High hopes for trade deadline?

[The One]

Let me start with this:
I'm a positive, glass half-full kind of person.  I believe that Wyc, Danny, and Brad know what they're doing.  They have a plan, multiple iterations of it, and they will work very hard to make the Celtics true contenders again.

So I have high hopes for the trade deadline, February 19, 2015, and I think that at the very least some solid steps can be made in the long journey back to contention; i.e. more asset gathering.

And in my wildest dreams, they can get a star, not a super-star, which could put them on the fast track.

The Celtics have some expiring contracts and numerous picks with which to play with...so is that enough to do anything?

Does anyone else have high hopes for the deadline?

[boscel33]

My only hope is for assets to be used in the offseason, either trade or draft.

Bass, Green, Wright, Nelson all can contribute to the harvesting of assets.

[greg683x]

It depends on who is available.

There hasnt been really any reports of anyone of note being on the trading block and Danny's not just gonna make a deal just to make one at the deadline

[ssspence]

My only hope is for assets to be used in the offseason, either trade or draft.

Bass, Green, Wright, Nelson all can contribute to the harvesting of assets.

I think Thornton is also a net positive. What contender couldn't use an instant offense guy on an expiring deal? Not saying you'll get oodles for him, but he's still an asset.

I should point out that I think you'll see every single one of these guys dumped before the deadline, with the possible exception of Nelson (who I think Ainge will try VERY HARD to package with one of the others). I doubt he'll get much, but he'll take whatever he can, because none of these dudes will be on the Cs next year (except Nelson if they can't find a home for him).

[Vermont Green]

I don't have high hopes for this trade deadline.  I think we are still in the phase of taking smaller steps towards a future time when we can make the preverbal "big splash". 

As noted, we have some pieces that will generate some interest; Green, Bass, Thornton, Nelson, Wright, and even Turner.  This assortment is not going to get us much back and I don't think that at this point, we are going to cash in our pick and go for a big deal.

That assortment could get us someone more along the lines of Zeller but I don't see a big impact deal at this time.

[hpantazo]

It depends on who is available.

There hasnt been really any reports of anyone of note being on the trading block and Danny's not just gonna make a deal just to make one at the deadline

It's unlikely, but if we are lucky both Dragic and Cousins could end up on the block for this trading deadline. If he wants out, I don't see many teams being able to offer a better package for Cousins than the Celtics can. Sullinger, Bradley, and 1st round picks for example.

[timpiker]

I hate to say it but to me our only hope is through the draft - get lucky with the ping pong balls and hope like hell Danny picks the right player.

Free agents and trades will only supplement the draft.

[krumeto]

"Multiple iterations" is the important part imo.

Highest priority - star players. If somehow DMC or a lower tier semi-star (Dragic, R. Jackson, etc.) gets available, I hope Danny tries to spend and get quality aboard.

2. Assets - if the above fails and Green, Bass and Wright are not willing to stay on discount, I hope for trades for assets. Reports were market for Jeff and Wright is strong. Bass would be harder to move for anything of value but a 2nd rounder and a player for a less stuffed position should be there.

3. Trade to clean up the roster mess - at least one of Bass and Wright needs to be gone. No roster spot for both and creates a playing time mess.

[MBunge]

The problem is that so many teams are already tanking their brains out, it diminishes the incentive for anyone to trade an unhappy/troubled superstar for what Boston has to offer.  If the Kings, for example, traded us Cousins for Zeller, Sully, Wallace and three first rounders, they still won't be as bad as Philly and still likely won't get a high enough pick in the next draft.

I think trades are going to be less important to Boston's future than the draft and FA signings. We really don't need to clutter up the roster with mediocre players, given all the first rounders coming our way, and Boston is going to have major salary cap room for the first time in, like, ever.

Mike

[saltlover]

I think a cranky superstar trade occurs in the offseason, should it occur at all. Say, for example, the Kings decide to trade Cousins.  If they wait until the lottery is determined, it will be more clear what the draft order is and what players are in the draft.  Furthermore, teams will have more cap space, so they can absorb a large contract like Cousins' without needing to send back as much filler salary.  Finally, there is a larger negotiating window and thus less urgency to make an immediate deal if you don't like what's on the table.

[Csfan1984]

I'd like to get more towards rebuilding by moving Green, Bass, Thornton,  Wright, (Nelson I want in off season).

I'd like the TPE to be better than last large TPE haul.

I'd love to get a young impact player than can possibly get better. Drummond for 2016 Nets 1st, 2015 LAC 1st, Wright and Sully. Plus take on any 2 year fodder and give them TEs.  Yeah not likely.

[greg683x]

It depends on who is available.

There hasnt been really any reports of anyone of note being on the trading block and Danny's not just gonna make a deal just to make one at the deadline

It's unlikely, but if we are lucky both Dragic and Cousins could end up on the block for this trading deadline. If he wants out, I don't see many teams being able to offer a better package for Cousins than the Celtics can. Sullinger, Bradley, and 1st round picks for example.

I would argue that we dont have enough to land a player like cousins at his age and remaining years on his deal, but trust me I would LOVE to be proven wrong

[Birdman]

Danny will probably trade Wright, nelson, Thornton and Bass for more 2nd round picks who will probably never play for us...use those 2nd round picks to draft international players who u will never see

[Future Celtics Owner]

The problem is that so many teams are already tanking their brains out, it diminishes the incentive for anyone to trade an unhappy/troubled superstar for what Boston has to offer.  If the Kings, for example, traded us Cousins for Zeller, Sully, Wallace and three first rounders, they still won't be as bad as Philly and still likely won't get a high enough pick in the next draft.

I think trades are going to be less important to Boston's future than the draft and FA signings. We really don't need to clutter up the roster with mediocre players, given all the first rounders coming our way, and Boston is going to have major salary cap room for the first time in, like, ever.

Mike

Personally I am rooting and praying like hell to get a pick where we can draft Karl towns. But we need to get rid of the fodder and start playing James Young and Smart more minutes.

Remember last year? We were in a similar position and thought that by playing the likes of Bass and others would increase their trade value......it didn't. They're too many teams tanking. And really Philly should have some draft restrictions (like picks 1-5) if they're blatantly putting out the worst team in NBA history.....its a joke.

My high hopes for trade deadline?
1)literally stop playing Bass and Thornton or better yet trade them. teams will understand that we are rebuilding and by now people know what those 2 can do
2)Try to find a landing spot for Green. He could opt out after this season and we should not pay him what he is worth bc we are rebuilding anyways. Get a first rounder out of it. Or a young player.
3)That the Clips have been passed in the standings by the Spurs and PHX

[tcranenj]

The Cs need to accomplish two goals with the coming trade deadline. Increase financial flexibility while maintaining their draft assets.

Everything Danny has done in the past two years has been about June-July 2015. While the Cs have a decent amount of financial flexibility for 2015-2016, they could use a bit more and moving Green and Nelson would help. When you factor in space beneath the cap and draft pick assets, no team is in a better position to reshape its roster come June 2015 than the Celtics. It will be up to Ainge to realize the full potential of everything he has set up.

Now, what are the realistic options? I think Ainge needs to target younger free agents like DeAndre Jordan, Kawhi Leonard, Reggie Jackson and Greg Monroe as he spends the cap space and draft assets. Players like these will be in line for significant but not HUGE pay raises going into 2015. Combine a couple of these players with the developing talent already on the team and a solid veteran or two and you'll have the talent and youth to compete for the top half of East playoff spots for years to come. Don't get caught up in the hype - we shouldn't be looking for one or even two big signings. The Celtics should be looking to pull off four or five very good signings.

So, the next six weeks will be interesting to see what they do before the trade deadline. But don't look for talent coming back before February. Odds are they'll be looking for a bit more financial flexibility that can be leveraged in July coming back. The following four months will be boring as they limp to 25-ish wins. Then, comes June and July of 2015 which will be the most important months of Ainge's tenure as GM. What he does in June and July will go a long way to determining if he and Stevens are still around come year 6 of Stevens's contract. In short, the demolition should end this February and the true building should take place this June and July.