(can't trade Zeller) Hunter or Young needs to start packing?

[CelticPride2016]

The second exhibition game is winding down. I cannot tell who to keep between Young and Hunter if that's the choice. Hunter looks active and fits in better, but he looks awful at jump shooting. James Young looks smooth at shooting, but he looks incompetent as a defender. Young also seems to like to camp out in corners on offense.

Hunter seems to be missing a jump shot and more strength. Young still seems to be a fish out of water. He looks more efficient and confident on offense, but he does not seem to have the all-around game to be trusted.

Zeller is what he is. I don't think he is the answer once Olynyk comes back. Right now both Olynyk and Jerebko seem like much better options in regards to team basketball than Tyler Zeller.

The best way to solve the roster crunch is a two for one trade, but Scalabrine says those aren't so easy to pull off at this point heading towards opening day.

This kind of problem might keep happening. Next year we will have more #1 picks and the stashed guys who look good too.

Danny can only operate from day to day, season to season. I doubt he is thinking about Yabs, Zizac and the Nets' pick while deciding who player #15 is going to be.

I agree with Scal this is an interesting side drama. I am not sure why Mickey and Jackson seem safe. Maybe we are more stacked at SG considering Smart has improved, Bradley is great, we have Gerald Green and Jaylen Brown could play some shooting guard.

Young has had years to show something, anything. Hunter is the younger guy in terms of NBA experience. I don't think their preseason stats will decide it. I read that Danny and Brad do not make decisions on one game or general stats. I think they are more philosophical about it.

They must see what I see. I think Young is gone. I thought he took the lead over Hunter after game one, but now I am back to thinking James Young is on borrowed time as a Celtic. I could be wrong. Danny could make a trade which would make this post irrelevant.

[2short]

Zeller i think all will agree is the third center on team.  Horford, Amir, Kelly wait 4th!  Need length so I would not be looking to trade him as we don't have anyone else and mickey isn't it.

As of post this game I'd say Young has better chance of making it.  Both guys have easily been passed by rozier and brown.  We are getting about minor minutes at sg.  Ainge and company will have to decide if young's potential is still there or will another team overpay for potential.  Hunter is what he is, solid player, end of rotation. 

Of course if we are trading for a solid vet for limited bench minutes in 6'10" range then sure sign me up. 

[yelkao]

Young looked better than Hunter to me tonight. I think that 15th spot is between Hunter and Mickey. I can't wait for Zeller to remain on the bench.

[CelticPride2016]

Zeller i think all will agree is the third center on team.  Horford, Amir, Kelly wait 4th!  Need length so I would not be looking to trade him as we don't have anyone else and mickey isn't it.

As of post this game I'd say Young has better chance of making it.  Both guys have easily been passed by rozier and brown.  We are getting about minor minutes at sg.  Ainge and company will have to decide if young's potential is still there or will another team overpay for potential.  Hunter is what he is, solid player, end of rotation. 

Of course if we are trading for a solid vet for limited bench minutes in 6'10" range then sure sign me up.

I agree with you. This decision is small potatoes compared to the big season picture. Mickey cannot provide center defense. He is too short. We have Zizac potentially for next year, but Zeller is a luxury item and a potential trade piece for mid-season if somehow Danny goes for Cousins.

My thinking is that Olynyk has become as good as Zeller at center. I also think Amir and Horford are much better than Tyler Zeller at rim protection. I am hoping Olynyk ends up starting with Horford, then Amir comes in and stabilizes the second team.

Olynyk is unproven, but he is clearly knocking at the door for respect. I think the big story so far besides Rozier and Horford sliding into big roles is the play of Marcus and Jaylen. They were top picks and it's easy to see why. Jaylen will make some stupid rookie plays. Tonight he had a traveling bug. Yet Brown is so talented, I think he will play through those like Marcus Smart did the last couple years.

I think Marcus Smart is flying under the radar as is our team in general.

People point to the futures ranking and we know why we look good for that. But I think we look very good anyway for right now. That's why for the long-term, I am thinking we are headed back to a dynasty position.

The Boston Celtics are two for two in the starters getting it done. The second unit took care of business tonight in the fourth quarter. We are still waiting for Gerald and Kelly.

[Kuberski33]

I don't think Hunter is athletic enough to ever be a decent NBA player.  I agree that Zeller is what he is..he'll sit if necessary, play if necessary and give you some good nights offensively, some nights where he's a total non factor, and he'll be the lousy rebounder he's always been. 

None of these guys have any trade value so 'trading' means dumping them and getting nothing back. 

[saltlover]

Zeller cannot be traded until January 15th, so this simply cannot happen.  GodZeller is trade fodder for the deadline, not clearing out the roster crunch in October.

[Csfan1984]

Zeller was a waste of a signing. Trade both Hunter and Young to highest bidder.

[trickybilly]

Zeller cannot be traded until January 15th, so this simply cannot happen.  GodZeller is trade fodder for the deadline, not clearing out the roster crunch in October.

Minny and Utah still have enough cap space to absorb Zeller. Cleveland have an Exception..

I guess we don't really need anymore draft picks though.

Package me a SUPERSTAR!!

[Kuberski33]

Zeller was a waste of a signing. Trade both Hunter and Young to highest bidder.

And who's going to bid for them?

[CelticPride2016]

Zeller was a waste of a signing. Trade both Hunter and Young to highest bidder.

Thanks. I was wondering about that and should have tried harder to confirm Zeller's trading availability. I won't edit anything as the main point is that Hunter or Young needs to start packing.

[saltlover]

Zeller cannot be traded until January 15th, so this simply cannot happen.  GodZeller is trade fodder for the deadline, not clearing out the roster crunch in October.

Does anyone happen to know (a list) which contenders still have Traded Player Exceptions?

Cleveland.  That's about it.  Everyone else used cap room this offseason, so they have no exceptions.

But that's not the point of Zeller.  If he is traded, it will be to a seller at the deadline, and Zeller's $8 million will help match a larger salary.  Most of our players are on really cheap contracts, so to match for a big-salaried acquisition could have taken 3 or 4 of them.  Zeller will make a trade possible much more easily.

[trickybilly]

Zeller cannot be traded until January 15th, so this simply cannot happen.  GodZeller is trade fodder for the deadline, not clearing out the roster crunch in October.

Does anyone happen to know (a list) which contenders still have Traded Player Exceptions?

Cleveland.  That's about it.  Everyone else used cap room this offseason, so they have no exceptions.

But that's not the point of Zeller.  If he is traded, it will be to a seller at the deadline, and Zeller's $8 million will help match a larger salary.  Most of our players are on really cheap contracts, so to match for a big-salaried acquisition could have taken 3 or 4 of them.  Zeller will make a trade possible much more easily.

Yeah, I see the deal now.. just realised after I clicked post..

We need him for matching salaries to get Boogie or Blake without gutting the roster..

[Csfan1984]

Zeller was a waste of a signing. Trade both Hunter and Young to highest bidder.

And who's going to bid for them?

Depends.. I suppose it's all about price. The higher the price the less buyers. If you ask for a second rounder, a protected first or even a conditional pick you are going to have different level of interest.

[Monkhouse]

I've been a huge avid supporter of Young, and I think this year he might actually get 3-5 minutes off the bench as opposed to being sent over to the D-League.

I haven't been able to watch any pre-season games, but from what my friend told me from the eye test.

-More willing to use his length on defense, even though he's still sluggish and slow on hustling back from the pump fake, he's using his wingspan to bother shots. He said he blocked Spencer Hawes.

-Clearly been more aggressive, and nailing his free throws which is a good sign and confidence booster for the young fella.

-Going up for some offensive boards.

-Taking more smarter shots, even though my friend said he felt like Young camped way too much in the corner. But my only counterargument with this, is I really want Young to be able to get used to shooting them corner 3's, ala young Avery Bradley. I would prefer he run and utilize screens more to free himself, but he is so young, you guys are really being far too critical.

My friend said he disliked watching Hunter play, and honestly bet me sober that Hunter would be waived, or traded to the GSW.

Young has shown a lack luster focus before, but what does it say how much more confident and aggressive he has been on offense and defense with Al Horford here? Horford is an absolute amazing human being. He's the quiet locker room leader that we have been missing.

I think we should keep Young, and I personally think he can get better. He just has had the mindset of someone who hasn't actually had to work hard for things. But I can tell he is a guy who is laid back and chill, but will step up when he needs to.

Can I say the same about Hunter? I don't know. His game winning 3 pointer has been exaggerated to death, and even Hunter himself has admitted that brought so much publicity to Georgia state.

Hunter lacks ball handling just as bad as Young, but he has a better knack for passing due to being a coach's son. He isn't athletic. He's lanky and long, but just as weak as Young, especially how easily defenders box him out.

His shot is also low, and Young is a left handed shooter, so I hypothesize Young will be an excellent shooter if he gets in a roll or rhythm.

[Rhyso]

I think Mickey will be cut/traded, since we signed Horford we won't have the minutes to develop him plus he is too skinny and undersized despite wingspan. Young weighs 232lbs or something now according to Ainge, and still has more potential upside than Mickey IMO which is why Danny will roll with him.