Who has less Leverage?

[danglertx]

Let's assume for a moment that the rumors are true that Boston can't trade #3 for any of their ideal targets (Middleton, Parker, Cousins, Hayward, Butler).

Let's also just assume for a moment that Kris Dunn is the pick at #3, because even if we don't get a deal done pre-draft, we can entice Philly into a trade using Dunn. 

Who has less Leverage?

Philly:  Thanks to Simmons, Philly has no major pressure to win immediately.  It's widely known they need a guard at some point. 

- They claim they will play Simmons as an unconventional PG.
- As many still point out, there's a chance Saric stays overseas, but might actually be a SF anyways.
- They have two starting bigs in Okafor/Embiid with Noel off the bench.

Celts: There's immediate pressure to improve.  They are lacking in size.

- They have two starting guards in Thomas and Bradley with Smart off the bench.
- They have three more 1st round guards they didn't have minutes for:  Rozier, Hunter, Young
-  If they draft Dunn, that's a 7th guard they likely don't have minutes for unless Smart loses a lot of minutes.
- They have 7 additional draft picks that they probably don't even have roster spots for.

Both teams are dealing with log jams in that scenario.   Philly and their 3-5 bigs.   Boston and their 7-14 guards.

Opinion based in nothing but your head.  I can't see why the Celtics are under any more pressure to improve than anyone else.  In fact, they are under less pressure to improve than probably most of the NBA.  They have two almost guaranteed lotto picks the next two season, so I don't think they are under a tremendous amount of pressure to do anything.

[Diggles]

They are under pressure for this draft.    To many picks and not enough roster spots.     And all the best possible players at #3 ( or less questionable talent) are guards and wings.    Bender and KO are both soft.    I think we need to consolidate or make a trade to free up Danny to reach with a pick or two.  Not all these picks in the next two years...

[BigDogPitbull]

Philly wants Dunn.  We have the pick to get him.  They need to make minutes for Simmons.  Danny is holding out to get whatever he can from those bozos.

[Forza Juventus]

Neither team has much more leverage than the other in my opinion. We both have unbalanced rosters and lots of picks and potential.

[LarBrd33]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

[Forza Juventus]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

I agree. Simmons should be the primary ball handler.

[saltlover]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

I saw some reputable tweeter (forget which one because I've been cruising them all) that the 76ers were very much trying to trade for Teague or another vet PG.  I've been saying all year that Simmons is the best prospect, but he should not run your team as a rookie.  Not if you want any of the players around him to develop, at least.

[Granath]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

Oh, I can only hope.

Between Smart and Bradley they won't be able to get the ball past half court if Simmons is their PG.

[jpotter33]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

I agree. Simmons should be the primary ball handler.

Perhaps from a point forward position like Lebron, but certainly not as a guard like they're talking about doing. That'd be a disaster.

[colincb]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

I saw some reputable tweeter (forget which one because I've been cruising them all) that the 76ers were very much trying to trade for Teague or another vet PG.  I've been saying all year that Simmons is the best prospect, but he should not run your team as a rookie.  Not if you want any of the players around him to develop, at least.

Jonathan Givony ‏@DraftExpress

    The 76ers were involved in trade discussions for both George Hill and Jeff Teague up until the very last minute. In the market for vet PG.

[Forza Juventus]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

I agree. Simmons should be the primary ball handler.

Perhaps from a point forward position like Lebron, but certainly not as a guard like they're talking about doing. That'd be a disaster.

I think they need a point guard but someone who can share and isn't ball dominant. Also who can shoot.

[LarBrd33]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

I saw some reputable tweeter (forget which one because I've been cruising them all) that the 76ers were very much trying to trade for Teague or another vet PG.  I've been saying all year that Simmons is the best prospect, but he should not run your team as a rookie.  Not if you want any of the players around him to develop, at least.

Jonathan Givony ‏@DraftExpress

    The 76ers were involved in trade discussions for both George Hill and Jeff Teague up until the very last minute. In the market for vet PG.

It makes sense that they'd want an established PG.  They should hit up the Suns for Bledsoe or Knight.

[Evantime34]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

I saw some reputable tweeter (forget which one because I've been cruising them all) that the 76ers were very much trying to trade for Teague or another vet PG.  I've been saying all year that Simmons is the best prospect, but he should not run your team as a rookie.  Not if you want any of the players around him to develop, at least.

Jonathan Givony ‏@DraftExpress

    The 76ers were involved in trade discussions for both George Hill and Jeff Teague up until the very last minute. In the market for vet PG.

It makes sense that they'd want an established PG.  They should hit up the Suns for Bledsoe or Knight.

I think Knight for Noel makes a lot of sense for both sides.

[LarBrd33]

With three PGs being traded in the last hour, Philly is running low on alternatives.

Yea that certainly does not help that teague and rose are off the market.

Not sure it matters if they actually plan to use Simmons as a PG.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_Xl61KBWb8

I think they need shooters more than anything.

I agree. Simmons should be the primary ball handler.

Perhaps from a point forward position like Lebron, but certainly not as a guard like they're talking about doing. That'd be a disaster.

I think they need a point guard but someone who can share and isn't ball dominant. Also who can shoot.

If that team projects they way they want, they probably will feed the ball to Embiid/Simmons to create offense.  Shooters are important.  Honestly, Avery Bradley as a default PG would make sense in Philly.  He can shoot, defend and handle the ball a little.   Bradley + #16 for Noel might make sense for both teams if Boston can land a SG with the #3.

I've seen Ben Simmons called a 6'10 Rajon Rondo in the sense that he can run the fast break, handle the ball and pass, but will be a liability without the ball in his hands (can't shoot).  So for the most part they probably want him creating offense. 

[PaulP34]

Philly.

Although sometimes I feel like the buyer always has more leverage than the seller

Trust me it goes both ways. Its all mind tricks and poker face. I'm in the business of buying/selling me being both and let me tell you I'm good. I can sell ice to an eskemo but I hate buying and get all nerved up about it. I guess some are better then others and its definitely two separate arts.