How the Celtics should look after the deadline (Make it happen Danny!!!)

[CsBanner18]

The Celtics are in the early stages of a rebuild. This means the team has no use for players like Brandon Bass, Marcus Thornton, Tayshaun Prince, & Jameer Nelson. Here are 4 trades that I hope Danny Ainge pulls off before the Feb. 20th trade deadline:


1) Brandon Bass to the Trailblazers:

BOS sends: Brandon Bass to POR
POR sends: Thomas Robinson & Victor Claver to BOS

                   (Maybe BOS can snag another 2nd round pick as well)
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2) Tayshaun Prince to the Raptors: [ALREADY HEARING PRINCE MAY BE BOUGHT OUT, BUT I'D PREFER AINGE MAKE THIS DEAL]

BOS sends: Tayshaun Prince to TOR
TOR sends: Landry Fields & a future 2nd rd pick to BOS

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3) Jameer Nelson to the Thunder:

BOS sends: Jameer Nelson, 2015 MIN pick (via suns trade; likely to become 2 seconds) to OKC
OKC sends: Reggie Jackson to BOS
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4) Marcus Thornton to the Raptors:

BOS sends: Marcus Thornton & a heavily protected future 2nd round pick to TOR
TOR sends: Chuck Hayes & Tyler Hansbrough to BOS

                            Essentially the Celtics are sending Prince & Thornton to the Raptors in (2 separate deals) and getting back Fields, Hayes, & Hansbrough, (all on an expiring contract and could immediately get waived) while getting a 2nd round pick and only sending out a protected 2nd round pick.

-Toronto gets an upgrade in talent
-Boston gets a guaranteed second rounder, save approx $750,000 on the cap.


Celtics after the deadline:

PG: Jackson/Smart/Pressey
SG: Bradley/Smart/Young
SF: Turner, Crowder/Young/Wallace
PF: Sully/Robinson/Claver
C: Zeller/Olynyk

Smart will get minutes at both PG and SG. Hopefully Smart turns into an Eric Bledsoe or better. He has the size to play both the PG & SG positions, and could eventually take over the starting role at SG if the Celtics decide they like Smart over Bradley. Bradley could then be kept and used as highly payed 6th man, or traded to free up more cap space and minutes for James Young.

Although Young is in the perfect position right now to receive minutes, I don't want to miss out on the chance to acquire Reggie Jackson.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should Ainge pull the trigger?

[Roy H.]

I don't see #3 as being particularly realistic.  I think Jackson has more value than that, even if OKC can't afford him.

[LarBrd33]

I expect all four of those guys to be bought out.  You might get a 2nd rounder out of Bass.  They will not be on this team after the deadline, though.

[Evantime34]

I love the Jackson deal (although it might be unrealistic). With all the other deals I would just rather let the season play out and have the cap space next year.

I actually like the rotation the way it is now. If we could move Thornton to free up more time for Young then I would be fine rolling with what we have.

[Celtics4ever]

Jackson has a knack for scoring despite not being a solid shooter.    For that reason, I do not see #3 happening.

Ainge seems to want cap space more than assets at this point.

[CsBanner18]

I don't see #3 as being particularly realistic.  I think Jackson has more value than that, even if OKC can't afford him.

I sort of disagree. I thought Rondo would net us more than he did but he did not. If anything, the Celtics could throw in the 2016 Dallas or Cleveland pick instead of the Minny pick and add a second rounder.

Updated trade would be

BOS sends: Nelson, CLE 2016 1st, future 2nd rd pick to OKC
OKC sends: Jackson

Jackson is an expiring contract and the majority of the 30 teams in the NBA already have a quality starting PG. I don't think Jackson will net OKC a lottery pick.

My updated proposal has OKC getting Nelson who can backup Westbrook, the 2016 Cavs pick (most likely between 15-30 next year), and a second round pick. I think that should be plenty to get Jackson. I also think OKC has done a good job of slightly diminishing Jackson's trade value by not declaring him a starter over Lamb or Roberson. OKC is essentially saying Jackson's a backup point guard by stating that they prefer him with their second unit. Other GMs might be able to use that to their advantage. 

[CsBanner18]

I expect all four of those guys to be bought out.  You might get a 2nd rounder out of Bass.  They will not be on this team after the deadline, though.

I agree. Danny is of course going to see if he can make a deal for a less talented player (also on an expiring) to net another 2nd round pick. If he cannot, he will either waive or buyout the remaining veterans.

[RJ87]

I don't see #3 as being particularly realistic.  I think Jackson has more value than that, even if OKC can't afford him.

I sort of disagree. I thought Rondo would net us more than he did but he did not. If anything, the Celtics could throw in the 2016 Dallas or Cleveland pick instead of the Minny pick and add a second rounder.

Updated trade would be

BOS sends: Nelson, CLE 2016 1st, future 2nd rd pick to OKC
OKC sends: Jackson

Jackson is an expiring contract and the majority of the 30 teams in the NBA already have a quality starting PG. I don't think Jackson will net OKC a lottery pick.

My updated proposal has OKC getting Nelson who can backup Westbrook, the 2016 Cavs pick (most likely between 15-30 next year), and a second round pick. I think that should be plenty to get Jackson. I also think OKC has done a good job of slightly diminishing Jackson's trade value by not declaring him a starter over Lamb or Roberson. OKC is essentially saying Jackson's a backup point guard by stating that they prefer him with their second unit. Other GMs might be able to use that to their advantage.

Jackson will be a restricted free agent this offseason. So yes, he's "expiring" but whatever team acquires him will also get the right to match an offersheet and keep him. It's totally different than Rondo or Love or Dragic.

And as far as him starting, James Harden wasn't a starter when he was in OKC either. That didn't signify that they thought Thabo Sefolosha was a better player, Scott Brooks just seems to really like having a starting guard as his 6th man. I don't think starting has any bearing on value - look at Eric Bledsoe. Stuck behind Cp3 in LA but still managed to show enough in limited time at Phoenix to get himself a $70m contract in restricted free agency.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

Following all of these deals, Danny Ainge has petitioned the league office to allow Boston 10 additional roster spots.....

But seriously, if Danny does anything it will probably look like this:

- Prince is bought out.
- Rivers is traded to LAC for a 2nd rounder and a couple hotdogs.
- Bass gets dealt at the deadline for 2 2nd rounders.
- Marcus Thornton is dealt for a 2nd rounder (or 2).

Danny then scans the d-league for guys to finish out the season.

I'd like Boston to sign DeAndre Kane (overseas).  If you look up his youtube clips and recent play, he's another combo guard worth a look.  Better scorer than Pressey, and seems to do something our guards won't: GET TO THE RIM.

I'd hate to be a player on this roster right now.  The coach is making JV decisions.  The GM is saying one thing, but then doing the exact opposite the next.  I really wonder if a player would WANT to come play for the Celtics since all Danny does is move them with frequency and the fans line them up to put on their hit-list of hated players soon after they arrive.

This franchise is a mess - maybe it will turn out well, but I'd bet money it won't.  You typically need to have a star player ALREADY on your roster to build around, and all we have is a pile of mediocrity...

[Future Celtics Owner]

I hope we do something to get rid of Avery.

His 4 year contract is a burden now that IMO James Young is our next starting 2.

[Endless Paradise]

The difference between Rondo and Jackson is there is no risk of losing Jackson for nothing this summer.  Whatever team trades for Jackson will be able to keep him if they so desire, no matter what.  There's no such guarantee with Rondo.

[aingeforthree]

I don't see #3 as being particularly realistic.  I think Jackson has more value than that, even if OKC can't afford him.

I sort of disagree. I thought Rondo would net us more than he did but he did not. If anything, the Celtics could throw in the 2016 Dallas or Cleveland pick instead of the Minny pick and add a second rounder.

Updated trade would be

BOS sends: Nelson, CLE 2016 1st, future 2nd rd pick to OKC
OKC sends: Jackson

Jackson is an expiring contract and the majority of the 30 teams in the NBA already have a quality starting PG. I don't think Jackson will net OKC a lottery pick.

My updated proposal has OKC getting Nelson who can backup Westbrook, the 2016 Cavs pick (most likely between 15-30 next year), and a second round pick. I think that should be plenty to get Jackson. I also think OKC has done a good job of slightly diminishing Jackson's trade value by not declaring him a starter over Lamb or Roberson. OKC is essentially saying Jackson's a backup point guard by stating that they prefer him with their second unit. Other GMs might be able to use that to their advantage.

A little bit better there in terms of value.  I still don't see Ainge trading a first for Jackson when he sits there with big time money to spend and can land Jackson in the offseason (if he wants him for his system).

[CsBanner18]

I love the Jackson deal (although it might be unrealistic). With all the other deals I would just rather let the season play out and have the cap space next year.

I actually like the rotation the way it is now. If we could move Thornton to free up more time for Young then I would be fine rolling with what we have.

I may be a bit off with my trade offer. I'm sure there are other picks and/or players we could trade in place of the ones I originally proposed.

I just think we should trade for Jackson, re-sign him in the offseason, and then think long and hard about trading either Turner or Bradley. Either player being traded would open up more minutes for Young. Lock up Reggie Jackson while you can though. Also you know he Rockets, Knicks, and Kings might want him as well. I think now might be the perfect time to trade for him.

[Geo123]

I love the Jackson deal (although it might be unrealistic). With all the other deals I would just rather let the season play out and have the cap space next year.

I actually like the rotation the way it is now. If we could move Thornton to free up more time for Young then I would be fine rolling with what we have.

I may be a bit off with my trade offer. I'm sure there are other picks and/or players we could trade in place of the ones I originally proposed.

I just think we should trade for Jackson, re-sign him in the offseason, and then think long and hard about trading either Turner or Bradley. Either player being traded would open up more minutes for Young. Lock up Reggie Jackson while you can though. Also you know he Rockets, Knicks, and Kings might want him as well. I think now might be the perfect time to trade for him.

OKC is not going to trade Jackson, unless you completely overwhelm them and that trade doesn't do it....

[CsBanner18]

I don't see #3 as being particularly realistic.  I think Jackson has more value than that, even if OKC can't afford him.

I sort of disagree. I thought Rondo would net us more than he did but he did not. If anything, the Celtics could throw in the 2016 Dallas or Cleveland pick instead of the Minny pick and add a second rounder.

Updated trade would be

BOS sends: Nelson, CLE 2016 1st, future 2nd rd pick to OKC
OKC sends: Jackson

Jackson is an expiring contract and the majority of the 30 teams in the NBA already have a quality starting PG. I don't think Jackson will net OKC a lottery pick.

My updated proposal has OKC getting Nelson who can backup Westbrook, the 2016 Cavs pick (most likely between 15-30 next year), and a second round pick. I think that should be plenty to get Jackson. I also think OKC has done a good job of slightly diminishing Jackson's trade value by not declaring him a starter over Lamb or Roberson. OKC is essentially saying Jackson's a backup point guard by stating that they prefer him with their second unit. Other GMs might be able to use that to their advantage.

Jackson will be a restricted free agent this offseason. So yes, he's "expiring" but whatever team acquires him will also get the right to match an offersheet and keep him. It's totally different than Rondo or Love or Dragic.

And as far as him starting, James Harden wasn't a starter when he was in OKC either. That didn't signify that they thought Thabo Sefolosha was a better player, Scott Brooks just seems to really like having a starting guard as his 6th man. I don't think starting has any bearing on value - look at Eric Bledsoe. Stuck behind Cp3 in LA but still managed to show enough in limited time at Phoenix to get himself a $70m contract in restricted free agency.

Glad you mentioned Bledsoe. He was traded from the LAC with Caron Butler & a 2nd round pick for JJ Redick and Jared Dudley. LAC knew Bledsoe had great potential, but essentially settled for talent like Redick so they didn't have to pay E. Bled.

Giving up a 1st round pick, and a veteran that can help your team immediately doesn't sound outrageous IMO. I think any combination of Turner, Nelson, & picks should be enough to entice OKC to trade us Jackson. Forgot for a second that Jackson is a RFA. Although it is an asset in itself to be able to match Jackson's contract, it is still possible we lose him due to a team like NY offering him far more than what Ainge believes he's worth.

With that being said, I believe Jackson could be traded for without having to give up any potential lottery picks, or young players still on rookie deals. If OKC's price for him is too much I say forget about this idea all-together. I'd rather to either trade for Dragic now or wait to see if we have any chance selling him on the team this offseason.