Celtics/OKC trade idea

[gpap]

Would OKC deal Harden and Perk for Pierce? Salaries match. Celts get younger at the 3 with Harden and get a sorely needed big man (ironically the last good big man we had.)

And now for the Paul Pierce must retire as a Celtic swan song

[Chris]

I think it would take a couple draft picks for them to consider it.  Getting rid of Perk's salary is not enough for them to give up the value Harden brings.

I also am not sure how thrilled Danny would be to do that.  While I am sure he likes Harden, I am not sure he would be thrilled to be paying him the max (I think that would be needed to keep him), while also taking on Perk's contract, and likely giving up even more assets in the process.

[pearljammer10]

I really isnt a bad deal for either team. However,i cant see the celtics organization pulling the trigger on this. Plus it makes zero sense for OKC because their two best players would play the same position...

However:

Rondo/Terry
Harden/Lee
Green/Harden
KG/Bass/Sully
Perk/Wilcox/Collins

Im not even sure if this lineup makes us better or not.

[Who]

It's a very bad deal for OKC. They wouldn't consider it.

[AB_Celtic]

I really isnt a bad deal for either team. However,i cant see the celtics organization pulling the trigger on this. Plus it makes zero sense for OKC because their two best players would play the same position...

However:

Rondo/Terry
Harden/Lee
Green/Harden
KG/Bass/Sully
Perk/Wilcox/Collins

Im not even sure if this lineup makes us better or not.

More like

Rondo/Dooling
Bradley/Lee/Terry/Harden
Green/Joseph
KG/Bass/Sullinger
Perkins/Wilcox/Collins/Melo

Several problems here:
1. Huge logjam in the backcourt
2. Almost no depth at the 3 (Harden can't really defend larger SF's, like LeBron, and that's an issue)
3. KG back at PF, where he has played worse in recent years

Problem 1 is solved by adding Bradley into the trade. I think he makes around $1m this year, so salaries would probably still match up for Bradley/Pierce for Harden/Perkins.

OKC would absolutely do that trade. Why? Because it makes them better and us worse!

[Moranis]

It's a very bad deal for OKC. They wouldn't consider it.

I concur, it would take probably Bradley, Sullinger, and a couple of firsts before OKC would even consider the trade.  Harden is by far the best player in that trade.  It isn't close.

[gpap]

Though on paper, the trade looks like it benefits the Celtics, let's not forget Harden did NOT play well in the finals.

So for OKC, maybe the prevailing thought would be deal a player in Harden who's contract runs out soon and Perk (who they've been using sparingly) for a veteran, finals MVP in Pierce.

If the Celts needed to add Bradley, so be it.

[wdleehi]

I see the Thunder saying no.


Pierce and Durrant are both SFs. 



Harden is a SG.



Who do they throw at Howard come playoff time?

[slamtheking]

It's a very bad deal for OKC. They wouldn't consider it.

I concur, it would take probably Bradley, Sullinger, and a couple of firsts before OKC would even consider the trade.  Harden is by far the best player in that trade.  It isn't close.

I disagree that it isn't close.  PP is a proven clutch performer both in the regular season and playoffs. 

Harden, terrific player with still some possible potential left to realize, but his principle advantage over PP is his youth and expected length of time to be at his current level of play.

Head-to-Head right now between Harden and PP, I think it's pretty close.  For the next 8-10 years, I'd take Harden.  Over the length of their careers when they're done, I think PP will have the better career.

[TA9]

OKC would never do this.
Makes no sense for OKC to do it (age wise). Pierce is going to play some years and then going to retire, Perk and Harden will last longer in this league. And keep in mind that if OKC would want to get rid of Perks contract (Which i dont think that they are going to do because of the fact that LA got Dwight) they could just amnesty him..

[moiso]

It's a very bad deal for OKC. They wouldn't consider it.

I concur, it would take probably Bradley, Sullinger, and a couple of firsts before OKC would even consider the trade.  Harden is by far the best player in that trade.  It isn't close.

I disagree that it isn't close.  PP is a proven clutch performer both in the regular season and playoffs. 

Harden, terrific player with still some possible potential left to realize, but his principle advantage over PP is his youth and expected length of time to be at his current level of play.

Head-to-Head right now between Harden and PP, I think it's pretty close.  For the next 8-10 years, I'd take Harden.  Over the length of their careers when they're done, I think PP will have the better career.

It's not close.  Harden is the only building block in this trade.

[Moranis]

It's a very bad deal for OKC. They wouldn't consider it.

I concur, it would take probably Bradley, Sullinger, and a couple of firsts before OKC would even consider the trade.  Harden is by far the best player in that trade.  It isn't close.

I disagree that it isn't close.  PP is a proven clutch performer both in the regular season and playoffs. 

Harden, terrific player with still some possible potential left to realize, but his principle advantage over PP is his youth and expected length of time to be at his current level of play.

Head-to-Head right now between Harden and PP, I think it's pretty close.  For the next 8-10 years, I'd take Harden.  Over the length of their careers when they're done, I think PP will have the better career.

Pierce barely played 34 minutes a game last year.  His efficiency dropped to the lowest it has been in a long time and he had the worst playoffs of his career (in totals and efficiency).  He can no longer defend at a high rate and he is always injured.  Harden is a far better player than Pierce right now and the gap will only get larger.  I would agree with you that Pierce will have the better career when all is said and done, but that has nothing to do with this discussion.

[pearljammer10]

I really isnt a bad deal for either team. However,i cant see the celtics organization pulling the trigger on this. Plus it makes zero sense for OKC because their two best players would play the same position...

However:

Rondo/Terry
Harden/Lee
Green/Harden
KG/Bass/Sully
Perk/Wilcox/Collins

Im not even sure if this lineup makes us better or not.

More like

Rondo/Dooling
Bradley/Lee/Terry/Harden
Green/Joseph
KG/Bass/Sullinger
Perkins/Wilcox/Collins/Melo

Several problems here:
1. Huge logjam in the backcourt
2. Almost no depth at the 3 (Harden can't really defend larger SF's, like LeBron, and that's an issue)
3. KG back at PF, where he has played worse in recent years

Problem 1 is solved by adding Bradley into the trade. I think he makes around $1m this year, so salaries would probably still match up for Bradley/Pierce for Harden/Perkins.

OKC would absolutely do that trade. Why? Because it makes them better and us worse!

There is no way that Harden would be our 4th string SG he would absolutely start for us. Also, Terry is our 6th man, he wont be our 3rd string SG and is going to see a lot of minutes running the back up point guard slot this year.

Regardless, like i mentioned, i dont think this trade would help us much.

[BballTim]

It's a very bad deal for OKC. They wouldn't consider it.

I concur, it would take probably Bradley, Sullinger, and a couple of firsts before OKC would even consider the trade.  Harden is by far the best player in that trade.  It isn't close.

I disagree that it isn't close.  PP is a proven clutch performer both in the regular season and playoffs. 

Harden, terrific player with still some possible potential left to realize, but his principle advantage over PP is his youth and expected length of time to be at his current level of play.

Head-to-Head right now between Harden and PP, I think it's pretty close.  For the next 8-10 years, I'd take Harden.  Over the length of their careers when they're done, I think PP will have the better career.

Pierce barely played 34 minutes a game last year.  His efficiency dropped to the lowest it has been in a long time and he had the worst playoffs of his career (in totals and efficiency).  He can no longer defend at a high rate and he is always injured.  Harden is a far better player than Pierce right now and the gap will only get larger.  I would agree with you that Pierce will have the better career when all is said and done, but that has nothing to do with this discussion.

  Pierce came into the season out of shape, his numbers later in the season were much better than his earlier numbers. Harden's no better than a healthy Pierce, although he obviously will be going forward.