Would you rather sign Avery Bradley or Lance Stephenson?

[Mencius]

I don't want the Celtics to spend that type of money on the complimentary pieces until the star core is in place.

This.

[BballTim]

Stephenson at that price.

If you drop Bradley down several pay rungs like I believe he'll end up, then I think its more of a toss up.

Probably still Bradley, I'd rather not committ major money to Stephenson type player when then C's are in rebuilding mode.

  Yes, I wouldn't expect them to get the same money next year.

[D.o.s.]

Lance Stephenson because he was born ready.

Nicely done.

All other salary/cap implications being equal and unimportant relative to the two players, I go with Stephenson.

[timobusa]

THE EIGHT GRADER!

[CFAN38]

for equal money I would have to go with Stephenson. However much like Gordon Hayward I don't think lance is a great fit next to Rondo. As a pass first PG he negates Lances passing ability and effectively lessons his influence on the court.

[Moranis]

at those dollars neither make sense for the current team.

[Celtics18]

I can't get over that "pelvic thrust dance" that Lance Stephenson did as a celebration for hitting a jump shot against us earlier this season.

I say Avery.

[obnoxiousmime]

I don't want the Celtics to spend that type of money on the complimentary pieces until the star core is in place.

This.

Generally I'd agree with this. However, cap space is overrated unless you have some specific FA target in mind. What you need are guys on tradeable deals. Not being an expert on either Hayward or Stephenson, it seems like they could still be third bananas which would mean 10-11 million wouldn't be an overpay.

As long as you have deals that are tradeable and not all long-term ones, you can maintain flexibility. I would be more worried about signing someone in the 10-12 range this summer if say, Green and Rondo were locked in for 3-4 years and it would be tough to deal them if some star becomes available.

Not that these things can't change or aren't contingent upon a thousand different variables, but signing someone like a Stephenson or Hayward at that salary range is kind of like getting a younger Rondo or Green on a different peak timetable. That is, a player you'd feel comfortable being a third banana making 4-5 million less than your two max-level superstars.

If the draft is kind to us this season, maybe the next superstar we get will require a few years. If the draft or pick we have is overrated, maybe Ainge shifts course like in 07 and deals it for more of a win now type. Either way, a 23 year old Hayward or Stephenson would be able to fit in age-wise with both a rebuilding team OR a win now team.

[BballTim]

  Not sure where this should go but, while Stephenson's the better player now, Bradley's been playing some great defense lately. Curry, Lillard and now Harden have all been struggling against him.

[mr. dee]

I don't think we can afford Stephenson at the moment. There is a huge chance with Indiana resigning him. Lance is enticing but I'd take what we have in Bradley.

[Vox_Populi]

Quite a few people are calling Stephenson a piece you add to a contender, a sentiment I still largely agree with. But in recent weeks, especially considering he's still only 23, I'm beginning to wonder if he's a player you can use *to* build a contender. Maybe I'm overreacting.

[NYDan]

Quite a few people are calling Stephenson a piece you add to a contender, a sentiment I still largely agree with. But in recent weeks, especially considering he's still only 23, I'm beginning to wonder if he's a player you can use *to* build a contender. Maybe I'm overreacting.

Yeah, the more I watch Lance the more I wonder just how high his ceiling is. He's a really good player that might be better off being featured more than he currently is like a Harden or Bledsoe. Intriguing free agent, for sure.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

ABeast!

[Vox_Populi]

Quite a few people are calling Stephenson a piece you add to a contender, a sentiment I still largely agree with. But in recent weeks, especially considering he's still only 23, I'm beginning to wonder if he's a player you can use *to* build a contender. Maybe I'm overreacting.

Yeah, the more I watch Lance the more I wonder just how high his ceiling is. He's a really good player that might be better off being featured more than he currently is like a Harden or Bledsoe. Intriguing free agent, for sure.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Now, I'm not sure he could be best player on a Playoff team, but I do think he could possibly be the 3rd or maybe even the 2nd option. He's an ideal wing.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Oh, Lance Stephenson, easy.

Avery is an All World defender, but Stephenson offers more. Offensively, we can go to him if we need a score. He's a playmaker and he can improve defensively.