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

[greenlion]

not gonna happen, and why do people always say we have problems with our bigs? its the mentality that has to change for our guys, to put the extra effort, they are able if they only want to..we just have to positively approach it,quit blaming..don't look for something ain't there..

[Employee8]

  Personally I think Pierce would rather finish his career competing for titles rather then staying in Boston and rebuilding.

  Those who are so set against him being dealt to a contender just know one thing.  You are feeling that way for you, not for Paul Pierce.

Absolutely, but hypothetically Pierce comes on this blog and reads through all these posts.  He's not going to feel wanted anymore is he?  Goes both ways.  As a fan, I want him to stay here and repay his loyalty to us.  If he gets that vibe from us, he is more inclined to want to stay here.  But if we're all on board for trading him, then he's going to feel rejected by us and want to be traded as well.  But at the same time if he comes out saying that he truly appreciates us but would like to go off and play for a contender, then I'm all for it as well.  Not going to hold him here against his will.

[CelticsFanNC]

  Personally I think Pierce would rather finish his career competing for titles rather then staying in Boston and rebuilding.

  Those who are so set against him being dealt to a contender just know one thing.  You are feeling that way for you, not for Paul Pierce.

Absolutely, but hypothetically Pierce comes on this blog and reads through all these posts.  He's not going to feel wanted anymore is he?  Goes both ways.  As a fan, I want him to stay here and repay his loyalty to us.  If he gets that vibe from us, he is more inclined to want to stay here.  But if we're all on board for trading him, then he's going to feel rejected by us and want to be traded as well.  But at the same time if he comes out saying that he truly appreciates us but would like to go off and play for a contender, then I'm all for it as well.  Not going to hold him here against his will.

 Hysterical.   I highly doubt Pierce comes here.  Still if players do read sports blogs how do you think Rondo feels if he comes here?  I wouldn't be surprised if he'd like to play on a team that can actually get into the open court consistently and allow him to thrive rather then playing in quick sand most of the night playing most of his minutes with the "over the hill gang".  That's not even taking into account the ridiculous and unwarranted pounding he takes from what is supposed to be a knowledgeable fan base.

[Employee8]

  Personally I think Pierce would rather finish his career competing for titles rather then staying in Boston and rebuilding.

  Those who are so set against him being dealt to a contender just know one thing.  You are feeling that way for you, not for Paul Pierce.

Absolutely, but hypothetically Pierce comes on this blog and reads through all these posts.  He's not going to feel wanted anymore is he?  Goes both ways.  As a fan, I want him to stay here and repay his loyalty to us.  If he gets that vibe from us, he is more inclined to want to stay here.  But if we're all on board for trading him, then he's going to feel rejected by us and want to be traded as well.  But at the same time if he comes out saying that he truly appreciates us but would like to go off and play for a contender, then I'm all for it as well.  Not going to hold him here against his will.

 Hysterical.   I highly doubt Pierce comes here.  Still if players do read sports blogs how do you think Rondo feels if he comes here?  I wouldn't be surprised if he'd like to play on a team that can actually get into the open court consistently and allow him to thrive rather then playing in quick sand most of the night playing most of his minutes with the "over the hill gang".  That's not even taking into account the ridiculous and unwarranted pounding he takes from what is supposed to be a knowledgeable fan base.

Well that's a different discussion that doesn't involve me.  I'm not talking about Rondo.

Obviously Pierce doesn't read sport blogs.  He gets the fans' pulse through our reporters (I just hope Dan is down in Florida with the Red Sox and FAR away from the Celtics).  But the fact remains that his decision would be slightly affected by the fans.  First and foremost, it's his own decision if he wants to pursue championships elsewhere or stick with us until it's his time.  I support him in whatever decision he makes, he's earned his right.  If he chooses to stay with us, I say we accommodate that and give him that honor.  He deserves it.

Personally I'm ok with a few fans throwing out ideas here and there but I'd be really depressed if we were all on board to drive him out of town when the whole time, he wanted to stay here.  Just not the way the Celtics would do things with Red around.

[Moranis]

Trade both Pierce and Rondo to Jazz for AlJeff, Devin Harris,  Hayward and Jazz's two 1st rounders this year.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=8x2xepb

Utah becomes instant contenders with their combination of youth, frontcourt strength and veteran leadership.

Boston gets a center who can score, a point guard who can shoot and they both expire next year. Plus they get a young 2/3 in Hayward who is verstile and can shoot and the obvious benefit of another two 1sts in a loaded draft.

I think that we can contend this year with:

Harris,Moore, Bradley, Dooling
Ray, Bradley, Pietrus
Hayward, Pietrus, Pavlovic, Daniels
KG, Bass, JJJ
AlJeff,JO Wilcox

KG,Ray and JO expire this year and Jefferson and Harris next to give us lots of room to maneuver.

al for rondo is bad, let alone al and harris for rondo and paul

Totally disagree. I think this probably the one trade that makes the most sense for BOTH teams. Its normal for Celtics fans to want to make trades that clearly benefit the Celtics more than the other team. But it doesn't work that way. Devin Harris is a better player than people think. Al Jeff is a very good offensive center and will REALLY strengthen our front-court.

  Devin Harris isn't a better player than people think. He also isn't much of a shooter.

I agree, I'd much rather trade Rondo and Pierce to Memphis for Gay, Conley (and perhaps another piece or two). I think Memphis might very well do that trade as well, as Rondo gives them something they lack defensively (and I don't think Conley has a 35 point triple double game in him either) and Pierce is the type of veteran that that team could use in a playoff series.  For the Celtics, Conley is a pretty solid offensive player and not bad defensively and Gay is a younger version of Pierce (not the defender, but a more versatile and consistent offensive game at this point). 

[action781]

Love Pierce, but I wouldn't want to him to stick around for 2 years of rebuilding, not for my sake, but for his sake.

If I saw him traded to a contender, I'd feel similar to how Ray Bourque fans probably felt when he was traded to Colorado.  I know it's different because Pierce already has a ring, but I don't want Pierce to have to waste the tail end of his career on a crappy team when he could be playing meaningful basketball.

There's no reason for him to go anywhere. He's won a title. He's rich. Why uproot himself and his family just to chase a second ring? He could stay in Boston and be the bridge to the next title teams.

"Be the bridge to the next title teams" meaning what?

Take up playing time that could go to developing a younger player, eat up $15 million in cap space, stand in the way of a true transition to Rondo being the unquestioned leader of the team . . . .

Exactly.  And contributing to higher win totals translating to worse draft picks every year

[snively]

Trade both Pierce and Rondo to Jazz for AlJeff, Devin Harris,  Hayward and Jazz's two 1st rounders this year.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=8x2xepb

Utah becomes instant contenders with their combination of youth, frontcourt strength and veteran leadership.

Boston gets a center who can score, a point guard who can shoot and they both expire next year. Plus they get a young 2/3 in Hayward who is verstile and can shoot and the obvious benefit of another two 1sts in a loaded draft.

I think that we can contend this year with:

Harris,Moore, Bradley, Dooling
Ray, Bradley, Pietrus
Hayward, Pietrus, Pavlovic, Daniels
KG, Bass, JJJ
AlJeff,JO Wilcox

KG,Ray and JO expire this year and Jefferson and Harris next to give us lots of room to maneuver.

al for rondo is bad, let alone al and harris for rondo and paul

Totally disagree. I think this probably the one trade that makes the most sense for BOTH teams. Its normal for Celtics fans to want to make trades that clearly benefit the Celtics more than the other team. But it doesn't work that way. Devin Harris is a better player than people think. Al Jeff is a very good offensive center and will REALLY strengthen our front-court.

  Devin Harris isn't a better player than people think. He also isn't much of a shooter.

I agree, I'd much rather trade Rondo and Pierce to Memphis for Gay, Conley (and perhaps another piece or two). I think Memphis might very well do that trade as well, as Rondo gives them something they lack defensively (and I don't think Conley has a 35 point triple double game in him either) and Pierce is the type of veteran that that team could use in a playoff series.  For the Celtics, Conley is a pretty solid offensive player and not bad defensively and Gay is a younger version of Pierce (not the defender, but a more versatile and consistent offensive game at this point). 

That's just transporting Memphis' problems to Boston: Conley is not a great play-maker, and Gay is Jeffersonian (as in Boston era Big Al) in his inability to create for others.  Memphis' offense has actually been worse than ours to start the season.

Pierce/Pietrus/Bradley for Gay/Selby (or Pargo) would be my offer.  Hollins would love Bradley as a back-up guard, and Pierce would give them the wing play-maker they need to improve offensively.  Pietrus would also provide much needed perimeter shooting off their bench.

[slamdunk]

I'd offer Pierce + Clippers 1st to Indy for Danny Granger.

[chambers]

Harris is absolute garbage.
There's a reason the Jazz have been shopping him from 3 months after he joined the team.

[green7]

I'd offer Pierce + Clippers 1st to Indy for Danny Granger.

paul george  would be better

[gpap]

Trade both Pierce and Rondo to Jazz for AlJeff, Devin Harris,  Hayward and Jazz's two 1st rounders this year.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=8x2xepb

Utah becomes instant contenders with their combination of youth, frontcourt strength and veteran leadership.

Boston gets a center who can score, a point guard who can shoot and they both expire next year. Plus they get a young 2/3 in Hayward who is verstile and can shoot and the obvious benefit of another two 1sts in a loaded draft.

I think that we can contend this year with:

Harris,Moore, Bradley, Dooling
Ray, Bradley, Pietrus
Hayward, Pietrus, Pavlovic, Daniels
KG, Bass, JJJ
AlJeff,JO Wilcox

KG,Ray and JO expire this year and Jefferson and Harris next to give us lots of room to maneuver.

al for rondo is bad, let alone al and harris for rondo and paul

Totally disagree. I think this probably the one trade that makes the most sense for BOTH teams. Its normal for Celtics fans to want to make trades that clearly benefit the Celtics more than the other team. But it doesn't work that way. Devin Harris is a better player than people think. Al Jeff is a very good offensive center and will REALLY strengthen our front-court.

  Devin Harris isn't a better player than people think. He also isn't much of a shooter.

I agree, I'd much rather trade Rondo and Pierce to Memphis for Gay, Conley (and perhaps another piece or two). I think Memphis might very well do that trade as well, as Rondo gives them something they lack defensively (and I don't think Conley has a 35 point triple double game in him either) and Pierce is the type of veteran that that team could use in a playoff series.  For the Celtics, Conley is a pretty solid offensive player and not bad defensively and Gay is a younger version of Pierce (not the defender, but a more versatile and consistent offensive game at this point). 

That's just transporting Memphis' problems to Boston: Conley is not a great play-maker, and Gay is Jeffersonian (as in Boston era Big Al) in his inability to create for others.  Memphis' offense has actually been worse than ours to start the season.

Pierce/Pietrus/Bradley for Gay/Selby (or Pargo) would be my offer.  Hollins would love Bradley as a back-up guard, and Pierce would give them the wing play-maker they need to improve offensively.  Pietrus would also provide much needed perimeter shooting off their bench.

What??? Celtics getting Conley and Gay for Pierce and Rondo would be a steal. Remember, no other team is going to engage in a trade that CLEARLY benefits the Cetlics.

[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. 

How is that maybe 10 teams when 16 make the playoffs and the western conference has 10 teams in the hunt for the 8 playoff spots. C'mon dude, I know your trying to make a point but there are more than 10 teams that are contenders. Any of the teams out west w/ the addition of PP could win the west.

You're seriously going to argue that all 16 playoff teams are really contenders?  In the East, it's quite possible the bottom seeds could be below .500.

I think 10 is actually quite generous.  How may teams would adding one of the Big Three really put over the top at this point?  Pierce to the Bulls probably puts them over the Heat.  However, Pierce, KG, or Ray aren't going to put the likes of Indy, Philly, Orlando, or Atlanta over the Heat and the Bulls.  So if you're their GM, why would you mortgage your future for one of them to likely still fall short in the playoffs?

[ssspence]

I still want to fight the case for Pierce for Gay

I am coming around on this one.  I am not a huge Gay fan, but he is one of the few guys that could realistically be available, that can both run with Rondo, while also providing a go-to scorer down the stretch of games.

And, it is concievable that Memphis decide to really try to win now, and try and have Pierce put them over the top. 

Danny could probably also throw in Bass, and get Mayo back as well, since they are pretty thin up front.

If this is a trade that can be achieved -- you do it. Rondo, Gay and a resigned Mayo, along with Bradley, Johnson and Moore, would be a very attractive core to attract Howard, a different FA in years to come, or generally to rebuild upon.