C's reportedly interested in Ty Lawson

[Endless Paradise]

I forgot we have the Cleveland pick too. We could include that. 2 middle to late first round picks and 2 high second round picks seems fair.

I dunno, I just can't see a feasible Lawson deal that doesn't involve the Nuggets getting back some kind of tangible prospect.  He's not a contract burden in the least and he's not approaching free agency anytime soon.  They don't have any reason to trade him unless the deal makes sense.  Would you personally value Ty Lawson's actual production from prior seasons and projected production for the next two seasons over theoretical production from some late-ish first rounders?

Basically:

Would rondos TE be a big thing to use or no

Could be, but I imagine that they'd want some players back.

This.

[gpap]

The Celtics have a million draft picks and are reportedly not even considering throwing Smart into a potential deal.  Knowing that, I think it's beyond ridiculous to get up in arms about the prospect of trading away a first rounder for Lawson.  The draft picks were accumulated for a reason.  If you think Lawson is worth trading for, but you're not willing to give up a first rounder for him -- a solid point guard with a fair contract that runs until 2017... I just don't know what to say.  You get to acquire a consistent, above-average point guard whose game shouldn't suffer as he ages with an entirely reasonable contract that he'll be under for another two seasons... and that's not worth a first rounder?  It doesn't make sense to me.  You're basically saying no one short of LeBron, KD, or Davis is worth trading away a first rounder.

... which is cool, if that's your prerogative, but your average first round draftee hopes to have a ceiling of being as good as Lawson and often turns out to be considerably worse. 

I feel like people romanticize first rounders to a silly degree.

Great take.

People need to realize, these draft picks that Ainge has acquired should be looked at as nothing more than trade chips and that is all.

We are not getting the next Anthony Davis with one of these billions of draft picks Ainge has accumulated.

[Forza Juventus]

I forgot we have the Cleveland pick too. We could include that. 2 middle to late first round picks and 2 high second round picks seems fair.

I dunno, I just can't see a feasible Lawson deal that doesn't involve the Nuggets getting back some kind of tangible prospect.  He's not a contract burden in the elast and he's not approaching free agency anytime soon.  They don't have any reason to trade him unless the deal makes sense.  Would you personally value Ty Lawson's actual production from prior seasons and projected production for the next two seasons over theoretical production from some late-ish first rounders?

Basically:

Would rondos TE be a big thing to use or no

Could be, but I imagine that they'd want some players back.

Your probably right. If I were Denver I probably wouldn't make that trade. The only thing is they might want to trade him before he becomes and expiring contract. So this offseason might be there chance.

[dreamgreen]

I'd take him, get rid of Thornton and go with a back court of Lawson, Smart, AB and Young. Add Kantor to that group we could move into the 7 seed. Not advocating it but I sure as hell could live with it.

[gpap]

I have no problem bringing in another point and moving Smart to the 2 however I would go with Dragic over Lawson.. From "reports" he could be had for a 1st or even two 1sts protected would be worth it..

This I agree with for a couple reasons

Don't get me wrong, I like Lawson, but I'd would much rather offer Bradley and two 1st for Dragic.

He's a better player than Lawson, you rid yourself of Bradley's deal, and (correct me if I am wrong) you obtain Dragic's bird rights this summer.

If you can keep Dragic, maybe you can attract another FA (Gasol, Millsap, etc.)

Even if you don't resign Dragic, you can just sign another shooting guard to replace Bradley in the offseason.

As for the draft picks, well…I guess I just don't hold those picks in such high esteem.

It's a risk I am willing to take.

Then I would try to go after Brook Lopez.

[PickNRoll]

I would absolutely give up 2 protected firsts for lawson.  He'd fit great with Smart and Young.

[colincb]

Denver got two firsts for Mosgov in a bit of a coup. Will they take garbage for Lawson who has 2+ years left on a contract that looks pretty reasonable when the cap is going to explode?

[Endless Paradise]

Your probably right. If I were Denver I probably wouldn't make that trade. The only thing is they might want to trade him before he becomes and expiring contract. So this offseason might be there chance.

Well, therein lies the magic of his contract: it doesn't expire until 2017.  That means the Nuggets have two offseasons to shop him around the league -- and that's not factoring in the chance of holding him into his expiring 2016-17 year and trading him before the deadline.  They'll have a multitude of opportunities to trade him: this season, this summer, next season, next summer, the season after that.  Of course, they could just elect not to trade him at all.

Good discussion, though. I'll give you your first TP.

[Forza Juventus]

Your probably right. If I were Denver I probably wouldn't make that trade. The only thing is they might want to trade him before he becomes and expiring contract. So this offseason might be there chance.

Well, therein lies the magic of his contract: it doesn't expire until 2017.  That means the Nuggets have two offseasons to shop him around the league -- and that's not factoring in the chance of holding him into his expiring 2016-17 year and trading him before the deadline.  They'll have a multitude of opportunities to trade him: this season, this summer, next season, next summer, the season after that.  Of course, they could just elect not to trade him at all.

Good discussion, though. I'll give you your first TP.

Thanks, TP.

[PhoSita]

Interesting.  Between this and Isaiah Thomas, seems like Danny is definitely interested in adding a speedy scoring ball-handler to the team.  Could be a good fit, either as a starting guard alongside Smart or as a super-sub in a 3 guard rotation with Smart and Bradley.

Lawson is only a few years away from 30, though, and with his size he probably won't age well.  Trading for him would signal either an attempt to go for being decent in the short term, or perhaps just a matter of acquiring a tangible asset instead of having nothing but picks.

[Fafnir]

Interesting.  Between this and Isaiah Thomas, seems like Danny is definitely interested in adding a speedy scoring ball-handler to the team.  Could be a good fit, either as a starting guard alongside Smart or as a super-sub in a 3 guard rotation with Smart and Bradley.

Lawson is only a few years away from 30, though, and with his size he probably won't age well.  Trading for him would signal either an attempt to go for being decent in the short term, or perhaps just a matter of acquiring a tangible asset instead of having nothing but picks.

I'm guessing its just a matter of turning some picks into a decent player given we have "too many" picks to utilize them all effectively.

I doubt it happens though.

[hwangjini_1]

Interesting.  Between this and Isaiah Thomas, seems like Danny is definitely interested in adding a speedy scoring ball-handler to the team.  Could be a good fit, either as a starting guard alongside Smart or as a super-sub in a 3 guard rotation with Smart and Bradley.

Lawson is only a few years away from 30, though, and with his size he probably won't age well.  Trading for him would signal either an attempt to go for being decent in the short term, or perhaps just a matter of acquiring a tangible asset instead of having nothing but picks.

i agree that he would be the senior statesman on a young celtics team. but then again, he only turned 27 last november. barring an injury, i think he would have another 5-6 years left of good nba play.

he might serve as veteran leadership (or not, i don't know his personality) and he might also be an addition that makes the celtics more attractive to free agents. should the celtics acquire lawson, i see him as part of a larger process by danny.

[PhoSita]

I'm guessing its just a matter of turning some picks into a decent player given we have "too many" picks to utilize them all effectively.

I doubt it happens though.

Yeah -- diversifying assets, basically.

Also, adding a competent ball-handler who can carry more of an offensive load might allow some of the other younger guys to thrive in lower-usage roles that are more appropriate to their skills (e.g. Bradley).

I doubt Lawson happens, but it seems like Ainge is really pushing to make some kind of move of that type.

[Msimonetta2]

This feels like a smokescreen to put pressure on the team/player Ainge really wants.  We of course have no clue who that is

[saltlover]

Denver got two firsts for Mosgov in a bit of a coup. Will they take garbage for Lawson who has 2+ years left on a contract that looks pretty reasonable when the cap is going to explode?

Short answer: No.  They'll want at least two picks for Lawson.  He's a good player -- it's a defensible acquisition if made.  His contract is reasonable, and he'd very likely be paid more on the open market next summer and certainly the year after.

The question is, who floated this rumor, and why?  The Celtics don't float this out there if they're actually after Lawson, because it just drives up the price.  If they floated it, it could either be because a) they're after another player and want to show team C they have options, or b) they're still in sell mode, but trying to remind teams how quickly they can shift to "buy", and so will not accept pennies on the dollar for their players.