Boston getting Tyler Zeller and 1st rounder from Cavs and Thorton from Nets

[MichaelJ]

I love this deal.  Zeller has true C size, is young, and improving.  Given his per 36min production, he can be a 15ppg, 10rpg C that we need.  Plus we add another 1st to out war chest.

[CelticSooner]

A+ plus trade for Ainge!

[coffee425]

My biggest question is that if we keep Zeller, is he really a legit Center? He's not a rim-protector (nor will he be with his below-average arm length)... Ideally, he could be good post defender if he were to get to that 255-260 weight range to compliment his decent quick feet.

I'm just providing some pessimism due to watching his college play, where he was essentially a stretch 4... along with our plethora of them..

[Mr October]

LOL when looking at my twitter feed this morning knew there was a Woj bomb with 189 unread tweets. When can this trade be official or is it already, if Cleveland doesn't land LBJ can they back out?

Tomorrow at the earliest is when things become official. The Celtics have a 3 day window to use the exception. July 10-12.

Also i think this whole deal is contingent on Lebron picking Cleveland. None of this is guaranteed.

[RyNye]

My biggest question is that if we keep Zeller, is he really a legit Center? He's not a rim-protector (nor will he be with his below-average arm length)... Ideally, he could be good post defender if he were to get to that 255-260 weight range to compliment his decent quick feet.

Actually, in terms of per-minute production Zeller is actually an above average shot blocker. Arm length isn't as much of an issue as people think; obviously size helps, but there have been plenty of players that were good shot blockers without gigantic reach. It's all about timing. At the moment, Zeller gets a good number of blocks given how many minutes he plays; his problem is that he also fouls too much. But that's more or less what you expect from a young player. I think if he gets good defensive coaching and heavy play-time we will see him turn into a pretty strong defender (already his defensive rating isn't bad. Not great, but far from catastrophic). He just needs to work on his timing/instincts, which only come with reps. I think the talent is there.

I'm just providing some pessimism due to watching his college play, where he was essentially a stretch 4... along with our plethora of them..

I was really down on him coming into the league, too. But did you watch him play at all this past season? Completely different player.

[TwinTower14]

My biggest question is that if we keep Zeller, is he really a legit Center? He's not a rim-protector (nor will he be with his below-average arm length)... Ideally, he could be good post defender if he were to get to that 255-260 weight range to compliment his decent quick feet.

I'm just providing some pessimism due to watching his college play, where he was essentially a stretch 4... along with our plethora of them..

I respectively disagree on him being a stretch 4 in college.  He played along Henson and Barnes his last two years and Roy ran their half court offense right through Zeller in the post on either block.  He has a nice post game  ( hooks from either block ) he has tremendous speed for a big man.  Shoots pretty well for the line, he is not a shot blocker but at UNC he was great on rotations on defense and stepping in and taking a charge.  He is a solid NBA C and a slightly higher upside playing with Rondo....

Not sure if Stevens will take advantage of his speed like Roy did, well Kendall Marshall did.  Kendall Marshall is one of the best I have ever seen passing up court on the fast break, it's a joy to watch....

[Fafnir]

My biggest question is that if we keep Zeller, is he really a legit Center? He's not a rim-protector (nor will he be with his below-average arm length)... Ideally, he could be good post defender if he were to get to that 255-260 weight range to compliment his decent quick feet.

I'm just providing some pessimism due to watching his college play, where he was essentially a stretch 4... along with our plethora of them..

I respectively disagree on him being a stretch 4 in college.  He played along Henson and Barnes his last two years and Roy ran their half court offense right through Zeller in the post on either block.  He has a nice post game  ( hooks from either block ) he has tremendous speed for a big man.  Shoots pretty well for the line, he is not a shot blocker but at UNC he was great on rotations on defense and stepping in and taking a charge.  He is a solid NBA C and a slightly higher upside playing with Rondo....

Not sure if Stevens will take advantage of his speed like Roy did, well Kendall Marshall did.  Kendall Marshall is one of the best I have ever seen passing up court on the fast break, it's a joy to watch....

Also Zeller's range on his jumpshot isn't far enough to be a "stretch" anything. He's a good jumpshooter for a C based on what he did in college but that's it.

[Fafnir]

Also i think this whole deal is contingent on Lebron picking Cleveland. None of this is guaranteed.

I disagree, multiple reports have indicated this deal is happening no matter what LeBron decides.

Cavs have backup targets for the cap space if LeBron doesn't sign with them.

[TwinTower14]

My biggest question is that if we keep Zeller, is he really a legit Center? He's not a rim-protector (nor will he be with his below-average arm length)... Ideally, he could be good post defender if he were to get to that 255-260 weight range to compliment his decent quick feet.

I'm just providing some pessimism due to watching his college play, where he was essentially a stretch 4... along with our plethora of them..

Yea I agree - he can knock down a foul line jumper but that is about the max on his range.  He is not a game changer but he is a nice piece for this team...

I respectively disagree on him being a stretch 4 in college.  He played along Henson and Barnes his last two years and Roy ran their half court offense right through Zeller in the post on either block.  He has a nice post game  ( hooks from either block ) he has tremendous speed for a big man.  Shoots pretty well for the line, he is not a shot blocker but at UNC he was great on rotations on defense and stepping in and taking a charge.  He is a solid NBA C and a slightly higher upside playing with Rondo....

Not sure if Stevens will take advantage of his speed like Roy did, well Kendall Marshall did.  Kendall Marshall is one of the best I have ever seen passing up court on the fast break, it's a joy to watch....

Also Zeller's range on his jumpshot isn't far enough to be a "stretch" anything. He's a good jumpshooter for a C based on what he did in college but that's it.

[Mr October]

Also i think this whole deal is contingent on Lebron picking Cleveland. None of this is guaranteed.

I disagree, multiple reports have indicated this deal is happening no matter what LeBron decides.

Cavs have backup targets for the cap space if LeBron doesn't sign with them.

Oh nice! Any links, or names you can link to that report?

[hpantazo]

Also i think this whole deal is contingent on Lebron picking Cleveland. None of this is guaranteed.

I disagree, multiple reports have indicated this deal is happening no matter what LeBron decides.

Cavs have backup targets for the cap space if LeBron doesn't sign with them.

yeah, their backup target is reportedly Chandler Parsons. If the Cavs go ahead with the Love trade, and Lebron doesn't pick Cleveland, we could very likely sign Love next summer as a FA.

[BigAlTheFuture]

Love this trade.

[AB_Celtic]

I'm curious how many people think he's ready to start. And if so, who between Sully and Olynyk starts at PF. I'm inclined to say yes, and Olynyk.

[Celtics4ever]

Arm length isn't as much of an issue as people think; obviously size helps, but there have been plenty of players that were good shot blockers without gigantic reach. It's all about timing.

If players have equal timing, the size matters.  Long arms help on both ends too and rebounds and blocking passing lanes.  Scratching your knees while standing, etc.

[Fafnir]

Also i think this whole deal is contingent on Lebron picking Cleveland. None of this is guaranteed.

I disagree, multiple reports have indicated this deal is happening no matter what LeBron decides.

Cavs have backup targets for the cap space if LeBron doesn't sign with them.

Oh nice! Any links, or names you can link to that report?

Marc Stein tweeted about it about an hour ago, I believe others have as well.