Chad Ford: C's may have the best offer for Love

[colincb]

FWIW, Ford had us taking Gordon, Smart, or Vonleh at 6, but he's changed his tone from Gordon being a strong probability, even if he favors him for our slot.  At 17, he has Ainge taking LaVine:


"LaVine is a difficult prospect to project. On raw talent, he's one of the top 10 players in this draft. But as a basketball player, he still has a long way to go. Celtics boss Danny Ainge hasn't been afraid to swing for the fences with players like this in the past, and I think at 17, the reward outweighs the risk. The wild card here is Missouri's Jordan Clarkson, who continues to move up the draft boards with stellar workouts."


We will likely need to draft a guard somewhere, but Ainge, despite his willingness to take risks, strikes me as a guy who will grab sliders where others will shy away, rather than reach (and LaVine is a major reach).

Gordon and LaVine would be a tough combination for me to like.

[Robb]

I like Gortat. Yeah we then need a wing who is better than Green. I would keep Bradley too.

Could that wing by Hayward?   Everyone knows Stevens loves him.

Hayward is not better than Green. If anything, he's comparable.

I'm also not sure why you need to replace Green if he's going to be your third best player. He's fine.

Yay, finally some realistic Jeff Green praise. TP.

As far as SG goes, say it with me now... A-fflal-o...A-fflal-o....A-fflal-o.

Rondo, Afflalo, Green and the Asik trade can go miles to solve the drawbacks of a Love trade. For all of Green's perceived issues, he's hit a good few clutch shots and game winners.

The only thing I don't agree with is your pronunciation of Afflalo. I think you have to separate the Fs

[tyrone biggums]

I've been saying this for a month now. If this does happen regardless of Melo coming I can see Boston bringing Pierce back and KG agreeing to a buyout in Brooklyn to come back. Only fitting

[BigAlTheFuture]

I've been saying this for a month now. If this does happen regardless of Melo coming I can see Boston bringing Pierce back and KG agreeing to a buyout in Brooklyn to come back. Only fitting

ONE last shot at Lebron and the Heat? Lets do it!

[LarBrd33]

I've been saying this for a month now. If this does happen regardless of Melo coming I can see Boston bringing Pierce back and KG agreeing to a buyout in Brooklyn to come back. Only fitting

ONE last shot at Lebron and the Heat? Lets do it!

At that point, you might as well bring back Ray too... I'd gladly have him off our bench.  I think maybe the success of the Spurs would make those guys want to try one more time...

More likely all 3 join the Clips, though.

[D.o.s.]

I don't have any insight into this, but I really think KG retires.

[colincb]

A T-Wolves board had this poll:

29% Bulls - Mirotic or T.Gibson + Boozer + Butler + 16th + 19th FOR Love + Martin + Budinge

52% Celtics - 6# + 17# + BKN 2016 + Sullinger + A.Bradley (S&T) (4 Years - 26-28 M$ Maybe ?) + B.Bass + J.Anthony FOR Love + K.Martin

20% Other teams deals


===

T-Wolves fans apparently see it as a 2-team race since they didn't bother to break out the possible GSW, PHX, or HOU deals. GSW will likely have tried to pitch something to Minn.  I suspect HOU is focused on Melo from what I've read.  Have no idea what PHX may be thinking and whether they'd trade Bledsoe (who is a RFA, maybe looking for the max, and has durability issues) and whether Minnesota would want to pay him the max.

FWIW, I said their Cs deal wasn't one we'd be crazy about (mostly because swapping AB for Martin doesn't appeal to me), but it's not a crazy deal either.  Interestingly, they really don't like any deal with GSW that involves David Lee and view his contract as a bad one.  GSW has to move Lee in any Love deal (evern if it's to a 3rd team) and I get the sense that the perception of Lee is negative for the money he makes (similar to Love's current contract) from reading various forums and pundits.

I wonder what would happen to their poll if the Chi trade said Mirotic AND Gibson, which is closer to what has been reported.

Big issue is including Mirotic, who most likely isn't looking to go to Minn.  Deal aslo includes Boozer and getting him out of the deal isn't easy.

[LarBrd33]

I don't have any insight into this, but I really think KG retires.

probably. 

I hope so, actually.

THen I hope mid-season Brooklyn is struggling and KG decides he wants to come out of retirement to join a suddenly relevant Celtic team... and they work out a deal to let him do it.

[colincb]

KG is toast.  He really fell off the face of the earth this season.

May collect another big paycheck, but unlikely to be anywhere other than BKN.

[Tr1boy]

When was the last time a rookie coach plus vets (egos) have panned out well?? BS is fresh from college and wasnt even an assistant in the nba before.

Rondo misses a flight so he can have his bday party. Not a good example for the rest of the guys but BS cannot do nothing much about it. Kevin Love doesnt defend a player to the end and rushes for a rebound opportunity when another player does it and they get yanked.

BS will do better with a younger lineup so that he can mold the team the way he wants it to be. Have a system in place first and not one or two players act free

[obnoxiousmime]

Question: If Minnesota is seriously considering the C's offer, wouldn't it be better if they had time to work out players at 6 well before the draft takes place? I assume guys like Smart, Gordon, and Vonleh have not worked out for Minnesota who is picking 13th currently.

[SmoothTsunami]

BS will do better with a younger lineup so that he can mold the team the way he wants it to be. Have a system in place first and not one or two players act free

I think one of the big benefits Boston has, as compared to any other rebuilding teams and even some contenders, is a definitive culture. Sure, Stevens doesn't have a full system developed yet, but I think that matters less in Boston than almost anywhere else. We expect to win, and win as a team, and while a coach's philosophy and system may add to it, that sort of culture is ingrained in the organization as it stands.

[DarkAzcura]

Love was the no.1 option on a team which lacked offence, has a injury history and never been to the play offs. And from reports, his team hates how he points fingers. He like PG, the only option on a offensively bad team.

Plus he could Dwight and bolt after 1 year, you never give up to much for that. If anything, give up #6, #17, another #1 round pick, and some salary for a sign and trade to get Melo if he's willing. Then and only then, if he rejects, you go for love.

Melo has been to the play offs, all but this year and has won a scoring title. He also can play defence, when he can be bothered. Love can't play defense, and that is important in the post season.

Unless, he agrees to a extension, or new contract, then don't bother. You need a center for a guy like love on your team. Melo can play SF/PF and Defence, while scoring.


If Lebron leaves, then only he is above Melo as the best player to trade for.

Watch Love come, and this team be medicore.

Minnesota had the 10th best offense in the league last season. If the offensive talent was that mediocre around him that actually speaks more highly for Love's impact on that end. In fact it does. Minnesota's offense nosedived with Love off the floor. With him, it was great.

[Rakulp]

Question: If Minnesota is seriously considering the C's offer, wouldn't it be better if they had time to work out players at 6 well before the draft takes place? I assume guys like Smart, Gordon, and Vonleh have not worked out for Minnesota who is picking 13th currently.

If Minnesota tried to work out those guys then that would be a sign that they are close to a deal with a team in that draft range...that's showing your cards a little too early IMO.

I'm sure they will have enough info to decide which of those stars should be their draft pick in that scenario.

Rak

[RJ87]

When was the last time a rookie coach plus vets (egos) have panned out well?? BS is fresh from college and wasnt even an assistant in the nba before.

Rondo misses a flight so he can have his bday party. Not a good example for the rest of the guys but BS cannot do nothing much about it. Kevin Love doesnt defend a player to the end and rushes for a rebound opportunity when another player does it and they get yanked.

BS will do better with a younger lineup so that he can mold the team the way he wants it to be. Have a system in place first and not one or two players act free

If he's afraid of players, then he probably shouldn't be coaching at this level. Fact is he's dealing with millionaires playing a kid's game - there will be no shortage of egos. Even from young guys. If he can't handle it, he's probably better off in the NCAA.

With that said, I think you're severely underestimating his ability as a coach. Everyone was prepared for Rondo to be difficult with Brad this year but other the Birthday-gate (which was laughably overblown), there were no issues.