Danny: We have players we value more than Brk pick.....

[mef730]

“We know it’s important, but it’s not untouchable, either,” Ainge said. “It’s important and it has value for us. It’s not the most important value. We have some [Celtics] players we value more than we value the Brooklyn pick.

“We’re listening to teams that call and ask us, whatever assets we may have. There are players we would trade the Brooklyn pick for, and many players that we wouldn’t.”

So this is a very awkwardly phrased quote. In the first sentences in that first paragraph, he starts by talking about the value of the pick and how much it would be worth to other teams:

“We know it’s important, but it’s not untouchable, either,” Ainge said. “It’s important and it has value for us. It’s not the most important value.

Then he changes course, though, and suddenly starts talking about his own players?:

It’s not the most important value. We have some [Celtics] players we value more than we value the Brooklyn pick.

Note that the word "Celtics" is in brackets; a word in brackets is there to clarify the statement, not necessarily the exact words that the speaker spoke.

After that, though, he goes back to talking about who he would trade the pick for (italics mine):

“We’re listening to teams that call and ask us, whatever assets we may have. There are players we would trade the Brooklyn pick for, and many players that we wouldn’t.”

My guess? Himmelsbach mixed up the intent of the quote. DA wasn't saying that the pick was worth more than any current Celtics player, he was saying that the players he was getting offered for the pick had less value than the pick, thus, he wasn't making any trades yet.

Mike

ETA: Here's the full article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/02/16/celtics-will-judicious-this-trade-deadline/suYbxfyltyaFKQ42IhwA3I/story.html

[saltlover]

I'm sure he values IT over the Brooklyn pick.  Probably Smart also.

I'm sure he values Crowder more than the pick, and Smart is probably not on the list.

Given that the pick right now has a pretty high chance of NOT turning into Ben Simmons, I can't see any problems with the statement.

Rumors have it that Smart has been pretty untouchable in trade talks.  But I agree, I also have no problem with that statement.

[saltlover]

Let's be clear -- there's a good chance that Brooklyn pick, if used to draft a prospect, doesn't yield a player who ends up better than the best guys currently on the roster.  In that sense it's not unreasonable for Ainge to say they value some of their guys more than the pick.

But that pick is also still the best chance the Celts have at getting a top-tier talent, whether via trade or drafting and developing somebody.  So there really isn't an asset under their control right now that's more valuable or important.

Let's be clear.   The best chance that the Celtics have to land a star is to trade the Brookyln pick for an established star.  And if you're doing that, you want that player joining a team with IT, Smart, and Crowder.  You want to add said star to the current roster that is succeeding without one, not some shell of a roster.

[Dino Pitino]

“We know it’s important, but it’s not untouchable, either,” Ainge said. “It’s important and it has value for us. It’s not the most important value. We have some [Celtics] players we value more than we value the Brooklyn pick.

“We’re listening to teams that call and ask us, whatever assets we may have. There are players we would trade the Brooklyn pick for, and many players that we wouldn’t.”

So this is a very awkwardly phrased quote. In the first sentences in that first paragraph, he starts by talking about the value of the pick and how much it would be worth to other teams:

“We know it’s important, but it’s not untouchable, either,” Ainge said. “It’s important and it has value for us. It’s not the most important value.

Then he changes course, though, and suddenly starts talking about his own players?:

It’s not the most important value. We have some [Celtics] players we value more than we value the Brooklyn pick.

Note that the word "Celtics" is in brackets; a word in brackets is there to clarify the statement, not necessarily the exact words that the speaker spoke.

After that, though, he goes back to talking about who he would trade the pick for (italics mine):

“We’re listening to teams that call and ask us, whatever assets we may have. There are players we would trade the Brooklyn pick for, and many players that we wouldn’t.”

My guess? Himmelsbach mixed up the intent of the quote. DA wasn't saying that the pick was worth more than any current Celtics player, he was saying that the players he was getting offered for the pick had less value than the pick, thus, he wasn't making any trades yet.

Mike

ETA: Here's the full article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/02/16/celtics-will-judicious-this-trade-deadline/suYbxfyltyaFKQ42IhwA3I/story.html

This all seems to be correct.
Sloppy interpolation by the reporter.
Ainge there is talking about other teams' players.

[Eja117]

Ainge said teams have inquired about that Brooklyn pick, and he understands its worth. “We know it’s important, but it’s not untouchable, either,” Ainge said. “It’s important and it has value for us. It’s not the most important value. We have some players we value more than we value the Brooklyn pick.
– via Boston Globe

hmmm can't agree with that

thoughts?

I'm sure he values IT over the Brooklyn pick.  Probably Smart also.

That's pretty much where my mind went, and if you extend the theory to one in hand vs two in the bush I think Avery and Crowder are two guys they are very happy to have on the contracts they are on

[PhoSita]

Let's be clear -- there's a good chance that Brooklyn pick, if used to draft a prospect, doesn't yield a player who ends up better than the best guys currently on the roster.  In that sense it's not unreasonable for Ainge to say they value some of their guys more than the pick.

But that pick is also still the best chance the Celts have at getting a top-tier talent, whether via trade or drafting and developing somebody.  So there really isn't an asset under their control right now that's more valuable or important.

Let's be clear.   The best chance that the Celtics have to land a star is to trade the Brookyln pick for an established star.  And if you're doing that, you want that player joining a team with IT, Smart, and Crowder.  You want to add said star to the current roster that is succeeding without one, not some shell of a roster.

I'm not sure if that's true.  It all depends on who is available.  If there is a star available who is still in his prime and has at least a few years of prime left, then yeah.

Otherwise, the Celts will probably have to use that pick and hope it works out.


You're right that adding a star to a team that doesn't have the core guys doesn't do much good.  Then you have to spend more time rebuilding a team around the guy.


The name of the game is still securing that centerpiece who can be the backbone of a really good team for years to come.

[Denis998]

This can also mean that the Brooklyn pick is worth less than IT or Smart. So basically if a player becomes available with the talent level of IT or Smart, DA would trade the pick for that player. Question is, what is IT's trade value.

[hodgy03038]

I think he is saying there are players that he may be able to get that he values more than the Brooklyn pick - not players he currently has that he values more because that doesn't make sense to me.

[crimson_stallion]

Makes perfect sense.

Crowder, Thomas and Smart could all be more valuable than the pick.  Thomas is an all star, Crowder could be a future all star, Smart could be a future all star...and all tgree are young.

Wouldn't surprise me if he had Bradley on that list too.  Ainge has always seemed to have a bit of a love affair for Bradley, which i can understand given his outstanding attitude, and his ability to impact the game on both ends of the court like few other current Celtics players can.

In fact Bradley and Crowder are really the only guys I this roster who fairly consistently impact the game on both ends.

[hodgy03038]

But what sense does it make to say that because it's not like he has to lose one or the other. It does make sense that he would lose the BKN pick for a player on another team that he values more.

[Roy H.]

 While it is never a good idea to take quotes from aDanny Ainge at face value, I do think that he believes this. He has always seems like a big bird in the hand guy. He still talks about how he may have traded Kevin to rent for a proven veteran.

If he feels that the return for the Brooklyn pick is good value, I think that he will move it. I don't  believe that a lot of GM's would do that, because a trade like that can potential blow up in your face, but I do not think that Danny cares about that.

[Texstyles]

I think either Bradley, IT, or Smart get traded.  By tradeing one of these three he opens the door for Rozier, Hunter, or Young.  Which I think DA wants to do,  See what he has in these guys.  Im afraid it may be IT because when Celtics were announcing IT as an All Star, everyone was giving a standing ovation except DA.  Just had his head down.

[colincb]

Some pundits have implied that Danny is the ultimate player in liar's poker. I wouldn't put any stock in anything he says around peak trading periods.

[Dino Pitino]

But what sense does it make to say that because it's not like he has to lose one or the other. It does make sense that he would lose the BKN pick for a player on another team that he values more.

Right, it makes no sense for him to be comparing the value of the pick with his own players. Like, zero sense. Not just logically, but strategically. Broadcasting that wouldn't send other front offices the message that our own players are super-valuable, it would send the message that we don't value the pick all that much. It would give other teams a negotiating angle, e.g., "What do you mean you won't give us that pick for [insert non-superstar star]? You don't even think it's worth [insert our second best non-star]!" Sorry folks, you've been talking about a completely misinterpreted non-noteworthy statement. He's just reiterating what he's said before, that the pick is on the table for a small set of super-valuable players...on other teams. "We have some players" = Ainge and his team have a shortlist of players they'd trade it for. Just like he'd say "We have some players" to a reporter asking about his draft board...even though we don't actually have those players.

But since this thread has erroneously turned into a Which Celtic Is More Valued By Ainge Than Nets Pick, an interesting question itself, hmmm...uh, none. I mean, guys, really? The only player that'd force him to think for a second would be Smart. But no, lol, no way on earth would Ainge turn down the 3rd best lottery odds this year for any single Celtic. This is coming from a fan who thinks Smart has a not-insignificant shot of making multiple All-NBA teams. I think it's not impossible that Kelly could still become a better overall player than Dirk. I wouldn't trade Crowder for Love, or Jabari, or Barnes, or a lot of players. I am a homer, and I am prospect-****er. But, no, Ainge would cancel everything and book the player's flight himself and uncork endless bottles of non-alcoholic bubbly if he was offered the Nets 1st for anyone on our roster.

[mgent]

I agree with that.

All 10 of our rotational players (not including Lee, Young and rookies) will without a doubt be in the league for at least another 6 years barring injuries (most will play 8-10+ years).

Can't say that about the Brooklyn pick.

We're not sure yet if that player can make it in the NBA, or if he'll ever make the rotation on a 3rd seeded team.

In addition, we've got a 26 year old all star, and I'd say Crowder, Bradley, Olynyk, Sully, and Smart all still have all star potential (Smart could be DPOY too) yet are all 25 or under.

Then you've got Turner who has proven he can captain a 2nd unit's offense, and Johnson who has value to us merely because he's our only big that can help guard the rim.

The draft is just such a crapshoot, I'd say Thomas/Smart definitely would have more value than the pick as it currently sits, and possibly Crowder/KO (especially before the draft class has had more time to reveal itself).  If the balls are good to us and it's a top 2 pick, that'll probably change.