Woj - Horford Decision Expected Saturday Evening (ATL upping offer)

[jpotter33]

would this have any indication as to how free agents view boston as a city? the celtics are definitely in a better position to compete than the wizards, both teams can offer him the same money (im not 100% about the wiz but im assuming), so out of those two, boston should easily be the choice to make.

if he somehow chooses the wizards as his team, would that mean he simply doesnt like boston as a city? im not entirely seeing the appeal for the wiz over the celts.

Having lived in both places, everything that's bad about Boston applies to DC as well (high taxes, cost of living, bad nightlife, bad weather) so I doubt location would be his primary reason unless he has family in the DC area or something.

Don't know much about Boston, but isn't it like God-awful expensive to live in DC?

[JOMVP]

If that is his choice,  then, the Celtics have the edge. Hopefully he picks the Celtics and at the same time telephones durant, telling him to come along for the ride. 

And thanks for the thread WM. A tp for you.

Could have just made the trip in person if he just signed last night instead of making a decision between us and the Wizards of all teams... Washington must have made quite the impression with their presentation.

[RJ87]

would this have any indication as to how free agents view boston as a city? the celtics are definitely in a better position to compete than the wizards, both teams can offer him the same money (im not 100% about the wiz but im assuming), so out of those two, boston should easily be the choice to make.

if he somehow chooses the wizards as his team, would that mean he simply doesnt like boston as a city? im not entirely seeing the appeal for the wiz over the celts.

I think we have them beat in coaching and organizational stability, but John Wall is more talented than any single player on our roster and he's only 25 years old.

[oldtype]

would this have any indication as to how free agents view boston as a city? the celtics are definitely in a better position to compete than the wizards, both teams can offer him the same money (im not 100% about the wiz but im assuming), so out of those two, boston should easily be the choice to make.

if he somehow chooses the wizards as his team, would that mean he simply doesnt like boston as a city? im not entirely seeing the appeal for the wiz over the celts.

Having lived in both places, everything that's bad about Boston applies to DC as well (high taxes, cost of living, bad nightlife, bad weather) so I doubt location would be his primary reason unless he has family in the DC area or something.

Don't know much about Boston, but isn't it like God-awful expensive to live in DC?

Similar or slightly higher than Boston. Not different enough to make a difference for an NBA player imo.

[jpotter33]

So, if Horford goes somewhere else, is it safe to say that replacing Horford with Howard makes them a worse overall team? Their defense was good already, but they needed to improve their offense. I don't think Howard helps them there at all. Between losing Teague and this swap, I think they're a worse team.

Things may hopefully change later this weekend, but right now, we're also a worse team just by losing Turner. Cleveland, Indiana, Atlanta and Toronto are ahead of us. Again, that may quickly change by the end of the weekend.

Assuming we get Horford (even without Durant), it's shaping up to be a more competitive EC in 2016-17.  This is my top-5, not necessarily in order of finish:

CLE - EC champion
TOR - EC finalist. Basically tread water so far with re-signing Derozan.
IND - Big upgrades - Teague, Jefferson, George
ATL - Howard, Milsap, Basemore
BOS - Horford, IT

Gotta agree with this. Except with Atlanta. I think age and the loss of Teague catch up to them. If Bosh is healthy and Wade returns to Miami, they could be better than last year, if not, probably worse. Indiana probably could slip into the top 5 and so could Detroit with a year of growth. But Boston would definitely be top 5.

Yeah, you could swap in MIA for ATL in that top-5, but I am assuming Bosh not returning and Wade either too old so less effective, or maybe going elsewhere.

I disagree with this. I think by adding Horford we're in contention with Toronto for second best team in the East easily. I definitely think Atlanta is worse, and I think everyone should cool their jets on Indiana. Their improvements aren't going to jump them up over us. I actually don't think Teague is that major of a replacement over Hill.

Not sure what you are disagreeing to.  I listed my Top-5 teams and said "not necessarily in order of finish".  Only sure thing is CLE is #1 seed.

My bad. I thought you had them in order. I'd still say that Boston and Toronto would be in tier 2 right below Cleveland, and Indy and Atlanta in tier 3.

So certainly Horford wouldn't be the only thing we did this summer if KD goes somewhere else. I'm guessing a trade would follow, too, which could be why Bradley isn't part of the pitch. I'd still like to see us try and add someone like Butler or Noel to this group.

[oldtype]

would this have any indication as to how free agents view boston as a city? the celtics are definitely in a better position to compete than the wizards, both teams can offer him the same money (im not 100% about the wiz but im assuming), so out of those two, boston should easily be the choice to make.

if he somehow chooses the wizards as his team, would that mean he simply doesnt like boston as a city? im not entirely seeing the appeal for the wiz over the celts.

I think we have them beat in coaching and organizational stability, but John Wall is more talented than any single player on our roster and he's only 25 years old.

If top of the roster talent is all that matters he should go to Sacramento or NOP.

[timpiker]

When I heard Horford had played for Donovan in Florida, I saw the handwriting on the wall. Horford met with OKC first. If they can clear cap space, Danny will come up zero.

Now it's possible Durant will shock everybody and go somewhere else. That would make Horford more playable.

But right now, to me, it looks like Danny has put too much focus on KD and Horford. Maybe aimed too high. In the process, he's missed out on a guy who was more doable--Howard.

So what's plan B, Danny?  Kanter? Or somebody else a team has to unload to clear cap space?
He can outbid Toronto for Biyombo. Or maybe Ezeli. Whatever, he needs some help up front or the team will sit at 48 wins--or less.

This is Danny ainge.  Swing for the fences for trades, bunt or hit pop fouls during the draft.  His philosophy is maddening.

We took a guy who might have the highest upside in the draft two weeks ago at #3.

Hardly seems like a bunt to me.

Did u see last years pick?  Jaylen was projected between 5-10.  He wasn't even bpa.  And you said might.  Jesus why do people have to constantly defend Danny like it's their freakin baby or something g. Reality check!

I don't think u get it.  Danny was not trying to get BPA TODAY!  2 players available have highest potential ceiling - Brown and Bender.  Danny is BETTING Brown will be the BPA in the FUTURE.

[CoachBo]

When I heard Horford had played for Donovan in Florida, I saw the handwriting on the wall. Horford met with OKC first. If they can clear cap space, Danny will come up zero.

Now it's possible Durant will shock everybody and go somewhere else. That would make Horford more playable.

But right now, to me, it looks like Danny has put too much focus on KD and Horford. Maybe aimed too high. In the process, he's missed out on a guy who was more doable--Howard.

So what's plan B, Danny?  Kanter? Or somebody else a team has to unload to clear cap space?
He can outbid Toronto for Biyombo. Or maybe Ezeli. Whatever, he needs some help up front or the team will sit at 48 wins--or less.

This is Danny ainge.  Swing for the fences for trades, bunt or hit pop fouls during the draft.  His philosophy is maddening.

We took a guy who might have the highest upside in the draft two weeks ago at #3.

Hardly seems like a bunt to me.

Did u see last years pick?  Jaylen was projected between 5-10.  He wasn't even bpa.  And you said might.  Jesus why do people have to constantly defend Danny like it's their freakin baby or something g. Reality check!

I don't think u get it.  Danny was not trying to get BPA TODAY!  2 players available have highest potential ceiling - Brown and Bender.  Danny is BETTING Brown will be the BPA in the FUTURE.

Gambling that a kid without a shot will be the BPA is quite a gamble.

I still am not in love at all with the Brown pick, and the others ... Ugh. The draft was a disaster.

If Horford chooses Washington, I may need a dumpster fire pick for my avatar.

[Robb]

This really worried me. There's no reason for him to consider Washington over Boston unless more talent is going to Washington. I'm worried Durant is secretly considering going to Washington and Horford is considering following him.

[hwangjini_1]

would this have any indication as to how free agents view boston as a city? the celtics are definitely in a better position to compete than the wizards, both teams can offer him the same money (im not 100% about the wiz but im assuming), so out of those two, boston should easily be the choice to make.

if he somehow chooses the wizards as his team, would that mean he simply doesnt like boston as a city? im not entirely seeing the appeal for the wiz over the celts.

Having lived in both places, everything that's bad about Boston applies to DC as well (high taxes, cost of living, bad nightlife, bad weather) so I doubt location would be his primary reason unless he has family in the DC area or something.

Excuse me, and please check. To verify, but Massachusetts stopped being a high tax location 20 years ago. Among states with an income tax, Massachusetts ranks on the lower end of taxes.

http://taxfoundation.org/article/state-individual-income-tax-rates-and-brackets-2016

[RJ87]

would this have any indication as to how free agents view boston as a city? the celtics are definitely in a better position to compete than the wizards, both teams can offer him the same money (im not 100% about the wiz but im assuming), so out of those two, boston should easily be the choice to make.

if he somehow chooses the wizards as his team, would that mean he simply doesnt like boston as a city? im not entirely seeing the appeal for the wiz over the celts.

I think we have them beat in coaching and organizational stability, but John Wall is more talented than any single player on our roster and he's only 25 years old.

If top of the roster talent is all that matters he should go to Sacramento or NOP.

The argument can be made that WSH has more talent overall. Wall/Beal//Gortat is nothing to sneeze at. Add in Otto and Oubre as "potential" guys. That's a lot of talent.

[knuckleballer]

This really worried me. There's no reason for him to consider Washington over Boston unless more talent is going to Washington. I'm worried Durant is secretly considering going to Washington and Horford is considering following him.

I don't think they can afford both. 

[oldtype]

This really worried me. There's no reason for him to consider Washington over Boston unless more talent is going to Washington. I'm worried Durant is secretly considering going to Washington and Horford is considering following him.

Just like the Thunder, they'd have to dump Gortat and somebody else to make the money work. Unlike the Thunder, that would not leave them with a functional team.

[crownontherocks]

Where did it say hes making his decision today?

[RJ87]

Where did it say hes making his decision today?

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--celtics--wizards-frontrunners-to-get-al-horford-145940892.html

The Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards have emerged as the frontrunners to sign free-agent big man Al Horford, and a final decision is expected Saturday night, league sources told The Vertical.