So who do we get for big baby now?

[snively]

If Baby can continue to rebound and draw fouls like he has in the preseason, I don't think he'll be traded.  As an unrestricted free agent, he really doesn't have much more value than an expiring contract in a trade.

I think Nate Robinson is the more likely trade candidate.  As a scoring back-up guard, he's an attractive mid-season addition; as a 5'9 guard, he's the most likely player to get his minutes cut when Rondo becomes a 40+ minute player in the playoffs.

If Robinson + filler can get us a shooter/scorer at the wing (JR Smith is my thought), I think it gets done.

[footey]

Quite frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing something like a Nate and Baby for Shane Battier (or if you think we can get more for them, insert your large, defensive 3 of choice).  You then swing West to the 1 and Daniels to the 2, which gives us better size and better defense.  Even better, it gives us 3 players (Pierce, Battier, and Daniels) who can guard small forwards if need be.  As for Baby's spot, Perk will be back eventually, and we could get by with Erden for a month of the regular season.  Additionally, in case of an injury at the 4/5, Battier could play some 4 in a Posey-like role. 

I don't think this is a realistic trade. Why would Houston trade Battier, a starter, one of the best defensive players in the league, for two back ups, one of whom is an undersized guard backing up an undersized PG (Brooks)?

[Chris]

Quite frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing something like a Nate and Baby for Shane Battier (or if you think we can get more for them, insert your large, defensive 3 of choice).  You then swing West to the 1 and Daniels to the 2, which gives us better size and better defense.  Even better, it gives us 3 players (Pierce, Battier, and Daniels) who can guard small forwards if need be.  As for Baby's spot, Perk will be back eventually, and we could get by with Erden for a month of the regular season.  Additionally, in case of an injury at the 4/5, Battier could play some 4 in a Posey-like role. 

I don't think this is a realistic trade. Why would Houston trade Battier, a starter, one of the best defensive players in the league, for two back ups, one of whom is an undersized guard backing up an undersized PG (Brooks)?

I agree, it is likely unrealistic (even though I have thrown the name out myself).  If Battier does become available, I think it would be more like Perkins and another guy for him, rather than Baby.  But you never know.

[scaryjerry]

Anyone else sick of the baby bashing? Grow up if you think "Tiny" can replace a guy who almost singlehandedly came off the bench and won us a game in the finals last season, a guy who has been tremendous in the preseason, proves his worth in big games, a guy who filled in great when KG went down for the year, a guy who unless youre a bias hater is our best big off the bench.
He complains? way to overreact to one comment about him not knowing his role this season before training camp.

[Bankshot]

Anyone else sick of the baby bashing? Grow up if you think "Tiny" can replace a guy who almost singlehandedly came off the bench and won us a game in the finals last season, a guy who has been tremendous in the preseason, proves his worth in big games, a guy who filled in great when KG went down for the year, a guy who unless youre a bias hater is our best big off the bench.
He complains? way to overreact to one comment about him not knowing his role this season before training camp.

I've been sick of it.  It's not about getting something in a trade, it's about getting rid of Baby. These are people that never liked him in the first place, so any old bench player in exchange for Baby is fine with some of them.  This thread was started because we got Tiny Gallon. A guy who never played a minute in the NBA and who was cut by a bad team. LOL

[Chris]

OK, this is turning too much into an "us versus them" thing.  This painting of "everyone disrespecting Baby" stuff is not necessary.  If you don't feel Baby should be traded, make your point, and leave it at that (and vice versa).  We don't need to be building factions among ourselves a few days before opening night.

[moiso]

For those harping on how Jermaine did in this past year's playoffs, and citing that Davis "rose to the occasion".... I'd love to see how Davis would fare AGAINST the Celtics in the playoffs.  I'd say that was the big difference.  Another sizable difference is that Davis is surrounded by quality players who are able to take the heat off of him. 

Davis might have tougher time against great defenses but so does every player.  Regardless, Baby's tail never goes between his legs when the going gets tough.  You can see it in his body language and facial expressions that he enjoys the challenge.  He is a competitor and doesn't shrink in the face of adversity.

Now keep a close eye on JO's tail in such situations.  You can actually see it going between his legs.  I totally agree with salmonandmashedpotatoes on this subject.

[Spilling Green Dye]

Anyone else sick of the baby bashing? Grow up if you think "Tiny" can replace a guy who almost singlehandedly came off the bench and won us a game in the finals last season, a guy who has been tremendous in the preseason, proves his worth in big games, a guy who filled in great when KG went down for the year, a guy who unless youre a bias hater is our best big off the bench.
He complains? way to overreact to one comment about him not knowing his role this season before training camp.

I'm not a bias hater and I don't think it's anywhere near guaranteed that he can be assumed to be our best big off the bench (especially when Perk comes back and starts).

But back on topic.  I don't think we'll get much in trade back for Davis b/c his contract is expiring.  Assuming we traded Davis mid season due to either something he says/does, or b/c we have a glaring team need down the stretch due to injuries, there's only 2 real outcomes:

1)  We trade him to a bad team who isn't making the playoffs.  In return we'd probably get a good player of need + a bad contract. A team in this situation would not trade away good youth or high draft picks to get Davis.  Even bad teams don't consider him a regular starter (as was evident by the previous offseason's lack of signing him).

2)   We trade him to a good team who needs big man depth (due to injury etc).  I actually think this is more likely than #1.  If the Celtics need another wing or mobile SF/PF off the bench, and our bigs are healthy, then this is very viable.  Several decent playoff teams are short on big men and have depth at the SF/PF position. 

Ultimately due to BBD's contract expiring + his vocal desire to make more money + the precedent that teams don't consider him a key cog in rebuilding (as a starter), I don't think we can expect much in return.

[Spilling Green Dye]

After re-reading the exact topic title of "now", I'd like to add that I don't think there's much of a chance that Davis will get traded now, and I don't think it'd be wise to either.  In addition, Danny Ainge doesn't strike me as the type to overreact to Davis' previous comments about not knowing his role, wanting to get paid more, etc. 

[mmbaby]

Excellent analysis, Salmon and Mashed Potatoes!
You're right that using only the stats from last season is taking the talent of Big Baby completely out of the true context of his worth. The stats are one of the tools to use to analyse a player, but only one of many.
You pointed out, I believe, how getting more minutes improves a good players play and I have noticed that, on this excellent Celtics team, Baby has had about equal minutes to KG so far this preseason and has put up better numbers and better defense. As much as it hurts to point this out because I love KG, Baby is playing better.
Doc would not have Baby coming out right behind KG if he didn't see the excellent value he has in BBD.
What is obvious to most of us here is that Baby is really good, improving, able to improve (did you see all those jumpers last night?) and will, inevitably, IMO, be a starter for a very good team one day, and maybe sooner than we think.
All of the arguments for trade leave out major points, especially the fact that KG may very well get injured during the season and Doc will then be having BBD as his starter. 

[mmbaby]

TP, Salmon and Mash

[mmbaby]

h

[thirstyboots18]

I wonder if that line of thinking is not why Tiny Gallon was signed.  JO would slide over to starting Power Forward, Shaq would start at Center, and we would still have three backup..Erden, Gallon and Davis, depending on the situation.

[barefacedmonk]

I wonder if that line of thinking is not why Tiny Gallon was signed.  JO would slide over to starting Power Forward, Shaq would start at Center, and we would still have three backup..Erden, Gallon and Davis, depending on the situation.

What will be KG's position in the starting line up?

[thirstyboots18]

It is my opinion that KG will not get injured this year and will hold his starting position.  Hopefully JO will get through the season (until and even after Perk comes back) and Davis, Erden, and whoever else will play back up minutes to see that that happens.  I do not think Davis will ever be the permanent starting PF on the Celtics team.  He has improved, and I love him as a back up, I love his energy, but I don't think he is a starter on a Championship team.  Sorry.  I feel that he will be leaving for another team next year anyway, and if a good trade can be made, it probably should be, while we can get value.