Free agent Centers next year

[ScoobyDoo]

Ok, I am one who "does" think that Ainge, in part, made some of the moves he made this year at the deadline, to "put himself in position" to make a run at Dwight Howard.

But Danny is smart and he won't put all his eggs in one basket. In getting Nenad and Jeff Green, he added two young guys who, at their positions, get up and down the court pretty well. The same can actually be said for Pavlovic, Murphy and Arroyo - though I'm not sure how much he sees the altter three in his future vision - they may just be rentals for the playoffs...

But mainly regarding Nenad and Jeff Green, these guys fit into what Ainge is currently doing - that is - he's already begun building his "next" championship team.

he may take a stab at Howard in 2012 or 2103, whcihever year it is.

But in the immediate term, namely this summer, watch for him to make a play on free agent centers he feels will compliment the uptempo team he is starting to build around Rondo right now.

I predict he will go after the following guys, pretty hard and in this order:

1. Tyson Chandler - though we won't get him because we won't be able to pay him what Dallas will.

2. Samuel Dalembert - Mid level- a pretty good possiblity and would fit in very nicely with KG in the paint. Long athletic and can get up and down the court with Rondo as well. Maimi would not be a good choice for him.

3. Joel Pryzbilla - even more likely for the mid level. Would be a nice "ying" to Nenad's "yang". Brings good D and rebounding. Would also be good defensively next to KG.

4. Lastly, I see Shaq staying and I see Jermaine being traded at the deadline to a team looking for cap relief, for a young athletic prospect at the off guard position or something.

5. If we can't re-sign Baby at the right money, look for Ainge to sign and trade him for a guy somewhat like Jason Thompson in Sacramento - another long, athletic big who cna get up and down the court.

Lastly, look for Ainge's draft picks to be guys, regardless of position, who can up and down the court...

Nenad and Dalembert or Pryzbilla, with Shaq would cover us for a few years until we see if we can get Howard. If we get Howard, Nenad or Dalembert / Pryzbilla become trade bait...win win

Meanwhile:

Dalembert or Pryzbilla / Nenad / Shaq
KG / Big baby / Murphy
Pierce / Jeff Green / Pavlovic
Ray / DWest / Von Wafer
Rondo / Arroyo / Bradley

Thoughts?       

[ScoobyDoo]

Oh, another quick thought, summary.,..

Nenad / Dalembert or Pryzbilla
Big Baby
Jeff Green / Pavlovic?...
DWest
Rondo / Bradley / Arroyo?...

Our 1st round pick this year and next
Clippers potential 1st round pick
Cleveland's 2nd round pick in 2013...

That is a pretty nice potential core of young players to start rebuilding with.

[FrDrake]

Like you suggest, Cuban will probably offer Tyson a contract starting at least at $60million which of course is ridiculous but he starts over Haywood, who got $50+ million.

DA never seems to go after long lanky guys....well, except KG of course) and seems to prefer big men with some girth...i.e. Perk, Baby, Shaq, even Powe.  So I wouldn't put my money on Dalembert.

Przybilla has a bum knee.

[billysan]

Przybilla has a bum knee.

Didnt stop Danny with Jermaine O Neal.  

You could also add Big Al to the 'not so slender' Ainge acquistions.

[Chris]

Both Oneals are signed through next year as well.  While Danny will likely look for more depth there, I don't think its a desperate need.

[jambr380]

I don't know that Jermaine will make it through the summer on the Celtics. We may try to get what we can for him...unless Shaq retires, of course.

The other center Danny should and probably will go after is Oden. He still does have a chance to be productive in this league, and probably at the right price.

[vjcsmoke]

Is it possible for the Celtics to throw some money at the Kings and say one of our extra 2nd rounders to have us buy out Dalembert then sign him for this season?  We really need one more healthy big for the playoffs.  I'm not confident we'll get back both O'Neals at even 90% health.  Kristic is a nice skilled big man but he's no defensive presence in the paint.

[gar]

Hope the C's can work up something with JO to make a graceful exit once he gets his ring. Would be nice to bring in a young big.

[Shamrocker]

Hope CJ gains 30 pounds and gets an invite to camp.

[Lucky17]

Here's a list of FAs. Can't swear it's comprehensive.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-11-12

Restricted FAs in 2012 of note:
the Lopez brothers, Javale McGee, Jason Thompson, Marreese Speights, Kevin Love, Anthony Randolph, Roy Hibbert, JJ Hickson

Unrestricted FAs of note:
Chris Kaman, Andrew Bynum, Mehmet Okur

Early Termination Options:
Dwight Howard, Elton Brand

So the pool of free agent bigs in the Summer of Dwight isn't all that robust. Assuming Allen and/or Garnett aren't brought back using available cap space, I could see Ainge making a play for a couple guys in that RFA group.

[Finkelskyhook]

Draft a center and groom him.  Hopefully somebody a little further along than Bradley is this year.

Nothing to worry about.  Jermaine O'Neal will be in a contract year and will give 15/8 next year when he's playing for a contract.

His pain threshold and durability will be that of a 29 year old when there's money at stake.  65-70 games at 25mpg next year.

[Finkelskyhook]

Assuming Allen and/or Garnett aren't brought back using available cap space, I could see Ainge making a play for a couple guys in that RFA group.

Assuming that because??

[LooseCannon]

What if Ainge keeps Krstic and considers letting Glen Davis go?  Instead of signing a free agent center, he goes after a backup power forward (preferably one who can double as a third-string center) who, unlike Big Baby, is a rebounder with some length.  Is there anyone who fits that description who would be available?

[Bankshot]

Oh, another quick thought, summary.,..

Nenad / Dalembert or Pryzbilla
Big Baby
Jeff Green / Pavlovic?...
DWest
Rondo / Bradley / Arroyo?...

Our 1st round pick this year and next
Clippers potential 1st round pick
Cleveland's 2nd round pick in 2013...

That is a pretty nice potential core of young players to start rebuilding with.

Doesn't look like a playoff lineup to me.  Need upgrades at the 2 and 4 spots and move Delonte and Baby to the bench.

[Chris]

Draft a center and groom him.  Hopefully somebody a little further along than Bradley is this year.

Nothing to worry about.  Jermaine O'Neal will be in a contract year and will give 15/8 next year when he's playing for a contract.

His pain threshold and durability will be that of a 29 year old when there's money at stake.  65-70 games at 25mpg next year.

I agree about O'Neal.  The drafting part is a little tougher.  It is incredibly tough to identify quality centers late in the draft.  Generally, if you are not in the top 5 it is a total crapshoot.  If there is someone they like, then fine, otherwise, I don't think they should throw away draft picks, just for the sake of getting a center.