Woj on 'EEI: If Cs trade, Pierce most likely one to go:Rondo only for star

[Jon]

Media gurus have been saying for years now that the C's have to get something for the Big Three before they walk.  However, what they've failed to do are the following things:

1) Actually propose realistic trades

2) Take into account that cap space is also something that the Big Three can provide value to this team with. 

The problem with all members of the Big Three is that they don't appeal to any team that's not a contender, or close to it.  So at least 20 teams have no interest in them. 

That leaves MAYBE 10 teams.  And the problem is, most of those teams have the following problems:

1) They don't have much in the way of young talent.

2) They won't part with any of their core for our Big Three.

3) Both of the above. 

Pierce is the one who might actually nab us something of value because he likely has a few good years left and has seen his game drop off the least of the Big Three.  I really think that most of the teams out there really view Ray and KG as guys they can really only rely on for this season. 

Overall, I wouldn't be surprised if nothing happened.  While it'd be nice to see the C's get the next piece of the puzzle, I really think there's a good chance that teams are only going to offer us role players and late first round picks.  And if that's the case, we're better off just holding onto these guys.  Because remember, unless our trade partner is substantially under the cap, we're going to have to take back as much salary as we give up.  And the last thing we need to do in a rebuilding era is have 10, 16, or 23 million dollars tied up in role players who likely won't be around when the next banner is raised. 

[colincb]

PP and Bass for Taj Gibson, Deng,Filler and a 1st?

PP to Denver for Andre Miller(expiring) and S+t Chandler and a 1st ?

can't really think of any more, but i like the chicago deal a lot if they could get that.

plenty of teams could use Pierce.  The Lakers, the Clippers, the Thunder, the Mavericks, the Nuggets, the Bulls, the Pacers, the Sixers, the Hawks, the Magic, and probably a few others where Pierce would make a huge difference in the playoff prospects of a team.  That said many of those teams don't have the pieces the Celtics would want and/or that they would be willing to give up in the trade.

I can't imagine a trade with the Lakers that isn't so one-sided that we'd have to do it and they'd want to do it.

[green7]

can't say taj,deng,asik wouldn't better our defense, but seeing pierce go would be hard. but on the other hand rondo will have two players he can run with i'm confused  .

[jarufu]

Media gurus have been saying for years now that the C's have to get something for the Big Three before they walk.  However, what they've failed to do are the following things:

1) Actually propose realistic trades

2) Take into account that cap space is also something that the Big Three can provide value to this team with. 

The problem with all members of the Big Three is that they don't appeal to any team that's not a contender, or close to it.  So at least 20 teams have no interest in them. 

That leaves MAYBE 10 teams.  And the problem is, most of those teams have the following problems:

1) They don't have much in the way of young talent.

2) They won't part with any of their core for our Big Three.

3) Both of the above. 

Pierce is the one who might actually nab us something of value because he likely has a few good years left and has seen his game drop off the least of the Big Three.  I really think that most of the teams out there really view Ray and KG as guys they can really only rely on for this season. 

Overall, I wouldn't be surprised if nothing happened.  While it'd be nice to see the C's get the next piece of the puzzle, I really think there's a good chance that teams are only going to offer us role players and late first round picks.  And if that's the case, we're better off just holding onto these guys.  Because remember, unless our trade partner is substantially under the cap, we're going to have to take back as much salary as we give up.  And the last thing we need to do in a rebuilding era is have 10, 16, or 23 million dollars tied up in role players who likely won't be around when the next banner is raised. 

This. exactly.

TP

[vinnie]

As one of the older guys here who has seen in person a large percentage of Pierce's games, I simply don't want to trade him. It is the thing I hate most about sports today -- that no one stays with their original team for their entire contract. It really takes a lot of the fun out of it for older guys like me.

[Chris]

can't say taj,deng,asik wouldn't better our defense, but seeing pierce go would be hard. but on the other hand rondo will have two players he can run with i'm confused  .

Its not worth worrying about, because the Bulls would never make that trade anyways.  That would make them a significantly worse team this year, and really hurt their chances of contending.  Having Asik and Gibson off the bench is one of their strengths.  They won't give them both away, along with Deng, to get Pierce.  

[LarBrd33]

Media gurus have been saying for years now that the C's have to get something for the Big Three before they walk.  However, what they've failed to do are the following things:

1) Actually propose realistic trades

2) Take into account that cap space is also something that the Big Three can provide value to this team with.  

The problem with all members of the Big Three is that they don't appeal to any team that's not a contender, or close to it.  So at least 20 teams have no interest in them.  

That leaves MAYBE 10 teams.  And the problem is, most of those teams have the following problems:

1) They don't have much in the way of young talent.

2) They won't part with any of their core for our Big Three.

3) Both of the above.  

Pierce is the one who might actually nab us something of value because he likely has a few good years left and has seen his game drop off the least of the Big Three.  I really think that most of the teams out there really view Ray and KG as guys they can really only rely on for this season.  

Overall, I wouldn't be surprised if nothing happened.  While it'd be nice to see the C's get the next piece of the puzzle, I really think there's a good chance that teams are only going to offer us role players and late first round picks.  And if that's the case, we're better off just holding onto these guys.  Because remember, unless our trade partner is substantially under the cap, we're going to have to take back as much salary as we give up.  And the last thing we need to do in a rebuilding era is have 10, 16, or 23 million dollars tied up in role players who likely won't be around when the next banner is raised.  

This. exactly.

TP

Not entirely.  It depends how risky and creative Ainge wants to be... and what kind of little birdies he is listening to.

Example: If he has reason to believe leading up to the trade deadline that Howard and Deron are staying put and NOT signing extensions... the goal should be to try to sign them both.

Currently the Celtics have 25 mil in cap room.  That's enough to get one, but not both.  If you traded Pierce for expiring contracts + late 1st rounder, the expiring contracts become more important than the draft pick... it would give us something like 38 mil in cap space and enough to not only offer Deron and Dwight a package deal, but you could trade Rondo for a complimentary piece and possibly have enough left over to give Bass and Jeff Green contracts (or bring back Ray and KG on the cheap)

Really depends... It would have to be a big picture trade.

[Eja117]

Seeing Pierce get traded would definitely make this season suck several times worse than it does now.

It will certainly be unpleasant on a number of levels, but watching most of the games is already excruciating.

That was pretty much my first thought

[Eja117]

Seeing Pierce get traded would definitely make this season suck several times worse than it does now.

Exactly.

Also, isn't Ray Allen the more moveable piece here?

He may be the more movable piece, but if  you're going all-out for Howard, you want to let Allen and Garnett expire, and be able to show him a young core with Rondo and a very good wing player (think something along the lines of Granger/Deng).

Very good point. Then you feature the young kids the rest of the year or something and sign the best possible mid level guy you can, and draft your heart out

[jarufu]

Media gurus have been saying for years now that the C's have to get something for the Big Three before they walk.  However, what they've failed to do are the following things:

1) Actually propose realistic trades

2) Take into account that cap space is also something that the Big Three can provide value to this team with.  

The problem with all members of the Big Three is that they don't appeal to any team that's not a contender, or close to it.  So at least 20 teams have no interest in them.  

That leaves MAYBE 10 teams.  And the problem is, most of those teams have the following problems:

1) They don't have much in the way of young talent.

2) They won't part with any of their core for our Big Three.

3) Both of the above.  

Pierce is the one who might actually nab us something of value because he likely has a few good years left and has seen his game drop off the least of the Big Three.  I really think that most of the teams out there really view Ray and KG as guys they can really only rely on for this season.  

Overall, I wouldn't be surprised if nothing happened.  While it'd be nice to see the C's get the next piece of the puzzle, I really think there's a good chance that teams are only going to offer us role players and late first round picks.  And if that's the case, we're better off just holding onto these guys.  Because remember, unless our trade partner is substantially under the cap, we're going to have to take back as much salary as we give up.  And the last thing we need to do in a rebuilding era is have 10, 16, or 23 million dollars tied up in role players who likely won't be around when the next banner is raised.  

This. exactly.

TP

Not entirely.  It depends how risky and creative Ainge wants to be... and what kind of little birdies he is listening to.

Example: If he has reason to believe leading up to the trade deadline that Howard and Deron are staying put and NOT signing extensions... the goal should be to try to sign them both.

Currently the Celtics have 25 mil in cap room.  That's enough to get one, but not both.  If you traded Pierce for expiring contracts + late 1st rounder, the expiring contracts become more important than the draft pick... it would give us something like 38 mil in cap space and enough to not only offer Deron and Dwight a package deal, but you could trade Rondo for a complimentary piece and possibly have enough left over to give Bass and Jeff Green contracts (or bring back Ray and KG on the cheap)

Really depends... It would have to be a big picture trade.

I almost think that Ainge would have to have some pictures of a GM in compromising situations to get something that doesnt lead to several years of mediocrity tho . . .

[Eja117]

Seeing Pierce get traded would definitely make this season suck several times worse than it does now.

It would, from a sentimental standpoint.

I think Pierce probably should go, one way or another, for the best interests of the team.  He doesn't have a lot of value for a rebuilding team (which we absolutely will be after this season).

Don't get sentimental for Pierce. Retiring as a Celt means absolutely nothing to him. He's a modern pro athlete

[CelticsFanNC]

  I think Chicago needs to add another proven late game scoring option if they are to have any chance of getting past Miami.  They rely almost exclusively on Rose and as we in last seasons playoffs Miami can contain him because the Bulls have no one else they can count on in crunch time.

  I honestly could see them getting upset before the Conference Finals if they don't add another proven scorer.  Boozer disappears and isn't clutch at all.

  If they make a deal for Pierce that will be why.

[Tone]

I hope we dont trade Paul Pierce

[nickagneta]

I hope we dont trade Paul Pierce

Succinct and too the point and describes exactly what I feel. TP sir or ma'am.

[LarBrd33]

Media gurus have been saying for years now that the C's have to get something for the Big Three before they walk.  However, what they've failed to do are the following things:

1) Actually propose realistic trades

2) Take into account that cap space is also something that the Big Three can provide value to this team with.  

The problem with all members of the Big Three is that they don't appeal to any team that's not a contender, or close to it.  So at least 20 teams have no interest in them.  

That leaves MAYBE 10 teams.  And the problem is, most of those teams have the following problems:

1) They don't have much in the way of young talent.

2) They won't part with any of their core for our Big Three.

3) Both of the above.  

Pierce is the one who might actually nab us something of value because he likely has a few good years left and has seen his game drop off the least of the Big Three.  I really think that most of the teams out there really view Ray and KG as guys they can really only rely on for this season.  

Overall, I wouldn't be surprised if nothing happened.  While it'd be nice to see the C's get the next piece of the puzzle, I really think there's a good chance that teams are only going to offer us role players and late first round picks.  And if that's the case, we're better off just holding onto these guys.  Because remember, unless our trade partner is substantially under the cap, we're going to have to take back as much salary as we give up.  And the last thing we need to do in a rebuilding era is have 10, 16, or 23 million dollars tied up in role players who likely won't be around when the next banner is raised.  

This. exactly.

TP

Not entirely.  It depends how risky and creative Ainge wants to be... and what kind of little birdies he is listening to.

Example: If he has reason to believe leading up to the trade deadline that Howard and Deron are staying put and NOT signing extensions... the goal should be to try to sign them both.

Currently the Celtics have 25 mil in cap room.  That's enough to get one, but not both.  If you traded Pierce for expiring contracts + late 1st rounder, the expiring contracts become more important than the draft pick... it would give us something like 38 mil in cap space and enough to not only offer Deron and Dwight a package deal, but you could trade Rondo for a complimentary piece and possibly have enough left over to give Bass and Jeff Green contracts (or bring back Ray and KG on the cheap)

Really depends... It would have to be a big picture trade.

I almost think that Ainge would have to have some pictures of a GM in compromising situations to get something that doesnt lead to several years of mediocrity tho . . .

To that point... if we do nothing, we are leading to several years of mediocrity anyways.   Pierce only has a few years left, Rondo is what he is... we aren't a contender this year and no miracle is going to turn us into a contender next year.   I guess the pipe dream is keeping Pierce and signing Dwight in the offseason, but even if we were able to sign Dwight, we'd have no money left to offer KG, Ray, Bass or Green...  WE'd have Rondo, Dwight and a couple years of quality Pierce. Not sure why Dwight would go for that.

SO if mediocrity is the worst-case scenario of taking a chance... and mediocrity is the likely scenario of standing pat (unless another Jeremy Lin comes out of nowhere)... I say take a chance.