Bradley, Pierce, or both?

[jpotter33]

Let's assume we can get Love and Asik, which isn't unrealistic.  Let's also assume that we miss out on the better SG's of signing Stephenson and trading for Afflalo.  Do you think we could sign Pierce to play the two guard for the MLE? (I'm not quite sure how the MLE functions, but from what I've read, that would be reasonable for Pierce if we can offer it.)  We could either let Bradley walk and have Pierce be the primary two guard, or, if other teams don't jack up the price, sign him to something around a three year, 5-6 million per contract and have some flexibility in our starting lineup.

With Rondo, Pierce, Green, Love, and Asik, Rondo has three good to great shooters around him at the 2-4 spots, and Love has three capable perimeter defenders and a superb rim protector protecting him.  On the other hand, with Bradley in the starting lineup, you up the ante on the defense and have more of a running team.  With teams like Miami and Washington with a strong back-court player or two, you can start Bradley to cover Wade and Wall, respectively.  With teams you want to exploit with matchup problems at the two spot, you start Pierce and run the offense through him. 

If Pierce is able to still have the foot speed to keep up with the faster two guards of the league, which is questionable, then this could be a great lineup considering the players' strengths.  Rondo would have shooters around him, sans Asik, there would be capable defenders around Love, and Green would go back to being an afterthought to the opposing defense, which is excellent for him.

The only question would be if Pierce would sign here again.  I think he would in this situation.  First, he still would be an integral piece of both the offense and defense; however, he wouldn't be the main piece on offense or be overworked on defense. Second, the other place many people think hell go is with Doc, but I doubt he's willing to come off the bench, even at this stage in his career for Doc.  Third, the Boston reunion would obviously be a big factor for him, and he's been quoted as saying he wouldn't mind coming back as a player.  Last, this team could realistically compete in the East.  Are they good enough to win the title? Probably not, but I think they could challenge the Heat for East supremacy.  If possible, would you sign Pierce to play shooting guard next to Rondo, Green, Love, and Asik?

[McHales Pits]

Pierce was playing the stretch four in Brooklyn this past season. He cannot play the two anymore.

[Sketch5]

I don't think PP has the foot speed to keep up with SG's. He got moved to the PF spot because of injury, but excelled their because he could handle the bigs.

Green would be better at the SG spot. PP would be killer off the bench. He can't handle the minutes he could a few years ago. It's only getting worse. You dont dump money into a guy when your contending in a vital position that is only going to get worse.

With that being said, I would throw a ton of money at AB either. Can't stay on the court. I'd rather see him in the back up guard roll destroying second units.