Is another move coming?

[ScoobyDoo]

With Iverson in Turkey and now Fab being moved, do you think Danny is paving the way, clearing the space to bring in a legitimate, long term solution at center for us?

With Greg Smith being able to back up Howard, Asik could be available and Hump wouldn't look bad next to Howard? Trade deadline move or once Hump is eligible to be moved with other pieces?

Asik isn't a world beater but he's a legitimate starting center.   

[LooseCannon]

Or the rumors that the Bucks plan on waiving Slava Kravtsov are true and Ainge would like to sign him.

[PhoSita]

I don't see us making any major moves to get a player like Asik, or even Gortat.  Neither is gonna make us anything better than mediocre.

[Boris Badenov]

To the contrary, I see this as a sign that we are standing pat for a while.

If Ainge were making another move of any magnitude, it would be pretty easy to bundle salaries in such a way to get under the luxury tax threshold.

The fact that he went out of his way to do it so precisely in a stand-alone transaction like this - in which we basically paid another team to take Fab's contract - tells me that this could be it for now.

[PhoSita]

To the contrary, I see this as a sign that we are standing pat for a while.

If Ainge were making another move of any magnitude, it would be pretty easy to bundle salaries in such a way to get under the luxury tax threshold.

The fact that he went out of his way to do it so precisely in a stand-alone transaction like this - in which we basically paid another team to take Fab's contract - tells me that this could be it for now.

Certainly that's one of the few explanations that makes sense. 

Ainge needed to get under the luxury tax, and if he didn't think a move later in the season was possible / likely, jumping on an opportunity to dump Melo would accomplish that goal.

If that's the case, though, it's disappointing.  I can't really imagine Danny committing to stand pat when we have a roster that's so in flux.  I guess it doesn't mean Danny won't make a trade, just that he doesn't necessarily believe that a good opportunity will present itself before the draft next year.

[LooseCannon]

The fact that he went out of his way to do it so precisely in a stand-alone transaction like this - in which we basically paid another team to take Fab's contract - tells me that this could be it for now.

If the plan is to just waive Donte Green, it could also mean that he has another deal in the works where he takes back more players than he sends out.

[Boris Badenov]

To the contrary, I see this as a sign that we are standing pat for a while.

If Ainge were making another move of any magnitude, it would be pretty easy to bundle salaries in such a way to get under the luxury tax threshold.

The fact that he went out of his way to do it so precisely in a stand-alone transaction like this - in which we basically paid another team to take Fab's contract - tells me that this could be it for now.

Certainly that's one of the few explanations that makes sense. 

Ainge needed to get under the luxury tax, and if he didn't think a move later in the season was possible / likely, jumping on an opportunity to dump Melo would accomplish that goal.

If that's the case, though, it's disappointing.  I can't really imagine Danny committing to stand pat when we have a roster that's so in flux.  I guess it doesn't mean Danny won't make a trade, just that he doesn't necessarily believe that a good opportunity will present itself before the draft next year.

I don't know that it commits him to *not* making a move. It frees him to make a small move.

I suspect that Trader Dan will be just as active as ever this year, much to the delight of all us rumor-followers.

[Celtics18]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see another center added to the roster by opening day.  Right now we have a grand total of one.  As a matter of fact, I'll be surprised if we don't. 

[kozlodoev]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see another center added to the roster by opening day.  Right now we have a grand total of one.  As a matter of fact, I'll be surprised if we don't.

I'd be surprised if Olynyk doesn't see a lot of minutes at C.

[ScoobyDoo]

Yeah, I agree with this - Olynyk at Center for more minutes.

maybe the move simply meant they feel they need to find plenty of minutes for Olynyk at the center spot.

If the Ainge truly wants an uptempo team, both Olynyk and Faverani can get up and down the court very well for big men.

Olynyk / Faverani / ?
Humphries / Sully / Bass
Green / Wallace / Bogans
Bradley / Lee / Brooks
Rondo / Pressey / Crawford

That team can certainly get up and down the court.   

[Celtics18]

Yeah, I agree with this - Olynyk at Center for more minutes.

maybe the move simply meant they feel they need to find plenty of minutes for Olynyk at the center spot.

If the Ainge truly wants an uptempo team, both Olynyk and Faverani can get up and down the court very well for big men.

Olynyk / Faverani / ?
Humphries / Sully / Bass
Green / Wallace / Bogans
Bradley / Lee / Brooks
Rondo / Pressey / Crawford

That team can certainly get up and down the court.

I would love to see a trade involving either Humphries, Sully, or Bass that brings back a legitimate center and clears up some of the logjam at power forward..  I really don't want to see Olynyk getting major minutes at the 5.  I love his game, but I just don't think he's suited to defend down low. 

 

[JBcat]

The fact that he went out of his way to do it so precisely in a stand-alone transaction like this - in which we basically paid another team to take Fab's contract - tells me that this could be it for now.

If the plan is to just waive Donte Green, it could also mean that he has another deal in the works where he takes back more players than he sends out.

I was just thinking this.  Also even if it's just a one for one trade coming up it gives us just a little more wiggle room to take back just a little bit more in salary than previously. 

[ddb]

the trade idea I've been talking about for weeks (Bass/Bradley/Crawford for Asik) to me makes sense on all levels.

For Houston- your title core is in place with Dwight/Harden/Parsons. you need role guys now. Bass gives you a playoff tested 4 who can shoot and rebound some. he's also played with Dwight before. He can start or come off the bench. regardless he's a solid pro who doesn't fit in with Boston's rebuilding plans and his skill-set has become redundant with Sully/Hump/KO.
Bradley is the real reason why Houston does this. Gives them a 3rd guard behind Lin/Harden. And because of Hardens ball handling ability you can even play Bradley/Harden significant minutes together. Bradley/Dwight exterior/interior defense could be downright scary for opposing teams. Let Houston decide if they want to sign Bradley long-term or not.
Asik/Dwight just doesn't make sense. Makes about as much sense as Boston's logjam at the 2 and 4. They're both true centers who need to play heavy minutes at the 5. neither can shoot FT's. both are post players who will clog the middle of the court playing together.

Why for Boston: Team is rebuilding. This trade doesn't change that. but it DOES give Boston another foundation piece (Asik) who can protect the rim and rebound. that's an obvious need right now when looking at Boston's depth chart on paper. Asik has a reasonable deal so Ainge can give him a good hard look and determine whether he wants him as part of the future or if he wants to use him as part of a blockbuster if the right deal comes along. This trade also helps us make more sense of the depth chart.

Asik/Sully/Green/Lee/Rondo with Hump/KO/Wallace/Brooks/Pressey and then Bogans/Faverani/Greene. Boston maintains control of their cap. can further explore deals to unload Wallace/Lee if and when they can reestablish their value. Ainge keeps all of his draft picks.

I just think it makes all the sense in the world. And really all it takes is Bostons willingness to include Bradley. As much as I like Bradley I think I'd rather have Asik + unload Bass

[Who]

Nah, I don't think so.

 C - Humphries, Olynyk, Faverani
PF - Sullinger, Bass

That big man rotation looks fairly settled to me. And they have G-Wallace playing some PF minutes alongside J.Green (SF) as well. Not a lot of room for another rotation worthy big man, center, unless somebody else (a big man) is leaving to make way for the new center.

[gpap]

I don't see us making any major moves to get a player like Asik, or even Gortat.  Neither is gonna make us anything better than mediocre.

Respectfully disagree. I think another center is all that's standing in the way of this team possibly being a playoff contender.

Rather that than being stuck at 28 to 30 wins which is where ESPN has us.

That's not good enough for the playoffs, not bad enough for a top 5 pick. No man's land.

If I had a choice however, I would much rather have Gortat than Asik.