Do you believe Danny will end up trading Paul Pierce at some point?

[gotjoker?]

Before I would've thought that if you'd traded Paul Pierce, it would've been a bad public relations move.  However, there exist just as many fans who dislike him as there are who like him that it would offset.  Part of this likely has to do with one's perception of Pierce.

In the modern NBA, you seldom see NBA star players retire with the team that drafted them.  For Pierce, he was really drafted by Boston.  But then, it depends on the franchise too.  Or it's a combination of where you're in your career versus mutual loyalty.

In my opinion, the time to have traded Pierce has passed.  If you were going to trade him, it would've been done in 2007.

[XxSMSxX]

If he did he better not show his face in Boston again because he may get lynched and or strung out and dragged through the town. People up there love them some Paul Pierce

[CelticsFanNC]

  I don't think he will but there might come a time when he should.  Holding on to Bird, McHale and Parish too long contributed heavily to the 20+ year drought the Celtics had and just recently came out of.

  Fans can be sentimental but GM's shouldn't be because in most cases it costs you in the long run.  If Ainge has an opportunity to better his team once Pierce has faded to the point where he is no longer a big help to the team but may have value due to an expiring contract I would hope AInge would pull the trigger.  I'd much rather continue to win then see Pierce retire a Celtic while the team regresses to the level of 1990's.

  The main reason he probably wont is because Wyc wont allow it.

[PseudoElite]

Sentiment aside, I really don't think Pierce has much trade value.

More than likely he'll retire a Celtic unless you can get some crazy trade like landing Howard or Chris Paul for a trade package including Pierce (highly unlikely).

[Chris]

Sentiment aside, I really don't think Pierce has much trade value.

I think this is the key (and it is the same for KG and Ray).  I just don't think they have nearly as much trade value to make it worthwhile.  If you look around the league, there just aren't as many contracts to match theirs in a trade, and I just think there are only a handful of teams that would be looking for what those guys can bring...and those teams don't have the extra assets to give up to make it worthwhile for the C's.

I don't think Danny would let sentimentality stand in the way if the right deal presented itself...I just don't think it is likely to happen.

[17wasEZ]

  I don't think he will but there might come a time when he should.  Holding on to Bird, McHale and Parish too long contributed heavily to the 20+ year drought the Celtics had and just recently came out of.

I'm sure it had something to do with the drought, as one would expect.  But there were other circumstances that flat out hurt the the Celtics after the Big 3 era.

For one, Bird and McHale's salary still counted against the salary cap after they retired up until the contract was to expire (not 100% sure, but I've read about it many times over the years).  

Then, Reggie Lewis' untimely death hurt the Celtics on both the talent level (I've never seen a player better at dribble driving, stopping on a dime, and rising effortlessly for a short to mid-range jumper) and salary level as the NBA forced the Celtics to keep his contract on the books.  That essentially messed up the 90's.  You can add Rick Pitino's tenure as hurtful although he drafted Pierce and Walker and they were good enough to get the Celtics to the East Finals in 2002. Plus, with the Celtics being a publicly held company for a while, they existed to make a profit for their shareholders over actually winning.

Nowadays, you can buy players out of their contracts and pull other neat tricks to circumvent the system to an extent.  Back then, it was all in the commissioner's office hands.

[CelticsFanNC]

  I don't think he will but there might come a time when he should.  Holding on to Bird, McHale and Parish too long contributed heavily to the 20+ year drought the Celtics had and just recently came out of.

I'm sure it had something to do with the drought, as one would expect.  But there were other circumstances that flat out hurt the the Celtics after the Big 3 era.

For one, Bird and McHale's salary still counted against the salary cap after they retired up until the contract was to expire (not 100% sure, but I've read about it many times over the years).  

Then, Reggie Lewis' untimely death hurt the Celtics on both the talent level (I've never seen a player better at dribble driving, stopping on a dime, and rising effortlessly for a short to mid-range jumper) and salary level as the NBA forced the Celtics to keep his contract on the books.  That essentially messed up the 90's.  You can add Rick Pitino's tenure as hurtful although he drafted Pierce and Walker and they were good enough to get the Celtics to the East Finals in 2002. Plus, with the Celtics being a publicly held company for a while, they existed to make a profit for their shareholders over actually winning.

Nowadays, you can buy players out of their contracts and pull other neat tricks to circumvent the system to an extent.  Back then, it was all in the commissioner's office hands.

  Oh ya.  The deaths of Bias and Lewis were huge.  Still there was a time when Red couldn't have gotten value for one or more of the original(and best) Big Three and in hindsight he probably should have. 

  I used to be a loyalty nut but after 40 years of watching and following professional sports avidly there is something I can say without a doubt in my mind, loyalty in professional sports is over rated.  How loyal have the Patriots been to their aging  and past their prime players?  How successful are have they been?

  I'm not saying he should actively look to deal Pierce but I do believe the smartest, best run organizations make their veteran "name" players that have past their prime available for the right price.  I could be wrong and I am sure someone will tell me so. 

[Chris]

One thing people need to realize when pointing to the Bird/McHale/Parish situation is that the CBA was different back then.  I don't know all the details, but making trades back then was not as constraining, and they also weren't dealing with nearly as big salaries.

While Danny has said that they could have gotten some major assets for the original big 3 had they traded them, I am not sure that it is the same case with these guys, just because cap space comes at such a premium these days, and it is so hard to match those large salaries, without taking on bad salaries yourself. 

[CelticsFanNC]

  Things have changed a lot but one thing remains the same IMO.

  The teams who find sustained success often times aren't sentimental or loyal when it comes to aging veterans who can no longer play up to their contracts.  Pierce is no where near that point but the time may come when he is.  If someone is just dying for cap space and his big expiring contract can bring you a couple of rotations players and/or draft picks the smart teams pull the trigger. 

  Here's a question for anyone who would like to answer.  Of the Big Three who do you thin has the longest shelf life as an impact player?  IMO it is probably Ray Allen even though he makes the least impact today.  I can see him playing a valuable role on a title contender off the bench until he is 40+ if he wants to.  He's had no major injuries like Garnett that might catch up to him and he's been generally in better shape then Pierce thought their long careers.

[17wasEZ]

  Things have changed a lot but one thing remains the same IMO.

  The teams who find sustained success often times aren't sentimental or loyal when it comes to aging veterans who can no longer play up to their contracts.  Pierce is no where near that point but the time may come when he is.  If someone is just dying for cap space and his big expiring contract can bring you a couple of rotations players and/or draft picks the smart teams pull the trigger. 

  Here's a question for anyone who would like to answer.  Of the Big Three who do you thin has the longest shelf life as an impact player?  IMO it is probably Ray Allen even though he makes the least impact today.  I can see him playing a valuable role on a title contender off the bench until he is 40+ if he wants to.  He's had no major injuries like Garnett that might catch up to him and he's been generally in better shape then Pierce thought their long careers.

TP for a nice discussion.

Pierce has 3yrs/$48m left on his deal. His last year or two at $16m/per year might not be worth very much to anyone.  I truly can't see Danny sending an unwilling PP to a 20-30 win team in exchange for a couple of role players unless it was assured that the team would be willing to buy PP out of his contract. I know DA wants what is best for the organization, but he also knows he has to respect his team's captain.

I do think that Allen can play at a high level for another 3 or 4 years albeit in a more reduced role. He could be like Vinnie Johnson was for the Pistons off of the bench.

[action781]

Sentiment aside, I really don't think Pierce has much trade value.

More than likely he'll retire a Celtic unless you can get some crazy trade like landing Howard or Chris Paul for a trade package including Pierce (highly unlikely).

Memphis gets: Paul Pierce, celtics 2012 1st round pick
Orlando gets: Rudy Gay, LAC future first round pick, celtics 2014 first round pick
Boston gets: Dwight Howard

I think I just blew my mind...

[17wasEZ]

Sentiment aside, I really don't think Pierce has much trade value.

More than likely he'll retire a Celtic unless you can get some crazy trade like landing Howard or Chris Paul for a trade package including Pierce (highly unlikely).

Memphis gets: Paul Pierce, celtics 2012 1st round pick
Orlando gets: Rudy Gay, LAC future first round pick, celtics 2014 first round pick
Boston gets: Dwight Howard

I think I just blew my mind...

Great for Boston     , good for Memphis     and horrible for Orlando     .

[action781]

Sentiment aside, I really don't think Pierce has much trade value.

More than likely he'll retire a Celtic unless you can get some crazy trade like landing Howard or Chris Paul for a trade package including Pierce (highly unlikely).

Memphis gets: Paul Pierce, celtics 2012 1st round pick
Orlando gets: Rudy Gay, LAC future first round pick, celtics 2014 first round pick
Boston gets: Dwight Howard

I think I just blew my mind...

Great for Boston    , good for Memphis     and horrible for Orlando    .

I suppose Memphis could just offer Gay and 2 future firsts for Howard themself, huh?  Then trade Gasol for a wing player and they could probably get somebody back equal or greater than Pierce?

Man, they could trade a package centered around Rudy Gay and Gasol for Dwight and Turk around mid next season that would really be in both teams interest.

[17wasEZ]

Sentiment aside, I really don't think Pierce has much trade value.

More than likely he'll retire a Celtic unless you can get some crazy trade like landing Howard or Chris Paul for a trade package including Pierce (highly unlikely).

Memphis gets: Paul Pierce, celtics 2012 1st round pick
Orlando gets: Rudy Gay, LAC future first round pick, celtics 2014 first round pick
Boston gets: Dwight Howard

I think I just blew my mind...

Great for Boston    , good for Memphis     and horrible for Orlando    .

I suppose Memphis could just offer Gay and 2 future firsts for Howard themself, huh?  Then trade Gasol for a wing player and they could probably get somebody back equal or greater than Pierce?

Man, they could trade a package centered around Rudy Gay and Gasol for Dwight and Turk around mid next season that would really be in both teams interest.

Nice job! You just helped Memphis and Orlando get out of their situations but left the Celtics hanging! Both of those teams could make that happen and essentially look like winners (providing that Howard says he is leaving no matter what). Problem is, you wouldn't get any credit for that idea.

Now stop working on other team's issues and start working on making the Celtics an elite team next season.  You're on the clock!   

[wiley]

depends.  And a lot might depend on what Pierce himself wants.  The big 3 along with Rondo are pretty married to one another by this point.  The big 3 all want to play for Doc and Doc only, and retire in Boston.  However, after next season, Ray and KG come off the books but Pierce doesn't.  My guess is Ray and KG could sign here for another year for cheaper deals, but what if Danny doesn't want them for the price they want to play at.  In other words, what if Ray and KG are outta here.  In that case, what does Pierce do?  Pierce might be willing to some sort of a deal or another if he can remain with some of his current teammates, even if it's not in Boston.  It might be hard at the point to get much for Pierce, and so you have to package him with Rondo.   Something along the lines of Pierce and Rondo to L.A. Clippers for DeAndre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe and something more.  Maybe the Clips would have enough money to sign Ray and/or KG for a bit more than Danny would, so the Clippers end up like:

Rondo
Gordon
Pierce
Griffin
Kaman                           bench:  possible Ray, Aminu, Possible KG, etc....

Depending on KG and Ray, that team could do a title run in the final year of the big 3, in Pierce's hometown.  Even with just one of KG or Ray that's an excellent team.

The Celtics meanwhile then show us why they didn't want to resign Kevin and Ray, by signing Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, so the Celtics look like

Chris Paul,
Bradley/Bledsoe
Jeff Green
DeAndre Jordon
Dwight Howard     (twin towers)

bench:  Delonte West, Bradley/Bledsoe, 2011 draft pick(s), 2012 draft picks, etc....

I think that team stuffs the Heat.  (not even a fan of the hot pursuit of Dwight Howard, but I like the team above)