Who should the C's keep, if they can only keep 1? Crawford or Bradley.

[Chris]

In another thread, it is being discussed whether we should keep Rondo or Crawford.  Personally, I think that is a ridiculous question.  I just don't think they are in the same league, and if you were to trade Rondo, it would be because of the value you are getting in return, not because Jordan Crawford took his spot. 

But I think this is a much more relevant question, for one major reason...Bradley and Crawford are both free agents this summer. 

Sure, the C's could sign both of them, they have the money and Bird rights on them.  But, if they both continue playing the way they have been, you are looking at each of them making more than 5 million per year, and most likely for 3 or 4 years.  While that doesn't seem like a lot, if Danny's goals are to find some elite players to take this team over the top, having too many mid level role player types can be tough. 

So, let's make this easy.  You have Bradley and Crawford both available this summer to resign.  You decide you can only sign one of them, and each of them would cost the same amount, say 4 years/$24 million.  Which of them do you give the contract?

Some things to think about:

1. Do you see either of them a starter long term? 
2. What position should they be playing?
3. Is health a concern?

I think on skills alone Bradley would be my choice, but when I get deeper into it, it becomes a little tougher.  I just am not sold on Bradley as a starting SG.  He just is too small, and with Rondo at PG, cross-matching won't always be easy.  He also has injury concerns, and the more you play him against bigger players, the more beat up he will be.

So, I think they are both ideally suited to be combo-guards off the bench.  So, the question is, which is more valuable, a defensive specialist, who can shoot a bit, and score off cuts?  Or a versatile offensive player who can score but also handle the point?

I think I would have to go with Bradley just because he has higher potential...but its a tough call, and may change by the end of the year.

[freshinthehouse]

I voted Bradley.  I could see him starting on a quality team in style similar to what Sefolosha does in OKC.

[Celtics18]

Another vote for Bradley.  I'm still a believer in a Rondo/Bradley back court.

I'd love to keep Jordan, as well, as a combo guard off the bench, but I don't see a Rondo/Crawford starting back court as a viable combination for the future. 

[2short]

i think you need to add lee into that equation also
if bradley is coming off the bench for $$ it might make more sense to keep lee in that role and he has been very efficient
lee is under contract already

can crawford stay "good crawford" and be ok coming off bench
trouble is both players are opposites in terms of specialty, bradley top notch defender, good spot up shooter and back cutter (with rondo better), poor ball handler
crawford very good shooter, passer and can create his own offense, works better on defense than he used to but it still out of position a lot

glad ainge can think of the result for that

[Chris]

i think you need to add lee into that equation also
if bradley is coming off the bench for $$ it might make more sense to keep lee in that role and he has been very efficient
lee is under contract already

can crawford stay "good crawford" and be ok coming off bench
trouble is both players are opposites in terms of specialty, bradley top notch defender, good spot up shooter and back cutter (with rondo better), poor ball handler
crawford very good shooter, passer and can create his own offense, works better on defense than he used to but it still out of position a lot

glad ainge can think of the result for that

The difference with Lee is that he is under contract.  So, as far as I am concerned, he is a sunk cost, until a team comes knocking, wanting to trade for him.

[LooseCannon]

I think on skills alone Bradley would be my choice, but when I get deeper into it, it becomes a little tougher.  I just am not sold on Bradley as a starting SG.  He just is too small, and with Rondo at PG, cross-matching won't always be easy.  He also has injury concerns, and the more you play him against bigger players, the more beat up he will be.

So, I think they are both ideally suited to be combo-guards off the bench.  So, the question is, which is more valuable, a defensive specialist, who can shoot a bit, and score off cuts?  Or a versatile offensive player who can score but also handle the point?

You have to be able to play both guard positions to be a combo guard off the bench.  Bradley is a SG only and is better off playing 30 mpg rather than 15.  I could accept that he might be better off as a starter who sometimes doesn't play at the end of games when a sixth man scoring wing might be a better option for finishing.

I don't think Bradley is too small to be the starting SG because I don't see any matchups where he is so disadvantaged that I think Courtney Lee should get the start instead due to a few extra inches.

Crawford may be playing well now, but I would still be hesitant to give him any sort of long-term commitment.  I worry that he will be the sort to mentally unravel after getting a big long-term deal.

[2short]

i think you need to add lee into that equation also
if bradley is coming off the bench for $$ it might make more sense to keep lee in that role and he has been very efficient
lee is under contract already

can crawford stay "good crawford" and be ok coming off bench
trouble is both players are opposites in terms of specialty, bradley top notch defender, good spot up shooter and back cutter (with rondo better), poor ball handler
crawford very good shooter, passer and can create his own offense, works better on defense than he used to but it still out of position a lot

glad ainge can think of the result for that

The difference with Lee is that he is under contract.  So, as far as I am concerned, he is a sunk cost, until a team comes knocking, wanting to trade for him.

agreed, he (lee)  is on team as a backup guard
bradley and crawford are up for contracts, if numbers get out of whack might make sense to send either guy in sign and trade paired with a power forward for a center or sg of starting caliber

[Interceptor]

All Bradley, all the time. I would miss JC, but Avery has an elite NBA skill. We cannot let him leave.

[Mr October]

Right now i would keep Bradley. He has proven he can play well alongside rondo. He is an elite defender, emerging as a solid perimeter shooter, and still has upside.

I am really curious to see how Crawford plays in a reduced role when rondo returns.

[jc3celticsphan]

theres no replacing what bradley does. but hopefully we keep them both and crawford would sign up for the 6th man role if not i say keep AB and trade craw while hes hot. marshon could fill in if hes traded.

people forget how good a scorer brooks is and post him in trades as if hes not valuable or has no potential we will see. because hes better offensivley then lee and AB

[guava_wrench]

Bradley.

2 years younger, elite defender. Crawford would be cheaper though.

[hpantazo]

Crawford. He's cheaper and gives us much needed scoring. Bradley will be overpaid and is a very limited NBA player. His 'elite" defense is only effective on pressuring the ball, and what it gives the team is taken away from his defficiencies on offense.

[Cman]

Voted Bradley. But it depends on the relative cost of each.

[Drucci]

Bradley, if only because I would have doubts regarding Crawford's maturity : can he stay this consistent for an entire season and then for the rest of his career going forward? That's a big question mark to me. Although there is also the health concern regarding Avery.

[yoursweatersux]

Neither. Both are likely to get overpaid at this point. Crawford because he's having a breakout year and scoring a lot of points while doing it, and Bradley apparently thinks he can ask for 8 million a year, which is absurd.

I think 6 million a year for Bradley is overpaying the hell out of him and screwing up our cap space. Somebody else said that they seem him in sort of a Thabo Sefalosha role on a contender.. while Thabo is on a contender because they pay him less then 4 million a year so they give the rest of the money to Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka.

I think people have really forgotten that Bradley is basically just a roleplayer with great D. If guys like Hinrich, Battier, and Sefalosha don't get paid more than 4 million neither should Bradley. And unlike Bradley those guys aren't actually useless on offense.