Ric Bucher : GM'S tell me they would trade Gasol for PP if they ran the Fakers

[kp4000]

I think Pierce, would retire before playing in a Lakers uniform. Depending on what happens this off-season I wouldn't be surprise if Pierce and Garnett retired. 

[esel1000]

I think Pierce, would retire before playing in a Lakers uniform. Depending on what happens this off-season I wouldn't be surprise if Pierce and Garnett retired. 

To be fair Pierce grew up a Lakers fan and his family is in LA (and potentially still Lakers fans). At this point though you may be right. Still, I don't think pp would despise playing for his home team as much as the generous population would despite Ainge if he ever did this. I don't see it

[clover]

I think Pierce, would retire before playing in a Lakers uniform. Depending on what happens this off-season I wouldn't be surprise if Pierce and Garnett retired. 

To be fair Pierce grew up a Lakers fan and his family is in LA (and potentially still Lakers fans). At this point though you may be right. Still, I don't think pp would despise playing for his home team as much as the generous population would despite Ainge if he ever did this. I don't see it

That's right, and Pierce has been open about his having come close to asking for a trade back in the days when the Celts were bad.  LA has long been rumored to be his other preferred location to play in.

[snively]

I think Pierce, would retire before playing in a Lakers uniform. Depending on what happens this off-season I wouldn't be surprise if Pierce and Garnett retired. 

I think Pierce would actually enjoy playing in LA.  Hometown, good relationship with Kobe (the kind of guy Kobe would like to play with as well), surefire playoff team.

The real question is whether KG will still want to stay in Boston if the core changes.  Pierce and KG are pretty tight.  I think it's possible as long as a player of Gasol's caliber is coming back.  Doc + Rondo + contender should be enough to keep him.

[clover]

Bucher said this would leave the c's with a lineup of

PG: Rondo
SG: Bradley
SF: Green
PF: Gasol
 C: KG

Very interesting Idea, but I highly doubt it happens

Who takes the last shot in that lineup?

Any of them--whoever's open.

[Mr October]

This is a swap that makes a lot of sense. Losing Pierce is a stomach punch though, especially to LA.

[Roy H.]

No. 



I do not want to see Pierce as a Laker.

This. 

[Moranis]

Bucher said this would leave the c's with a lineup of

PG: Rondo
SG: Bradley
SF: Green
PF: Gasol
 C: KG

Very interesting Idea, but I highly doubt it happens

Who takes the last shot in that lineup?

Any of them--whoever's open.

Jordan in many respects ruined basketball.  This is one of those respects where now you have to have a guy down the stretch.  Just silly.

[Fan from VT]

Instead of using capspace on smith later, why not trade Rondo for Smith + Teague or Smith + a pick, and use capspace on D Will or KG+Others (if it's for Teauge:

DWill (max)
Bradley
?? #21/#22/Pietrus
Smith (I think he's most effective at the 4,
Gasol (and Gasol most effective at 5)

Johnson
#21/#22
Stiemsma
Moore
Vets
-Future ATL pick

or

DWill (max)
Bradley
?? #21/#22/Pietrus
Smith
Gasol

Teague
#21/#222
Stiemsma
Johnson
Vets
NO future ATL Pick

OR


Teague
Bradley
??
Smith
Gasol

#21/#22
Johnson
Stiemsma
Rest of capspace

In this scenario you'd go into it with Teague at PG (risky) but you'd have 20 million or so in space to re-sign KG, an SF (Green, Beasley) or another point (andre miller?)

[southshorematt]

[Roy H.]

^ Just disgusting.

[rondohondo]

eeeekkk , he looks horrible in those colors

[Change]

there goes my lunch. disgusting

[action781]

This is a swap that makes a lot of sense. Losing Pierce is a stomach punch though, especially to LA.

Makes sense on paper, but the celtics would alienate a considerable part of their fan base with this trade.

It makes a lot of sense in general to trade Pierce for a comparably talented PF/C because we have a need at the PF/C and we have a young, capable SF we can sign and insert into the starting lineup who is untradable.

If we DON'T trade Pierce, we end up either giving away a nice young player (Green) or we keep Green and end up with a very capable player on our roster getting less minutes than he deserves while relatively weaker players are getting more minutes than they deserve.  Its a crappy situation because it still doesn't make we want to trade Pierce necessarily.

[Snakehead]

Danny would do anything to make the team better... but this.  He just wouldn't and I'm glad.