An off season plan

[nickagneta]

This is just an idea I had after watching the Syracuse-Indiana game last night. Michael Carter-Williams, I think is going to be a real deal NBA PG. He has incredible size and speed and an ability to change the game on both ends of the court. He has the ability to be special if he can develop his three point shot to NBA standards, As his ability to dominate smaller PGs and ability to pass are probably going to be near elite level.

My guess is the Celtics will finish with the 16-17th pick in the first round of this year's draft. That won't be enough to get Carter-Williams. So here is my off-season make over for the Boston Celtics:

On draft day find a team that will have cap space to absorb Jason Terry's contract or a contract to send back to Boston that fits Terry's contract and a pick high enough to be able to draft Michael Carter-Williams.

Portland looks to be high enough to draft Carter-Williams. So why not:

Boston sends 2013 1st round pick and Jason Terry
Portland sends 2013 1st round pick, 2014 2nd round pick and a $5.225 million traded player exception.

Portland gets to add the perfect complimentary piece to the Lilliard/Matthews backcourt at a reasonable price(a 2nd round pick) while only dropping about 7-8 spots in the first round this year. If Portland is looking bigs and Noel, Len and Zeller are gone, this drop back makes a lot of sense for them.

Boston then uses the 2013 pick to take Michael-Carter Williams to team him in the future with Avery Bradley. The combo could be a dynamite pairing for over a decade. A 6'6" PG with blazing speed and great defensive skills able to guard either guard position paired with the best perimeter defender in the NBA today with a developing outside shot and elite cutting/fast break abilities.

Then the Celtics send Rondo to the Utah Jazz in a sign and trade deal for Al Jefferson who comes to us on a four year $60+ million deal.

Also, bring back KG and Pierce for at least one more year. Start the year starting Bradley and Lee but gradually look to get Carter-Williams earning a larger and larger role as the year progresses.

Carter-Williams/Bradley/Williams
Bradley/Lee/Crawford
Pierce/Green
KG/Sullinger/Bass
Jefferson/KG/Wilcox/Melo

Use the year to transition Pierce and KG into supporting roles, develop Carter-Williams(he has the potential to be a much, much better PG facilitating/defensive version of Tyreke Evans, IMHO) and Sullinger and introduce Fab Melo to the NBA game while having the core build off the success they have seen since Rondo went down in January.

Now if you don't like Carter-Williams, this probably isn't for you but if you do, I think it works nicely as a future to build on.

That gives the Celtics

[KGs Knee]

I'm guessing the only teams that would have any interest in Terry, are teams that consider themselves legit contenders.  I don't think Portland fits that description, nor would any team possessing a pick high enough to draft such a player.

[LooseCannon]

Portland looks to be high enough to draft Carter-Williams. So why not:

Boston sends 2013 1st round pick and Jason Terry
Portland sends 2013 1st round pick, 2014 2nd round pick and a $5.225 million traded player exception.

I don't see that happening.  Either Portland should want an additional future first round pick (lottery-protected 2014) or Portland should be willing to accept Jason Terry in a salary dump for a 2nd round pick.

I hate acquiring Al Jefferson for anything more than the MLE.  I don't think Rondo should be traded until he actually plays in a few regular-season NBA games.  I'm not sure if another team is willing to trade for him until he does.

[zimbo]

There is no way Doc starts a rookie.

[D Dub]

It will be interesting how DA navigates the end of the KG and P era.

I for one, feel Rondo is enough of an impact player that we don't have to go into rebuilding mode.  We've got a fair amount of young talent (AB, Sully, Green, Crawford, & Lee) that if we could somehow parlay into a legit big would make us contenders again.

What if we could do: 
AB, Green and our 2013 1st rounder
4
Kevin Love
?

Rondo and Love would be a top duo for years to come.   P and Kg both have another year in em.  Going forward, we'd still be solid with guys like Sully, Lee and Crawford around when they retire.   

[JBcat]

IMO Rondo for free agent to be Al Jefferson is overpaying.  Typically in sign and trades you don't have to give up too much.  Who knows we may be able to fetch Jefferson in a sign and trade giving up Bass, Fab Melo, and a first round pick.  I'd rather try to do something like that. 

With Carter-Williams I haven't seen him much.  I know he had a career high against Indiana.   However he may never be as good as Rondo, and can't picture KG and Paul wanting to play their remaining years in the NBA with a rookie PG going through growing pains.  In some mock drafts he could fall to us, and if you think he could be the best player available you could still draft and develop him.   If it turns out he could be a top 5 PG then I would entertain trading Rondo.

[gpap]

I like the idea of swapping Rondo for Al Jefferson.

However, I think (IMO) we REALLY need to move on from KG and Paul Pierce.

I am surprised that KG's current "injury" and the decline in Paul's play hasn't turned anyone off from wanting to bring them back for another year.

[gpap]

IMO Rondo for free agent to be Al Jefferson is overpaying.  Typically in sign and trades you don't have to give up too much.  Who knows we may be able to fetch Jefferson in a sign and trade giving up Bass, Fab Melo, and a first round pick.  I'd rather try to do something like that. 

With Carter-Williams I haven't seen him much.  I know he had a career high against Indiana.   However he may never be as good as Rondo, and can't picture KG and Paul wanting to play their remaining years in the NBA with a rookie PG going through growing pains.  In some mock drafts he could fall to us, and if you think he could be the best player available you could still draft and develop him.   If it turns out he could be a top 5 PG then I would entertain trading Rondo.

Disagree. Regardless of whether it's a sign and trade, if I am Utah, I'd at least want Rondo for Jefferson. I think a package of Bass, Melo and draft pick could possibly get you Varajeo (which I would also be all for, regardless of his injuries.) But I would think someone who is still relatively young like Jefferson could net a team more value.

[chambers]

there's just no chance on earth that Danny gives Rondo to the Jazz for Al Jeff- He's just not worth Rondo.

I don't mind the idea of trading Rondo but at this stage of his career you are only going downhill with Big Al.
We need to go after a young big.

Two birds with one stone here:

Rondo+Melo+first round pick (maybe throw in 2nd rounder)

for

Demarcus Cousins+lottery pick from Kings

Gives Kings a young leader who will sell tickets and is proven in the NBA as an All Star.
Gives us the chance to draft a PG whilst gambling on a game changing big man.

[Neurotic Guy]

Never mind my idea -- I don't like it so deleted.

[AB_Celtic]

I'm guessing the only teams that would have any interest in Terry, are teams that consider themselves legit contenders.  I don't think Portland fits that description, nor would any team possessing a pick high enough to draft such a player.

I don't know... I think everyone can agree that one of the biggest reasons the Blazers won't make the playoffs is their weak bench. Terry could help with that, if he returns to his former self.

Maybe the trade wouldn't work as proposed, but I could see the Blazers having interest in a good scorer off the bench and a wise veteran.