Stay together for the kids?

[celticsclay]

I found the quotes from the Forsberg article  really interesting that players have requested to stay together and not be broken up.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4717707/celtics-soar-into-break-thinking-playoffs

"It also sent these young Celtics soaring into the All-Star break with players openly lobbying to keep the roster intact despite the approaching trade deadline -- with lots of chatter about a potential run at the playoffs for this scrappy group that has suddenly found a way to win close games."

If these guys, with a rotation that is 75% 26 or under really want to keep the team together does it make sense to grant them their wish? While I agree with the general notion that you can't let the players run a team, it does seem like the team has really good chemistry and Stevens enjoys coaching them. As the wins have piled up in January, the notion of a top draft pick has really become less realistic. In my mind the positives that come with having a team that likes each other, gains experiences in a playoff run and potential first round series all add up to outweigh the potential benefits of the minimal assets that a Prince, Bass or Thornton could fetch in a trade. We have a million draft picks already and our guys are showing improvement. Maybe if we trade Bass, Prince or Thornton, Young, Smart or Sully pout and/or regress. What are other's thoughts?

[SHAQATTACK]

I feel excited for the players and team to at least feel they are bonding and wanting to step up to the challenge .

You have to admire their grit and attitude .   Especially after all the personnel changes in such a short time,

I say let em try

[acieEarl]

Danny will make a deal if there's a decent one out there. That being said, I'm not sure there is. Maybe a second rounder, but do we really need any more second round pics? Since it's a buyers market right now the Cs might want to try to steal some decent players such a Faried from the Nuggets.

[celticsclay]

Danny will make a deal if there's a decent one out there. That being said, I'm not sure there is. Maybe a second rounder, but do we really need any more second round pics? Since it's a buyers market right now the Cs might want to try to steal some decent players such a Faried from the Nuggets.

I really like Faried as a player but worry we really can't use any more undersized power forwards.

[Quetzalcoatl]

*fights back a tear*

Oh, you kids...you're so sweet.  It's just that...mommy and Danny have done a lot of thinking and...well, maybe you won't understand yet my sweets.  Sometimes though, mommies and Dannys have to make decisions that will leave you a little confused and hurt, but in the long term will be best for everyone. 

You saw Uncle Roy's post this morning that maybe there has been some arguing a lot lately and some of the family around here have been grumpy grumps with each other.  Well, mommy and Danny have to make a move that will work for everybody long term, not just this school year.

Dearest Brandon, don't blame yourself, I want you to know that it's not your fault.  And Evan, sweet Evan, you're going to love your new home.  How could I forget you, Marcus Thorton, just because we have another Marcus here, it doesn't meant that we love you any less.  Well, maybe a little less than new Marcus.  But it's not your fault....

[Chris22]

Nobody wants our vets, and we have plenty of picks.

Let's start kicking a....

[jpotter33]

I'm all in for keeping our vets for several reasons.
1) our tanking dream is done. The best we could do right now is probably a 7th or 8th seed if we're lucky, so why even try to lose/tank anymore?
2) since we're not tanking, we need every bit of help we can get if we want to make a run to the playoffs, which Pribce, Bass, and Thornton all give in their own way.
3) the most we'd be getting is 2nd rounders for them, so it's not like we're missing out on much.
4) most importantly, it literally doesn't hurt us a bit to keep them, because they all expire this summer.

Thus, there's literally no reason to trade them now. As long as Young continues to get time behind Prince, then I'm all in baby!

[MikeJelly]

Nobody wants our vets, and we have plenty of picks.

Let's start kicking a....

*KG Chest Pound and Scream*

[Timdawgg]

*fights back a tear*

Oh, you kids...you're so sweet.  It's just that...mommy and Danny have done a lot of thinking and...well, maybe you won't understand yet my sweets.  Sometimes though, mommies and Dannys have to make decisions that will leave you a little confused and hurt, but in the long term will be best for everyone. 

You saw Uncle Roy's post this morning that maybe there has been some arguing a lot lately and some of the family around here have been grumpy grumps with each other.  Well, mommy and Danny have to make a move that will work for everybody long term, not just this school year.

Dearest Brandon, don't blame yourself, I want you to know that it's not your fault.  And Evan, sweet Evan, you're going to love your new home.  How could I forget you, Marcus Thorton, just because we have another Marcus here, it doesn't meant that we love you any less.  Well, maybe a little less than new Marcus.  But it's not your fault....

Awesome!!! TP!!!

[Chris22]

Nobody wants our vets, and we have plenty of picks.

Let's start kicking a....

*KG Chest Pound and Scream*

ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE!!!

[colincb]

We might get TPEs, 2nd rounders, as well as cap relief.  We have a lot of these type of assets already, so I cannot get enthused about churning the roster when we're down to expirings in a buyers market.  Of course if there is real value to be had instead of marginal improvement then that's a different story.

Most of all, no buy outs where Cs are basically cutting players and the  Mavs and Clippers are picking them up for peanuts (and both teams desperately need bench players). That's subtraction by subtraction.

[JSD]

Nobody wants our vets, and we have plenty of picks.

Let's start kicking a....

*KG Chest Pound and Scream*

ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE!!!

Gosh, if there was anyway to pull off a Wallace for KG exchange, that would be perfect. KG is exactly who we need to here to make a playoff push.

Would the Clipper pick get it done? Would it be worth it? I think so... Not only are you getting KG but you're also getting rid off Wallace's contract on the books for around $11 Million next season.

[freshinthehouse]

1) our tanking dream is done. The best we could do right now is probably a 7th or 8th seed if we're lucky, so why even try to lose/tank anymore?

We're still only 3 games back from having sole possession of the 6th seed.  And even if we only end up in the 7-10 range, that's heaps better than picking 15th.

[celticsclay]

1) our tanking dream is done. The best we could do right now is probably a 7th or 8th seed if we're lucky, so why even try to lose/tank anymore?

We're still only 3 games back from having sole possession of the 6th seed.  And even if we only end up in the 7-10 range, that's heaps better than picking 15th.

You do realize 3 games is a lot different when you are talking about teams that have won 18 out of 52 games than if you are talking about bulls and cavs. The teams 3 wins behind us like Orlando have a .30 winning percentage. With 36 games left, they are only projected to win about 10 the rest of the season. That means our our plucky Celtics would have to win only 7 the rest of the season.

[oldtype]

At this point I'd say retaining most of our players and making a playoff push is fait accompli.

You can't undermine the team massively by giving away key veterans for nothing just as its starting to do well and expect the coach and the young players to keep their desire to compete and do the best they can. The long term damage we do to these guys may well cancel out any advantage we get from obtaining the #6 pick.

Might as well live with what we have and hope it turns out for the best.