If Danny cant trade Thornton, Prince and Bass. Will they be bought out?

[mctyson]

Will these players(agents) want to be bought out in hopes that a better team will pick them up? 

Does Danny really want to make the playoffs?

I know CBS does and wants to keep this group together.

It will be interesting to see what happens from now until the deadline

There really isn't a reason to buy them out.  And this team is making the playoffs.

[Msimonetta2]

My guess would be none of these players get moved at the deadline and Prince will get bought out.  Bass likes it in Boston and Thorton is getting minutes for his next contract which is what his agent wanted all along.  I was listening to Bulpett somewhere and I am paraphrasing the organization likes the fact that we are playing in competitive games specifically for the development of our young players.  For instance against Atlanta James young was chasing down a loose ball in a close game, Smart making big baskets in the fourth quarter.  Without Thorton in that Atlanta game Celtics probably get blown out.

[outflip50]

Will these players(agents) want to be bought out in hopes that a better team will pick them up? 

Does Danny really want to make the playoffs?

I know CBS does and wants to keep this group together.

It will be interesting to see what happens from now until the deadline

Are any of these guys in our long term plans? Maybe Bass, but Thornton and Prince I would say no. So you dump them to give them the opportunity to play for something other than a first round quick ouster. It also affords us the opportunity to bring in young guys that could be part of the future and hopefully find a diamond in the rough.

[boscel33]

My guess would be none of these players get moved at the deadline and Prince will get bought out.  Bass likes it in Boston and Thorton is getting minutes for his next contract which is what his agent wanted all along.  I was listening to Bulpett somewhere and I am paraphrasing the organization likes the fact that we are playing in competitive games specifically for the development of our young players.  For instance against Atlanta James young was chasing down a loose ball in a close game, Smart making big baskets in the fourth quarter.  Without Thorton in that Atlanta game Celtics probably get blown out.

Doesn't it depend on the choice made, to either make a playoff run or continue building assets?  Danny could force some teams into making a deal by saying he wants to make the playoffs.

[Msimonetta2]

Sure it depends, just get the sense that nobody is offering anything for these three players.  Prince might make a difference in this ridiculous East, and I think he may want to move on.  If we buyout Prince and keep bass/Thornton that does not mean we are playoff bound only that Ainge values the environment upon which are player's develop.  On the other end of spectrum is MCWILLIAMS in philly...it is debatable whether he is in a culture that is maximizing his development. 

[dreamgreen]

Not bad enough to get the picks we would like and tantalisingly close to the playoff positions. Love that we are so much more competitive than many expected, think it makes making moves more difficult. The long game is more important than the short game though. Having the team we want after the season and draft outweighs a push for the playoffs (except for where a move does both).

Playoffs?

Funny thing is IMO we are not more competitive than I thought. We are on schedule to win what 30 games? Lets say we win 31 that would make us 20 games under .500!! That's not good and in no way should get us into the playoffs, if it does the NBA has a major problem. Last year it looked like 3 or more teams under .500 would make the playoffs at this point. By the end those teams ended up with better records.

[SHAQATTACK]

I was only predicting 20 wins this year and that was without Rondo.

So IMO we are well ahead with wins given injuries to Smart and KO and losing Green

We are competitive with most of the eastern teams .  Most of their records are poor too.....because several are using the tanking scheme.....Celtics don't try to loose....they have repetitively said so .....people don't listen .

At this moment .....I bet DA is in a wait and see mode .......if he gets an offer he likes he'll sell em

Nobody wants to pay for seats to see DLeague replacement players .

If they ARE not sold .....I believe h'e ll want to let the team develop a winning spirt , give them and the coach a break , instead of the beat down of constantly moving players . 

The team really can't be dismantled much more .   That's just blatant trying to lose on purpose and the Celtics organization as it stands today..... doesn't agree with a stupid tanking philosophy .

I believe Stevens , fans and players will get their way and get to watch a team trying to win without interruption of removing players.   

[outflip50]

I was only predicting 20 wins this year and that was without Rondo.

So IMO we are well ahead given injuries to Smart and KO and losing Green

We are competitive with most of the eastern teams .  Most of their records are poor too.....because several are using the tanking scheme.....Celtics are don't ....they have repetitively said so .....people don't listen .

At this moment .....I bet DA is in a wait and see mode .......if he gets an offer he likes he'll sell em

Nobody wants to pay for seats to see DLeague replacement players .

If they ARE not sold .....I believe h'e ll want to let the team develop a winning spirt , give them and the coach a break , instead of the beat down of constantly moving players . 

The team really can't be dismantled much more .   That's just blatant trying to lose on purpose and the Celtics organization as it stands today..... doesn't agree with a stupid tanking philosophy .

I believe Stevens , fans and players will get their way and get to watch a team trying to win without interruption of removing players.

I think most of us know that we are at a stage in the rebuild of trying to increase young player value and experience. While I agree we are at a point where it is tough to dismantle it more, I will take any asset including playing time for youngsters. If they are constantly deferring to the elder statesman for wins, then we are not only defeating our own goals but, also inflating a win total that is false. 

[MBunge]

I don't think Ainge is going to buy anyone out.

1.  Prince, Bass and Thornton all seem content to be in Boston.

2.  It's already too late to tank.  Boston would probably have to go 2-29 the rest of the way to significantly improve its lottery odds.

3.  For the first time in forever, Boston is going to have significant cap space next year and the year after.  The rules are now set up to discourage major free agents from switching teams but there's still some value in making yourself as attractive a destination as possible.

4.  Ainge has a lot invested in Stevens and any coach eventually needs to win some games or players stop listening to them. 

5.  If Ainge buys them out, the players can then sign with anyone.  Why take the chance they wind up helping a team that owes Boston a pick?

Mike

[jambr380]

Not bad enough to get the picks we would like and tantalisingly close to the playoff positions. Love that we are so much more competitive than many expected, think it makes making moves more difficult. The long game is more important than the short game though. Having the team we want after the season and draft outweighs a push for the playoffs (except for where a move does both).

Playoffs?

Funny thing is IMO we are not more competitive than I thought. We are on schedule to win what 30 games? Lets say we win 31 that would make us 20 games under .500!! That's not good and in no way should get us into the playoffs, if it does the NBA has a major problem. Last year it looked like 3 or more teams under .500 would make the playoffs at this point. By the end those teams ended up with better records.

It would only be 10 games under .500 (not 20), but your point remains the same.

[Msimonetta2]

The argument in my mind is....would you rather James Young get 30 minutes in blow out games where the other team is not trying or 15-18 minutes in a game that is competitive throughout and is decided at the buzzer?  I would prefer the latter and I also want him earning minutes.  With the right work habits and coaching Young could be really good, unfortunately we will have to be a little patient.

[outflip50]

I don't think Ainge is going to buy anyone out.

1.  Prince, Bass and Thornton all seem content to be in Boston.

2.  It's already too late to tank.  Boston would probably have to go 2-29 the rest of the way to significantly improve its lottery odds.

3.  For the first time in forever, Boston is going to have significant cap space next year and the year after.  The rules are now set up to discourage major free agents from switching teams but there's still some value in making yourself as attractive a destination as possible.

4.  Ainge has a lot invested in Stevens and any coach eventually needs to win some games or players stop listening too them. 

5.  If Ainge buys them out, the players can then sign with anyone.  Why take the chance they wind up helping a team that owes Boston a pick?

Mike

1) Does it matter if they are content? Are any of them going to be here next year (probably not)

2) I am not advocating a tank job. I am advocating giving the youngsters a chance to increase experience and value.

3) No matter what we do with these guys it doesn't affect the cap unless we re-sign them.

4) So if we win a few more games because we are keeping vets around that aren't going to be here next year and end up losing more games next year due to a total youth movement, does that help this situation?

5)I could care less what we do or don't do for other teams. The focus needs to be on our rebuild and any moves we make should reflect that, not the standings of another team.

[saltlover]

Ainge probably will buy out Prince, because he's been a good soldier since he's gotten here for what was always assumed to be a short stay.  I'm sure they've already talked about it, and will again if no trade happens.  If Prince isn't bought out, it will be because Stevens convinced both Tayshaun and Danny to have him remain on the team.

I don't see either Bass or Thornton going.  Bass has been here for awhile, doesn't seem to be clamoring for a buyout, and is a candidate for a Humphries-like sign-and-trade next summer.  Thornton also seems to be fine hanging around.  He gets his minutes, and gets to show other teams he can be a veteran leader, which will help him transition to a different phase of his career.  In general, Ainge is very anti-buyout, because it lets other teams get his players without giving up assets for them.

[BleedGreen1989]

If they ARE not sold .....I believe h'e ll want to let the team develop a winning spirt , give them and the coach a break , instead of the beat down of constantly moving players . 

I can see this happening.

[JumpingJudkins]

I'd love to see all three go if they can get any kind of return. I'm not against making the playoffs, but I want them to do it with James Young getting 20-25 minutes a game and with Sullinger, Olynyk and Zeller getting all the minutes up front.

If they can't make a deal, buy out Prince and put Bass back on the bench, where he was before the "Let's showcase him for a potential trade" strategy began. As currently constructed, this team is best with Zeller in the starting lineup.