If you're gong to trade Paul Pierce, then...

[ghost_of_davidthirdkill]

I know that most people hate even the thought of trading Paul Pierce, but it might be the best option for the Celtics.  Also, most people couldn't stomach the idea of Pierce in a different uniform with the purple and gold being the worst possible option.  Therefore, I understand the vitriol that my trade scenario will spark.

Please allow me to preface my trade suggestion with the fact that if we're going to trade Pierce, the least we could do is send him to a team with a chance at contending.  Also, sending him back home would be a nice gesture.

Anyway, here goes.


4 Team trade involving Celtics, Lakers, Rockets & Hornets

Celtics receive:  Okafor, picks #10, #14, & #16
Lakers receive:   Paul Pierce & Jujuan Johnson
Rockets receive:  Gasol
Hornets receive:  Picks #21 & #51 (plus they get rid of Okafor's salary)

Why the Lakers do it:  It seems pretty clear that they want to shake things up and don't believe that Gasol fits well with Bynum right now.  By getting Pierce they get another scoring threat to take the load off of Kobe.  In addition JJJ is young and has potential to help out at the 4.

Why the Rockets do it:  It's no secrect that the Rockets covet Gasol.  If it weren't for Stern they would have had him this past year.  Also, they'll have the cap room in 2012 ($30 committed to players).

Why the Hornets do it:  They get rid of Okafor's contract by swapping picks.  They receive an additional 2nd rounder plus they can probably still pick up a good player at #21.


What this does for the Celtics:

I know that most people will probably think drafting 4 players in one draft is too much.  I however believe that in a deep draft such as this, you take advantage of it and build depth with players who can eventually be starters (and possibly all-stars).  Also, still leaves you with enough cap space to re sign KG ($10-$14 mil), Jeff Green ($5-$8 mil) and possibly Chauncey Billups ($3-$4 mil).

 
Pick #10:   Myers Leonard (center of the future)

Pick #14 & #16:  select 2 from PF, SF and SG options

Power Forwards:  Perry Jones, Terrence or Arnett Moultrie

Small Forwards:  Moe Harkles

Shooting Gurard:  Terrence Ross, Austin Rivers

Pick #22:  Select whichever position you didn't with 14 & 16

Small Forwards:  Quincy Miller, Royce White , Jeff Taylor

Shooting Guard:  Will Barton, Doron Lamb, Tony Wroten


*  If the 2012-2013 salary cap doesn't go into effect until after the draft, then the C's could take Camby and Dalembert from the Rockets and then simply renounce them with everyone else when free agency begins. 
 
  In this scenario, the trade with NO would just have to be an agreement and they select Leonard with pick 10 (for us) with the proposed trade in mind.

[Who]

So the rumour is that New Orleans will give up the #10 pick if someone takes Okafor's contract.

So we'd be giving up Paul Pierce + JaJuan Johnson + #21 pick for Houston's #14 and #16?

[alajet]

So, you team Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant to form a historically clutch veteran duo and with Bynum still in Lakers uniform, and soft Gasol done and gone, give Lakers a good hand to bounce back from disappointment?
Not good, I say.

[pearljammer10]

1) Why would we trade pierce. 2) Why would we trade Pierce for unestablished rookies in a weak draft that Doc wont play 3) Why would we trade Pierce for a contract worse then the one he has?

[ghost_of_davidthirdkill]

1) Why would we trade pierce. 2) Why would we trade Pierce for unestablished rookies in a weak draft that Doc wont play 3) Why would we trade Pierce for a contract worse then the one he has?

1)  It's better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late.  This is business...not personal.  Plus we'r getting valuable assets back who are young and have potential.  The Big 3 was a 3 year plan that gave us 5 good years.  It's time to move on people!

2)  A starting 5 of Rondo, Bradley, Green, Okafor and KG allows Doc to bring the rookies along slowly while being able to learn from vets like KG, Okafur and Rondo.  Plus, that's a pretty good starting 5 especially in the East.

3)  We take on Okafor's contract because it gets us pick #10 and our center of the future in Leonard.  Additonally, we have Okafor, who while being overpaid is still a solid PF/C.

[ghost_of_davidthirdkill]

By the way...when did this become a weak draft?!

[ghost_of_davidthirdkill]

So the rumour is that New Orleans will give up the #10 pick if someone takes Okafor's contract.

So we'd be giving up Paul Pierce + JaJuan Johnson + #21 pick for Houston's #14 and #16?

I believe you left out that the C's would also be getting the #10 overall pick in your question, but outside of that yes.  But if you think that's too much, we can hold onto JJJ. 

[Eddie20]

1) Why would we trade pierce. 2) Why would we trade Pierce for unestablished rookies in a weak draft that Doc wont play 3) Why would we trade Pierce for a contract worse then the one he has?

Really?

[clover]

I'd definitely do the Pierce for #10 and Okafur deal and if need be I might toss in one of the C's first rounders.  

I don't see for a minute how tossing 3J in there gets you #14 and 16 as well.  I'd call that an Auerbach cigar dream.

Update: I retract my statement: had forgotten that the NO transaction was complete unto itself.  And if you are going to take on Okafur, you need to give up Pierce, so a good pick/upgrade is a good solution for that.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

So the rumour is that New Orleans will give up the #10 pick if someone takes Okafor's contract.

So we'd be giving up Paul Pierce + JaJuan Johnson + #21 pick for Houston's #14 and #16?

I believe you left out that the C's would also be getting the #10 overall pick in your question, but outside of that yes.  But if you think that's too much, we can hold onto JJJ. 

Hold onto JJJ, I say,say, say...!!! What would you be doing, trading a jjj, for a jjj...? Who didn't, play, play, play...? The 1 millioneth reason to play these guys..earlier in the year...and yes, in most early season games there is plenty of time...esp in the 2nd quarter....and the season if you look at it the right way is only a "tune-up" time for the playoffs...look at what happened this year regarding playoff positions....Howard, out, rose, out.....so #6...or 5 spot wasn't so bad.....actually if we played miami first, we probably would have beaten them....we had EVERYONE, were healthy.....had bradley.....ever think of it from that point..? It just came to ME..LOL....

[Meadowlark_Scal]

1) Why would we trade pierce. 2) Why would we trade Pierce for unestablished rookies in a weak draft that Doc wont play 3) Why would we trade Pierce for a contract worse then the one he has?

1)  It's better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late.  This is business...not personal.  Plus we'r getting valuable assets back who are young and have potential.  The Big 3 was a 3 year plan that gave us 5 good years.  It's time to move on people!

2)  A starting 5 of Rondo, Bradley, Green, Okafor and KG allows Doc to bring the rookies along slowly while being able to learn from vets like KG, Okafur and Rondo.  Plus, that's a pretty good starting 5 especially in the East.

3)  We take on Okafor's contract because it gets us pick #10 and our center of the future in Leonard.  Additonally, we have Okafor, who while being overpaid is still a solid PF/C.

Your #2 point is a great idea...but since when did doc change to this point of view...? He won't play these guys.....

[BleedGreen1989]

I'm not gonna lie, I actually like it but the chances of it happening are extremely slim

[slamdunk]

4 Team trade involving Celtics, Lakers, Rockets & Hornets

Celtics receive:  Okafor, picks #10, #14, & #16
Lakers receive:   Paul Pierce & Jujuan Johnson
Rockets receive:  Gasol
Hornets receive:  Picks #21 & #51 (plus they get rid of Okafor's salary)

Hornets are offering Okafor + #10 for free. This deal would essentially be Pierce/#21 for #14/#16.

I don't see for a minute how tossing 3J in there gets you #14 and 16 as well.  I'd call that an Auerbach cigar dream.

You'd be lucky to get some basketballs for him.

[Finkelskyhook]

How many of these threads do we need?

It's more likely that the Celtics franchise will be moved to Lewiston, Maine than it is that they'll trade Paul Pierce.

[CoachBo]

Pierce for Okafor and draft picks?

Good Lord, I'll fly to Boston and hunt Ainge down myself if he's drunk enough to do that.

SMH at these threads.