Bos/Phi Idea - Thoughts... Good Move?

[Kane3387]

Was just thinking about the lockout and how the Celtic's gameplan this year seems to coincide with it. I personally would be shocked if there is a full NBA season in 2011-2012, especially after the way it went in 1998-99. The owners will ultimately win but not before the players do everything they can, to get everything they can, which will include shortening or perhaps even missing a season. If it means more benefits for the next decade I think the players as a whole will sacrifice a few months of salary. Basically short term sacrifice for more long term gain. I'm sure the Players Union will be selling this to players. The league is younger now and a lockout really only hurts older players, if an entire season is lost. If not a lockout might open the window for a team like the Celtics a little larger for one more year.

Anyways, my Trade Idea:

Pierce - expiring deal assuming he opts in

for

Brand
#2 pick (Turner, Favors, Cousins)

**Fillers may be required

The selling point here is that Philly agrees to negotiate a buyout with Pierce and he resigns for the veterans minimum for a year or the MLE, where he gets long term compensation and security without having to sacrifice a lot of his player option money.

Think about it, Philly is in trouble financially and have been trying to trade Brand for the last year. They were willing to use Igoudala last year and now are trying to use the second overall pick to motivate teams to take him this year.

The Celtics will get the number two pick, Pierce back after thirty days in the off season, and Brand. The Lockout will ensure that the Celtics do not have to pay Brand in 2011-2012 as long as no games are being played. So if there is a shortened season that means a shortened year of payments. Then in 2012-2013 assuming there is a full season, Brand will be in the last year of his deal and will be an expiring contract - a Celtic asset just like Ray almost was in a Wizards trade or how Tmac was for the Rockets.

Now some fillers might have to be added but it wouldn't change our cap number that much because in the end the deal has to be similar in total money being exchanged by both teams because both are over the cap. Does it really matter if Pierce is on the books for 21 mill or if it is Brand at 15 mill, Turner/Cousins at three mill, and Pierce at veterans minimum? It doesn't seem like it.

Thoughts???

[Mr October]

Two issues:

1. I don't think Pierce is tradable until he officially declines his opt out clause on June 30th. That wacks his involvement in draft trades.

2. I don't think the #2 pick / Brand package is anything more than a rumor.

Otherwise this would be a good deal. When you get a chance to grab a #2 pick, you grab it - especially when the team is on the verge of a make over..

[KGs Knee]

Nice thought, but will never happen.

First, Pierce will likely demand a full buyout, which Philly probably wouldn't agree to.

Second, Once he is traded and bought out, he has no Bird rights anymore.  So if we were to resign him, it could only be for the MLE or vet minimum.  Pierce is not going to sign a deal for chump change (by NBA standards).  I could see him agreeing to play for the vet minimum for one season, added to his buyout, but he still would have no Bird rights for the following season.  Meaning he plays for the MLE or for someone else, or put more plainly, someone else.

[Kane3387]

Hmmm... If Pierce opts-in I believe he can be moved. At least I thought he could but maybe I am wrong. I thought the season before last Jamal Crawford was threatened by Don Nelson that he would be traded if he opted in to his deal. Crawford did and was subsequently traded to Atlanta.

Read this: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4284512

It says, "The deal was completed after Crawford signed paperwork indicating he won't opt out of his contract and become a free agent." So Crawford opted in much like Pierce can do and then was traded shortly after.

Of course if ti is just a rumor and Philly has no interest in moving #2 to facilitate a Brand move then this deal would never have a chance. Yet, who is to say? If we go off the reports then Philly is considering a possible move.

Philly and Boston could agree to such a move, with Philly drafting for Boston and waiting for Pierce to exercise his option. After that the deal could be finalized. Deals like this happen all the time on draft day because no trades can be finalized until Jiuly 8th anyways after the NBA moratorium period

http://www.nba.com/news/july_fa_moratorium.html

[Moranis]

I just can't see Philly trading the #2 pick without getting some real value back in return.  And I don't consider dumping Brand real value.  If for example, it was Brand and #2 for Pierce and Perkins, I think Philly could sell that at least a little bit, especially if intended to let Pierce play out the year (which it should).

[Kane3387]

Lol at this point in his career I think it is fair to assume Pierce would give up a million bucks or more like Marbury did to get out of Philly. He would not waste one of his last remainig years in the league competing for th 8th seed in Philly.

Also the MLE plus his accepting the player option is how he would MAKE THE MOST MONEY.

21 mill plus a 35 million dollar full MLE contract is his best option. If he opts out and resigns with Boston he wont get a contract over 50 million. Something in the range of 4 yrs 50 mill is what he would be getting tops.

[Kane3387]

Moranis,

It is a financial move much like Washington's trade with Dallas this year. The Sixers are losing money and maybe we have to add Baby as a filler and/or #19 and a future pick... I don't know but teams make moves like this a lot.

Gasol to LA
Jefferson to SA
Carter to ORL
Maggette to Milwaukee

Philly is losing money. These teams are owned by business men, very successful ones, like Robert Sarver, who do not think about basketball anymore when the bottom line is in the red. Losing money consistently is not really an option to these guys if they are not seeing any kind of success from it all.

[KGs Knee]

Lol at this point in his career I think it is fair to assume Pierce would give up a million bucks or more like Marbury did to get out of Philly. He would not waste one of his last remainig years in the league competing for th 8th seed in Philly.

Also the MLE plus his accepting the player option is how he would MAKE THE MOST MONEY.

21 mill plus a 35 million dollar full MLE contract is his best option. If he opts out and resigns with Boston he wont get a contract over 50 million. Something in the range of 4 yrs 50 mill is what he would be getting tops.

That's not at all how Pierce makes the most money.  By you math, he would stand to make 56 mil for 7 years by being traded and resinged.  If he stays and doesn't opt out, he makes 71 mil for 5 years.

[Kane3387]

The Celtics wont give him a four year extension for 50 million on top of his player option. That would be if he opts out and forgoes the 21 mill option. With the new CBA player salaries will be reduced greatly. The only reason Boston would say offer the 4 yrs for 50 million would be as a courtesy to Pierce for foregoing the 21 mill option. Pierce is 33 and will be 34 when his deal expires if he opts in. No team is going to offer a guy a contract much bigger then the mle when he is a 34 year old wing player, especially when the new CBA which will be in effect if a lockout happens reducedssalaries dramatically when it comes time for Pierce to negotiate a new deal.

See what I am saying?