Wolves have been urging Mavs to part with Dampier's...

[KungPoweChicken]

expiring non-guaranteed contract and draft considerations for AL Jefferson.


"Sources told ESPNDallas.com that the Minnesota Timberwolves have been urging Dallas to part with Dampier's contract -- and draft considerations -- in exchange for Al Jefferson, who has three years left on his contract at $42 million. The Mavericks, sources said, keep telling the Wolves that they won't surrender Dampier's contract in a Jefferson deal because they have it earmarked for a Pau Gasol-type trade, such as the centerpiece of Dallas' longstanding pursuit of New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. ESPN.com"






If this is the case, I really don't see why the Celtics couldn't score Jefferson with the Wallace contract, Davis, Gaffney, and a future first. Or some package similar to that. Yeah, unfortunately, Jefferson doesn't fill a huge need right now with the JO signing. But we could start AL at center with KG at power forward. KG plays limited minutes these days, so AL would see a lot more time at power forward than center. Even though we need a wing, we also need a guy who can score on something other than jump shots--seriously.

[Cman]

expiring non-guaranteed contract and draft considerations for AL Jefferson.


"Sources told ESPNDallas.com that the Minnesota Timberwolves have been urging Dallas to part with Dampier's contract -- and draft considerations -- in exchange for Al Jefferson, who has three years left on his contract at $42 million. The Mavericks, sources said, keep telling the Wolves that they won't surrender Dampier's contract in a Jefferson deal because they have it earmarked for a Pau Gasol-type trade, such as the centerpiece of Dallas' longstanding pursuit of New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. ESPN.com"






If this is the case, I really don't see why the Celtics couldn't score Jefferson with the Wallace contract, Davis, Gaffney, and a future first. Or some package similar to that. Yeah, unfortunately, Jefferson doesn't fill a huge need right now with the JO signing. But we could start AL at center with KG at power forward. KG plays limited minutes these days, so AL would see a lot more time at power forward than center. Even though we need a wing, we also need a guy who can score on something other than jump shots--seriously.

Does KG come off the bench once Perkins returns?
(ie: Cs would start Big Al and Perk)

I like the idea of Al, because it builds for the future, but the Cs would be very crowded at the 4 and 5....

[Vermont Green]

I have to say that I think Cuban/Dallas is probably right, Dampier's contract probably can get more back than big Al as a part of a broader deal.  That really is telling though in terms of what Al's value is around the league including his current team.  Had we not signed JO, maybe Al is plan B but I like that we got Jermaine and with that, I don't see a need to tie up all the money in Al.

If I really felt he could be a part of some future big 3 that would make it easier but I just don't see that in him at this point.

[CoachBo]

Since Al cannot guard a chair, the answer is no.

Al is a bench player at best on this ballclub

[KungPoweChicken]

expiring non-guaranteed contract and draft considerations for AL Jefferson.


"Sources told ESPNDallas.com that the Minnesota Timberwolves have been urging Dallas to part with Dampier's contract -- and draft considerations -- in exchange for Al Jefferson, who has three years left on his contract at $42 million. The Mavericks, sources said, keep telling the Wolves that they won't surrender Dampier's contract in a Jefferson deal because they have it earmarked for a Pau Gasol-type trade, such as the centerpiece of Dallas' longstanding pursuit of New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. ESPN.com"






If this is the case, I really don't see why the Celtics couldn't score Jefferson with the Wallace contract, Davis, Gaffney, and a future first. Or some package similar to that. Yeah, unfortunately, Jefferson doesn't fill a huge need right now with the JO signing. But we could start AL at center with KG at power forward. KG plays limited minutes these days, so AL would see a lot more time at power forward than center. Even though we need a wing, we also need a guy who can score on something other than jump shots--seriously.

Does KG come off the bench once Perkins returns?
(ie: Cs would start Big Al and Perk)

I like the idea of Al, because it builds for the future, but the Cs would be very crowded at the 4 and 5....

No, I don't think so. Perkins would come off the bench. (1) He has had a major knee injury, and (2) he is going to be out until February, and (3) why would you want to disrupt four months of basketball chemistry by inserting Perkins into the starting lineup? and (4) how often do you the Celtics go up against dominant big men? not often. Besides, Perkins or JO would be in the game for KG, and be moved in at the center spot probably around the 5 minute mark in the first quarter. Al Jefferson is going to see the majority of his time at the power forward position.

[KungPoweChicken]

Since Al cannot guard a chair, the answer is no.

Al is a bench player at best on this ballclub

This is just disrespectful to AL Jefferson and just flat out wrong. A bench player, are you kidding me? Perkins' defense is so overrated on this board it makes me sick. AL Jefferson, surrounded by a defensive team, could do a solid job. By the way, Al Jefferson's struggles on defense for the Wolves has been because he has been playing center a lot. For the C's, he would only be playing 10 minutes at center and probably 25 minutes at power forward.

[wiley]

Yes to big Al off the bench for the next 3 years for:

1.  offense
2.  rebounding
3.  getting others in foul trouble

IMO he's an ideal bench player, a 2-skilled, specialist-type player:  offense and rebounding

I'd rather start the game with more defense and someone who doesn't hold the ball and take time developing a move the bakset.  Starting the game with ball movement (and defense) is a better plan imo.

I'd like Al J. off the bench regardless of the argument over the level of his defense, which I'm not qualified to evaluate.

I don't see why people always want Al J. to start, or think he has to start simply because he got paid big bucks.  His salary should not dictate how he's used.

our current bigs rotation is old, injured, small, or some combo of those.  We're going to need a lot of available bodies for all the fouls that will be called next year on Miami's big 3, not to mention Orlando and L.A.  

[libermaniac]

Cuban is a moron.  Everyone knows the Pau Gasol deal was an aberration. There were other GMs out there complaining that they would've given MUCH more for Pau (there was something fishy about that deal).  So, they really think they can get Chris Paul just for an expiring contract?  Al Jefferson at $14MM per is a good deal, especially for the Mavs, where money is no object.  The only problem is that Al and Dirk can't guard anyone.  Frankly, I can't see the Mavs ever winning with Dirk as their star, since he's such a defensive liability at both the 4 or the 5.  They need to just blow up their team and start over, but Cuban will never let them do that.  So, they'll be mired just above mediocrity for the foreseeable future.

[Cman]

expiring non-guaranteed contract and draft considerations for AL Jefferson.


"Sources told ESPNDallas.com that the Minnesota Timberwolves have been urging Dallas to part with Dampier's contract -- and draft considerations -- in exchange for Al Jefferson, who has three years left on his contract at $42 million. The Mavericks, sources said, keep telling the Wolves that they won't surrender Dampier's contract in a Jefferson deal because they have it earmarked for a Pau Gasol-type trade, such as the centerpiece of Dallas' longstanding pursuit of New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. ESPN.com"






If this is the case, I really don't see why the Celtics couldn't score Jefferson with the Wallace contract, Davis, Gaffney, and a future first. Or some package similar to that. Yeah, unfortunately, Jefferson doesn't fill a huge need right now with the JO signing. But we could start AL at center with KG at power forward. KG plays limited minutes these days, so AL would see a lot more time at power forward than center. Even though we need a wing, we also need a guy who can score on something other than jump shots--seriously.

Does KG come off the bench once Perkins returns?
(ie: Cs would start Big Al and Perk)

I like the idea of Al, because it builds for the future, but the Cs would be very crowded at the 4 and 5....

No, I don't think so. Perkins would come off the bench. (1) He has had a major knee injury, and (2) he is going to be out until February, and (3) why would you want to disrupt four months of basketball chemistry by inserting Perkins into the starting lineup? and (4) how often do you the Celtics go up against dominant big men? not often. Besides, Perkins or JO would be in the game for KG, and be moved in at the center spot probably around the 5 minute mark in the first quarter. Al Jefferson is going to see the majority of his time at the power forward position.

Of course, between the injury history of JO and AJ, the surgery to Perkins, and the age of KG, between the 4 of them, the Cs would be lucky to field 3 on any given night. 

[pearljammer10]

Why would the Wolves trade Jefferson for Dampier... That would make no sense for them unless they are desperate for a salary dump which i didnt tihnk they were... They could do much better than Dampier and that contract.

Also... I think i have had it with the threads about Big Al returning to Boston... Oye.

[Cman]

Also... I think i have had it with the threads about Big Al returning to Boston... Oye.

Sounds like the way I feel about "Sheed for Beasley" threads.  I want to pull out my hair every time...

[Eddie20]

Since Al cannot guard a chair, the answer is no.

Al is a bench player at best on this ballclub

This is just disrespectful to AL Jefferson and just flat out wrong. A bench player, are you kidding me? Perkins' defense is so overrated on this board it makes me sick. AL Jefferson, surrounded by a defensive team, could do a solid job. By the way, Al Jefferson's struggles on defense for the Wolves has been because he has been playing center a lot. For the C's, he would only be playing 10 minutes at center and probably 25 minutes at power forward.

I don't think that would be disrespectful at all. The Celtics have had a long storied tradition when it comes to a star 6th man (Ramsey, Hondo, McHale, Walton). The strategy would be sound. Big Al is an excellent offensive player with an array of low post moves. Bringing him off the bench, when he's being covered by tired first stringers or less talented second stringers, would be an immediate advantage. We don't lack offensive firepower from our starters and just remember how much better our second unit played when Sheed was in the post.

[wdleehi]

If it takes Wallace, Baby and future draft picks, yes.



I think Jefferson has the tools to become an average to better defensive player at PF.  I would love to have him come off the bench till KG retires (or slows down to the point where Jefferson is better then him).  He can be the new Mchale off the bench.

[wdleehi]

The Celtics would need to include another 1.25 million in salaries to make it work.

[Eddie20]

The Celtics would need to include another 1.25 million in salaries to make it work.

Gaffney and Laf. account for about 1.5M and neither has a guaranteed contract.