Adrian Woj: C's aggressively trying to move into lottery

[theswitch]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm having conflicting emotions. I'd like to see all our key guys back, especially KG, and I want to see Pierce retire a Celtic, but if KG isn't coming back, and Ray walks, I think we need to go into serious rebuild mode with a high lottery pick—but that would probably meaning trading Pierce, and I don't want that. I can't imagine Pierce in another jersey; I sure as heck don't want the Lakers getting him somehow, and I think it would almost be an insult to send him to a crap team like the Warriors. Can you imagine seeing Pierce in a Golden State jersey? Ugh.

Anyway, I think we should keep Rondo at all costs. I'd hate to see Bradley go, but if it means getting a possible All-Star (or better) talent, someone who could be a real game-changer for several years to come, I think we have to do it. I'm also hoping that if we do get into the lottery, we don't use that pick on Rivers—I wouldn't mind having him, but not for that price.

Personal feelings aside, obviously if Garnett retires and we have the opportunity to give up Pierce for a mid-high lottery pick, it's an easy decision basketball-wise for the future. And that answer is go for it. I don't want Pierce to go, but I hope Danny is more cold-hearted than I am.

[indeedproceed]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm having conflicting emotions. I'd like to see all our key guys back, especially KG, and I want to see Pierce retire a Celtic, but if KG isn't coming back, and Ray walks, I think we need to go into serious rebuild mode with a high lottery pick—but that would probably meaning trading Pierce, and I don't want that. I can't imagine Pierce in another jersey; I sure as heck don't want the Lakers getting him somehow, and I think it would almost be an insult to send him to a crap team like the Warriors. Can you imagine seeing Pierce in a Golden State jersey? Ugh.

Anyway, I think we should keep Rondo at all costs. I'd hate to see Bradley go, but if it means getting a possible All-Star (or better) talent, someone who could be a real game-changer for several years to come, I think we have to do it. I'm also hoping that if we do get into the lottery, we don't use that pick on Rivers—I wouldn't mind having him, but not for that price.

Personal feelings aside, obviously if Garnett retires and we have the opportunity to give up Pierce for a mid-high lottery pick, it's an easy decision basketball-wise for the future. And that answer is go for it. I don't want Pierce to go, but I hope Danny is more cold-hearted than I am.

That's almost exactly how I feel.

[Yogi]

Golden State would probably love to have just Bradley for number 7.  Who are they getting that is better than Bradley?  They might shoot for upside, but Bradley with his athleticism has more upside himself.

[SHAQATTACK]

Not sure how we can intelligently move up that much...unless KG is retiring and Danny is trading Pierce. Bradley plus our 2 picks should be enough to get into the mid-late lottery, but I'm not sure that's worth it.

True...just don't see the 2-10 lottery guys being all "THAT" much better than the 11-22 picks .........don't see the VALUE in trading that far and turns out the 20th pick say "WHITE" was the better player .  

Unless he is picking Rivers as TRADING CHIP , to trade to get a PROVEN NBA center ( like HIBBERT or GASOL, ect) ....I wouldn't waste the draft pick on Rivers .  NO WAY , we don't need him, unless he is a bargaining chip to land a awesome FA .

[chambers]

I really think you guys are undervaluing us.

PP + AB + both picks = 7??

**** guys cmon lol, if we lose pp we have NO SCORERS **** you going to do. we cant replace pp and get a big and get a decent bench like this lol...maybe PP stright up for a mid-level or AB + 22nd for a mid level but not all that for a 7...that is really dumb lol

It might get us number 5 from Sacramento.

The point here is that if KG is retiring, then we must get something for Pierce while he's still got lottery value.
We won't need any scorers because we'll officially be in rebuild mode around Rondo.

[Kane3387]

21 + 22 + AB likely gets us no higher then to number 10 with New Orleans. I don't see how we could get higher without moving Rondo or Pierce.

[SHAQATTACK]

Golden State would probably love to have just Bradley for number 7.  Who are they getting that is better than Bradley?  They might shoot for upside, but Bradley with his athleticism has more upside himself.

Personally , I wound't trade Bradley period, we know what we got and he'll rehab his shoulders , he is young.  It would have to be a sacrifice for a AWESOME big PF or Center and I might be ok with it.  

Either DA is going after a BIG to REPLACE KG or to HELP him .  

Looks like DA has been playing posseum  and holding his cards in check ...

Stillthink the safe thing is to take the two pics for the best big avaialbe.

[KGs Knee]

Here's my question if we did try to trade Pierce in an attempt to get a pick in the 5-10 range.  Are there really any teams out there willing to trade a lottery pick for a guy that might not have any interest in going anywhere?

I have no idea what Pierce's mindset on the matter is, but I have serious doubts he would be interested in going to a lottery team.  I'd think other teams would be scared he'd just retire, leaving them with $17m of dead salary this year and $4m next.

I really only see Bradley and our picks as legitimate trade chips, and I don't think either are enough to get high enough into the lottery to make it worth it.

[Greenback]

The best bet would be to trade Rondo to move up.....for Doc's kid + spare parts

Ainge views Rondo like he did Antoine Walker: trying to have a stranglehold on the team - and he had to go

If Rondo goes, chances are better that Ray stays, too

Then the Celtics could pick up PG's Marshall or Teague later in the first round

Also, Crawford could help fill the PG, too

Ainge days indeed!

Further,

[esel1000]

The best bet would be to trade Rondo to move up.....for Doc's kid + spare parts

Ainge views Rondo like he did Antoine Walker: trying to have a stranglehold on the team - and he had to go

If Rondo goes, chances are better that Ray stays, too

Then the Celtics could pick up PG's Marshall or Teague later in the first round

Also, Crawford could help fill the PG, too

Ainge days indeed!

Further,

If we trade Rondo... to draft Rivers... Then I invite my fellow celtics fans to join me in jumping off a bridge tonight...

Honestly if we trade Rondo for a pick, it better be Davis... say no to a Rondo trade

[TheBigTicket23]

I am absolutely sick of the rumors trading Rondo, it doesn't make sense to move up in this draft which have only 1 superstar to move maybe the best PG in the league. I liked his leadership in the playoffs and I don't think he is that hard to handle. I think in his heart Rondo is a celtic.

Just the rumors and think about something else then trading Rondo.

Would like to say the same for Pierce but that's just more realistic to happen if it's a case to move up in the draft. Don't want to see it happen. Pierce should retire as a celtic.

[j804]

If we trade Pierce that's a good message to KG that were blowing this thing up 

[chambers]

The best bet would be to trade Rondo to move up.....for Doc's kid + spare parts

Ainge views Rondo like he did Antoine Walker: trying to have a stranglehold on the team - and he had to go

If Rondo goes, chances are better that Ray stays, too

Then the Celtics could pick up PG's Marshall or Teague later in the first round

Also, Crawford could help fill the PG, too

Ainge days indeed!

Further,

If we trade Rondo... to draft Rivers... Then I invite my fellow celtics fans to join me in jumping off a bridge tonight...

Honestly if we trade Rondo for a pick, it better be Davis... say no to a Rondo trade

hahaha I think Danny would need his own safe house if that happened. If there's one thing I can guarantee that will not happen, it's Rondo for Austin Rivers.

[Cman]

How high could Bradley + 21 +22 realistically get us?  8-10 range?

Yeah, I'd imagine that's about right, especially the #10, #11 range since these will both be picks #2 of the night for New Orleans and Portland.

I think the question we all need to be asking is whether we would prefer to have those picks and Bradley (or maybe one pick and Bradley, depending on the deal) or a guy like Austin Rivers, Jeremy Lamb, Dion Waiters, Meyers Leonard. It is clear to me that if Rivers is on the board and we trade up, then he's the pick. I'd probably rather keep on to Avery and the picks.

Agreed. "A Bird In Hand...." and all that.

[Celtics18]

I optimistically predict that Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo will all be Celtics for the 2012-2013 season.