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

[Kane3387]

I'm still nervous. I think Atlanta has something up their sleeve.

Imagine this is us in 2018. We spend all season telling Isaiah we want him back. And then...

1. We refuse to give him the five year max
2. While he's talking to other teams, we sign Kemba Walker.
3. We then resign Avery Bradley, so we can't actually sign Isaiah without dumping salary.

Would you think he'd be coming back?

Horford isn't necessarily coming to Boston, but he's certainly not going back to Atlanta.

That's a good comparison. But we could then trade Jae to make room for Isaiah (like Atlanta possibly trading millsap)

Right, but would you seriously believe that we were actually willing to do that when we've already done 1, 2, and 3?

Hmm I guess. But see the Woj link I put up. They're seriously considering it

If they were serious, it would already be done.  Who is going to blink at taking Milsap in this market? 

Mike

Depends on asking price. Hawks don't have the absolute best leverage possible here.

[Denis998]

Nets might not get as bad a pick in a deep draft next year as people originally thought. Celts falling behind in the east pecking order. That pick swap for Brooklyn will still likely hurt but not as bad as expected.

It will be in the 20's

[alldaboston]

will the Hawks just go away??

I thought this was between Boston and Wizards?

Again, that was probably a leak by his agent to put pressure on ATL. And it's working.

I hope you're right.

[Banner18now!]

honestly if Horford is just using the Wiz and Celtics and all this to get his maximum 5 years from the hawks why do we even want that guy?  The nba is pure garbage if that is the case.   So horford made the hawks trade Millsap and do all that to keep him so he could get his max?

It's a negotiation tactic. Mike Conley just did with the Mavericks and so did Whiteside.

The thing that sucks now is they'll be able to trade Milsap and probably get a good package in return.

And if this happens, between the Pacers and Hawks getting better the Celtics move way down as a contender in the East. Cavs, Tornoto, Hawks, Pacers will for sure be better. Another team could possible jump the Celts as well. This may become a step back year before moving forward if this happens.

[j804]

will the Hawks just go away??

I thought this was between Boston and Wizards?

Again, that was probably a leak by his agent to put pressure on ATL. And it's working.

So Celtics are being used as leverage

Wow

[ashanm10]

lol relax people...

He aint ever gonna win a championship if he stays at ATL so in the end, he gets to decide what is best for his life and what he wants ^^

He's a good player but we definitely need a more dominating traditional type of Center (with an ability to pull out a defense)

[Kane3387]

Nets might not get as bad a pick in a deep draft next year as people originally thought. Celts falling behind in the east pecking order. That pick swap for Brooklyn will still likely hurt but not as bad as expected.

It will be in the 20's

Maybe. If were a 6-8 seed maybe not

[CelticSooner]

will the Hawks just go away??

I thought this was between Boston and Wizards?

I'd say it's been about money from the beginning.

[walker834]

Tom Brady understands that in order to win as a team you have to make sacrifices.  Al Horford apparently does not understand this concept.

I'm fine with it. He decided what he felt was best for him.  Maybe him and Dwight will actually win too but I don't know.

Seems like Horford here was a sure thing as far as playing for a title.  The Celtics are willing to do whatever they can to win a title within the rules of the cap.  Atlanta as a franchise has not done this.  GEtting Howard is a step but to this day they don't do that.

[Who]

honestly if Horford is just using the Wiz and Celtics and all this to get his maximum 5 years from the hawks why do we even want that guy?  The nba is pure garbage if that is the case.   So horford made the hawks trade Millsap and do all that to keep him so he could get his max?

It's a negotiation tactic. Mike Conley just did with the Mavericks and so did Whiteside.

The thing that sucks now is they'll be able to trade Milsap and probably get a good package in return.

Trade idea: Millsap for Gallinari

Gallinari as a long term Korver replacement (35yo) and upgrade. Korver moves to bench role.

Denver gets a strong two way PF to put alongside their young centers Jokic and Nurkic.

[Bobshot]

Atlanta making blatant effort to keep Horford from Celtics. They don't need him. Assuming Celtics made max offer, their 5 yr max will break their bank. Don't know if they can do it without gutting team. Not worth it. I'd rather have Millsap.

[tankcity!]

It's pretty obvious Horford has been using us as leverage. Can't believe people thought anything other.

[fantankerous]

It's pretty obvious Horford has been using us as leverage. Can't believe people thought anything other.

Meh.  We should do our part.  Drive up costs this summer so we can drive out potential competitors for next year's crop of FAs.

[walker834]

If Atlanta can't make moves he'll still probably sign here or this saga will go on for a while.  Not really liking him so much though right now.  We have all summer but even still.

[saltlover]

Nets might not get as bad a pick in a deep draft next year as people originally thought. Celts falling behind in the east pecking order. That pick swap for Brooklyn will still likely hurt but not as bad as expected.

Umm, no.

As of today, here are the changes from last year's teams, assuming Horford stays in ATL:

1. Cavs, same team (minus Delly probably).
2. Toronto, lost Biyombo
3. Heat, lost Deng, lost Joe Johnson, might lose Wade, Bosh is likely done
4. Hawks, swap Howard for Milsap, lost Teague
5. Celtics, gained Brown, lost Turner
6. Hornets, lost Jefferson, lost Lin, might lose Courtney Lee
7. Pacers, gained Teague, gained Jefferson, gained Young, lost both Hills and Lawson
8. Pistons, gained Ish Smith and Jon Leuer

Of the playoff teams last year, the Pacers have taken a big step forward.  Every other team has tread water or fallen back.  The Celtics aren't falling behind in any sort of pecking order.  The Wizards at 9th haven't done anything.  The other teams to make major additions are the Knicks and Orlando.  Both of those teams were nowhere near the Celtics last year.

EDIT: The Wizard finished 10th.  The Bulls finished 9th and have obviously taken a step back.