Ainge interested in Lance Stephenson?

[Tradetime]

Doesn't make sense unless Love is on the team

He's a 23 year old All Star. It makes sense regardless

Exactly. I brought his name up on the "relentless pursuit of Love" on the main page yesterday. I think he is someone we definitely have to consider at this point. As I mentioned on the main page, Indy S&T Stephenson, Boston trades Green and the Clippers 1st next year for him. Fair deal for both sides. Then wait until the offseason next year or wait until the trade deadline when the Wolves are floundering and we have more leverage for a deal for Love.

Why would Indy do this? It'd be insane.

And also, Jiri Welsch wins this thread.

Edit: And while I'll concede anything can happen, that Clipper pick figures to be like, #28.

I don't know, why would they trade the 15th overall pick from three years ago for George Hill? (which, by the way, turned out to be Kawhi Leonard for SA).

Indiana doesn't exactly come to mind when making terrific deals. And they're at an impasse right now with Stephenson.

And you really think the Clippers will be THAT good next season?

[Phantom255x]

It's funny, because we are tight at cap space, and all of a sudden we are going for a guy who thinks he is worth more than 8.8M a year. Not saying he doesn't deserve it but obviously he would prefer 10+M a year, and you better not be telling me we are willing to give up Rondo for Stepenson, not worth it.

[LooseCannon]

It's funny, because we are tight at cap space, and all of a sudden we are going for a guy who thinks he is worth more than 8.8M a year. Not saying he doesn't deserve it but obviously he would prefer 10+M a year, and you better not be telling me we are willing to give up Rondo for Stepenson, not worth it.

I think Ainge might be more inclined to give up Marcus Smart.

[More Banners]

I wouldn't count Ainge out of anything, and the pressure really is on him right now.

I have to say that Lance is exactly the type of player we need.  He's an instigator with offensive killer ability.  He's actually a couple of years from his prime.  He can facilitate or finish, perfect for motion O.  Defense?  Check.  As to his maturity and approach, this is where Brad is the perfect coach.

If a trade works out, fine, but I have no problem with a 4-guard rotation of Rondo, Stephenson, Bradley, and Smart, and actually like it very, very much.  Imagine them together for the next 4 years, at least.  Yeah...

We're still set on PF's, and Ainge is still looking to upgrade with a veteran star big man, no doubt, but is okay with keeping Sully/Olynyk as well.  There are still assets in the cupboard, after all.

[Jonny CC]

It's funny, because we are tight at cap space, and all of a sudden we are going for a guy who thinks he is worth more than 8.8M a year. Not saying he doesn't deserve it but obviously he would prefer 10+M a year, and you better not be telling me we are willing to give up Rondo for Stepenson, not worth it.

I think Ainge might be more inclined to give up Marcus Smart.

I disagree.  I think Ainge knows that Rondo is not going to stay (especially since Ainge knows that he's not going to offer him a max deal) so Rondo will be the one to go.  Unless...he has another deal in the works that includes a PG like Bledsoe, or IThomas, or ?.

[Jonny CC]

If they are going to do a deal with Indy, I want Hibbert in return. 

[Phantom255x]

It's funny, because we are tight at cap space, and all of a sudden we are going for a guy who thinks he is worth more than 8.8M a year. Not saying he doesn't deserve it but obviously he would prefer 10+M a year, and you better not be telling me we are willing to give up Rondo for Stepenson, not worth it.

I think Ainge might be more inclined to give up Marcus Smart.

I disagree.  I think Ainge knows that Rondo is not going to stay (especially since Ainge knows that he's not going to offer him a max deal) so Rondo will be the one to go.  Unless...he has another deal in the works that includes a PG like Bledsoe, or IThomas, or ?.

There have been numerous reports that the Celtics may be interested in Isaiah Thomas. Bledsoe is a low chance (very low tbh). I wouldn't mind Thomas as he can provide scoring for the celtics and help the offense.

[Phantom255x]

Honestly, if we don't get Bazemore, then I would use the trade exception and a few future draft picks to get Stephenson.

[jay]

Pacers sign and trade Lance (starting at 10 mil in year one) to Celtics for a couple of picks and TPE.

Pistons sign and trade Monroe along with a future pick for Rondo. 

Three teams also do a 3 team trade sending Jennings to Indiana, Hibbert to Boston, Young/Anthony/Bass to Detroit.

Smart
Lance  Bradley
Green
Monroe. Sullinger
Hibbert Olynyk

[Beat LA]

I wouldn't count Ainge out of anything, and the pressure really is on him right now.

I have to say that Lance is exactly the type of player we need.  He's an instigator with offensive killer ability.  He's actually a couple of years from his prime.  He can facilitate or finish, perfect for motion O.  Defense?  Check.  As to his maturity and approach, this is where Brad is the perfect coach.

If a trade works out, fine, but I have no problem with a 4-guard rotation of Rondo, Stephenson, Bradley, and Smart, and actually like it very, very much.  Imagine them together for the next 4 years, at least.  Yeah...

We're still set on PF's, and Ainge is still looking to upgrade with a veteran star big man, no doubt, but is okay with keeping Sully/Olynyk as well.  There are still assets in the cupboard, after all.

I remember hoping that Danny would have taken him instead of Bradley in the 2010 NBA Draft, but once news surfaced of an incident where he allegedly pushed his girlfriend down a flight of stairs (in addition to everything else that he'd done before that in high school), I wanted no part of him, and that hasn't changed for me.  I love him as a player, but you can't ignore domestic violence, which is why I don't like Sullinger that much anymore (again, I like him as a player, but not as a person), nor do I understand the clamoring for Jordan Hill, who choked his ex girlfriend in his Houston apartment.  Come on, guys - we can do much better.

I will say this for Lance, however - he would have benefited the most from being a Celtic, as I don't believe that the Big Three would have allowed such antics and behavior.  If he's in Boston, perhaps he wouldn't have been in New York on that fateful day when he pushed his girlfriend down a flight of stairs. 

I do love his talent, though.  Being 6'5" - 6'6" 230 with long arms and excellent quickness allows him to guard Lebron and Wade, as he has done very effectively in each of the last 2 postseasons.  The blowing in Lebron's face was hilarious.  Immature?  Absolutely, but it's so ridiculous that it was actually funny, imo.  On top of all of that, he can create his own shot and his passing is outstanding.  He's a bigger Michael Ray Richardson type of player imo.

[Phantom255x]

Pacers sign and trade Lance (starting at 10 mil in year one) to Celtics for a couple of picks and TPE.

Pistons sign and trade Monroe along with a future pick for Rondo. 

Three teams also do a 3 team trade sending Jennings to Indiana, Hibbert to Boston, Young/Anthony/Bass to Detroit.

Smart
Lance  Bradley
Green
Monroe. Sullinger
Hibbert Olynyk

Not too shabby, but I think the Pistons will want more than just Rondo and Indiana probably won't want Jennings. I don't want to see Young leave either he's got potential.

[vjcsmoke]

Rondo, Stephenson, Love?  That would seem to be a legit trio that could have a shot of taking the team to the conference finals.  We'd probably have to give up Smart, Sully, and picks for Love in some kind of 3 way trade.

No idea who plays center, but maybe Hill would be willing to join for the MLE on a stacked team.  Or we somehow work a deal for Larry Sanders.

[Phantom255x]

Rondo, Stephenson, Love?  That would seem to be a legit trio that could have a shot of taking the team to the conference finals.  We'd probably have to give up Smart, Sully, and picks for Love in some kind of 3 way trade.

No idea who plays center, but maybe Hill would be willing to join for the MLE on a stacked team.  Or we somehow work a deal for Larry Sanders.

That would be amazing. Sadly, i think stephenson and love both cant go to Boston, Stephenson might have to go with smart, sully and the picks to land Love. Although we could maybe lure Parsons if Stephenson ends up coming here and we sign Jordan Hill using MLE.

[Mazingerz]

maybe its just Ainge's way of antagonizing Larry Legend. Hey, Larry, remember David West?

[tarheelsxxiii]

No idea how much we would overpay to get him, but he'd drastically improve our team.  He was the best player for the Pacers when it mattered the most. And with regard to his antics... he was never once suspended or had off-court issues afaik. He's just a supreme, crazy competitor with a few screw loose. But, afaik, he has not proven to be a liability. He has proven, however, to be a very very good all-around, borderline all-star player that comes up big in big moments. More than can be said for the Paul George that we all grovel at.