Who might Rondo be recruiting? Some insight by a respected RealGM poster.

[gpap]

Yeah the whole Durant thing should be interesting to follow the next couple years.

Personally, I would also not be shocked if he leaves OKC and the Thunder then become Westbrook's team.

You do seem to hear an awful lot of speculation about Durant and the Wizards.

Keeping fingers crossed that Presti after realizing Durant isn't going to re-sign trades him to the Celtics.

Yes, as a special thank you for the Perkins trade.

[Monkhouse]

Yeah the whole Durant thing should be interesting to follow the next couple years.

Personally, I would also not be shocked if he leaves OKC and the Thunder then become Westbrook's team.

You do seem to hear an awful lot of speculation about Durant and the Wizards.

Keeping fingers crossed that Presti after realizing Durant isn't going to re-sign trades him to the Celtics.

Yes, as a special thank you for the Perkins trade.

At the time it fit their needs...

Also honestly if KO, Smart, or any of the players pan out, the OKC should be interested in a boat load of draft picks that may or may not be potential lottery picks.

[gpap]

Yeah the whole Durant thing should be interesting to follow the next couple years.

Personally, I would also not be shocked if he leaves OKC and the Thunder then become Westbrook's team.

You do seem to hear an awful lot of speculation about Durant and the Wizards.

Keeping fingers crossed that Presti after realizing Durant isn't going to re-sign trades him to the Celtics.

Yes, as a special thank you for the Perkins trade.

At the time it fit their needs...

Also honestly if KO, Smart, or any of the players pan out, the OKC should be interested in a boat load of draft picks that may or may not be potential lottery picks.

A few weeks ago in a thread, I wondered out loud if Danny would consider trying to cash in all his assets in the form of trying to land Durant from OKC next summer.

KD would only then have 1 year remaining on his deal.

The general consecus was he would likely do so in a heartbeat, but that no way OKC even considers it.

I still think DA should try, regradless.

Imagine if OKC ends up having a very disappointing season this year and you start to hear more and more rumblings about Durant getting restless or possibly OKC becomes repeatedly unsuccessful in trying to extend him long-term.

I would think they would be nuts to let Durant become a free agent in 2016, because if so, he's as good as gone.

What reason would he have to stay in OKC if they fail to win a championship between now and then?

[Monkhouse]

Yeah the whole Durant thing should be interesting to follow the next couple years.

Personally, I would also not be shocked if he leaves OKC and the Thunder then become Westbrook's team.

You do seem to hear an awful lot of speculation about Durant and the Wizards.

Keeping fingers crossed that Presti after realizing Durant isn't going to re-sign trades him to the Celtics.

Yes, as a special thank you for the Perkins trade.

At the time it fit their needs...

Also honestly if KO, Smart, or any of the players pan out, the OKC should be interested in a boat load of draft picks that may or may not be potential lottery picks.

A few weeks ago in a thread, I wondered out loud if Danny would consider trying to cash in all his assets in the form of trying to land Durant from OKC next summer.

KD would only then have 1 year remaining on his deal.

The general consecus was he would likely do so in a heartbeat, but that no way OKC even considers it.

I still think DA should try, regradless.

Imagine if OKC ends up having a very disappointing season this year and you start to hear more and more rumblings about Durant getting restless or possibly OKC becomes repeatedly unsuccessful in trying to extend him long-term.

I would think they would be nuts to let Durant become a free agent in 2016, because if so, he's as good as gone.

What reason would he have to stay in OKC if they fail to win a championship between now and then?

Yup that's the point I'm making.

OKC has tried to win championships through the draft. Who has a crap load of draft picks?

[gpap]

Yeah the whole Durant thing should be interesting to follow the next couple years.

Personally, I would also not be shocked if he leaves OKC and the Thunder then become Westbrook's team.

You do seem to hear an awful lot of speculation about Durant and the Wizards.

Keeping fingers crossed that Presti after realizing Durant isn't going to re-sign trades him to the Celtics.

Yes, as a special thank you for the Perkins trade.

At the time it fit their needs...

Also honestly if KO, Smart, or any of the players pan out, the OKC should be interested in a boat load of draft picks that may or may not be potential lottery picks.

A few weeks ago in a thread, I wondered out loud if Danny would consider trying to cash in all his assets in the form of trying to land Durant from OKC next summer.

KD would only then have 1 year remaining on his deal.

The general consecus was he would likely do so in a heartbeat, but that no way OKC even considers it.

I still think DA should try, regradless.

Imagine if OKC ends up having a very disappointing season this year and you start to hear more and more rumblings about Durant getting restless or possibly OKC becomes repeatedly unsuccessful in trying to extend him long-term.

I would think they would be nuts to let Durant become a free agent in 2016, because if so, he's as good as gone.

What reason would he have to stay in OKC if they fail to win a championship between now and then?

Yup that's the point I'm making.

OKC has tried to win championships through the draft. Who has a crap load of draft picks?

I am totally on the same page.

If you're going to try to cash in those chips next summer, as might as well think big.

The worse that happens is some shirt and tie in the OKC front-office says "not interested."

Big deal.

[Monkhouse]

Yeah the whole Durant thing should be interesting to follow the next couple years.

Personally, I would also not be shocked if he leaves OKC and the Thunder then become Westbrook's team.

You do seem to hear an awful lot of speculation about Durant and the Wizards.

Keeping fingers crossed that Presti after realizing Durant isn't going to re-sign trades him to the Celtics.

Yes, as a special thank you for the Perkins trade.

At the time it fit their needs...

Also honestly if KO, Smart, or any of the players pan out, the OKC should be interested in a boat load of draft picks that may or may not be potential lottery picks.

A few weeks ago in a thread, I wondered out loud if Danny would consider trying to cash in all his assets in the form of trying to land Durant from OKC next summer.

KD would only then have 1 year remaining on his deal.

The general consecus was he would likely do so in a heartbeat, but that no way OKC even considers it.

I still think DA should try, regradless.

Imagine if OKC ends up having a very disappointing season this year and you start to hear more and more rumblings about Durant getting restless or possibly OKC becomes repeatedly unsuccessful in trying to extend him long-term.

I would think they would be nuts to let Durant become a free agent in 2016, because if so, he's as good as gone.

What reason would he have to stay in OKC if they fail to win a championship between now and then?

Yup that's the point I'm making.

OKC has tried to win championships through the draft. Who has a crap load of draft picks?

I am totally on the same page.

If you're going to try to cash in those chips next summer, as might as well think big.

The worse that happens is some shirt and tie in the OKC front-office says "not interested."

Big deal.

I really do think how Sully or KO develops is key to our success. Yes the Celtics are far and away from being the place Durant chooses, but if they really do extremely well, and we make the playoffs. We nab someone like Marc Gasol, who instantly makes our team a 45-50 win team, and we maybe make it past the 2nd round. Then we could definitely be contenders with Durant.

And I like Wizards, I really do. But I don't think Wall/Beal can lead a team to a championship. Plus their SF/PF is getting up there in age, so we'll see.

[aporel#18]

Yes to Marc Gasol.

NO to Rudy Gay unless he's willing to take 9-10M/year.

[clover]

Who needs Gay?

According to these Twitter reports from the scrimmage, James Young is coming along nicely:

Steve Bulpett ‏@SteveBHoop  59s60 seconds ago
James Young hits 3's on consecutive possessions -- the second while being fouled (completes 4-point play).

 A. Sherrod Blakely ‏@SherrodbCSN  1m1 minute ago
Back-2-back 3s by James Young, the last an And1. He pushes White team's lead to 33-17. Forget the pts. The form on his release ... #smooth

 Brian Robb ‏@CelticsHub  1m1 minute ago
James Young nails a 3-pointer and gets the foul on the wing against the man he'll likely be replacing long-term in Boston: Jeff Green.

 gary washburn ‏@GwashburnGlobe  2m2 minutes ago
And while I wrote that last tweet, Young hits another 3 and is fouled #celtics

 Jay King ‏@ByJayKing  2m2 minutes ago
James Young drills two 3-pointers in a row, the second one while getting fouled.

 gary washburn ‏@GwashburnGlobe  2m2 minutes ago
James Young with a smooth-looking 3-pointer. #celtics not sure what to expect from 19-year-old this year but they are impressed so far.

[chambers]

I'd believe that ddb has heard this from an 'insider'. I think the insider has probably got it wrong though.
No matter how close Rondo+ Gay are as friends, Rondo surely knows that Gay is a 3rd/4th fiddle on a championship team. He'd essentially be another version of Jeff Green with slightly more 1v1 scoring ability and less three point ability. I guess it depends what deal he'd take- good value is always good value.

Gasol coming to Boston would be a dream but I just can't see him leaving Memphis with Conley and Zeebo there? Zeebo's just re-signed and Conley is consistently under rated amongst the elite NBA pg ratings.

I will say that they were incredibly unlucky with injuries for a few years there- first with Zeebo getting injured and then Gay going down. The threesome of Zeebo, Gay and Gasol never got to play with each other in the playoffs. Gay being out actually shot Mike Conley into the thrust as their 3rd go to guy and he's an incredibly smart pass first point guard with great 3 point range.

I'd argue that they probably at least make the finals in one, two or three of those seasons where Zeebo and Gay were both injured- they beat or took OKC to 7 games in a few of those playoff series and they were missing Zeebo or Gay.

Let's say this did somehow happen and we ended up with:
Rondo
Smart
Gay
Sully
Gasol

with Bradley, Olynyk, Young off the bench.
You'd have to pray that Smart and/or Sully becomes a 40% three point shooter- because that line up is going to struggle to score from the perimeter.
Gay+Gasol+Rondo needs two elite three point shooters as the supporting cast or you're being exploited in the playoffs by guys like Spoelstra, Popovic etc...

Can't see Danny biting on Gay whatsoever. Who knows though.

Keep in mind that DeAndre Jordan is a free agent next summer too isn't he?

Could always have a swing at him- would be a nice fit next to Sully.
Of course then we'd need Sully and Smart to become go to scorers.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yes to Marc Gasol.

NO to Rudy Gay unless he's willing to take 9-10M/year.

+1

[fairweatherfan]

Let's say this did somehow happen and we ended up with:
Rondo
Smart
Gay
Sully
Gasol

with Bradley, Olynyk, Young off the bench.
You'd have to pray that Smart and/or Sully becomes a 40% three point shooter- because that line up is going to struggle to score from the perimeter.
Gay+Gasol+Rondo needs two elite three point shooters as the supporting cast or you're being exploited in the playoffs by guys like Spoelstra, Popovic etc...

If KO continues to develop as a shooter he could easily play that role with Sully as a change of pace physical big off the bench.  Or put Bradley in for Smart - 39.5% isn't elite but it's well above average - and have Smart as a backup combo guard who can defend either position.  Or both.

[Diehard2001]

Gay will not take less then 15m. Hes use to high payments for his game. I can see if jeff green left. Nut still just gay or even gasol and gay is not enough. there is something going on in the management that we might see next year. I see a few minor moves and some big moves possibly. I just hope there isnt another tanking season this year. I have this itch but no matter what i love watching them play

[fantankerous]

Who needs Gay?

According to these Twitter reports from the scrimmage, James Young is coming along nicely:

Steve Bulpett ?@SteveBHoop  59s60 seconds ago
James Young hits 3's on consecutive possessions -- the second while being fouled (completes 4-point play).

 A. Sherrod Blakely ?@SherrodbCSN  1m1 minute ago
Back-2-back 3s by James Young, the last an And1. He pushes White team's lead to 33-17. Forget the pts. The form on his release ... #smooth

 Brian Robb ?@CelticsHub  1m1 minute ago
James Young nails a 3-pointer and gets the foul on the wing against the man he'll likely be replacing long-term in Boston: Jeff Green.

 gary washburn ?@GwashburnGlobe  2m2 minutes ago
And while I wrote that last tweet, Young hits another 3 and is fouled #celtics

 Jay King ?@ByJayKing  2m2 minutes ago
James Young drills two 3-pointers in a row, the second one while getting fouled.

 gary washburn ?@GwashburnGlobe  2m2 minutes ago
James Young with a smooth-looking 3-pointer. #celtics not sure what to expect from 19-year-old this year but they are impressed so far.

Yes!  The best way to evaluate players is to use 30 seconds of an intra-squad scrimmage in which a player made two baskets in catch-and-shoot situations. 

[manl_lui]

Who needs Gay?

According to these Twitter reports from the scrimmage, James Young is coming along nicely:

Steve Bulpett ?@SteveBHoop  59s60 seconds ago
James Young hits 3's on consecutive possessions -- the second while being fouled (completes 4-point play).

 A. Sherrod Blakely ?@SherrodbCSN  1m1 minute ago
Back-2-back 3s by James Young, the last an And1. He pushes White team's lead to 33-17. Forget the pts. The form on his release ... #smooth

 Brian Robb ?@CelticsHub  1m1 minute ago
James Young nails a 3-pointer and gets the foul on the wing against the man he'll likely be replacing long-term in Boston: Jeff Green.

 gary washburn ?@GwashburnGlobe  2m2 minutes ago
And while I wrote that last tweet, Young hits another 3 and is fouled #celtics

 Jay King ?@ByJayKing  2m2 minutes ago
James Young drills two 3-pointers in a row, the second one while getting fouled.

 gary washburn ?@GwashburnGlobe  2m2 minutes ago
James Young with a smooth-looking 3-pointer. #celtics not sure what to expect from 19-year-old this year but they are impressed so far.

Yes!  The best way to evaluate players is to use 30 seconds of an intra-squad scrimmage in which a player made two baskets in catch-and-shoot situations.

Gay is a possibility down the road but probably not until the offseason. While that waits, we have a full season of 82 games at least to see James Young in action. If he is "as solid" as they say, then Gay probably is not needed given that Young is SO much more cheaper. If he can display at least 30-40% of what Gay already does, then in my opinion, I would take the gamble of not paying Gay to come here. Young is ONLY 19, so what I just said, a 30-40% Gay is pretty [dang] good for a 19 year old with lots of room to grow.

I do however think he will spend some time in the D-League since he will be competing with Jeff Green, and Wallace, unless Wallace gets injured or Green gets traded, then will he be recalled.

[gpap]

Who needs Gay?

According to these Twitter reports from the scrimmage, James Young is coming along nicely:

Steve Bulpett ?@SteveBHoop  59s60 seconds ago
James Young hits 3's on consecutive possessions -- the second while being fouled (completes 4-point play).

 A. Sherrod Blakely ?@SherrodbCSN  1m1 minute ago
Back-2-back 3s by James Young, the last an And1. He pushes White team's lead to 33-17. Forget the pts. The form on his release ... #smooth

 Brian Robb ?@CelticsHub  1m1 minute ago
James Young nails a 3-pointer and gets the foul on the wing against the man he'll likely be replacing long-term in Boston: Jeff Green.

 gary washburn ?@GwashburnGlobe  2m2 minutes ago
And while I wrote that last tweet, Young hits another 3 and is fouled #celtics

 Jay King ?@ByJayKing  2m2 minutes ago
James Young drills two 3-pointers in a row, the second one while getting fouled.

 gary washburn ?@GwashburnGlobe  2m2 minutes ago
James Young with a smooth-looking 3-pointer. #celtics not sure what to expect from 19-year-old this year but they are impressed so far.

Yes!  The best way to evaluate players is to use 30 seconds of an intra-squad scrimmage in which a player made two baskets in catch-and-shoot situations.

Teams already devising ways to clear enough cap space to offer Young the max in 2021.