Zach Lowe's Celtics-Related Predictions

[indeedproceed]

32 Bold Predictions
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9860683/32-bold-predictions-2013-14-nba-season

2. Trade Season Will Be Much Hotter

Last year's trade deadline was a dull affair, with only a half-dozen deals and a single first-round pick changing hands. The heavy business got done early in the James Harden and Rudy Gay deals, but the cool deadline left folks wondering if the restrictive new CBA had introduced a panic-based hoarding mentality that would forever depress trade activity. There's something to that. Teams are clinging to their own first-round picks as essential sources of cheap labor. Teams with expiring contracts are more willing to simply let those players walk into free agency and enjoy the resulting cap space rather than deal them for guys on multiyear deals — especially if said long-term contracts come without a first-round pick attached.

That said, this year should be livelier. Miami is vulnerable, and as many as eight teams could talk themselves into the idea that they are a move away from the throne. A handful of teams that are not trying to win games — Boston, Phoenix, Utah, Philadelphia, Orlando — have nearly a dozen solid and tradable veterans between them. On the one hand, that pile of Jameer Nelsons and Marcin Gortats and Brandon Basses will generate a lot of phone calls and activity. On the other hand, it also creates a glut of assets, meaning the teams holding those assets may not be able to get what they want — a first-round pick — in a buyer's market. Will they settle for second-rounders and cash? Or will teams instead choose to hang on to the expiring contracts in this group (Gortat, Evan Turner, et al.) to ensure they maintain future cap space?

The abundance of such players might depress this market, but at least a few of these guys figure to move regardless. Four other midrung teams are under pressure to win now, creating the possibility of a midseason-panic asset grab: Washington, Detroit, Cleveland, and New Orleans. And we haven't even addressed the Raptors or the inevitable noise around Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, and even Zach Randolph if their teams underperform. It should be a fun year.

12. Boston Will Trade Itself Down the Standings

Reality has set in for Boston fans after Gerald Wallace's rant about effort over the weekend and a listless preseason overall. This is what an NBA offense looks like when every player on a team (save Rondo) tops out as "third option on a contender."

But Boston will defend, despite a glaring lack of rim protection, and it will scrap its way to enough wins that eighth-seed dreams might seem plausible after 20 games. The Celtics wouldn't mind their young guys getting to experience meaningful late-season games, but the guess here is that the front office would rather have at least one very nice first-round pick in a loaded draft. In other words, look for everyone to be on the table. Bass might be the most tradable guy, since he's a solid player with just one year left on his contract after this season. But bigger names will come up. Jeff Green has fans around the league, and Rondo's contract expires after next season. He has to prove his health again, but I've never gotten the impression Boston would be stoked to pay Rondo a max (or near-max) deal after 2015.

[Lucky17]

While not explicitly Boston-related, Lowe mentions some trade scenarios where the Celtics could potentially get involved.

Detroit has already opted not to extend Greg Monroe, could they possibly trade him? (I'm skeptical, but Ainge has assets to dangle).

Washington might need a capable big man to back up/take over for Okafor. Bass for expirings?

Lowe predicts Denver will trade Kenneth Faried, and Houston will deal Omer Asik. Would either be guys Ainge would cash in his chips for?

[Lucky17]

Check out #17, re: OKC offloading Perkins.

The Celtics have a TE that could absorb Perkins. Might Ainge be willing to take on Perkins' two remaining years if Presti adds Jeremy Lamb and a 1st rounder?

Edit: Celtics would have to send out a little salary to make the numbers work, and to stay below the luxury tax threshold. The value of the 1st rounder would likely dictate what Boston might send out.

[Fan from VT]

Wonder if we could fool Milwaukee into a Henson+Butler for Jeff Green deal if they think they need SF defense and complimentary scoring punch.

[PhoSita]

Wonder if we could fool Milwaukee into a Henson+Butler for Jeff Green deal if they think they need SF defense and complimentary scoring punch.

If I were Ainge and they made that offer I'd yell "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS" and then hang up before they can change their mind.

[Fafnir]

Wonder if we could fool Milwaukee into a Henson+Butler for Jeff Green deal if they think they need SF defense and complimentary scoring punch.

If I were Ainge and they made that offer I'd yell "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS" and then hang up before they can change their mind.

Funny thing is when trades are completed they have to stay on the line for hours and hours verbally going over medical files.

[Fan from VT]

I could see a big offer from Mil for Rondo if he's healthy and their PG is not quite at the level needed for a playoff push.

It's well known that the Mil owner doesn't believe in rebuilding and wants to "contend" every year.

Henson-Knight-Antetokounmpo-Butler-1st

[BleedGreen1989]

Good read. Really starting to get my head back into basketball with Pats season and Sox in the fall classic and nothing does it better than some trade ideas!

I'll be extremely surprised to see Boston NOT make a trade. This roster is simply too jumbled and unbalanced. More and more I catch up of the preseason games from TiVo, the more I start to ditch my lofty expectations for this team. I really think this ship is heading down and as many vets as Danny can offload for assets, the better.