If the Celtics lose out on the top tier, which players should they target?

[Birdman]

Would love to get Harris and/or Middleton..Plus Lopez would fill a need at center..so I be happy with any 3

[CFAN38]

I skipped the pole but wanted to point out that I really like the logic in O'Connors article.

With the cap set to jump it makes perfect sense to pay players know and save on them long term. This is also the logic that makes AB and IT's contracts so appealing. In those two the Cs have starter caliber production (opinions aside they both produce at least enough to be solid fringe starters) at when will be bench salaries.

I also think this may play into the rumor that DA could use a 1st to move G Wallace off the books. If the Cs try to sign multiple players that money may be needed.

Of the players listed I think actually think the SF needs to be the primary target. Butler, Leonard and D Green are not by all accounts leaving their current teams. As the article states this would bring up Middleton and Harris as targets. I would be thrilled with either. Harris is less well round on both sides of the ball then Middleton but is more clearly a high end scoring option. Both are clear upgrade from Turner in the starting lineup. Jae Crowder also plays into this as I expect someone (maybe Dallas) to over pay for his role playing services. If this happens both have some size to play small ball PF with Harris being a nice fit.

In terms of the bigs I like Lopez but question if he really is an upgrade over Zeller. He clearly is on D but not sure if he is over all. Biyombo is a player I would like to see on this roster developing further. At only 22 he is the same age as some draft prospects.

With that said he is a potential theoretical

DRAFT

#16 RHJ
          this is a stretch taking him this high but potential is there and in two years he may look like a steal

#28 trade the pick to dump wallace, include #45 if needed

#34 Dakari Johnson or Chris McCullough
         different players but both high ceiling bigs (upshaw or alexander also options if they fall)

FA

sign Harris 4 year $66mill deal ($15.5 mill, $16.2, $16.9, 17.6)
           Magic say they will match anything so the Cs can test them with this deal
          plan B is to offer same deal to Middleton

sign Biyombo 4 year $22mill deal (5.5 per similare to JJ Hickson contract)
          plan B is 3 year deal to Ajanja

Cs FA

Bass- gone
Datome - gone
Jerebko -  stays if resonalbe deal
Crowder - likely gone due to other team overpaying

2015-2016 Roster

PG Smart
SG AB
SF Harris
PF Sully
C  Zeller
6th IT
7th KO
8th Turner
9th Biyombo
10th Jerebko
11th Pressey
12th Young
13th RHJ
14th McCulough
15th ?

This roster if very wide open to future moves. I would expect DA to field offers on a combo or future picks Sully, Ko, Zeller and Turner with the objective being to upgrade the starting center or PF.

[greece66]

Would love to get Harris and/or Middleton..Plus Lopez would fill a need at center..so I be happy with any 3

Agree on Harris + Middleton
My greatest concern per Lopez is that by the time this team reaches its peak, he will be in his 30s.

[Celtics4ever]

Middleton and Thompson they are both 24, both have room to grow and both put up decent numbers this year.  But then Thompson is only 6-9 which I do not like as that is tweener size. 
Monroe and Middleton would be my first picks but Monroe is not on this list. 

Harris and Monroe would be good as well and give us legit NBA size.  I want guys 24-25 years old.

[dreamgreen]

I'm going with Lopez because he fills the biggest need right now IMO a 2 headed center of him and Zeller would be pretty good.

I can also see going after Middleton, I would think that would make one of our wings open to trade, would be a log jam. Stevens already plays to many as it is.

[Evantime34]

My preference is for Middleton and Biyombo (presuming we can't sign a big name guy)

What we need is shooting and shot blocking, those guys can provide both. Biyombo is still raw so I think he could be an asset we pay small money to that we could develop and greatly increase his value.

Middleton might be a little bit more expensive, but his combination of youth, shooting and defense make me believe that he too could improve.

If we aren't able to add a big time player it is very important we add young players whose stock will increase through the life of their contract with the C's making them a better trade trip year over year.

[Beat LA]

Glenn Robinson III

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CLi1KERwL4

[greece66]

Glenn Robinson III

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CLi1KERwL4

I took this as a serious suggestion  so I added him.
What impresses me the most with Philly is their player's names- many sound aristocratic like Robinson the 3rd whereas another is a full Prince (Luc Mbah a Moute). I bet if Hinkie could he would sign the Prince of Zamunda too. As the vid demonstrates, he sure can block.

[saltlover]

David Lee and an unprotected 1st in 2021.  He can be a frontcourt scoring and rebounding option for a year as the rest of the team continues to grow, and the C's can try again next summer.  And 2021 is so far away that who knows what the Warriors will be like then, but it's another asset.  He can take Bass' minutes, and make us a better team.

I don't think he's the best thing ever (his defense is not good), but he provides skills that we are low on.  And if he comes with a pick and doesn't cost us flexibility in 2016, all the better.

[greece66]

David Lee and an unprotected 1st in 2021.  He can be a frontcourt scoring and rebounding option for a year as the rest of the team continues to grow, and the C's can try again next summer.  And 2021 is so far away that who knows what the Warriors will be like then, but it's another asset.  He can take Bass' minutes, and make us a better team.

I don't think he's the best thing ever (his defense is not good), but he provides skills that we are low on.  And if he comes with a pick and doesn't cost us flexibility in 2016, all the better.

Added him
Given how quickly the FA landscape is changing, it might make sense to keep this poll open for a couple of weeks more and then re-open it. It'll allow us to keep track of all our crazy ideas during the summer and have a good laugh in September (-Do you remember when I thought we would get Biyombo? -Oh yeah,that was before Ainge signed Varejao...)

[SHAQATTACK]

David Lee and an unprotected 1st in 2021.  He can be a frontcourt scoring and rebounding option for a year as the rest of the team continues to grow, and the C's can try again next summer.  And 2021 is so far away that who knows what the Warriors will be like then, but it's another asset.  He can take Bass' minutes, and make us a better team.

I don't think he's the best thing ever (his defense is not good), but he provides skills that we are low on.  And if he comes with a pick and doesn't cost us flexibility in 2016, all the better.

Added him
Given how quickly the FA landscape is changing, it might make sense to keep this poll open for a couple of weeks more and then re-open it. It'll allow us to keep track of all our crazy ideas during the summer and have a good laugh in September (-Do you remember when I thought we would get Biyombo? -Oh yeah,that was before Ainge signed Varejao...)

Anything to be rid of Bass

[SHAQATTACK]

I like Rob
n Lopez

His game translates to what Stevens is doing

I like his Motor

He can share playing time with another Star center ..or BiG ....come off the bench and not be mad

Team first player .



Middleton is worth a hard look ...not Max money tho

[Rosco917]

Yes, on Harris and Middleton. Either would help, if paired with Crowder.

Robin Lopez is a nice option as a center. Good size. I just don't see him as 2nd tier center with the limited centers in the free agency. But yes I would be happy with him manning the middle.

If Biyombo is what we end up with at center position, I would be concerned about his lack of size and bulk on one hand, and happy with his age, energy, shot blocking and ability to run the court.
But I like his rim protection.   

[greece66]

Yes, on Harris and Middleton. Either would help, if paired with Crowder.

Robin Lopez is a nice option as a center. Good size. I just don't see him as 2nd tier center with the limited centers in the free agency. But yes I would be happy with him manning the middle.

If Biyombo is what we end up with at center position, I would be concerned about his lack of size and bulk on one hand, and happy with his age, energy, shot blocking and ability to run the court.
But I like his rim protection.   

Thanks for your thoughts.
IMO Biyombo's height is deceptive: true he is only 6'9''. But his wingspan is... 7' 6.16". For comparison, DMC's wingspan is 7' 5.75", Drummond 7' 6.25" and Greg Monroe 7' 2.25".
Per bulk/muscle, I'm not an expert and have only watched him play 3-4 times this year but he looks strong to me. Moreover, his pre-draft measurements were good:245 weight with only 4.2 body fat. Again for comparison, Greg Monroe 247 and 11.2 in 2010.
Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Bismack-Biyombo-5902/

[Celtics4ever]

Even with that reach, Biyombo is a pale comparison to DMC, Lopez or Monroe on offense.   This means you would have to surround him with shooters.   That being said, he is an instant upgrade for us in defense and on par with those guys or better than them.