one stupid move gutting this team for westbrook

[otherdave]

if Westbrook signs an extension, you should definitely trade for him! If he comes here and stays here, IT4 goes in my honest opinion as they are both ball dominant PG. But I view Westbrook as a top 15, heck even top 10 player in this league. That's someone you want/need on this team.

Does the CBA allow for RW to sign an extension this summer with a year left on his deal?  This presumably would be a 4 yr sign and trade?

If an extension is allowed, then doesn't the price for him go up?

[Vermont Green]

I feel like the Cousins and Griffin rumors are probably true to the extent that there is interest from Boston in these guys.  I feel like this Westbrook thing is more smokescreen floated to make it seem to LAC or SAC that there is competition.

I like Westbrook but can't see any serious trade talks going on due to the short contract and the likelihood he will fully exercise free agency and not come back to Boston.

[rollie mass]

 wink wink -trust me with your celtics future- what happens when jack nicholson makes his pitch or warner bros says we  will put you in the movies or LA promotes his fashion line- home of the stars ,you can be the face of the lakers look at he legacy-kareem,magic ,kobe,jerry west and no snow-we got all these good young kids-he is not a celtic type of player,there is something endearing in isaiahs style of play-there is something smooth about horford but i think westbrook would be like dropping a depth charge-you would need to retool

[walker834]

 If we can sign him to an extension and keep him from going to the lakers it may be worth it but I still wouldn't bank our entire future on him.

Adding another piece to our own superteam is all well and good but C's need to pick their spots.

[Csfan1984]

I don't think it will mean gutting team for Westbrook. His price should be lower than Griffin and Cousins.

[CelticPride2016]

Never say never, but I agree there is no point in coughing up a lot of assets unless you are guaranteed a KG type extension. On paper, we don't need an upgrade at guard or any more guards. It is simply not a priority or necessity.

I agree Westbrook would be a huge upgrade, but he is also ball dominant and it'd be somewhat like starting over.

What Danny needs to do or try to do is get a nice center, a Marc Gasol. A younger Gortat. Then all of a sudden we have a bigs rotation of Horford, Amir, Gasol (?) and Olynyk with Jerebko, Yabusele, Mickey and even Zizac in reserve.

I would cough up one of those Brooklyn picks for a top notch center. It is risky. The team taking the pick would have to realize it is more valuable than an older player like Gasol, so they would have to sweeten the pot, not us.

In general, I agree with the idea that Danny shouldn't do anything crazy. We need a balanced rotation more than anything. I think we could win it all if we got a healthy Gasol or that kind of center or one who fits in with what has been building.

I don't want Westbrook, Griffin, Love or Butler. I don't want an upgrade at positions we are already good at. And I am not on the side that thinks Golden State has everything wrapped up for the next several years or that LeBron can't be beat. If we can get a top notch center without gutting any of the core, I think we are ready to shock the world and win #18 next Summer, not Golden State or Cleveland.

[walker834]

I think if we get Westbrook it means we are doing something like getting Westbrook and Griffin and going for it all.  GEtting westbrook in and of itself is somewhat meaningless to how our team is constructed right now.

Having Isaiah, Westbrook, Griffin and Horford then it gets interesting.

I think the C's are actually entertaining the idea of their own super team.

Banking our entire future on Westbrook is silly.

[mctyson]

The Celtics have leverage in this deal. They don't have to gut the team. OKC has to do something, they are the ones that are desperate because they will get nothing in return if they don't do something.

This is a very important point, but it also means that a number of other teams can make a play for Westbrook.  For example, the Lakers.  If you are Presti does Russel + Randle = Westbrook?  I say yes, and you know Westbrook will resign so as LA you do that.

[mef730]

Nobody would do it for a rental. I think that's been established.

If that's the case, then how do you get an assurance from Westbrook that he would re-sign in Boston? Financially speaking, he has every incentive to hit free agency next summer rather than re-up mid-season (doesn't he? not sure). So would you be willing to just do a wink-wink nod-nod verbal agreement that he'd stick around?

You can't, which is why the trade isn't happening. While it's true that we have more leverage than OKC, the bid-ask spread would simply be too much for Danny, who thinks longer term than most GMs (or CBers, for that matter). OKC knows that they won't get 100% Westbrook value back in trade, but they want to get 80%. Without a deal in place, Danny has to discount Westbrook's future value significantly.

It doesn't matter. Two days ago it was Cousins, yesterday it was Griffin, today it's Westbrook. Tomorrow, it will be somebody else.

Mike

[Moranis]

Westbrook is arguably a top 5 player in the league and is firmly a top 10 player in the league.  Boston hasn't had one of those since KG right after he was traded to Boston.  Any time you can trade future yet to be determined assets for a top 10 player in his prime, you have to do it.  Now because it is possibly only a 1 year deal you may not want to sell the farm, but you still have to consider it. 

The reality is Westbrook fills a significant number of holes on the team.  First, he is a premier first option scorer.  Boston hasn't had one of those since Pierce was in prime.  Second, he is a premier take-it-to-the-hole scorer.  Again first one since Pierce.  Third, he is the best rebounding PG since perhaps Oscar Robertson (I might listen to an argument regarding Kidd).  Boston is a terrible rebounding team and while you shouldn't rely on your PG to help you there, Boston needs rebounds from wherever it can get them.  Fourth, he is an excellent passer.  In fact, his passing is often overlooked and minimized, but you don't average over 10 assists per game by accident.  Boston could use a top end passer.  Fifth, he is a solid defender.  He isn't Bradley, but he is far from Thomas. 

Couple all of that with perhaps the most athletic player in NBA history, in his prime, and there is absolutely no reason Boston shouldn't be looking to acquire Westbrook.  Given his contract history, I'd be hesitant to give up both Brooklyn picks, but certainly would give up the 2018 one among other assets and wouldn't give it a second thought.

[Bobshot]

I think if we get Westbrook it means we are doing something like getting Westbrook and Griffin and going for it all.  GEtting westbrook in and of itself is somewhat meaningless to how our team is constructed right now.

Having Isaiah, Westbrook, Griffin and Horford then it gets interesting.

I think the C's are actually entertaining the idea of their own super team.

Yeah, I think that thought has occurred to Ainge, as of late. He realizes he might have the weapons to pull it off.

[LarBrd33]

I'd far rather go after an underrated player than waste assets on an overrated player.  I think there's a distinct chance Westbrook gets exposed this season.  I'd rather not that happen at our expense.

[Clench123]

I'd far rather go after an underrated player than waste assets on an overrated player.  I think there's a distinct chance Westbrook gets exposed this season.  I'd rather not that happen at our expense.

Like he got exposed all those times Durant was injured huh?

Just to be clear, I'm also against using all picks and assets on him but to snub how incredibly good and full of potential the guy is is crazy to me.

Cousins.  That's the guy i wouldn't mind selling the farm for.

[Dwnflfan]

The Celtics have leverage in this deal. They don't have to gut the team. OKC has to do something, they are the ones that are desperate because they will get nothing in return if they don't do something.

This is a very important point, but it also means that a number of other teams can make a play for Westbrook.  For example, the Lakers.  If you are Presti does Russel + Randle = Westbrook?  I say yes, and you know Westbrook will resign so as LA you do that.

Why would he resign?  Who's left to play with?  Ingraham is years away from being a great player.  Add that to adding Westbrook puts the Lakers into the mid-to-late lottery zone so they definitely lose their pick next year to Philly.  I can't imagine Westbrook would want to chance resigning with LA based on only the hope that they could lure enough talent via free agency to put together a contender.

[dannyboy35]

Just thinking it over, I think Stevens wouldn't let Westbrook be himself. Stevens I don't believe would budge from running his system and the two would clash. Top 5 player or not. Stinks but that's what I think.