What Front Court Free Agent Pairing Would Be Ideal?

[86MaxwellSmart]

Sadly, Ainge could have drafted both Gasol and Jordan.

[LooseCannon]

Some of the free agents that are listed will most likely remain with there present teams. As an example, I feel Kawhi will remain with the Spurs (unfortunately). Same for Butler, I think the Bulls will go all out for him. Chandler too old, forget LaMarcus, Milsap will stay with Atlanta, some players we really don't want, Smith and Green,

I don't think Millsap is guaranteed to stay with Atlanta.  I think it is not certain that Atlanta will be willing to give him a max deal, especially if the Hawks have a disappointing end to their playoff run.  I think he will leave if someone else offers him a max deal.

You offering a 30 year old Milsap a max contract this offseason? For me it'd have to depend upon whether or not we can actually get a defensive big next to him. If we could land a DJ or Asik type, then I'd definitely do it.

Paul Millsap is five months older than Lamarcus Aldridge and one month younger than Marc Gasol.  If either of those guys had a chance of being available, would you balk at handing them a big contract because of their age?

FWIW, I rank them Gasol>Millsap>Aldridge

I think your ranking is different than most people. For me it is: Gasol>Aldridge>>Millsap

Why the infatuation with Millsap? I think he is a slightly better fit for us but from a talent perspective I really dont put him in the same class as Aldridge. However, I havent seen a lot of Milsap so Im really curious what makes you rank him above Aldridge when traditional thought says otherwise

I'm thinking about writing something longer making the case for signing Millsap (probably not until the Hawks post-season is over, though), but I'd say that some of it has to do with not valuing athleticism and PPG as much as most people do.  Millsap is a hard worker and underrated defender.  He has a varied and efficient offensive game.  He can rebound and he is a good passer for a PF.

[Ilikesports17]

Some of the free agents that are listed will most likely remain with there present teams. As an example, I feel Kawhi will remain with the Spurs (unfortunately). Same for Butler, I think the Bulls will go all out for him. Chandler too old, forget LaMarcus, Milsap will stay with Atlanta, some players we really don't want, Smith and Green,

I don't think Millsap is guaranteed to stay with Atlanta.  I think it is not certain that Atlanta will be willing to give him a max deal, especially if the Hawks have a disappointing end to their playoff run.  I think he will leave if someone else offers him a max deal.

You offering a 30 year old Milsap a max contract this offseason? For me it'd have to depend upon whether or not we can actually get a defensive big next to him. If we could land a DJ or Asik type, then I'd definitely do it.

Paul Millsap is five months older than Lamarcus Aldridge and one month younger than Marc Gasol.  If either of those guys had a chance of being available, would you balk at handing them a big contract because of their age?

FWIW, I rank them Gasol>Millsap>Aldridge

I think your ranking is different than most people. For me it is: Gasol>Aldridge>>Millsap

Why the infatuation with Millsap? I think he is a slightly better fit for us but from a talent perspective I really dont put him in the same class as Aldridge. However, I havent seen a lot of Milsap so Im really curious what makes you rank him above Aldridge when traditional thought says otherwise

I'm thinking about writing something longer making the case for signing Millsap (probably not until the Hawks post-season is over, though), but I'd say that some of it has to do with not valuing athleticism and PPG as much as most people do.  Millsap is a hard worker and underrated defender.  He has a varied and efficient offensive game.  He can rebound and he is a good passer for a PF.

Interesting. Id never even considered putting Milsapp in that echelon of players you are  placing him in.

I will pay more attention to him through the rest of the playoffs.

[Ilikesports17]

Sadly, Ainge could have drafted both Gasol and Jordan.

Both were second round picks which means every single team missed on these guys just like we did.

[SparzWizard]

Gasol/Aldridge/Leonard

A man can dream, right?

Haha that'd be quite the front court!

We'll dominate in the East if that's the case and possibly win back2back titles! 

[Forza Juventus]

I feel like the only realistic free agent I would be interested in is Khris Middleton.

[Ilikesports17]

I feel like the only realistic free agent I would be interested in is Khris Middleton.

Agreed.

Fits perfectly into what we want to do immediately upgrades the wing. Could come at less than a max deal.

Perhaps the best thing about him is that he would actually create flexibility as his defense and 3 point shooting make AB expendable, but not a drag either.

With Middleton in hand we could move forward with him and AB in the starting lineup or we could ship AB out and package him with some picks and guys like Zeller or KO in hopes of adding a real talent.

[Celts Fan 508]

I completely agree with Loose Cannon, I would love to sign Millsap and a defensive center (Robin Lopez or Jordan are my 2 favorites) and then try to trade up to get a solid wing player.

If you are into advanced stats look at this:
Millsap->  4.0 Offensive Win Share, 4.3 Defensive Win Share, 1.6 OBDM, 2.6 DBDM, with a 3.7 VORP
Aldridge -> 4.8 Offensive Win Share, 3.7 Defensive Win Share, 0.3 OBDM, 0.0 DBDM, with a 1.4 VORP

What those numbers show is that Millsap and Aldridge are similar offensively (Aldridge is a better scorer but Millsap helps the offense in other ways) but Millsap is clearly the better defensive player.  Pair him with a rim protector and the Celtics defense will be next level and the offense will improve with Millsap in the game.

Watch him in the playoffs and picture him on the Celts next season, he is the most realistic get for the Celtics IMO and that is great!

[Who]

Paul Millsap is five months older than Lamarcus Aldridge and one month younger than Marc Gasol.  If either of those guys had a chance of being available, would you balk at handing them a big contract because of their age?

Millsap is an undersized PF reliant on quickness. More at risk to decline in early 30s.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I'm actually quite curious about a Sullinger + Monroe pairing.

[TheFlex]

Anyone next to DeMarcus Cousins.

[Forza Juventus]

Anyone next to DeMarcus Cousins.

This. 

[2short]

Unrestricted free agent, Jordan.  Immediately improves the team and ,
Makes our many role players better.
But to me I'm all in for cousins. 

[LooseCannon]

Anyone next to DeMarcus Cousins.

I'd be amused to see the reaction if both Olynyk and Sullinger were dealt as part of a package for Cousins and the Celtics re-signed Bass to start next to DMC.

[TheFlex]

Sadly, Ainge could have drafted both Gasol and Jordan.

So could have any GM. Why is this still brought up?