Concerning development in David West deal: JJJ and E'Tuan???

[lantinm]

We are possibly acquiring a two-time All-Star at an absolute bargain salary and we are worried about the 27th and 55th picks in one of the worst drafts in NBA history?  Really?

I'd trade 500 JaJuan Johnsons for 1 David West.

If JaJuan was so incredible, Danny wouldn't have waited so long into the draft to get him and risk him being taken.  Plenty of teams were practically giving away draft picks this last draft was so bad.

The odds of anyone picked 27th or 55th making the All-Star game twice are incredibly miniscule.  

Is this the same school of thought that said we were giving up too much by including Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, and draft picks in the KG trade?  Get the proven vet, dump the draft picks.  How is JR Giddens doing anyway?

1st - David West is indeed a two-time All-Star, but let's not make him out to be Karl Malone.  He's a 16 and 8 power forward who is a fringe defender, so paying him 9 mill per sounds about right....meaning it's not a bargain.

2nd - Danny loved Jajuan Johnson and scouted him all year.  He knew were Jajuan would be drafted and swung a trade with NJ while picking up a future asset.

3rd -David West himself was drafted 18th overall and turned into an All-Star.  Just because Jajuan is drafted 9 picks later, he can't be one?  Johnson was the best player in his conference and defensive player of the year.  I've seen him play a dozen times and he has considerable upside.

4th - Finally, one can argue while this improves our offense, our defense is weakened.  Garnett will be asked to play the 5, and we will miss JO's shot-blocking ability at that spot.  West is also 31 and coming off of an ACL injury that could hamper him all year.  Who's to say that Johnson isn't another Taj Gibson who could contribute right away?

[celtsfan84]

1 - Nobody is making David West out to be Karl Malone.  Carlos Boozer is a two-time All-Star at the same position, with a similar skill set, and is a worse defender.  He is making $13.5 million this year.  Nene is projected to get $15+ million.  In the NBA in 2011, $9 million is a steal for a two-time All-Star.

2 - Danny also has no way of knowing with 100% confidence what all 29 other GMs are thinking.  If only one saw the glowing potential of JaJuan Johnson, they could have picked him or traded up to pick him.

3 - David West was also drafted in one of the greatest drafts in NBA history (LeBron, Wade, Carmelo, Bosh, etc...).  JaJuan was drafted in one of the worst.  It is possible that he is better than or equal to West.  The chances are however very slim.  Very few picks hit outside of the lottery.

4 - Jermaine only played 24 games last year.  His impact is negligible.  David West is not a poor defender.  JaJuan might be a Taj Gibson.  Odds are he isn't.  Taj Gibson also didn't exactly swing the NBA title or anything.  He was a role playing backup power forward who had to be taken off the floor in key situations because of his lack of offense.  Even if he is Taj Gibson, I'll take West.

Also, at 6'10, with a huge size and athleticism and skill advantage over lesser college competition, why did JaJuan only average 6 rebounds per game?  That is miserable.  David West averaged 12 in college, 8 in the pros.  Will JaJuan grab a single NBA rebound?  I reference Game 7 of the Finals for evidence that we need help on the boards.  You've watched him a lot, can you tell me why he can't grab a rebound?

[csfansince60s]

1 - Nobody is making David West out to be Karl Malone.  Carlos Boozer is a two-time All-Star at the same position, with a similar skill set, and is a worse defender.  He is making $13.5 million this year.  Nene is projected to get $15+ million.  In the NBA in 2011, $9 million is a steal for a two-time All-Star.

2 - Danny also has no way of knowing with 100% confidence what all 29 other GMs are thinking.  If only one saw the glowing potential of JaJuan Johnson, they could have picked him or traded up to pick him.

3 - David West was also drafted in one of the greatest drafts in NBA history (LeBron, Wade, Carmelo, Bosh, etc...).  JaJuan was drafted in one of the worst.  It is possible that he is better than or equal to West.  The chances are however very slim.  Very few picks hit outside of the lottery.

4 - Jermaine only played 24 games last year.  His impact is negligible.  David West is not a poor defender.  JaJuan might be a Taj Gibson.  Odds are he isn't.  Taj Gibson also didn't exactly swing the NBA title or anything.  He was a role playing backup power forward who had to be taken off the floor in key situations because of his lack of offense.  Even if he is Taj Gibson, I'll take West.

Also, at 6'10, with a huge size and athleticism and skill advantage over lesser college competition, why did JaJuan only average 6 rebounds per game?  That is miserable.  David West averaged 12 in college, 8 in the pros.  Will JaJuan grab a single NBA rebound?  I reference Game 7 of the Finals for evidence that we need help on the boards.  You've watched him a lot, can you tell me why he can't grab a rebound?

JJJ can rebound....had 10 double-doubles as a senior, averaging 8.6 rebounds per game in the regular season and 15 rebounds per game on the biggest stage in college basketball. the NCAA tournament....kid can board

[Drucci]

I wouldn't trade JJJ for David West, because I really think JJJ will turn out to be a very good player and there is also an injury risk with West.

[Roy H.]

I wouldn't trade JJJ for David West, because I really think JJJ will turn out to be a very good player and there is also an injury risk with West.

In my mind, David West gives us a fighting chance at a title this year.  Johnson doesn't.

[jdz101]

I can't believe JJJ vs. David west is even an argument. David west hands down by a country mile.

When firing this guy can.score.the.basketball in a serious way. JJJ hasn't even played a game.

[celtsrp33]

I wouldn't trade JJJ for David West, because I really think JJJ will turn out to be a very good player and there is also an injury risk with West.

In my mind, David West gives us a fighting chance at a title this year.  Johnson doesn't.

I am thinking this is Danny's chance to really load up.  Now that the CP trade has fallen through and West could be coming - it IS possible to bring in West, CP and Howard....

It would take a lot of things to fall into place, but if we are able to bring in West and either CP or Howard - I think that either CP or Howard would be a lot more likely to push for a trade to Boston if the other is already a Celtic.  

CP
Ray
Paul
West/KG (I think we would have to trade him to get DH12)
Howard

[tyrone biggums]

I can't believe JJJ vs. David west is even an argument. David west hands down by a country mile.

When firing this guy can.score.the.basketball in a serious way. JJJ hasn't even played a game.

Come on, the fact people are arguing this really surprises you? JJJ is a cost controlled player with potential is rated higher in a lot of posters eyes than a 2 time all star at a bargin rate. Potential > Proven Talent.

In all seriousness, we aren't trading a guy who will be as good as West in all probability. Could he end up being that one day? sure. E'Tuan is shocking because, for whatever reason JO and our 2011 2nd round pick is too much for an all star player...

[dmny5000]

I wouldn't trade JJJ for David West, because I really think JJJ will turn out to be a very good player and there is also an injury risk with West.

In my mind, David West gives us a fighting chance at a title this year.  Johnson doesn't.

I am thinking this is Danny's chance to really load up.  Now that the CP trade has fallen through and West could be coming - it IS possible to bring in West, CP and Howard....

It would take a lot of things to fall into place, but if we are able to bring in West and either CP or Howard - I think that either CP or Howard would be a lot more likely to push for a trade to Boston if the other is already a Celtic.  

CP
Ray
Paul
West/KG (I think we would have to trade him to get DH12)
Howard

I'm pretty sure with West, Pierce and CP3 they wouldn't be able to sign Howard. We would be over the cap unless we traded everyone else we have to teams with cap space. Even then I think it's close but I'm too lazy to do the math.

As far as JJJ, I'm very high on him but he's never played an NBA game so he's only got as much chance to be good as any other late 1st round pick. I also thought Gerald was going to be great and so did Ainge so we know no matter what you can never accurately predict how good or bad a rookie will be.

[CoachBo]

This thread brings back fond memories of the days when posters seriously believed that a championship could be built around the defense-less Al Jefferson and the brain-dead Gerald Green.

One thing about this blog: Danny could draft David Stern and half the posters would fall in love with Stern immediately.

West for Johnson and Moore is an absolute no-brainer. Get it done, Danny.

[dark_lord]

This thread brings back fond memories of the days when posters seriously believed that a championship could be built around the defense-less Al Jefferson and the brain-dead Gerald Green.

One thing about this blog: Danny could draft David Stern and half the posters would fall in love with Stern immediately.

West for Johnson and Moore is an absolute no-brainer. Get it done, Danny.

co-sign x 100000000000000000000000

[CoachBo]

We are possibly acquiring a two-time All-Star at an absolute bargain salary and we are worried about the 27th and 55th picks in one of the worst drafts in NBA history?  Really?

I'd trade 500 JaJuan Johnsons for 1 David West.

If JaJuan was so incredible, Danny wouldn't have waited so long into the draft to get him and risk him being taken.  Plenty of teams were practically giving away draft picks this last draft was so bad.

The odds of anyone picked 27th or 55th making the All-Star game twice are incredibly miniscule.  

Is this the same school of thought that said we were giving up too much by including Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, and draft picks in the KG trade?  Get the proven vet, dump the draft picks.  How is JR Giddens doing anyway?

Welcome to the curious world of this blog, where everyone Danny drafts is a guaranteed star.

Good post. TP.

[pearljammer10]

In a 66 game season, the rookies wont be able to help us win this season. A veteran all star like West would be a much better addition for a short season.

[BballTim]

I wouldn't trade JJJ for David West, because I really think JJJ will turn out to be a very good player and there is also an injury risk with West.

In my mind, David West gives us a fighting chance at a title this year.  Johnson doesn't.

  I don't think that Johnson should get in the way of getting West, but at the same time you don't want to unnecessarily include assets in a sign and trade.

[Army_of_One_Nation]

Everyone here has their good points. Why don't we just have faith in DA and the Celtics and see where the team is headed. Win or lose, we still love the Celtics, right? But, I think it becomes important at this stage of KG's, Ray's and PP's career that the C's win another title this season. "Doc Rivers said he told Danny Ainge to get him best players out there and he'll make them fit regardless of position." I trust Doc and his staff and believe they can win another one this season.