondo and Al Jefferson OUT OF THE LOTTERY. Below 13!!! And a starting center at 27??? A guy that defends Dwight Howard just as well as anyone out there?! Just crazy. I just watched Howard dominate the Raptors big men the other day and it makes you realize how valuable Perk is.

Ainge is a great drafter. I don't know if there are any better out there. I'm unclear as to who was drafting for SA earlier in this decade (Buford or Pop), but Ginobili and Parker were incredible. The Warriors also plucked out Ellis, Biedrins and Arenas, but they've busted pretty bad on the higher picks.

TP

[Roy Hobbs]

By the way, it's official:

J.R. Giddens is one of two players from his draft class to have his contract option declined

The other player is Joe Alexander, who has struggled with some injuries and slower than expected development.

[wdleehi]

By the way, it's official:

J.R. Giddens is one of two players from his draft class to have his contract option declined

The other player is Joe Alexander, who has struggled with some injuries and slower than expected development.

Now starts the "trade for Joe Alexander" ideas.

[Fan from VT]

By the way, it's official:

J.R. Giddens is one of two players from his draft class to have his contract option declined

The other player is Joe Alexander, who has struggled with some injuries and slower than expected development.

Now starts the "trade for Joe Alexander" ideas.

rather have him than giddens

[Cman]

By the way, it's official:

J.R. Giddens is one of two players from his draft class to have his contract option declined

The other player is Joe Alexander, who has struggled with some injuries and slower than expected development.

Now starts the "trade for Joe Alexander" ideas.

Tony Allen for Joe Alexander.

[Chris]

By the way, it's official:

J.R. Giddens is one of two players from his draft class to have his contract option declined

The other player is Joe Alexander, who has struggled with some injuries and slower than expected development.

Now starts the "trade for Joe Alexander" ideas.

Honestly, I kind of like Alexander.  I think he is lost on a team that really needed more out of him than he could give, but he actually has a nice skillset for a role player.  He is a good shooter, a tremendous athlete, and has some decent offensive moves.  I am not sure if he can defend at all, and I am not sure of his handle, but I think he could be a classic "late bloomer"...particularly if he gets put on a team where he can play as a quick PF, rather than an underskilled SF.

[Jon]

Come on. Powe got a minimum deal because he got hurt. I think he would've gotten $12/4 yrs if he did not suffer that injury. Powe is one of those guys that shows up on all of those efficiency/rebounding advanced statistics.

I think it's funny that we're calling a guy mediocre at drafting when he got Rajon Rondo and Al Jefferson OUT OF THE LOTTERY. Below 13!!! And a starting center at 27??? A guy that defends Dwight Howard just as well as anyone out there?! Just crazy. I just watched Howard dominate the Raptors big men the other day and it makes you realize how valuable Perk is.

Ainge is a great drafter. I don't know if there are any better out there. I'm unclear as to who was drafting for SA earlier in this decade (Buford or Pop), but Ginobili and Parker were incredible. The Warriors also plucked out Ellis, Biedrins and Arenas, but they've busted pretty bad on the higher picks.

TP

I agree that the drafting of Rondo, Big Al, and Perk was very impressive.  However, like all great drafters (including Red), he did get lucky.  I mean he did want Robert Swift and settled on Big Al.

As for guys like Gomes, Powe, and Baby, I'm not sure I'd call it great drafting as much as settling for role playes.  I think there's probably 5-10 other GMs out there who thought those three would be as good as they are today.  However, I think those 5-10 GMs also realized that you can get players like them on the FA market and decided to role the dice on someone with potential and hoped to get lucky.  It's certainly worked out nicely for Ainge since this team has been more in need of role players or superstars.  However, it takes no more than looking at Minnesota to see that while Ryan Gomes is a nice player, he's certainly not a difference-maker. 

What does it all mean?  It means I expect Danny to continue to draft guys like Hudson in upcoming drafts because he has the luxury of saying that the team doesn't need a difference-maker.  However, I don't totally blame teams for passing on low-risk, low-reward players: they aren't going to make a difference on a 20-60 team. 

[Roy Hobbs]

As for guys like Gomes, Powe, and Baby, I'm not sure I'd call it great drafting as much as settling for role playes.  I think there's probably 5-10 other GMs out there who thought those three would be as good as they are today.  However, I think those 5-10 GMs also realized that you can get players like them on the FA market and decided to role the dice on someone with potential and hoped to get lucky. 

I disagree completely.  I think that any GM in the league would *love* to have a solid role player, cost controlled for two or three seasons.  Any guy who can step into your rotation and give you solid production on a minimum contract is a player that GMs covet.

[Fafnir]

As for guys like Gomes, Powe, and Baby, I'm not sure I'd call it great drafting as much as settling for role playes.  I think there's probably 5-10 other GMs out there who thought those three would be as good as they are today.  However, I think those 5-10 GMs also realized that you can get players like them on the FA market and decided to role the dice on someone with potential and hoped to get lucky. 

I disagree completely.  I think that any GM in the league would *love* to have a solid role player, cost controlled for two or three seasons.  Any guy who can step into your rotation and give you solid production on a minimum contract is a player that GMs covet.

Yup, because more often than not you're paying someone on your roster far too much for his production. Or if you're a contender most of your salary goes to your top two/three players.

The C's luckily currently have Rondo/Perk out performing their contracts. That balances out the deals of KG/Paul/Ray.

[Fan from VT]

As for guys like Gomes, Powe, and Baby, I'm not sure I'd call it great drafting as much as settling for role playes.  I think there's probably 5-10 other GMs out there who thought those three would be as good as they are today.  However, I think those 5-10 GMs also realized that you can get players like them on the FA market and decided to role the dice on someone with potential and hoped to get lucky. 

I disagree completely.  I think that any GM in the league would *love* to have a solid role player, cost controlled for two or three seasons.  Any guy who can step into your rotation and give you solid production on a minimum contract is a player that GMs covet.

Yup, because more often than not you're paying someone on your roster far too much for his production. Or if you're a contender most of your salary goes to your top two/three players.

The C's luckily currently have Rondo/Perk out performing their contracts. That balances out the deals of KG/Paul/Ray.

I think it was Hollinger that made this point about Dejuan Blair. That he'd be as good (or cheaper) than any FA power forward and most rookies beyond 25 don't work out at all, and players are not with teams that long anyway, so who cares if your very productive rookie has his knee give out after 4 years.

[Fan from VT]

By the way, it's official:

J.R. Giddens is one of two players from his draft class to have his contract option declined

The other player is Joe Alexander, who has struggled with some injuries and slower than expected development.

Now starts the "trade for Joe Alexander" ideas.

Honestly, I kind of like Alexander.  I think he is lost on a team that really needed more out of him than he could give, but he actually has a nice skillset for a role player.  He is a good shooter, a tremendous athlete, and has some decent offensive moves.  I am not sure if he can defend at all, and I am not sure of his handle, but I think he could be a classic "late bloomer"...particularly if he gets put on a team where he can play as a quick PF, rather than an underskilled SF.

I think he's only been playing basketball for 3 years now.