Bill Simmons idea: JO+our two 2012 first round picks for Verajao

[2short]

not sure how i quoted myself on that one 
one more thing, there might be a center buyout or salary dump coming that would help as much as verajao

[Celtics4ever]

I think JO is probably our worst starter.   He is pretty obvious that he is a shadow of his former self.  At one time, he was a stud.   I doubt CLE does it.

[Rondo2287]

I think the celtics would become ALOT better with Varejao. 

That said, Danny has said many times that it is against his philosophy to sign role players before he gets his star players, so when you consider the long term I can't imagine he would do this.

[moiso]

Verajao would help us just abuout as much as anyone in the league that we could reasonably get.  I think the term role player is misleading.  Yes, he is a role player, but he is a role player like Marcus Camby in his prime.  I think people underestimate how good Verajao is.

[action781]

I'd be interested in this deal.  It's very unlikely that those draft picks turn into all-star players, regardless of how deep the draft is.  And unless we get Dwight (which acquiring Varejao would not affect), we are going to be years away from contention again.  So, let's take one last shot at this season and let's go hard for it opposed to having one foot in and one foot out.

[Cman]

For those that don't want to "cash in" the two 2012 first rounders, what are we saving the picks for (keeping in mind the picks would likely be in the low-mid 20s range)?

These are picks that can be used in one of three ways:

(1) Drafting two young players in the upcoming draft.

(2) Packaged along with an expiring contract (JO is most likely) to get another player in return.

(3) In a draft pick trade -- either pulling a Bill Belichik and trading current picks for future picks, or packaging the two picks to move up.


On (1): Do we really want to use these picks to draft more young players? The Celtics currently have 3 young players that are mostly seeing the floor this year bc of injury (Moore, JJJ, Bradley), and that are all mid-late first round talent (the type of talent we'd get with the two 2012 first round picks).

On (2): I haven't seen a lot of realistic trades, the Varejao trade is about as realistic as I've seen. But only if CLE starts to lose a lot of games prior to the trade deadline.

On (3): Cs could maybe move up a bit in the draft by packaging the two picks together, but probably not by much (from two pics in the mid-20s to a pick in the 15-18 range... maybe). I do like the idea of trading for a future pick though.

[CelticG1]

I think this puts us in top title contention right away and that's ask I care about. This guy has a motor. Would infuse so much energy in this team.

Great rebounder and defender. He could just focus on being a rejoinder. I think he would be absolutely huge to have againstMiami and chicago.

[Moranis]

I don't see the trade putting Boston over the top so I wouldn't give up both 1sts to get it done.  I'd probably give up 1 of them as Andy is a pretty solid use of the cap space and one 1st isn't that big of a deal. 

I also wouldn't foreclose the idea of still moving Allen or KG even if I brought in Andy as I think he is a nice piece going forward, but I know if they bring him in, they are going to go for it this season.

[jgod213]

I dont understand how people are not interested in this deal.

What is the achilles heel of this team? rebounding.  Verejao is the #1 offensive rebounder in the league right now. He's a double-double machine. He brings instant energy to the starting unit - something that we normally have to bring off the bench.

I'm sure danny is knocking, but the cavs are probably looking for a randsom right now.  In the 11th hour, i hope Danny would pull the trigger here...

[SHAQATTACK]

I'm all for trading to get him. He is a good option for this club and future asset. He can run the floor with our young guys.  He can be a part of THIS team which it needs the energy and inside presence Soooooooooooo bad, and ANdy could also be part of a future team .  He would be a good Celtic, he has the right attitude and is NOT scard to play hard and do ALL the dirty work like Perk used to do.

[Rondo2287]

I don't see the trade putting Boston over the top so I wouldn't give up both 1sts to get it done.  I'd probably give up 1 of them as Andy is a pretty solid use of the cap space and one 1st isn't that big of a deal. 

I also wouldn't foreclose the idea of still moving Allen or KG even if I brought in Andy as I think he is a nice piece going forward, but I know if they bring him in, they are going to go for it this season.

This is exactly it.  We aren't the Toronto Raptors, we don't hang atlantic division titles from the rafters.  I don't think this core is good enough to win it all even with Varejao so there isnt any reason to jeopardize our financial flexibility and draft flexibility.

[StartOrien]

I don't see the trade putting Boston over the top so I wouldn't give up both 1sts to get it done.  I'd probably give up 1 of them as Andy is a pretty solid use of the cap space and one 1st isn't that big of a deal. 

I also wouldn't foreclose the idea of still moving Allen or KG even if I brought in Andy as I think he is a nice piece going forward, but I know if they bring him in, they are going to go for it this season.

This is exactly it.  We aren't the Toronto Raptors, we don't hang atlantic division titles from the rafters.  I don't think this core is good enough to win it all even with Varejao so there isnt any reason to jeopardize our financial flexibility and draft flexibility.

But what are your alternatives?

I think moving forward with Rondo, Pierce, Varejao and 18.5 million dollars is the best option.

[Rondo2287]

I don't see the trade putting Boston over the top so I wouldn't give up both 1sts to get it done.  I'd probably give up 1 of them as Andy is a pretty solid use of the cap space and one 1st isn't that big of a deal. 

I also wouldn't foreclose the idea of still moving Allen or KG even if I brought in Andy as I think he is a nice piece going forward, but I know if they bring him in, they are going to go for it this season.

This is exactly it.  We aren't the Toronto Raptors, we don't hang atlantic division titles from the rafters.  I don't think this core is good enough to win it all even with Varejao so there isnt any reason to jeopardize our financial flexibility and draft flexibility.

But what are your alternatives?

I think moving forward with Rondo, Pierce, Varejao and 18.5 million dollars is the best option.

The alternative is either make a splash in free agency or suck and build through the draft.  I don't want a team that is just good enough to keep ticket prices high and do nothing else.

[chambers]

I don't see the trade putting Boston over the top so I wouldn't give up both 1sts to get it done.  I'd probably give up 1 of them as Andy is a pretty solid use of the cap space and one 1st isn't that big of a deal. 

I also wouldn't foreclose the idea of still moving Allen or KG even if I brought in Andy as I think he is a nice piece going forward, but I know if they bring him in, they are going to go for it this season.

This is exactly it.  We aren't the Toronto Raptors, we don't hang atlantic division titles from the rafters.  I don't think this core is good enough to win it all even with Varejao so there isnt any reason to jeopardize our financial flexibility and draft flexibility.

But what are your alternatives?

I think moving forward with Rondo, Pierce, Varejao and 18.5 million dollars is the best option.

The alternative is either make a splash in free agency or suck and build through the draft.  I don't want a team that is just good enough to keep ticket prices high and do nothing else.

So you get Verajao this season for a serious title run, then trade him for the same pieces you are talking about. ie; part of a package, or for draft picks.

Think how many contenders want him now, let alone after he played a season with the Celtics surrounded by KG on the defensive end and Rondo dishing him the ball under the rim.
His stock would sky rocket.
Every contender with a window closing in need of a 7 footer would come knocking prepared to give us the barn.
So we clear him, move on with Pierce, Rondo and $28 million and some more draft picks....
I can't see the big deal here.
It's win win.
People wanna pay Perkins 8 million but not Verajao...
Baffling.

[StartOrien]

I don't see the trade putting Boston over the top so I wouldn't give up both 1sts to get it done.  I'd probably give up 1 of them as Andy is a pretty solid use of the cap space and one 1st isn't that big of a deal. 

I also wouldn't foreclose the idea of still moving Allen or KG even if I brought in Andy as I think he is a nice piece going forward, but I know if they bring him in, they are going to go for it this season.

This is exactly it.  We aren't the Toronto Raptors, we don't hang atlantic division titles from the rafters.  I don't think this core is good enough to win it all even with Varejao so there isnt any reason to jeopardize our financial flexibility and draft flexibility.

But what are your alternatives?

I think moving forward with Rondo, Pierce, Varejao and 18.5 million dollars is the best option.

The alternative is either make a splash in free agency or suck and build through the draft.  I don't want a team that is just good enough to keep ticket prices high and do nothing else.

But saying splash is a lot easier than make it. Outside of Howard, there isn't a better alternative for this team. I don't think adding a defensive center on a good contract is just keeping prices high, it's an effort to construct a good team.

I don't see why a team of:

Rondo / Bradley
Wilson Chandler or OJ Mayo
Pierce
Kris Humprhies or Brandon Bass
Varejao / Jajuan Johnson

Couldn't be a serious contender.