Idea: Sensible Pierce-to-Contender Trade

[PosImpos]

An interesting idea.  Jefferson's contract is pretty obnoxious, but Splitter and Leonard are interesting players.

I think I'd prefer something like Pierce to Houston for assorted expiring young players if we're looking to move him.  Jefferson's contract is just too much of a negative value at this point: two more years @ $10 mil for a spot-up shooter?

I think you have to look at it in terms of the fact that Jefferson makes $5 million a year less than Pierce for the next two years.  Getting two valuable rebuilding assets in Leonard and Splitter is definitely worth it, in my opinion.

Even if Houston is interested in acquiring Pierce for expiring young players (I'm not convinced), I don't think the deal would have the same value.  Houston isn't going to offer any players as valuable as Leonard or Splitter.

The cap hit from Jefferson doesn't bother me that much because I view it as money we're going to be forced to spend, anyway.  I doubt the Celtics are going to be players for any major free agents this summer or next.

Houston's best young asset is what...Chandler Parsons? Chase Budinger? Goran Dragic?

I'd rather have Leonard/Splitter as well.

The advantage with dealing with Houston is that we wouldn't have to take on an albatross like Jefferson.

And Houston's got some interesting pieces.  Thabeet would be a nice prospect if we rebuild.  Marcus Morris might be interesting.

Certainly not ideal, but we would retain valuable cap flexibility.

Again, though, that cap flexibility to some extent is overrated because we're going to have to use that cap anyway.  I don't think any of the players Houston would be likely to include are really very interesting prospects.  Thabeet is a major bust.  Marcus Morris has a pretty limited ceiling, I think. 

Leonard and Splitter both could start on many teams already, and both have a good deal of upside.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Spurs won't do this deal on account that Splitter and Leonard are their solid future players. They may not be big names but they are the future, and no Kawhi would be more than a Kedrick Brown.

Pierce is an upgrade for RJ, but Wilcox and Pietrus is not for Splitter and Kawhi.

Spurs would not do this deal. I like the idea of having Leonard for us though. Flex 2/3 who can defend, shoot and slash.

[Who]

I'd like to sign Thabeet as a free agent next summer (should more enticing options fall through).

Nice long term project to develop.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'd like to sign Thabeet as a free agent next summer (should more enticing options fall through).

Nice long term project to develop.

THIS. I'm on board with you Who, with this. I always said that he was being asked to do something he's not in Memphis, which is an offensive back to basket Center when he clealy is a rebounder shot blocker. His confidence dropped. If the Celtics could make him embrace a certain role, which is to defend and rebound and block shots, set hard screens and catch alley opps and not worry about his offense (of course he still needs to work on it but the focus is on that role), he'll excel.

The guy is 7'3'' 260, can run the floor and jump up there. He's defensive capabilities are there already and has a lot more room to grow. We're talking about a shot stopper here.Of course there are talk that his work ethic is meh, that's what we are gambling.

In fact, why wait till FA's when we can trade Steimsma and someone to match salaries and a 2nd for him right now. I'd take that gamble.

[PosImpos]

Spurs won't do this deal on account that Splitter and Leonard are their solid future players. They may not be big names but they are the future, and no Kawhi would be more than a Kedrick Brown.

Pierce is an upgrade for RJ, but Wilcox and Pietrus is not for Splitter and Kawhi.

Spurs would not do this deal. I like the idea of having Leonard for us though. Flex 2/3 who can defend, shoot and slash.

Spurs have a core of old guys.  Duncan has maybe one or two years left.  Pierce is still a valuable player.  The Spurs would unquestionably be a lot better with Pierce in the starting lineup over Jefferson, and while Pietrus and Wilcox are not as good as Leonard and Splitter, they're decent enough to make this trade a win overall for the Spurs from a win-now perspective.

I think this trade would give the Spurs the chance to really fight for the conference title against the Thunder, Mavs, and Clips.  As it stands they're a nice regular season team, but I think they're a piece short for a real post-season run.  To me, it would make sense for them to cash in some of the young assets they've accumulated over the last couple of seasons to upgrade their starting lineup.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Spurs won't do this deal on account that Splitter and Leonard are their solid future players. They may not be big names but they are the future, and no Kawhi would be more than a Kedrick Brown.

Pierce is an upgrade for RJ, but Wilcox and Pietrus is not for Splitter and Kawhi.

Spurs would not do this deal. I like the idea of having Leonard for us though. Flex 2/3 who can defend, shoot and slash.

Spurs have a core of old guys.  Duncan has maybe one or two years left.  Pierce is still a valuable player.  The Spurs would unquestionably be a lot better with Pierce in the starting lineup over Jefferson, and while Pietrus and Wilcox are not as good as Leonard and Splitter, they're decent enough to make this trade a win overall for the Spurs from a win-now perspective.

I think this trade would give the Spurs the chance to really fight for the conference title against the Thunder, Mavs, and Clips.  As it stands they're a nice regular season team, but I think they're a piece short for a real post-season run.  To me, it would make sense for them to cash in some of the young assets they've accumulated over the last couple of seasons to upgrade their starting lineup.

The problem San Antonio has with this deal is, not a lot of FA's sign with this team. Wilcox and Pietrus are expiring deals, who will they have as replacements when their deals are done? Thats why they wont do it. Plus, the Spurs are contenders with this core, with Manu still being injured. They won't give up their developing assets just like that if they are contenders.

[CFAN38]

Splitter isn't really much of a prospect, he is already 27.

I would like to see us get leonard I think he will be an above average starting SF for a long time in the NBA

[PosImpos]

Spurs won't do this deal on account that Splitter and Leonard are their solid future players. They may not be big names but they are the future, and no Kawhi would be more than a Kedrick Brown.

Pierce is an upgrade for RJ, but Wilcox and Pietrus is not for Splitter and Kawhi.

Spurs would not do this deal. I like the idea of having Leonard for us though. Flex 2/3 who can defend, shoot and slash.

Spurs have a core of old guys.  Duncan has maybe one or two years left.  Pierce is still a valuable player.  The Spurs would unquestionably be a lot better with Pierce in the starting lineup over Jefferson, and while Pietrus and Wilcox are not as good as Leonard and Splitter, they're decent enough to make this trade a win overall for the Spurs from a win-now perspective.

I think this trade would give the Spurs the chance to really fight for the conference title against the Thunder, Mavs, and Clips.  As it stands they're a nice regular season team, but I think they're a piece short for a real post-season run.  To me, it would make sense for them to cash in some of the young assets they've accumulated over the last couple of seasons to upgrade their starting lineup.

The problem San Antonio has with this deal is, not a lot of FA's sign with this team. Wilcox and Pietrus are expiring deals, who will they have as replacements when their deals are done? Thats why they wont do it. Plus, the Spurs are contenders with this core, with Manu still being injured. They won't give up their developing assets just like that if they are contenders.

Spurs are contenders right now, but I think even they would recognize they're in the second tier compared to teams like the Heat, Thunder.  If they can upgrade the top of their rotation for the playoffs in a big way (which I think they would in this trade), I believe they would strongly consider it.

Free agents have joined the Spurs when they've been at the top of the league.  If the Spurs make a deep run in the playoffs with Parker / Ginobili / Pierce / Duncan this season, top veteran free agents would consider signing there.  The Spurs still have a lot of reasonably young depth on the team even without Leonard and Splitter, too (Blair, Neal, Green, etc).

Splitter isn't really much of a prospect, he is already 27.

Splitter may be 27 already, but he's only been in the league for a year and a half and he's already improved immensely. Given his size and skill level, I think there's a good chance he could be a very solid player in this league for 8-10 years.