Could the Celtics be broken up if they get bounced in the first round?

[FallGuy]

Really intriguing idea about Boozer. He'd be a nice fit with Rondo.

HIs numbers this year:

19.7 PPG
11.3 RPG
21.64 PER
56.2% eFG
59.9% TS
74.1% FT

He'll be 29 the first month of the 2010-11 season.

Wonder what it would take to sign him...

[Chris]

Moving Garnett to center and bringing in a talented power forward is an interesting line of thought.

That would change the whole dynamic of the team. Add another scoring threat and hopefully improve the team's quickness defensively too.

  Not necessarily a scoring threat, but if you move KG to center, I'd think about Perk for Love. Gives Minny a center to pair with Big Al, and the salaries aren't that far off.

I would do that in a second, but I don't think Minnesota would.  I think they are going to build around Love, and get rid of Jefferson (and no, we do not match up well for him).

I do think moving KG to center is going to have to happen eventually, and next year would be a great time to start.  He just does not have the quickness to dominate at PF anymore, but he would immediately be one of the best Centers in the league.  Put a more athletic PF next to him, and suddenly you have some great running-mates for Rondo.

I think something people need to get out of their heads is that this core is ever going to be a great defensive team again.  Without and Pierce in their prime, it just doesn't work.  They are much better off building around Rondo by becoming a true transition team, putting a couple athletes who can shoot around Rondo, Pierce, and KG (at Center), and you will see a bit of a rejuvenation.  It may not win them a championship, but keeps them relevant while they try to build up assets to truly reload.

[BballTim]

  If you trade Rondo for a frontcourt player and try and win without a decent backcourt you're equally doomed, worse because you've traded your best young player. In fact, next year he'll probably be our best player period. He was for much of this year.

Point guard is not an essential position to win a title. Teams always need a strong frontcourt to do it. I'd have to get knocked over in a Rondo deal, though.

  I didn't say that point guard is essential to winning a title. But how many teams have ever won the title without a backcourt player better than Ray will be when he's a year older? Your title chances don't really increase with a good but not dominant frontcourt and a below average backcourt. The team needs balance, and star players at multiple positions. It doesn't have to be a pg, just like it doesn't have to be a sg, sf, pf or c. None of them are essential, But some of them have to be there.

[CoachBo]

Moving Garnett to center and bringing in a talented power forward is an interesting line of thought.

That would change the whole dynamic of the team. Add another scoring threat and hopefully improve the team's quickness defensively too.

I totally agree with this, especially the idea about moving Garnett to center and using him offensively similar to Cowens - an outside game, etc.

  Not necessarily a scoring threat, but if you move KG to center, I'd think about Perk for Love. Gives Minny a center to pair with Big Al, and the salaries aren't that far off.

I would do that in a second, but I don't think Minnesota would.  I think they are going to build around Love, and get rid of Jefferson (and no, we do not match up well for him).

I do think moving KG to center is going to have to happen eventually, and next year would be a great time to start.  He just does not have the quickness to dominate at PF anymore, but he would immediately be one of the best Centers in the league.  Put a more athletic PF next to him, and suddenly you have some great running-mates for Rondo.

I think something people need to get out of their heads is that this core is ever going to be a great defensive team again.  Without and Pierce in their prime, it just doesn't work.  They are much better off building around Rondo by becoming a true transition team, putting a couple athletes who can shoot around Rondo, Pierce, and KG (at Center), and you will see a bit of a rejuvenation.  It may not win them a championship, but keeps them relevant while they try to build up assets to truly reload.

Totally agree, especially about moving KG to center. I think you use him as a floater at center, a la Cowens, and try to go more up-tempo.

[slamtheking]

I think regardless of what happens, there won't be any changes of substance this offseason.  Danny is pretty much locked into the core of this team through the next 2 years.  Danny only has the MLE and vet min contracts at his disposal to bring in new players.  The odds of him pulling off a substantial trade isn't likely.

• PP isn't going anywhere even though he's coming into his final contract year.  He'll be a Celtic for life.  Danny may have considered trading Parish or Mchale in the 80's but even he knew Bird wasn't going anywhere.  PP is this generation's Bird.
  
• KG's contract is currently an albatross.  It's huge and he's not playing anywhere near the worth of the contract.
• Sheed's a toxic asset.  Although his contract is MLE money only, Sheed's not playing up to the worth of the contract and he's also been a detriment to the team as a whole.
• Ray's a FA but we need to resign him for several reasons: we have no one on the roster to step in for him, he's better than much of what's out there that can afford and we don't need to use the MLE to sign him.
• Rondo is the future of the franchise.  He's not going anywhere.
• BBD is unwanted by any other team.  No one wanted him before he resigned and there'll be no takers for him now since he hasn't progressed this season.
• Perk does have a value deal but it's only for another year and he's worth a big increase after next year.  He's a solid role player that's worth keeping even though his play this year does seem to have regressed a bit as the year has passed.  Earlier in the year I thought he'd command Rondo-type money but no longer.  He could get $8 mill per year in his next deal which is fair for a starting center that plays solid defense.  He is the most likely trade asset but young big men that are solid contributors aren't a dime a dozen so we'd have a significant hole at center if he leaves.

Everyone else is a FA. 

• TA--worth another look at equal pay.  Good 4th wing option.  I don't think he'll get more elsewhere but he may choose to move on in the hopes of more time/play elsewhere to increase his value.
• Scal--finally get to say goodbye for good.  no excuse for bringing him back even at vet min.  I'd much rather take a flyer on a young undrafted prospect that has some potential than see another year of Scal.
• Shelden--worth another look at equal pay.  Good insurance big off the bench.  I think he'll be offered more elsewhere and won't be back.
• Nate--probably gone due to the money he'd command. 
• Finley--worth another look at vet min pay.  Contributed while here.  Wouldn't mind him returning as a 5th wing.
• Daniels--underwhelming this year.  He'll probably get a decent offer elsewhere and I'd let him take it.
• Landry--better luck elsewhere.

Other acquisitions:

• 1 MLE pickup.  Preferably a really good 3rd wing like Travis Outlaw.  Mike Miller wouldn't be a bad pickup either.  Someone worth keeping for 2 years.  If Outlaw is who we get, I'd go that 3rd year to keep him after KG and Sheed expire.  He'd be worth it.
• 1 1st rounder.  Hopefully someone that can contribute a little but definitely need someone that is projected to contribute by year 2.
• 1 2nd rounder.  Hopefully Danny finds gold in the second round yet again.
• 1 or 2 vet min pickups--probably at least a backup PG that can handle the ball, play a little defense without getting creamed and shoot a little from at least 18 feet.
• If Danny can buy another 1st rounder, all the better but that's just pie in the sky optimism.

This team isn't going anywhere next year.  They'll make the playoffs but not contend unless KG and PP make dramatic improvements next year.  I just don't think it will happen as long as Sheed is the first big off the bench. 

[Chris]

Moving Garnett to center and bringing in a talented power forward is an interesting line of thought.

That would change the whole dynamic of the team. Add another scoring threat and hopefully improve the team's quickness defensively too.

I totally agree with this, especially the idea about moving Garnett to center and using him offensively similar to Cowens - an outside game, etc.

  Not necessarily a scoring threat, but if you move KG to center, I'd think about Perk for Love. Gives Minny a center to pair with Big Al, and the salaries aren't that far off.

I would do that in a second, but I don't think Minnesota would.  I think they are going to build around Love, and get rid of Jefferson (and no, we do not match up well for him).

I do think moving KG to center is going to have to happen eventually, and next year would be a great time to start.  He just does not have the quickness to dominate at PF anymore, but he would immediately be one of the best Centers in the league.  Put a more athletic PF next to him, and suddenly you have some great running-mates for Rondo.

I think something people need to get out of their heads is that this core is ever going to be a great defensive team again.  Without and Pierce in their prime, it just doesn't work.  They are much better off building around Rondo by becoming a true transition team, putting a couple athletes who can shoot around Rondo, Pierce, and KG (at Center), and you will see a bit of a rejuvenation.  It may not win them a championship, but keeps them relevant while they try to build up assets to truly reload.

Totally agree, especially about moving KG to center. I think you use him as a floater at center, a la Cowens, and try to go more up-tempo.

Yeah, and offensively, I really see him like an athletic Vlade Divac on the kings.  Run the offense through him in the high and low post, and let him use his passing ability and quickness against slower centers to dominate.

[Witch-King]

• KG's contract is currently an albatross.  It's huge and he's not playing anywhere near the worth of the contract.

...

lol, I thought y'alls were using the term 'albatross' as a compliment to Kevin, sort of like the golf score 'Albatross' (3 under par). However, seeing that new Tiger Wood's commercial has pretty much turned me off of golf, so I can understand if you are still feeling some sort of anxiety about the performance of the Celtics this season.

Think happy thoughts. The Celtics are in the playoffs. Kevin Garnett is healthy and ready. I am a happy man.

[ssspence]

Moving Garnett to center and bringing in a talented power forward is an interesting line of thought.

That would change the whole dynamic of the team. Add another scoring threat and hopefully improve the team's quickness defensively too.

I totally agree with this, especially the idea about moving Garnett to center and using him offensively similar to Cowens - an outside game, etc.

  Not necessarily a scoring threat, but if you move KG to center, I'd think about Perk for Love. Gives Minny a center to pair with Big Al, and the salaries aren't that far off.

I would do that in a second, but I don't think Minnesota would.  I think they are going to build around Love, and get rid of Jefferson (and no, we do not match up well for him).

I do think moving KG to center is going to have to happen eventually, and next year would be a great time to start.  He just does not have the quickness to dominate at PF anymore, but he would immediately be one of the best Centers in the league.  Put a more athletic PF next to him, and suddenly you have some great running-mates for Rondo.

I think something people need to get out of their heads is that this core is ever going to be a great defensive team again.  Without and Pierce in their prime, it just doesn't work.  They are much better off building around Rondo by becoming a true transition team, putting a couple athletes who can shoot around Rondo, Pierce, and KG (at Center), and you will see a bit of a rejuvenation.  It may not win them a championship, but keeps them relevant while they try to build up assets to truly reload.

Totally agree, especially about moving KG to center. I think you use him as a floater at center, a la Cowens, and try to go more up-tempo.

Yeah, and offensively, I really see him like an athletic Vlade Divac on the kings.  Run the offense through him in the high and low post, and let him use his passing ability and quickness against slower centers to dominate.

This was an idea already considered by the Cs before the deadline, when they made a late, hard push for Amare with a package centered around Ray and Perk (i'm told). It should continue to be considered if they can find an effective fit.

A break-up of this team is inevitable assuming anything short of a championship which I think we all now know is not realistic. The problem: at the very latest, it should have been started at this years trading deadline using Ray's expiring contract along with Perk or any other value we could offer.

Since Garnett is not tradable, you'd have to trade Pierce and / or Perk to bring in any real talent along side Rondo. Ray (via sign-and-trade) could bring something minor, but nothing more than a role player. Ditto for Perk.

Is this team prepared to shop Pierce? It could get real ugly if they do and it doesn't go smoothly. Regardless, he would be very difficult to move without taking on a bad contract or two, considering his giant contract.

Let's face it -- the personnel decisions have been pretty ugly over the past 2 years -- both those that have and have not happened.

The lack of signings before the 2009 season; telling Leon to walk before he even had offers from other teams was strange to say the least; the daniels signing hasn't panned out; the robinson trade has been pointless and net-lost us a young scorer with potential making peanuts for the next two seasons; the sheed signing turned out to be the worst of the 2009 NBA offseason and hurts us for two more seasons; the Cs could have and should have traded some of their core at the deadline.

The only clearcut good decision was a no-brainer -- signing Rondo's extension -- and they nearly muffed that one as well. The cuthroat business we've been told the Cs would run in order to remain competitive hasn't happened. The team couldn't wrap it's arms around the closing of the short championship window and feared the loss of revenue on any chances taken in this regard. The fans 'like' the big three, which is good for the bottom line. Again, short-sighted -- we'll be paying for it in wins and losses for quite some time.

How can we rebuild when we don't have anything to rebuild with? Can't play the game when you can't ante anything up.

[Chris]

This was an idea already considered by the Cs before the deadline, when they made a late, hard push for Amare with a package centered around Ray and Perk (i'm told). It should continue to be considered if they can find an effective fit.

A break-up of this team is inevitable assuming anything short of a championship which I think we all now know is not realistic. The problem: at the very latest, it should have been started at this years trading deadline using Ray's expiring contract along with Perk or any other value we could offer.

Since Garnett is not tradable, you'd have to trade Pierce and / or Perk to bring in any real talent along side Rondo. Ray (via sign-and-trade) could bring something minor, but nothing more than a role player. Ditto for Perk.

Is this team prepared to shop Pierce? It could get real ugly if they do and it doesn't go smoothly. Regardless, he would be very difficult to move without taking on a bad contract or two, considering his giant contract.

Let's face it -- the personnel decisions have been pretty ugly over the past 2 years -- both those that have and have not happened.

The lack of signings before the 2009 season; telling Leon to walk before he even had offers from other teams was strange to say the least; the daniels signing hasn't panned out; the robinson trade has been pointless and net-lost us a young scorer with potential making peanuts for the next two seasons; the sheed signing turned out to be the worst of the 2009 NBA offseason and hurts us for two more seasons; the Cs could have and should have traded some of their core at the deadline.

The only clearcut good decision was a no-brainer -- signing Rondo's extension -- and they nearly muffed that one as well. The cuthroat business we've been told the Cs would run in order to remain competitive hasn't happened. The team couldn't wrap it's arms around the closing of the short championship window and feared the loss of revenue on any chances taken in this regard. The fans 'like' the big three, which is good for the bottom line. Again, short-sighted -- we'll be paying for it in wins and losses for quite some time.

How can we rebuild when we don't have anything to rebuild with? Can't play the game when you can't ante anything up.

Like I have said many times, the trade deadline was just the first of many opportunities this team will have to try to reload. 

It all comes down to value.  If they are going to trade quality players, they need to be getting back good value, not other teams garbage.

Based on what went down at the deadline, I do not see many moves they could have realistically made that would have helped this team all that much without either mailing in this season completely, and paying a luxury next season (trying to match the McGrady trade), or taking on bad, longterm salaries.

Danny will have another chance to make a deal this summer, with Ray as a valuable sign and trade asset (he is still one of the top 5-10 SG's in the league, and will likely take fewer years and less money than the younger guys...in a market like this, that could make him very valuable). 

He also has an opportunity to try to gain some more assets to try to package with contracts over the next 2 years.  Remember, over the next two seasons, they will still have Pierce, Perk, KG, and Wallace as expiring contracts. 

[ssspence]

This was an idea already considered by the Cs before the deadline, when they made a late, hard push for Amare with a package centered around Ray and Perk (i'm told). It should continue to be considered if they can find an effective fit.

A break-up of this team is inevitable assuming anything short of a championship which I think we all now know is not realistic. The problem: at the very latest, it should have been started at this years trading deadline using Ray's expiring contract along with Perk or any other value we could offer.

Since Garnett is not tradable, you'd have to trade Pierce and / or Perk to bring in any real talent along side Rondo. Ray (via sign-and-trade) could bring something minor, but nothing more than a role player. Ditto for Perk.

Is this team prepared to shop Pierce? It could get real ugly if they do and it doesn't go smoothly. Regardless, he would be very difficult to move without taking on a bad contract or two, considering his giant contract.

Let's face it -- the personnel decisions have been pretty ugly over the past 2 years -- both those that have and have not happened.

The lack of signings before the 2009 season; telling Leon to walk before he even had offers from other teams was strange to say the least; the daniels signing hasn't panned out; the robinson trade has been pointless and net-lost us a young scorer with potential making peanuts for the next two seasons; the sheed signing turned out to be the worst of the 2009 NBA offseason and hurts us for two more seasons; the Cs could have and should have traded some of their core at the deadline.

The only clearcut good decision was a no-brainer -- signing Rondo's extension -- and they nearly muffed that one as well. The cuthroat business we've been told the Cs would run in order to remain competitive hasn't happened. The team couldn't wrap it's arms around the closing of the short championship window and feared the loss of revenue on any chances taken in this regard. The fans 'like' the big three, which is good for the bottom line. Again, short-sighted -- we'll be paying for it in wins and losses for quite some time.

How can we rebuild when we don't have anything to rebuild with? Can't play the game when you can't ante anything up.

Like I have said many times, the trade deadline was just the first of many opportunities this team will have to try to reload. 

It all comes down to value.  If they are going to trade quality players, they need to be getting back good value, not other teams garbage.

Based on what went down at the deadline, I do not see many moves they could have realistically made that would have helped this team all that much without either mailing in this season completely, and paying a luxury next season (trying to match the McGrady trade), or taking on bad, longterm salaries.

Danny will have another chance to make a deal this summer, with Ray as a valuable sign and trade asset (he is still one of the top 5-10 SG's in the league, and will likely take fewer years and less money than the younger guys...in a market like this, that could make him very valuable). 

He also has an opportunity to try to gain some more assets to try to package with contracts over the next 2 years.  Remember, over the next two seasons, they will still have Pierce, Perk, KG, and Wallace as expiring contracts. 

When you look at the options for Ray -- a competitive team willing to pay him that also has an asset we want and they're willing to give up -- it's a pretty tight list. I'm of the mind that they could have had more value for him this February, but I hear you.

Perk's value decreases as his contract goes on -- he's cheap, and will get more expensive, or go elsewhere.

Pierce would be very hard to trade in season. A guy of that stature in a franchise as historic as the Cs? Big risk for management there.

My point is: the sooner the better. Like the dentist might tell you... this could hurt a little bit now or a lot later.

I bet there were deals the Cs could have done at the deadline which now and in the future would have been smart but they hesitated on do to the mythical window we're trying to keep open. Ugh.

[Chris]

This was an idea already considered by the Cs before the deadline, when they made a late, hard push for Amare with a package centered around Ray and Perk (i'm told). It should continue to be considered if they can find an effective fit.

A break-up of this team is inevitable assuming anything short of a championship which I think we all now know is not realistic. The problem: at the very latest, it should have been started at this years trading deadline using Ray's expiring contract along with Perk or any other value we could offer.

Since Garnett is not tradable, you'd have to trade Pierce and / or Perk to bring in any real talent along side Rondo. Ray (via sign-and-trade) could bring something minor, but nothing more than a role player. Ditto for Perk.

Is this team prepared to shop Pierce? It could get real ugly if they do and it doesn't go smoothly. Regardless, he would be very difficult to move without taking on a bad contract or two, considering his giant contract.

Let's face it -- the personnel decisions have been pretty ugly over the past 2 years -- both those that have and have not happened.

The lack of signings before the 2009 season; telling Leon to walk before he even had offers from other teams was strange to say the least; the daniels signing hasn't panned out; the robinson trade has been pointless and net-lost us a young scorer with potential making peanuts for the next two seasons; the sheed signing turned out to be the worst of the 2009 NBA offseason and hurts us for two more seasons; the Cs could have and should have traded some of their core at the deadline.

The only clearcut good decision was a no-brainer -- signing Rondo's extension -- and they nearly muffed that one as well. The cuthroat business we've been told the Cs would run in order to remain competitive hasn't happened. The team couldn't wrap it's arms around the closing of the short championship window and feared the loss of revenue on any chances taken in this regard. The fans 'like' the big three, which is good for the bottom line. Again, short-sighted -- we'll be paying for it in wins and losses for quite some time.

How can we rebuild when we don't have anything to rebuild with? Can't play the game when you can't ante anything up.

Like I have said many times, the trade deadline was just the first of many opportunities this team will have to try to reload. 

It all comes down to value.  If they are going to trade quality players, they need to be getting back good value, not other teams garbage.

Based on what went down at the deadline, I do not see many moves they could have realistically made that would have helped this team all that much without either mailing in this season completely, and paying a luxury next season (trying to match the McGrady trade), or taking on bad, longterm salaries.

Danny will have another chance to make a deal this summer, with Ray as a valuable sign and trade asset (he is still one of the top 5-10 SG's in the league, and will likely take fewer years and less money than the younger guys...in a market like this, that could make him very valuable). 

He also has an opportunity to try to gain some more assets to try to package with contracts over the next 2 years.  Remember, over the next two seasons, they will still have Pierce, Perk, KG, and Wallace as expiring contracts. 

When you look at the options for Ray -- a competitive team willing to pay him that also has an asset we want and they're willing to give up -- it's a pretty tight list. I'm of the mind that they could have had more value for him this February, but I hear you.

Perk's value decreases as his contract goes on -- he's cheap, and will get more expensive, or go elsewhere.

Pierce would be very hard to trade in season. A guy of that stature in a franchise as historic as the Cs? Big risk for management there.

My point is: the sooner the better. Like the dentist might tell you... this could hurt a little bit now or a lot later.

I bet there were deals the Cs could have done at the deadline which now and in the future would have been smart but they hesitated on do to the mythical window we're trying to keep open. Ugh.

You are right, the value has diminished since the trade deadline.  However, I feel strongly that they are much better off standing pat, particularly with the CBA coming up, than making the wrong move.

I think the only trades that were available at the trade deadline were ones where the C's would have had to take on long-term salary for mediocre players, or were simply bad value for the production you are giving up.

I won't deny that the "window" played a role in it, but only to the point that they were not going to simply "blow it up" just for the sake of it. 

I think there is a strong argument that if the C's could have found a way to pull off the deal the Rockets made for McGrady (and its all speculation, since we don't know if the Knicks would have done it for Ray), it would have set them up better for the future, with the draft picks and Hill (who looks like a nice player).  However, it would have been completely mailing in the rest of this season.  And that is completely unnacceptable, given the amount of money they are paying these guys, and the amount of money fans are paying to see them.  A lot of season ticket holders did not renew, just because this team is struggling a bit...can you imagine if they completely mailed it in.

On the other hand, Danny has shown he has no problem with blowing up a team in the offseason, after a relatively deep playoff run.  Just look at the first Antoine trade.

[RJ87]

Miami, which competes w/D.Howard for a division seat, might trade Beasley and a pick for Perk.  Actually, anyone in that division should be asking about him:  Charlotte, Atlanta...

Oh...Atlanta owns Josh Childress' rights still...and has an undersized Center in Horford...could be looking for a SG if the underappreciated Joe Johnson leaves...  PERK, RAY, AND PICKS FOR JOE JOHNSON (heck, I'd throw in Wyc's wife...not my problem...)!

A sign and trade involving Ray packaged with Perk to a potential contender could very well happen. Actually, I think its our most tradeable package. I don't want Rondo going anywhere, you put some guys around him who can run, this is a different team. You don't build around your aging & declining veterans. I'm so sick of Rondo getting out on the fastbreak and no one running with him. It's depressing.

Beasley interests me a lot... He could be an interesting guy to put alongside Rondo. And I think he's much more available than Miami lets on.

Joe Johnson... hmm. Although I def don't see him staying in Atlanta, I don't see a deal that would get him here. Maybe we'll get lucky and they panic realizing they can't lose him for nothing and do a deal for Ray and Perk.

[More Banners]

Miami, which competes w/D.Howard for a division seat, might trade Beasley and a pick for Perk.  Actually, anyone in that division should be asking about him:  Charlotte, Atlanta...

Oh...Atlanta owns Josh Childress' rights still...and has an undersized Center in Horford...could be looking for a SG if the underappreciated Joe Johnson leaves...  PERK, RAY, AND PICKS FOR JOE JOHNSON (heck, I'd throw in Wyc's wife...not my problem...)!

A sign and trade involving Ray packaged with Perk to a potential contender could very well happen. Actually, I think its our most tradeable package. I don't want Rondo going anywhere, you put some guys around him who can run, this is a different team. You don't build around your aging & declining veterans. I'm so sick of Rondo getting out on the fastbreak and no one running with him. It's depressing.

Beasley interests me a lot... He could be an interesting guy to put alongside Rondo. And I think he's much more available than Miami lets on.

Joe Johnson... hmm. Although I def don't see him staying in Atlanta, I don't see a deal that would get him here. Maybe we'll get lucky and they panic realizing they can't lose him for nothing and do a deal for Ray and Perk.

Right...I realized, as I was typing, that Atlanta might be a wildcard this offseason. 

Most likely, Joe Johnson either drops in value or resigns with Atlanta, but if he/his agent beat the drum that he's looking elsewhere, giving Atlanta an opportunity to facilitate moving him on, they'd need a 2-guard (Ray), and might want Perk to match up with Howard even more than we do.  Throw in some random pieces (sorry, Wyc, but the NBA is a business) and a draft pick, and we're in business with a Rondo/J.J. backcourt locked in for the next 5 years.  THAT is, without question, something to build a franchise around, and could surely carry the load as we contend through the two years that remain of the PP/KG era.  I think we'd be forking over a couple of 1st rounders, maybe BBD too, and need Ray to go along with it, but...wow.  It'd make my summer. 

Ditto if we pulled a similar deal for Bosh (Toronto moves Turk to SF, start Calderon/Ray/Turk/Bargarbagie/Perk).

The Josh Childress rights are a wildcard, too, though I have no idea what his game looks like now.

Beasley might not be worth trading Perk, depending on his personal situation, but that is one thing that I think Doc is really, really good at-helping young players to grow up and manage their lives in the nutso NBA environment.  I'd take the risk.  So would Danny, if it happened.  If Miami gets Bosh or Boozer as a straight FA signing, it might be more likely as they balance out their roster.

[arctic 3.0]

Miami, which competes w/D.Howard for a division seat, might trade Beasley and a pick for Perk.  Actually, anyone in that division should be asking about him:  Charlotte, Atlanta...

Oh...Atlanta owns Josh Childress' rights still...and has an undersized Center in Horford...could be looking for a SG if the underappreciated Joe Johnson leaves...  PERK, RAY, AND PICKS FOR JOE JOHNSON (heck, I'd throw in Wyc's wife...not my problem...)!

A sign and trade involving Ray packaged with Perk to a potential contender could very well happen. Actually, I think its our most tradeable package. I don't want Rondo going anywhere, you put some guys around him who can run, this is a different team. You don't build around your aging & declining veterans. I'm so sick of Rondo getting out on the fastbreak and no one running with him. It's depressing.

Beasley interests me a lot... He could be an interesting guy to put alongside Rondo. And I think he's much more available than Miami lets on.

Joe Johnson... hmm. Although I def don't see him staying in Atlanta, I don't see a deal that would get him here. Maybe we'll get lucky and they panic realizing they can't lose him for nothing and do a deal for Ray and Perk.

Right...I realized, as I was typing, that Atlanta might be a wildcard this offseason. 

Most likely, Joe Johnson either drops in value or resigns with Atlanta, but if he/his agent beat the drum that he's looking elsewhere, giving Atlanta an opportunity to facilitate moving him on, they'd need a 2-guard (Ray), and might want Perk to match up with Howard even more than we do.  Throw in some random pieces (sorry, Wyc, but the NBA is a business) and a draft pick, and we're in business with a Rondo/J.J. backcourt locked in for the next 5 years.  THAT is, without question, something to build a franchise around, and could surely carry the load as we contend through the two years that remain of the PP/KG era.  I think we'd be forking over a couple of 1st rounders, maybe BBD too, and need Ray to go along with it, but...wow.  It'd make my summer. 

Ditto if we pulled a similar deal for Bosh (Toronto moves Turk to SF, start Calderon/Ray/Turk/Bargarbagie/Perk).

The Josh Childress rights are a wildcard, too, though I have no idea what his game looks like now.

Beasley might not be worth trading Perk, depending on his personal situation, but that is one thing that I think Doc is really, really good at-helping young players to grow up and manage their lives in the nutso NBA environment.  I'd take the risk.  So would Danny, if it happened.  If Miami gets Bosh or Boozer as a straight FA signing, it might be more likely as they balance out their roster.

bargarbagie? tp

[Who]

I'm not optimistic about Beasley's potential. He is a below average defender, a poor rebounder and a very poor passer. Even if he learns how to improve his shot selection and consequently becomes an efficient scorer ... he still has huge problems with his ability to affect a game in a positive fashion outside of scoring.

Michael Beasley would have to undergo a tremendous amount of improvement ... that much improvement and in so many different areas is very difficult to achieve and unlikely to happen.

So far, everything I've seen from Beasley as a pro suggests that he'll never fulfill his talent. That he doesn't have the understanding of what it'll take to become a dominant player in this league. Of what that player (a dominant Beasley) looks like or how to achieve that growth. A very immature understanding of the game of basketball (gimme the ball, get outta my way and let me jack shots, that's how I'll help my team) and that will cost him for a long time.