Westbrook Trade Rumors (Beck)

[jbp126]

For one Danny Ainge is not gullible.  I can 100 percent guarantee if Westbrook ever comes here it will be with him signing an extension.  It will also be to put us in position to win a championship which would mean we are also getting someone else ultimately which might entice Westbrook to do that. Otherwise it makes zero sense.

There is no point even discussing him coming here without an extension. Danny ainge is not stupid.

1. He's not signing an extension.

2. Danny understands this (because it literally makes no sense for RW)

3. Danny would still chance it as long as he talked to RW and got a good read on his intentions

It actually does make some sense for him to renegotiate and extend his contract 3 years.  He'd make more money that way and be a free agent again at age 30.  The new cap projection for 2017 is lower than once expected which affects this.  Also, I believe this is what KG did in 2007.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2016/07/nba_rumors_2016_salary_cap_pro.html

This is not what KG did in 2007 (or not really).  KG's contract was a relic from before max salaries existed, so he could extend it at levels above the max, without the C's needing cap room.  Also, they've limited extension length since we got KG.

Regardless of the differences in CBA rules, this is still basically what KG did.  My point is that Westbrook could renegotiate and extend his contract which would allow him to make comparable money to what he'd be earning as a max FA next year and still allow him to return to free agency at 30.  This is what has been reported since the new salary cap projections came out at roughly $102 Million.

[dannyboy35]

Stevens wouldn't let Westbrook be himself even if we could make a deal. I'm not sure if Stevens can coach a ball dominant pg. I just don't think his ego could take it. There would be a clash.

[jpotter33]

For one Danny Ainge is not gullible.  I can 100 percent guarantee if Westbrook ever comes here it will be with him signing an extension.  It will also be to put us in position to win a championship which would mean we are also getting someone else ultimately which might entice Westbrook to do that. Otherwise it makes zero sense.

There is no point even discussing him coming here without an extension. Danny ainge is not stupid.

1. He's not signing an extension.

2. Danny understands this (because it literally makes no sense for RW)

3. Danny would still chance it as long as he talked to RW and got a good read on his intentions

It actually does make some sense for him to renegotiate and extend his contract 3 years.  He'd make more money that way and be a free agent again at age 30.  The new cap projection for 2017 is lower than once expected which affects this.  Also, I believe this is what KG did in 2007.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2016/07/nba_rumors_2016_salary_cap_pro.html

This is not what KG did in 2007 (or not really).  KG's contract was a relic from before max salaries existed, so he could extend it at levels above the max, without the C's needing cap room.  Also, they've limited extension length since we got KG.

Regardless of the differences in CBA rules, this is still basically what KG did.  My point is that Westbrook could renegotiate and extend his contract which would allow him to make comparable money to what he'd be earning as a max FA next year and still allow him to return to free agency at 30.  This is what has been reported since the new salary cap projections came out at roughly $102 Million.

If he knows that he's going to be traded, which is almost a certainty at this point, and knows that he can essentially hand-pick which willing team to be traded to, since he basically has veto power by saying that he won't re-sign there, then why wouldn't he just sign a 5-year max deal next summer with that team?

For example, if he gets traded to Boston, then it's most likely that he's open to re-signing there long-term. Thus, why would he extend his contract now when he could just get the full five-year max next summer using Bird Rights with higher annual salaries, higher raises, and an extra year?

So I don't see how it would really make sense for him to extend now if he was going to be traded to Boston.

[jpotter33]

Stevens wouldn't let Westbrook be himself even if we could make a deal. I'm not sure if Stevens can coach a ball dominant pg. I just don't think his ego could take it. There would be a clash.

IT is nearly as ball-dominant as RW. Last year, IT's USG% was 29.6 compared to RW's 31.6. They're similar in their ball-dominance and high usages. Also, RW averaged over four more assists than IT a game, so I don't think it's a big issue.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&y1=2016&p1=thomais02&y2=2016&p2=westbru01&p3=&p4=&p5=&p6=

[BDeCosta26]

I still find it hard to believe we would give up much for just one year of Westbrook (and a hope that maybe he signs with us) and I find it even harder to believe that Westbrook would extend with us this summer and forego free agency.

I would not mind being wrong about this so long as I am wrong about both.

That's fair.  Westbrook + Horford basically equals OKC without Durant + Ibaka as it stands though.  We have a better coach.  Better roleplayers with Isaiah off the bench in a james harden role.  I don't know how that team beats GS though unless Brad is really that good. If we add Blake to that then we are talking and Westbrook might sign an extension here.

In the unlikely (in my opinion) event that we are able to trade for Westbrook, I believe that IT would be traded too, likely back to OKC but if not, then elsewhere.  IT off the bench no longer makes sense after last season.

They can start together. Brad would stagger their minutes so they wouldn't spend all their time on the court together, but Isaiah proved last year that he can be very effective both on and off the ball. Russ is big enough to play the 2 while still being a primary ball handler. Besides, I think it's fair to say Isaiah LOVES being a Celtic and is dying to help this team reach a championship. I think he'd be alright with coming off the bench again if a guy as good as Westbrook came.

Still, I think Griffin is a better fit. Probably cheaper, and doesn't just add to a confusing guard traffic jam. He can rebound better than his stats indicate, and is a really good passer.

I would love to see Russ deal with the Boston media and fan base though. Dude is abrasive as all heck.

[jpotter33]

I still find it hard to believe we would give up much for just one year of Westbrook (and a hope that maybe he signs with us) and I find it even harder to believe that Westbrook would extend with us this summer and forego free agency.

I would not mind being wrong about this so long as I am wrong about both.

That's fair.  Westbrook + Horford basically equals OKC without Durant + Ibaka as it stands though.  We have a better coach.  Better roleplayers with Isaiah off the bench in a james harden role.  I don't know how that team beats GS though unless Brad is really that good. If we add Blake to that then we are talking and Westbrook might sign an extension here.

In the unlikely (in my opinion) event that we are able to trade for Westbrook, I believe that IT would be traded too, likely back to OKC but if not, then elsewhere.  IT off the bench no longer makes sense after last season.

They can start together. Brad would stagger their minutes so they wouldn't spend all their time on the court together, but Isaiah proved last year that he can be very effective both on and off the ball. Russ is big enough to play the 2 while still being a primary ball handler. Besides, I think it's fair to say Isaiah LOVES being a Celtic and is dying to help this team reach a championship. I think he'd be alright with coming off the bench again if a guy as good as Westbrook came.

Still, I think Griffin is a better fit. Probably cheaper, and doesn't just add to a confusing guard traffic jam. He can rebound better than his stats indicate, and is a really good passer.

I would love to see Russ deal with the Boston media and fan base though. Dude is abrasive as all heck.

I don't think it makes sense to start them together. IT would be the sixth man, but they would still play a good amount together. I think Bradley and Crowder are too good of a pairing next to Westbrook to try and put IT next to him.

[jbp126]

For one Danny Ainge is not gullible.  I can 100 percent guarantee if Westbrook ever comes here it will be with him signing an extension.  It will also be to put us in position to win a championship which would mean we are also getting someone else ultimately which might entice Westbrook to do that. Otherwise it makes zero sense.

There is no point even discussing him coming here without an extension. Danny ainge is not stupid.

1. He's not signing an extension.

2. Danny understands this (because it literally makes no sense for RW)

3. Danny would still chance it as long as he talked to RW and got a good read on his intentions

It actually does make some sense for him to renegotiate and extend his contract 3 years.  He'd make more money that way and be a free agent again at age 30.  The new cap projection for 2017 is lower than once expected which affects this.  Also, I believe this is what KG did in 2007.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2016/07/nba_rumors_2016_salary_cap_pro.html

This is not what KG did in 2007 (or not really).  KG's contract was a relic from before max salaries existed, so he could extend it at levels above the max, without the C's needing cap room.  Also, they've limited extension length since we got KG.

Regardless of the differences in CBA rules, this is still basically what KG did.  My point is that Westbrook could renegotiate and extend his contract which would allow him to make comparable money to what he'd be earning as a max FA next year and still allow him to return to free agency at 30.  This is what has been reported since the new salary cap projections came out at roughly $102 Million.

If he knows that he's going to be traded, which is almost a certainty at this point, and knows that he can essentially hand-pick which willing team to be traded to, since he basically has veto power by saying that he won't re-sign there, then why wouldn't he just sign a 5-year max deal next summer with that team?

For example, if he gets traded to Boston, then it's most likely that he's open to re-signing there long-term. Thus, why would he extend his contract now when he could just get the full five-year max next summer using Bird Rights with higher annual salaries, higher raises, and an extra year?

So I don't see how it would really make sense for him to extend now if he was going to be traded to Boston.

Signing a 5-year max would make sense if he wants the long-term stability but the extension would allow him to hit free agency again at 30 instead of 32. He might want to cash in on another max deal which he'll more likely get at 30 than 32.

[walker834]

Beck is on csn now backtracking on what he said.  Just his own rational and what has already been reported that Presti would rather trade Westbrook and the celtics have a lot of assets.  I can't believe csn has been talking about this all day when there is absolutely no word from the Celtics that they are interested.  No way the celtics trade for a player that isn't going to sign an extension.  Getting that all to work is also not that easy.  Beck is just speculating.

I agree in theory that if we put together a team Westbrook might sign an extension but there is no word the celtics are even interested here.

[jpotter33]

For one Danny Ainge is not gullible.  I can 100 percent guarantee if Westbrook ever comes here it will be with him signing an extension.  It will also be to put us in position to win a championship which would mean we are also getting someone else ultimately which might entice Westbrook to do that. Otherwise it makes zero sense.

There is no point even discussing him coming here without an extension. Danny ainge is not stupid.

1. He's not signing an extension.

2. Danny understands this (because it literally makes no sense for RW)

3. Danny would still chance it as long as he talked to RW and got a good read on his intentions

It actually does make some sense for him to renegotiate and extend his contract 3 years.  He'd make more money that way and be a free agent again at age 30.  The new cap projection for 2017 is lower than once expected which affects this.  Also, I believe this is what KG did in 2007.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2016/07/nba_rumors_2016_salary_cap_pro.html

This is not what KG did in 2007 (or not really).  KG's contract was a relic from before max salaries existed, so he could extend it at levels above the max, without the C's needing cap room.  Also, they've limited extension length since we got KG.

Regardless of the differences in CBA rules, this is still basically what KG did.  My point is that Westbrook could renegotiate and extend his contract which would allow him to make comparable money to what he'd be earning as a max FA next year and still allow him to return to free agency at 30.  This is what has been reported since the new salary cap projections came out at roughly $102 Million.

If he knows that he's going to be traded, which is almost a certainty at this point, and knows that he can essentially hand-pick which willing team to be traded to, since he basically has veto power by saying that he won't re-sign there, then why wouldn't he just sign a 5-year max deal next summer with that team?

For example, if he gets traded to Boston, then it's most likely that he's open to re-signing there long-term. Thus, why would he extend his contract now when he could just get the full five-year max next summer using Bird Rights with higher annual salaries, higher raises, and an extra year?

So I don't see how it would really make sense for him to extend now if he was going to be traded to Boston.

Signing a 5-year max would make sense if he wants the long-term stability but the extension would allow him to hit free agency again at 30 instead of 32. He might want to cash in on another max deal which he'll more likely get at 30 than 32.

It doesn't really make sense for him to try and bank on another max contract at 30 in what most likely will be a smaller cap than to get longer-term stability now in a larger cap.

[Dino Pitino]

Beck is on csn now backtracking on what he said.  Just his own rational and what has already been reported that Presti would rather trade Westbrook and the celtics have a lot of assets.  I can't believe csn has been talking about this all day when there is absolutely no word from the Celtics that they are interested.  No way the celtics trade for a player that isn't going to sign an extension.  Getting that all to work is also not that easy.  Beck is just speculating.

I agree in theory that if we put together a team Westbrook might sign an extension but there is no word the celtics are even interested here.

Dammmmmit.

[hpantazo]

Beck is on csn now backtracking on what he said.  Just his own rational and what has already been reported that Presti would rather trade Westbrook and the celtics have a lot of assets.  I can't believe csn has been talking about this all day when there is absolutely no word from the Celtics that they are interested.  No way the celtics trade for a player that isn't going to sign an extension.  Getting that all to work is also not that easy.  Beck is just speculating.

I agree in theory that if we put together a team Westbrook might sign an extension but there is no word the celtics are even interested here.

Yeah. What passes for 'journalism' nowadays is ....sad.

Everyone got their click quota and CSN got their ratings, and the fans wasted their time reading and listening to this stuff.

[walker834]

Beck is on csn now backtracking on what he said.  Just his own rational and what has already been reported that Presti would rather trade Westbrook and the celtics have a lot of assets.  I can't believe csn has been talking about this all day when there is absolutely no word from the Celtics that they are interested.  No way the celtics trade for a player that isn't going to sign an extension.  Getting that all to work is also not that easy.  Beck is just speculating.

I agree in theory that if we put together a team Westbrook might sign an extension but there is no word the celtics are even interested here.

Yeah. What passes for 'journalism' nowadays is ....sad.

They think they are running this team when they aren't.  It's annoying.  I really wonder if any of these people even asked the celtics.

[CelticSooner]

Beck is on csn now backtracking on what he said.  Just his own rational and what has already been reported that Presti would rather trade Westbrook and the celtics have a lot of assets.  I can't believe csn has been talking about this all day when there is absolutely no word from the Celtics that they are interested.  No way the celtics trade for a player that isn't going to sign an extension.  Getting that all to work is also not that easy.  Beck is just speculating.

I agree in theory that if we put together a team Westbrook might sign an extension but there is no word the celtics are even interested here.

That's comical. Why people run with this stuff I don't understand.

[mctyson]

Beck is on csn now backtracking on what he said.  Just his own rational and what has already been reported that Presti would rather trade Westbrook and the celtics have a lot of assets.  I can't believe csn has been talking about this all day when there is absolutely no word from the Celtics that they are interested.  No way the celtics trade for a player that isn't going to sign an extension.  Getting that all to work is also not that easy.  Beck is just speculating.

I agree in theory that if we put together a team Westbrook might sign an extension but there is no word the celtics are even interested here.

That's comical. Why people run with this stuff I don't understand.

page views, hits, etc...

[jbp126]

For one Danny Ainge is not gullible.  I can 100 percent guarantee if Westbrook ever comes here it will be with him signing an extension.  It will also be to put us in position to win a championship which would mean we are also getting someone else ultimately which might entice Westbrook to do that. Otherwise it makes zero sense.

There is no point even discussing him coming here without an extension. Danny ainge is not stupid.

1. He's not signing an extension.

2. Danny understands this (because it literally makes no sense for RW)

3. Danny would still chance it as long as he talked to RW and got a good read on his intentions

It actually does make some sense for him to renegotiate and extend his contract 3 years.  He'd make more money that way and be a free agent again at age 30.  The new cap projection for 2017 is lower than once expected which affects this.  Also, I believe this is what KG did in 2007.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2016/07/nba_rumors_2016_salary_cap_pro.html

This is not what KG did in 2007 (or not really).  KG's contract was a relic from before max salaries existed, so he could extend it at levels above the max, without the C's needing cap room.  Also, they've limited extension length since we got KG.

Regardless of the differences in CBA rules, this is still basically what KG did.  My point is that Westbrook could renegotiate and extend his contract which would allow him to make comparable money to what he'd be earning as a max FA next year and still allow him to return to free agency at 30.  This is what has been reported since the new salary cap projections came out at roughly $102 Million.

If he knows that he's going to be traded, which is almost a certainty at this point, and knows that he can essentially hand-pick which willing team to be traded to, since he basically has veto power by saying that he won't re-sign there, then why wouldn't he just sign a 5-year max deal next summer with that team?

For example, if he gets traded to Boston, then it's most likely that he's open to re-signing there long-term. Thus, why would he extend his contract now when he could just get the full five-year max next summer using Bird Rights with higher annual salaries, higher raises, and an extra year?

So I don't see how it would really make sense for him to extend now if he was going to be traded to Boston.

Signing a 5-year max would make sense if he wants the long-term stability but the extension would allow him to hit free agency again at 30 instead of 32. He might want to cash in on another max deal which he'll more likely get at 30 than 32.

It doesn't really make sense for him to try and bank on another max contract at 30 in what most likely will be a smaller cap than to get longer-term stability now in a larger cap.

Historically, the cap makes slight increases for inflation but generally remains relatively flat and rarely decreases.  As a 6'3 guard that relies on his athleticism, it makes plenty of sense to prefer to enter free agency at age 30 instead of 32.  However, for that same reason, it would also make sense for him to seek long-term security in a full five-year max next year.

All I'm saying is that I wouldn't count out the possibility of him renegotiating and extending because the math seems to give some credence to that route.