We got Options for this summer!!

[drogbagarnett]

Here are a few options I think Danny could consider depending on the lottery position!
tried to be realistic and include owners intend/willingness to stay below the cap if possible.
I'm not sure where those numbers will be but considered 63M cap and 71M tax limit.



Option 1 : BAD Lottery : Rebuilt to compete but stay under the cap!

Rondo (12) - Bayless (1) - Pressey (0.5)   
Hayward (12) - Bradley (6.5) - Jhonson (0.5)
Green (9) - McDermont (1) - Babb (0.5)
Sully (1) - Olynyk (1) - Gordon (1)
McGee (10) - Hump (6.5) - Fav (2)

Hayward     : S&T : Bogan + Wallace + 2018 1st BOS + 2015 1st LAC + cash
McGee     : Trade : Bass + Anthony + 2016 1st BOS

Draft : ideally combine to move down and up... to pick McBucket and Gordon...
 
For about 42 M for starters, 16 M for bench and 4.5 M for reserves :
A total of about 62.5 M overall (just under the cap which might be around 63M and well below tax limit of 71M)

Alternatives from SG scorer and C defender :
Rudy Gay : Bogan + Wallace + 2015 1st LAC (Rondo's buddy)
Asik : Bass + Anthony + 2016 1st Bos + 2nd rounder

Other not ideal :
Sefalosha : S&T
Gortat :  S&T

Option 2 : Good Lottery : Keep developing for next year (2015) when Heat are done and then spend the money to add a star to this playoff core!!

Rondo (12) - Bayless (1) - Pressey (0.5)
Exum (2) - Bradley (7) - Jhonson (0.5)
Green (9) - Early (1) - Babb (0.5)
Sully (1) - Olynyk (1) - Arthur (3)
McGee (11) - Hump  (7) - Fav (2)

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=mho9lvw
McGee + Arthur : Trade : Bass + Wallace + 2016 1st BOS + 2nd rounder

For about 35 M for starters, 17 M for bench and 6.5 M for reserves :
A total of about 58.5 M overall (Well under the cap which might be around 63M and FAR below tax limit of 71M)
Then go for the splash next year with :
Sully and picks for SuperStar (Love?)
Bradley and picks for SuperStar ()

This assumes :
Rondo back to his former self with a 3pt shot when open on Catch and shoot or when defender goes under pick and roll.. : realistic.
Sully slim down and bulk up and get his 3s going... : realistic
Resigning Bradley and Hump for around 7m : realistic
Keeping Bayless on Vet min as he wants to stabilize : quite realistic
etc...

[pearljammer10]

Unfortunately I think anything involving McGee takes us immediately out of contention talk.

[drogbagarnett]

I think he gets a bad rep for some of his bonehead plays but with Rondo and Stevens I bet we see the best of him!
He is long and athletic can protect the rim and play above it for some easy lob points... we need such a big and unless getting Noah, deandre, gasol or Howard are realistic scenarios then we could do with a focus and performing mcgee! Might still get a few Shaqtin a fool appearance but I remember him playing so well against the Lakers in the playoffs recently. ..

[slamtheking]

not a fan of either proposal.

no way I give up 2 1sts for Hayward.  Jeff Green lite.  no thanks for that cost.  Also, no way Utah takes Wallace despite the 2 picks.

Mcgee is a non-starter.  needs to actually show he can play by this point before I would even consider making any kind of trade for him.  he's long past the prospect stage or where he can be expected to improve much.

also, while Asik is a believable trade target, I wouldn't give up a 1st for him.  Bass, Bogans and a second is about it.

[PhoSita]

Neither of the teams described would be very good.

[drogbagarnett]

I hear you. So suggest a reasonable scenario that would leave us with a better team while staying under the cap..!

[PhoSita]

I hear you. So suggest a reasonable scenario that would leave us with a better team while staying under the cap..!

Here's the only plausible scenario I've been able to think up that leaves us with a legitimately competitive team next season:


1. Trade our top pick (#5-8) + 2015 LAC pick + Sullinger + Bass + Bogans for Kevin Love

2. Use the BRK 1st to select Stauskas, or some other wing prospect.

3. Re-sign Bayless and Humphries for reasonable money ($3 mil and $6 mil per year respectively)

4. Trade Pierce TE + Philadelphia 2nd round picks (from the Crawford deal) for Omer Asik -- Houston could agree to take nothing back for Asik in order to clear cap space for Carmelo.

5. Re-sign Bradley to a 1 year "prove it" deal with a player option for a second year, at $5-6 million per year.


Rondo / Bayless / Pressey
Bradley / Stauskas / Babb
Green / Wallace / Johnson
Love / Olynyk
Asik / Humphries / Faverani


The major risk with this plan is that Rondo, Love, and Asik are all free agents after next season -- and under this plan, Bradley would likely be an UFA after next season, too.  So if the team doesn't have success in the first season together, they could all leave, and we'd have nothing to show for the treasure trove of assets we'd have traded.

[Roy H.]

I agree with the earlier comment about not wanting Javale McGee.  I don't think he's ever going to "get it" from a basketball standpoint.  Maybe there's a Gerald Green-esque transformation in a few years, but it doesn't seem to be in McGee's immediate future.  He's wildly overpaid, and he just doesn't produce.

[CFAN38]

Here are a few options I think Danny could consider depending on the lottery position!
tried to be realistic and include owners intend/willingness to stay below the cap if possible.
I'm not sure where those numbers will be but considered 63M cap and 71M tax limit.



Option 1 : BAD Lottery : Rebuilt to compete but stay under the cap!

Rondo (12) - Bayless (1) - Pressey (0.5)   
Hayward (12) - Bradley (6.5) - Jhonson (0.5)
Green (9) - McDermont (1) - Babb (0.5)
Sully (1) - Olynyk (1) - Gordon (1)
McGee (10) - Hump (6.5) - Fav (2)

Hayward     : S&T : Bogan + Wallace + 2018 1st BOS + 2015 1st LAC + cash
McGee     : Trade : Bass + Anthony + 2016 1st BOS

Draft : ideally combine to move down and up... to pick McBucket and Gordon...
 
For about 42 M for starters, 16 M for bench and 4.5 M for reserves :
A total of about 62.5 M overall (just under the cap which might be around 63M and well below tax limit of 71M)

Alternatives from SG scorer and C defender :
Rudy Gay : Bogan + Wallace + 2015 1st LAC (Rondo's buddy)
Asik : Bass + Anthony + 2016 1st Bos + 2nd rounder

Other not ideal :
Sefalosha : S&T
Gortat :  S&T

Option 2 : Good Lottery : Keep developing for next year (2015) when Heat are done and then spend the money to add a star to this playoff core!!

Rondo (12) - Bayless (1) - Pressey (0.5)
Exum (2) - Bradley (7) - Jhonson (0.5)
Green (9) - Early (1) - Babb (0.5)
Sully (1) - Olynyk (1) - Arthur (3)
McGee (11) - Hump  (7) - Fav (2)

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=mho9lvw
McGee + Arthur : Trade : Bass + Wallace + 2016 1st BOS + 2nd rounder

For about 35 M for starters, 17 M for bench and 6.5 M for reserves :
A total of about 58.5 M overall (Well under the cap which might be around 63M and FAR below tax limit of 71M)
Then go for the splash next year with :
Sully and picks for SuperStar (Love?)
Bradley and picks for SuperStar ()

This assumes :
Rondo back to his former self with a 3pt shot when open on Catch and shoot or when defender goes under pick and roll.. : realistic.
Sully slim down and bulk up and get his 3s going... : realistic
Resigning Bradley and Hump for around 7m : realistic
Keeping Bayless on Vet min as he wants to stabilize : quite realistic
etc...

Both seems long shots but plausible,

I find it hard to believe that Utah takes on Wallaces contract even with 2 1sts involved

I dont think DA goes anywhere near McGee but Asik seems to make alot of sense.

[pearljammer10]

I hear you. So suggest a reasonable scenario that would leave us with a better team while staying under the cap..!

Here's the only plausible scenario I've been able to think up that leaves us with a legitimately competitive team next season:


1. Trade our top pick (#5-8) + 2015 LAC pick + Sullinger + Bass + Bogans for Kevin Love

2. Use the BRK 1st to select Stauskas, or some other wing prospect.

3. Re-sign Bayless and Humphries for reasonable money ($3 mil and $6 mil per year respectively)

4. Trade Pierce TE + Philadelphia 2nd round picks (from the Crawford deal) for Omer Asik -- Houston could agree to take nothing back for Asik in order to clear cap space for Carmelo.

5. Re-sign Bradley to a 1 year "prove it" deal with a player option for a second year, at $5-6 million per year.


Rondo / Bayless / Pressey
Bradley / Stauskas / Babb
Green / Wallace / Johnson
Love / Olynyk
Asik / Humphries / Faverani


The major risk with this plan is that Rondo, Love, and Asik are all free agents after next season -- and under this plan, Bradley would likely be an UFA after next season, too.  So if the team doesn't have success in the first season together, they could all leave, and we'd have nothing to show for the treasure trove of assets we'd have traded.

I like this scenario as netting a guy like Love to pair with Rondo is what you need in the NBA to compete, Asik complements Love nicely.

My only tweak would be to try and involve Bradley in a sign and trade. I would try and work up a deal involving Bradley and a future first for Aflallo. Giving us three legit scoring options with Love at one Aflallo at two and Green as the third banana (a role he should be suited for and efficient in) leaving Rondo to penetrate and dish to these scorers and have Asik around for the clean up man. I think the lineup complements each other well and has a nice competitive bench at the same time.

Also, not sure I am a fan of Staukus but he fills that SG off the bench role I guess.
 If we could find a young active center to come off the bench with a FA signing then this is a good competitive team.

Rondo/Bayless
Afflalo/Staukus
Green/Wallace
Love/Sully
Asik/Humphries/Fav

[Boris Badenov]

I hear you. So suggest a reasonable scenario that would leave us with a better team while staying under the cap..!

Here's the only plausible scenario I've been able to think up that leaves us with a legitimately competitive team next season:


1. Trade our top pick (#5-8) + 2015 LAC pick + Sullinger + Bass + Bogans for Kevin Love

2. Use the BRK 1st to select Stauskas, or some other wing prospect.

3. Re-sign Bayless and Humphries for reasonable money ($3 mil and $6 mil per year respectively)

4. Trade Pierce TE + Philadelphia 2nd round picks (from the Crawford deal) for Omer Asik -- Houston could agree to take nothing back for Asik in order to clear cap space for Carmelo.

5. Re-sign Bradley to a 1 year "prove it" deal with a player option for a second year, at $5-6 million per year.


Rondo / Bayless / Pressey
Bradley / Stauskas / Babb
Green / Wallace / Johnson
Love / Olynyk
Asik / Humphries / Faverani


The major risk with this plan is that Rondo, Love, and Asik are all free agents after next season -- and under this plan, Bradley would likely be an UFA after next season, too.  So if the team doesn't have success in the first season together, they could all leave, and we'd have nothing to show for the treasure trove of assets we'd have traded.

I think that team needs one more All-Star level player at either SG or SF. We have the assets to do it at either position I think using picks and either Green or Bradley. Or, we could keep Green/Bradley as a 6th man, either would be good in that role.

Someone like Deng? What would the other options be?

[PhoSita]

I hear you. So suggest a reasonable scenario that would leave us with a better team while staying under the cap..!

Here's the only plausible scenario I've been able to think up that leaves us with a legitimately competitive team next season:


1. Trade our top pick (#5-8) + 2015 LAC pick + Sullinger + Bass + Bogans for Kevin Love

2. Use the BRK 1st to select Stauskas, or some other wing prospect.

3. Re-sign Bayless and Humphries for reasonable money ($3 mil and $6 mil per year respectively)

4. Trade Pierce TE + Philadelphia 2nd round picks (from the Crawford deal) for Omer Asik -- Houston could agree to take nothing back for Asik in order to clear cap space for Carmelo.

5. Re-sign Bradley to a 1 year "prove it" deal with a player option for a second year, at $5-6 million per year.


Rondo / Bayless / Pressey
Bradley / Stauskas / Babb
Green / Wallace / Johnson
Love / Olynyk
Asik / Humphries / Faverani


The major risk with this plan is that Rondo, Love, and Asik are all free agents after next season -- and under this plan, Bradley would likely be an UFA after next season, too.  So if the team doesn't have success in the first season together, they could all leave, and we'd have nothing to show for the treasure trove of assets we'd have traded.

I think that team needs one more All-Star level player at either SG or SF. We have the assets to do it at either position I think using picks and either Green or Bradley. Or, we could keep Green/Bradley as a 6th man, either would be good in that role.

Someone like Deng? What would the other options be?

I think you're right, although I think that team would be good enough in the short term to convince Love / Rondo to stick around, so long as the team still has flexibility to improve in the future.

I can't really say what other potential moves might be without having a clearer sense of what the cap situation, or the remaining trade assets, would be after the moves I listed.

[scotto1205]

I hear you. So suggest a reasonable scenario that would leave us with a better team while staying under the cap..!

Here's the only plausible scenario I've been able to think up that leaves us with a legitimately competitive team next season:


1. Trade our top pick (#5-8) + 2015 LAC pick + Sullinger + Bass + Bogans for Kevin Love

2. Use the BRK 1st to select Stauskas, or some other wing prospect.

3. Re-sign Bayless and Humphries for reasonable money ($3 mil and $6 mil per year respectively)

4. Trade Pierce TE + Philadelphia 2nd round picks (from the Crawford deal) for Omer Asik -- Houston could agree to take nothing back for Asik in order to clear cap space for Carmelo.

5. Re-sign Bradley to a 1 year "prove it" deal with a player option for a second year, at $5-6 million per year.


Rondo / Bayless / Pressey
Bradley / Stauskas / Babb
Green / Wallace / Johnson
Love / Olynyk
Asik / Humphries / Faverani


The major risk with this plan is that Rondo, Love, and Asik are all free agents after next season -- and under this plan, Bradley would likely be an UFA after next season, too.  So if the team doesn't have success in the first season together, they could all leave, and we'd have nothing to show for the treasure trove of assets we'd have traded.

I like this scenario as netting a guy like Love to pair with Rondo is what you need in the NBA to compete, Asik complements Love nicely.

My only tweak would be to try and involve Bradley in a sign and trade. I would try and work up a deal involving Bradley and a future first for Aflallo. Giving us three legit scoring options with Love at one Aflallo at two and Green as the third banana (a role he should be suited for and efficient in) leaving Rondo to penetrate and dish to these scorers and have Asik around for the clean up man. I think the lineup complements each other well and has a nice competitive bench at the same time.

Also, not sure I am a fan of Staukus but he fills that SG off the bench role I guess.
 If we could find a young active center to come off the bench with a FA signing then this is a good competitive team.

Rondo/Bayless
Afflalo/Staukus
Green/Wallace
Love/Sully
Asik/Humphries/Fav

I think KO is ment to be in the place of sully. But I really like this proposal. I think affalo and green would be the perfect scoring complements to love. Asik could put all his energy into defense and rim protection. While this wouldn't be an elite defensive team we could be a highly efficient high scoring offense with probably an averge defense. Rondo able to dish affalo green and love With stauskas Olynk Bayless and Wallace off the coming  bench I think  this would be an elite team in the east. And really we still have all ours and Brooklyn's future firsts, the only future first we would be giving up is the clippers.

[perks-a-beast]

In all likelihood the Celtics will end up with the 5th-6th pick. The best prospect they can hope for at that spot is Marcus Smart. If anything, Smart can be a replacement for AB if the Celtics don't want to overpay for Bradley. He's got a lot of upside. Smart has been critiqued for his decision making as a PG his first two seasons but could be great playing off the ball in the NBA, ecspecially with a floor general like Rondo getting him shots.

As for the Nets pick, I'm hoping Nik Stauskas from Michigan will fall to the C's. The guys got NBA range and an uncanny ability to get his shots. He's a guy like Ray, who defenses always have to be honest with which will open things up for other guys, something the Celtics are sorely lacking right now.

As much as I like Brandon Bass, he's the odd man out going forward. The Celtics will probably be able to get a good deal, ecspecially since his contract will be expiring. The Warriors have shown interest in Bass in the past. I'd be ecstatic if Danny could somehow pry Harrison Barnes from them, a guy whose been struggling this season and value is increasing. The Warriors may want the Celtics to take back Marreese Speights contract in return. The Celtics also have 2nd round picks to send back.

Aquiring a rim protector should be a big priority this summer. Sully and Olynyk, while talented, struggle with interior defense and altering shots. I'm intrigued by Asik from Houston to say the least. He's going into a contract year and will be motivated to play well next season. Asik would be a great fit for the Celtics but since his contract is so large the Celtics will have to give up most likely Jeff Green to get it done. I think Houston would ask for Joel Anthony and possibly Johnson or Baab to make the deal even.

Potential roster moving forward:

Asik/ Olynyk/ Faverani
Sullinger/ Humphries (Re-signed)/ Speights
Barnes/ Wallace
Smart/ Stauskas/ Johnson
Rondo/ Bayless (Re-signed)

Not bad. intriguing moving forward to say the least. Sullinger, Olynyk (YES, Olynyk), Barnes and Smart are all guys I see with all star potential who will all benefit from playing under Stevens.

[PhoSita]

Aquiring a rim protector should be a big priority this summer. Sully and Olynyk, while talented, struggle with interior defense and altering shots. I'm intrigued by Asik from Houston to say the least. He's going into a contract year and will be motivated to play well next season. Asik would be a great fit for the Celtics but since his contract is so large the Celtics will have to give up most likely Jeff Green to get it done. I think Houston would ask for Joel Anthony and possibly Johnson or Baab to make the deal even.

I've actually read that the Rockets would like to try to create cap space this summer, ideally by getting rid of Lin and Asik without taking back any significant salary.

The Celtics could oblige the Rockets by using the Trade Exception from the Paul Pierce deal (good for about ~$10 million) to absorb Asik's contract without giving anything back, except perhaps the second rounders owed to them by Philadelphia from the Crawford deal.