C's reportedly interested in Ty Lawson

[PhoSita]

Lawson is only a few years away from 30, though, and with his size he probably won't age well.

That's one way to describe a player who will barely turn 28 by the time next season's opening tip-off rolls around. Another one would be "in his prime".

 

Correct. 

So the right perspective to take depends on the circumstances -- are the Celtics a team that is rebuilding and is at least a few years away from being ready to make a strong push?  Or are they looking to become a competitive (i.e. playoff-caliber) team as soon as next year?

[Boris Badenov]

Lawson is only a few years away from 30, though, and with his size he probably won't age well.

That's one way to describe a player who will barely turn 28 by the time next season's opening tip-off rolls around. Another one would be "in his prime".

 

Correct. 

So the right perspective to take depends on the circumstances -- are the Celtics a team that is rebuilding and is at least a few years away from being ready to make a strong push?  Or are they looking to become a competitive (i.e. playoff-caliber) team as soon as next year?

There's another perspective: "Suppose the C's are assembling a trade package next year for a superstar. What adds more value in the trade, Ty Lawson or the guy drafted at #23 in the 2015 draft, plus the 2016 Cavaliers 1st?"

I'm not saying I have strong views one way or another about the answer. But it's worth thinking about, isn't it?

[Vermont Green]

Lawson is a nice player but I don't get why Denver would do this.  They just picked up Nelson because they are so thin at PG.  So now they are going to trade away Lawson for draft picks?

I am not getting excited about this rumor in any way.

[PhoSita]

Lawson is only a few years away from 30, though, and with his size he probably won't age well.

That's one way to describe a player who will barely turn 28 by the time next season's opening tip-off rolls around. Another one would be "in his prime".

 

Correct. 

So the right perspective to take depends on the circumstances -- are the Celtics a team that is rebuilding and is at least a few years away from being ready to make a strong push?  Or are they looking to become a competitive (i.e. playoff-caliber) team as soon as next year?

There's another perspective: "Suppose the C's are assembling a trade package next year for a superstar. What adds more value in the trade, Ty Lawson or the guy drafted at #23 in the 2015 draft, plus the 2016 Cavaliers 1st?"

I'm not saying I have strong views one way or another about the answer. But it's worth thinking about, isn't it?

I agree, which is why I noted above that one of the reasons Ainge might be going for Lawson would be as a tangible trade asset to add to the trove of picks.  It helps to be able to offer a guy who can actually help a team win games now.

That is a rationale for trading for Lawson that has nothing to do with his value to the Celtics on the court, though, so it's consistent with the perspective that Lawson's age makes him an odd fit with the rest of the roster.

[PhoSita]

Lawson is a nice player but I don't get why Denver would do this.  They just picked up Nelson because they are so thin at PG.  So now they are going to trade away Lawson for draft picks?

I am not getting excited about this rumor in any way.

Tanking, shedding salary.


Funny thing about trading for Lawson now would be one of the ensuing storylines:

Celtics end the season with a BETTER in-his-prime point guard than Rondo. 

I know that characterization would make some Rondo fans howl, but if we're talking in terms of the last few seasons, I think it's hard to argue that Rondo has been better.  Not that I want to start getting into those discussions again.

[BornReady]

Why are we doing this

It makes no sense

I believe that the nuggets called celtics cuz we had so many assets that they want and we probably tried to get laws on for a bargain which Denver refused

 

[Kane3387]

I like Lawson's contract. Contracts are going to go up considerably in 2016 at the latest.

Also not sure if it's been mentioned but Lawson is a favorite of George Karl. Lawson could be part of a package that ainge tries to put together in an attempt for cousins. If this has been mentioned then my bad. Didn't read the thread.

[LarBrd33]

Why are we doing this

It makes no sense

Well I doubt we'll actually trade for Ty Lawson, but if you can get Ty Lawson for a similar package you received for Rondo, you probably should do it.  Lawson is better, younger, and locked in on a contract... whereas Rondo was one of the most obscenely overrated players in the league and an unrestricted free agent who wanted way too much money and was unlikely to re-sign here.

[Boris Badenov]

Lawson is a nice player but I don't get why Denver would do this.  They just picked up Nelson because they are so thin at PG.  So now they are going to trade away Lawson for draft picks?

I am not getting excited about this rumor in any way.

Tanking, shedding salary.


Funny thing about trading for Lawson now would be one of the ensuing storylines:

Celtics end the season with a BETTER in-his-prime point guard than Rondo. 

I know that characterization would make some Rondo fans howl, but if we're talking in terms of the last few seasons, I think it's hard to argue that Rondo has been better.  Not that I want to start getting into those discussions again.

I don't think too many people would howl. I like Rondo even at his current level, but I think that once you take age, durability, and contract into account Lawson is substantively better as an overall asset right now.

As an aside, Rondo is shooting 26% from the line as a member of the Mavs. I am not sure about this but he might be on track to be the first player in NBA history to shoot better from 3pt land than from the line.

[Evantime34]

It wouldn't surprise me if the C's went after Lawson to deal him to Sacramento for Boogie. Karl loved Lawson back when he was in Denver.

[colincb]

Why are we doing this

It makes no sense

I believe that the nuggets called celtics cuz we had so many assets that they want and we probably tried to get laws on for a bargain which Denver refused

Maybe Danny thinks none of our existing guards really cuts it as a true PG and he might get a reasonable deal on Lawson?

Wouldn't be a bad 3 man rotation at the 1 and 2 with Smart and AB.

[LooseCannon]

As an aside, Rondo is shooting 26% from the line as a member of the Mavs. I am not sure about this but he might be on track to be the first player in NBA history to shoot better from 3pt land than from the line.

Well, Steve Novak is currently 16-33 on threes and 0-2 on free throws (and also 0-2 on 2-point FG attempts). 

In 2002-2003, Bruce Bowen was 101-229 (44.1%) on threes and 36-89 (40.4%) on free throws.  In 95-96, Ken Norman shot 39.3% in 84 3PA and 35.4% in 48 FTA.  Those are the only guys to do it with at least 20 attempts in each category.

[Who]

Houston Rockets should go all-in on Ty Lawson. He is exactly what they need.

[chambers]

Lawson is great. Not sure what Danny's angle is here but it's interesting.

Other reports say that the Kings are looking to dump Tristan Thompson's contract and are willing to include Stauskas as a sweetener.

Danny could try and jump on this because you can bet your house that Karl wants his favorite PG that he developed back with him in California.

[JohnBoy65]

Lawson is only a few years away from 30, though, and with his size he probably won't age well.

That's one way to describe a player who will barely turn 28 by the time next season's opening tip-off rolls around. Another one would be "in his prime".

 

Correct. 

So the right perspective to take depends on the circumstances -- are the Celtics a team that is rebuilding and is at least a few years away from being ready to make a strong push?  Or are they looking to become a competitive (i.e. playoff-caliber) team as soon as next year?

There's another perspective: "Suppose the C's are assembling a trade package next year for a superstar. What adds more value in the trade, Ty Lawson or the guy drafted at #23 in the 2015 draft, plus the 2016 Cavaliers 1st?"

I'm not saying I have strong views one way or another about the answer. But it's worth thinking about, isn't it?

Great point. This could be the pre-cursor to a mega deal this summer.