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

[wdleehi]

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.

That would work.  ESPN has them unavailable, but that will change in about 3 days. 

[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.

That would work.  ESPN has them unavailable, but that will change in about 3 days. 

Sham sports has the combined salaries of Sheed, Baby, Gaffney, and Laf. at approximately 10.8M., which allows to acquire about 13.5M back in contracts. Big Al is getting is at 13M, so yeah it would go through.

I like the trade for us for the present, but it's interesting how it would impact our cap situation in the summer of 12. We would have 26M between Rondo and Big Al.  Bradley would take it up to 27.6M and then we still have the PP contract, which would probably we somewhere in the 15M range. So that's about 42.5M in four contracts. This also doesn't include re-signing Perk, cap holds, and future 1st rd picks. So the question becomes, do we have the available cap space to bring in a top FA that summer? And if so, are those listed players good enough to provide the necessary motivation for a top FA to sign with us? Interesting.

[jdub1660]

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....

How would we be crowded at the 4 and 5 with only KG,Perk,JO and Al? KG and Perk only play 20-28 mpg. That leaves 20-28 for Al and JO at the 4 and 5. It works out perfectly.

[Jon]

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

Al is a bench player at best on this ballclub

And it's KG.  Whether it would be a good basketball move or not (and in this case not), Doc isn't going to start Al Jefferson over Kevin Garnett. 

And that also goes with Ray.  Whether right or wrong because of reputation and respect, he's not going to the bench no matter who we get with Sheed's contract. 

[CoachBo]

KG will guard someone. I've yet to see Jefferson play - and I've watched him a bunch - in a game when I considered his defensive effort remotely close to acceptable. Rebounding? He could help. Given the way we rebound, I could help, for that matter.

Perhaps he can be taught. There's no evidence at this point that he can.

[FallGuy]

I would love Big Al back if he was being paid the MLE.

As he is not, and as there have been no indications Ainge has any interest at all, I expect we're pretty close to "bring back Antoine" territory on this one.

[bballee]

There's just something delicious about getting AJ back for an instant-expiring contract, a short backup PF, and 2 D-leaguer's.  We got KG for Al, one (the returned Minny pick was an illusion) very late pick and debris, and we get Al back for more debris (sorry Gomes and Baby) and likely another very late pick--years from now people will read this and go "What??!!"

[CoachBo]

I would love Big Al back if he was being paid the MLE.

As he is not, and as there have been no indications Ainge has any interest at all, I expect we're pretty close to "bring back Antoine" territory on this one.

Considering his skillset, I agree. Block scoring and rebounding are worth something - just not $13 million when the player has yet to display any interest in defending. We're clearly still chasing a title. We have no room for those who cannot or will not defend.

[KungPoweChicken]

I would love Big Al back if he was being paid the MLE.

As he is not, and as there have been no indications Ainge has any interest at all, I expect we're pretty close to "bring back Antoine" territory on this one.

Considering his skillset, I agree. Block scoring and rebounding are worth something - just not $13 million when the player has yet to display any interest in defending. We're clearly still chasing a title. We have no room for those who cannot or will not defend.

In all fairness, can you name me any 20/10 big man who has always played on terrible teams who has also been known for his defense? Probably not. When you're busting to score 20 points and grab 10 rebounds a game, and your lousy teammates just give up layups at the other end, does that really give light the fire? Put Al Jefferson in a Celtic uniform and he will be just a solid of a defender as anyone else on the team.

[Lucky17]

So Minnesota is willing to just dump Al Jefferson, the cornerstone of the franchise-altering trade of Kevin Garnett, for expiring contracts?

If it's at all true, Dan Gilbert ought to call Minnesota immediately, and tell them the Cavs will trade Delonte West for Big Al, straight up (or with expiring filler, if necessary).

[KungPoweChicken]

I would love Big Al back if he was being paid the MLE.

As he is not, and as there have been no indications Ainge has any interest at all, I expect we're pretty close to "bring back Antoine" territory on this one.

Considering his skillset, I agree. Block scoring and rebounding are worth something - just not $13 million when the player has yet to display any interest in defending. We're clearly still chasing a title. We have no room for those who cannot or will not defend.

Just for a reference, basketball reference has the Wolves 28th of 30 in defense. That's not Al Jefferson. That's just the Wolves sucking. Have you ever tried to play lock down defense in basketball when the rest of your team doesn't play defense? It can't be done, especially not in the NBA. Sure, the fact Al Jefferson isn't playing "good" defense right now can be argued. But the premise that he can't or doesn't have the ability to is so false. Put any great defender on last year's Wolves team and their supposed "great defense" would fly out the window.

[JBcat]

If we were able to go down this rode with Big Al maybe we could pry Corey Brewer as well.  Brewer might not be in their plans anymore with the trade for Martell Webster and the drafting of Wesley Johnson.  I understand Brewer is a little weak on offense but he did average 13 PPG last year and he plays superb defense.   Just another defender off the bench that can guard the 2 and 3.  

Big Al is overpaid but I could live with it for another 3 years of his contract and we could use the third year of his deal as an expiring contract trade chip if we wanted to.  I love the idea of Al playing the McHale role off the bench and I think his defense would improve here.   Having 3 legit post players on offense with O'Neal, KG, and Al would significantly improve that area.  

Kill 2 birds with 1 stone getting a solid wing defender and a legit post presence. 

Sheed, BBD, future first, and whatever else to make it work.  

[Fan from VT]

If we were able to go down this rode with Big Al maybe we could pry Corey Brewer as well.  Brewer might not be in their plans anymore with the trade for Martell Webster and the drafting of Wesley Johnson.  I understand Brewer is a little weak on offense but he did average 13 PPG last year and he plays superb defense.   Just another defender off the bench that can guard the 2 and 3.  

Big Al is overpaid but I could live with it for another 3 years of his contract and we could use the third year of his deal as an expiring contract trade chip if we wanted to.  I love the idea of Al playing the McHale role off the bench and I think his defense would improve here.   Having 3 legit post players on offense with O'Neal, KG, and Al would significantly improve that area.  

Kill 2 birds with 1 stone getting a solid wing defender and a legit post presence. 

Sheed, BBD, future first, and whatever else to make it work.  

That would be amazing, but unfortunately would require giving up sheed, Perk and Baby unless Minny wanted Nate or Tony in the S&T. maybe they want Nate for a pg backup? Sheed, Baby, and Nate for Al and Brewer would be great.

Flynn/Nate
Webster/Sessions
Wes Johnson/Ellington?
Love/Beasley/Pecherov
Darko/Baby

And lots of capspace going forward; no long term deals on the books.

Boston could go
Rondo/Bradley
Ray/TA
Pierce/Brewer
KG/Al
Perk/O'neal

[FallGuy]

I would love Big Al back if he was being paid the MLE.

As he is not, and as there have been no indications Ainge has any interest at all, I expect we're pretty close to "bring back Antoine" territory on this one.

Considering his skillset, I agree. Block scoring and rebounding are worth something - just not $13 million when the player has yet to display any interest in defending. We're clearly still chasing a title. We have no room for those who cannot or will not defend.

You're probably overstating his disinterest in D. I thought he put in some effort in both Boston and Minnesota (like any young player it wasn't without gaps) but his main problem was his mobility and help D.

Be interested to see if he has a stronger 10-11 now that he's another year removed from surgery.

[footey]

I seriously doubt the Wolves would trade Al to Boston (PR nightmare), or that Danny has targeted him (rumor would be out by now, rather than blogger speculation).