Getting Deng if Lebron goes to Chicago

[Ish Tov]

Just thinking that if Chicago signs Lebron it makes sense to move Deng.  He's good, but who wants to pay $40M over 4 years for a backup 3?

So we sign and trade Pierce to Dallas for whatever Cuban wants to pay him (as long as the trade works), they send Dampier (waivable contract) to Chicago, and Chicago sends us Deng.  Maybe there would need to be a draft pick from Dallas to Chicago and some filler.

But it just seems like Deng is a younger, better fit with Rondo going forward than Pierce.  And I have a feeling the Celtics braintrust might be upset with Pierce for that incident in the finals, where right before halftime Rondo was bringing up the ball and Pierce turned his back on the play.  It was so noticeable that the sideline reporter asked him what he was upset about.

[the_Bird]

And I have a feeling the Celtics braintrust might be upset with Pierce for that incident in the finals, where right before halftime Rondo was bringing up the ball and Pierce turned his back on the play.  It was so noticeable that the sideline reporter asked him what he was upset about.

You REALLY think the C's brass is going to trade the best player the team's had in twenty years - the 2008 FINALS MVP - the guy who's going to lead us back to the Finals in 2011 - over THAT?   

[PosImpos]

If Chicago signs LeBron, I think it would be worth considering doing a S+T of Ray Allen for Deng + Brad Miller.

I wouldn't have any interest in doing a S+T involving Pierce, though.

[Celtics Insider]

If Chicago signs LeBron, I think it would be worth considering doing a S+T of Ray Allen for Deng + Brad Miller.

I wouldn't have any interest in doing a S+T involving Pierce, though.

Pierce isn't worth the money anymore due to his declining skill and his age.

[birdwatcher]

Deng is the new albatross contract for the Bulls. Maybe a desperate clippers team would get a deal done for him, or maybe someone like Toronto (sign and trade Bosh maybe, and whatever else it wuld take to work?)I dunno. I'm not so keen on having Deng here.

[the_Bird]

If Chicago signs LeBron, I think it would be worth considering doing a S+T of Ray Allen for Deng + Brad Miller.

I wouldn't have any interest in doing a S+T involving Pierce, though.

No Brad Miller sign & trades; they're renouncing him to maximize their cap space, which renders a S&T moot from their perspective.

Can't see Pierce and Deng playing together; both are pretty definitely small forwards, neither's playing the 4 and neither's really quick enough to play the 2.

[Donoghus]

Unless we're in rebuilding mode AND getting rid of Pierce, there is no need for Deng on this team.  He's a SF and Pierce isn't sliding back into the 2.  He's on the wrong side of 30 for that.

[JSD]

Unless we're in rebuilding mode AND getting rid of Pierce, there is no need for Deng on this team.  He's a SF and Pierce isn't sliding back into the 2.  He's on the wrong side of 30 for that.

I'm with you here. Plus, Deng has a gross contract.

[PosImpos]

I agree that Deng + Pierce doesn't make sense logistically, unless you're playing Deng at PF and sliding KG to center for a small ball lineup (not the worst idea in the world).

But that might be one of the only ways for the Celtics to acquire legitimately promising young talent this summer.  Deng isn't great but he could qualify as a building block.

[JSD]

unless you're playing Deng at PF and sliding KG to center for a small ball lineup (not the worst idea in the world).

But it's up there