Celtics trade problem?

[Khelsier]

First of all I have to apologize for writing this much. I guess I went a little overboard.

I think it might be difficult for the Celtics to orchestrate good trades right now. I might be totally wrong but envisioning me as GM I think I would have a tough time. Let me explain:

- I do not think that there is a trade out there right now that nets us a superstar, at least not one who is not over 30 and declining already. Maybe Cousins gets available, but if he does I think it will be at the end of the season.
- I would not like to include the Nets, Dallas or Memphis picks in any trades for non superstars right now (maybe Dallas at the deadline). Its very uncertain where these picks will fall and without knowing their worth its hard to make fair deals. I would trade the Minny Pick and our own (with at least top 3 better lottery protection).
- I would not like to trade players for picks. We have enough picks coming up.
- I like the way the Celtics play. I mostly enjoy watching them play. I kind of like all the players (most of the time).
- There are 3 areas that should/could be addressed through trades. We are not a good shooting team and not good at rim protection. We have 15 guys deserving of minutes but 9 to 10 man rotations just work best. Plus I would like the rookies (and Young) to get some (more) burn to develop them.
- So we probably should look for a 3 for 1 trade or 2 2 for 1 trades to trim down the roster get some more shooting and or/rim protection on the team.
- At this moment I would not like to include one of the rookies or Young in any deal that does not net the Celtics at least a potential All-Star. I just think you should not deal your rookies in there rookie season, that might come back to haunt you. I´d also like to keep Smart, AB, IT, Crowder, Amir and KO at least till the end of the season. If a star is available this changes. David Lee has actually played pretty good after a slow start. If there is a big trade his contract is going to be needed so I think he might be moved at the deadline but not before.
- That leaves JJ/Zeller (they don't really play much/are not really needed), Sully (playing good but contract year plus weight/injury concerns) and ET (while I have to admit that, the bone headed play/hero ball here and there aside, he has been pretty good so far, I have to say that when I have to trade one back court player than it has to be ET).
- So who might need a package including those players and what can the Celtics get back for them? One should look most closely at teams that find themselves at a place in the standings that they did not think they would be (e.g. Washington, Houston or NO) and at the teams that might be enticed to do a 1 for 2/3 deal (eg. Denver) to get into the tanking game later in the season.
- There are a couple of teams, especially Orlando and Houston, that might be looking at the same things we want to do (2for 1 upgrades). I might be hard to find a reasonable deal with those teams. I don´t think Orlando would agree to a 3 for one for Harris.
- Washington needs a PF/C bad, maybe 2 but what do they have to offer? Beal won´t be on the table. Would the C´s be interested in Porter? (I would not) Is there anyone else?
- NO actually don´t have a lot of players I like, Anderson maybe. I would not want to trade for Evans or Gordon. I think they would not be a big upgrade over what we already have.
- Milwaukee could be a trade partner. I admit I like Middleton and Henson. However I would be very reluctant to include AB in a deal for Middleton and I doubt a package of JJ, Sully and ET is getting it done.
- Phoenix probably wants to deal Morris but would we want him? (I would not but I like TJ Warren). Could we get Warren for Sully, probably not.
- There are some Teams like Charlotte, Detroit, Sacramento or Indiana that might like one or two of our guys but have basically nothing to offer (all the interesting guys are probably of limits for what we would be willing to offer).
- Denver might actually be our best chance. Something like Gallinari and Lauvergne for JJ, Zeller, Turner, Sully and the Minny Pick (overpay/not enough?)

It seems to me that right now there is not a lot out there that would realistically make sense for both the Celtics and their potential trade partner. I would still like to see one or two trades to address our needs, stabilize minute allocation and give our rookies some more playing time. What do you guys think? What is out there?

[max215]

I think you have to give value to get value. That means desirable players on desirable contracts: IT, AB, and Crowder. And it means picks that could wind up being very valuable: Brooklyn, Memphis, and Dallas. If we want to seriously upgrade talent, we're going to have to sacrifice some players/picks we'd love to retain.

[Khelsier]

Yes you are right and that is one of the problems I have. I would not want to give up guys like IT, AB or Crowder for anyone that is not Allstar material. Those guys work hard every night, are mostly fun to watch and have really great contracts. I really like the teams identity and would be hesitant to change the core that is developing right now. The blockbuster upgrade, e.g. Paul George, is not there right now. As I don´t see Allstar type players becomming available I wonder which small upgrades can be made, and I have not been able to come up with a lot that actually makes sense.

[LGC88]

Very interesting post, TP.
I believe DA has to keep the core of this team. Players that makes this team win since last all star break.
I'm afraid if you change too much this team, it will take time to find that team play oriented again (after all CBS didn't manage to do that while Green and Rondo were still here).
I think the right combo should be to keep :
- IT (pure scorer and good vision)
- Smart (influence the entire team)
- AB (one of the best 3 and D guy at cheap contract)
- KO (unique skills set that has still potential to improve)
- Crowder (energy guy, overall complete player at a decent contract)
- All our young players (half of them should be above average players at some point)
Trade or let go the rest and try to find 2 great players (SF and scorer big) with all the picks we have.
Complete the roster with vet ring chaser defense oriented or spark plug scorer (jerebko could be one of them if we play him the way we use him last season, because right now it's not good at all, sadly). Turner might be a keeper as well, depending of our need.
I don't believe Sully can keep his level in 82+ games.
I don't believe Johnson is irreplaceable, specially at this price tag.
Unless we can spread the floor very well, Lee has no place here as well (sadly).

[LilRip]

Well of course the ideal trade scenario for us would be to not give up anything of value (Zeller, 2nd rounders, etc.) while landing an all star level talent (George). Unfortunately, I don't see us landing Paul George for Zeller and 2nd rounders.

The C's have a lot to trade and its up to DA to maximize what we can get. I like the team but I wouldn't mind breaking up the current core if it meant landing top talent. For example, if we trotted out Smart, Bradley, George, KO and Mahinmi, I think we'd get over losing IT4, Crowder, Sully, and Amir (not saying we'll land George for that package but you get what I'm getting at).

[chambers]

TP great post buddy and welcome

[pearljammer10]

I'd like to keep the Brooklyn pick, especially this year. However I think our best trade package could be:

Bradley/Sully/ and two firsts add David Lee for expiring salary filler... I think that could net us a pretty legit weapon that is of superstar status. I know Bradley is playing great ball but his value has never been higher. He is on a good contract and teams would be happy to have him in return.

Either that or add Smart in place of Bradley.

There aren't many superstar-esque players yet available. But by mid January-Early Feb we might have a better gauge on the market....I know a lot of people are against it, but this is the type of package that could potentially net us Melo. Whom, at this point in his career and where we are at as a team, I wouldn't mind bringing on board.

IT
Bradley/Smart
Melo
KO
Amir

Is a pretty potent starting 5 especially if Kelly continues to play with the confidence he has.

[dreamgreen]

The problem with a trade is finding a team that is willing/wants to get rid of one of their best players for whatever reason. You can't count on it but have to be in position to capitalize on it when it does, which we are.

In business I have found that some of the best moves I have done is not doing a deal at all. I remember listening to Bob Kraft explain how he has been so successful he said "finding good people and sticking with them through the tough times". I think this can speak to young players also, if Danny thinks they can become good players than you give them the time. If he doesn't think so than he has to make others believe they will be and make a move.

Right now we are a good young team with no visible stars, not a horrible spot IMO. We have a collections of trade assets and picks that could Net us one. No idea what will happen but I do like the team.

[HomerSapien]

Great we'll thought out post. TP.

I agree it is tough to see where our next move comes from - especially when I like so many of our players and the way we play as a group. Once we are on the other side of Jan. 1 trading partners may become more clear, but I think the current cap environment might make finding trading partners harder since there is less cap pressure to make moves than there usually is in a given year.

[spikelovetheCelts]

Great we'll thought out post. TP.

I agree it is tough to see where our next move comes from - especially when I like so many of our players and the way we play as a group. Once we are on the other side of Jan. 1 trading partners may become more clear, but I think the current cap environment might make finding trading partners harder since there is less cap pressure to make moves than there usually is in a given year.

Tomorrow many players can be dealt. Utah has stated they are open for business. I think the trees are going to be shook. It is Danny Time!!!!