Report: Celtics have interest in Bogut; favorite to land him when on market

[number_n9ne]

Even consider the contracts, I'd still rather have Tyson Chandler.  He has been healthier, has more spring in his step, and is just flat out better than Bogut.

If you add Chandler, though, you're basically giving up adding a max level player next summer. 

Maybe that's OK if you don't think the Celts have a chance of signing anybody like that.  But trading for Chandler would definitely lower the ceiling on what the Celts can do to improve their team in the near future.

I am well aware of that and am fine with it as I just don't see Boston landing a major free agent this summer.  Realistically Hayward is the only guy that Boston has a shot at, and while he is an upgrade, I don't think he is enough of an upgrade that he is worth giving the max contract to without another move being made (and I don't see Chandler as a detriment to that other move). 

I think Boston is a pretty clear 2nd round team with Chandler and would certainly have a much better shot against the Raptors with him as well.  I just don't trust Bogut to be around in the playoffs, and I can't see giving Bogut more than maybe 20 minutes a night, while I can see giving Chandler in the 30-35 range (if it made sense). 

Also, because of Chandler's contract I think his price will actually be less than Bogut.  Maybe even as low as Zeller plus a couple of 2nd's.  I think Bogut will require Johnson and another real asset.

I agree with you Moranis. Another added benefit is that trading Zeller for Chandler gives us a larger expiring contract this summer to use in trades.

[PhoSita]

Even if it's a low chance, I'd rather leave the door open to sign Griffin, Millsap, or Ibaka next summer than add Tyson Chandler.

I think Chandler only marginally improves the team, and still doesn't get them past the second round.

Plus, given the length of Chandler's contract, he could also affect the Celts' decisionmaking on keeping Thomas and/or Bradley beyond summer of 2018.

[Moranis]

Even if it's a low chance, I'd rather leave the door open to sign Griffin, Millsap, or Ibaka next summer than add Tyson Chandler.

I think Chandler only marginally improves the team, and still doesn't get them past the second round.

Plus, given the length of Chandler's contract, he could also affect the Celts' decisionmaking on keeping Thomas and/or Bradley beyond summer of 2018.

Griffin sure (but he isn't coming to Boston), but I don't think Millsap or Ibaka do much for Boston's title chances and frankly I think Chandler is a better fit than Ibaka anyway.  Millsap is up there in age and we already know what a Millsap/Horford front court looks like (I'm not suggesting Chandler isn't old). 

And the thing is, Chandler's 13 million dollar contract isn't all that much more than Olynyk's cap hold, so if Olynyk is merely let go, Boston should be able to finagle enough cap room to sign a max contract free agent anyway if it was actually necessary.  I'd much rather have Chandler and a max contract than Olynyk and a max contract, when you start looking at the available max level free agents (i.e. there aren't any centers). 

[number_n9ne]

Even if it's a low chance, I'd rather leave the door open to sign Griffin, Millsap, or Ibaka next summer than add Tyson Chandler.

I think Chandler only marginally improves the team, and still doesn't get them past the second round.

Plus, given the length of Chandler's contract, he could also affect the Celts' decisionmaking on keeping Thomas and/or Bradley beyond summer of 2018.

Griffin sure (but he isn't coming to Boston), but I don't think Millsap or Ibaka do much for Boston's title chances and frankly I think Chandler is a better fit than Ibaka anyway.  Millsap is up there in age and we already know what a Millsap/Horford front court looks like (I'm not suggesting Chandler isn't old). 

And the thing is, Chandler's 13 million dollar contract isn't all that much more than Olynyk's cap hold, so if Olynyk is merely let go, Boston should be able to finagle enough cap room to sign a max contract free agent anyway if it was actually necessary.  I'd much rather have Chandler and a max contract than Olynyk and a max contract, when you start looking at the available max level free agents (i.e. there aren't any centers).

I agree, after Griffen there isn't anyone who moves this core to contention. It then shifts to keeping patient until a star becomes available on the trade market. Chandler adds value in that sense because he can be used as filler this summer when both Johnson and Jerebko are free agents.

[SuddenFame]

6) They want to put pressure on Sacramento / Philly by leaking that they are interested in going after Bogut instead of giving up significant assets for Boogie or Noel.

maybe this

[YoungOne87]

if it takes johnson or zeller + late pick i would do it, he is worth the gamble

[PhoSita]

Even if it's a low chance, I'd rather leave the door open to sign Griffin, Millsap, or Ibaka next summer than add Tyson Chandler.

I think Chandler only marginally improves the team, and still doesn't get them past the second round.

Plus, given the length of Chandler's contract, he could also affect the Celts' decisionmaking on keeping Thomas and/or Bradley beyond summer of 2018.

Griffin sure (but he isn't coming to Boston), but I don't think Millsap or Ibaka do much for Boston's title chances and frankly I think Chandler is a better fit than Ibaka anyway.  Millsap is up there in age and we already know what a Millsap/Horford front court looks like (I'm not suggesting Chandler isn't old). 

And the thing is, Chandler's 13 million dollar contract isn't all that much more than Olynyk's cap hold, so if Olynyk is merely let go, Boston should be able to finagle enough cap room to sign a max contract free agent anyway if it was actually necessary.  I'd much rather have Chandler and a max contract than Olynyk and a max contract, when you start looking at the available max level free agents (i.e. there aren't any centers).

That's a fair point re: Chandler vs Olynyk.

I lean toward Olynyk being a better 3-4 year bet than Chandler, but I could be persuaded otherwise.  I have a feeling Chandler will remain solid on defense + the boards but become a greater offensive liability over time.


As far as Millsap / Ibaka, I agree that adding either of them probably doesn't make the team a contender unless one of the BRK picks really hits (meaning Kristaps / Towns level immediate impact).

At the same time, completing the starting lineup with one of those guys probably makes the Celts a clear cut #2 in the East.  Furthermore, this summer may be the last chance for the Celts to use their cap space to make an upgrade, seeing as IT, Bradley, and Smart will all hit free agency at the same time in 2018.  Even if they only keep one of those guys, there probably won't be much cap space left at that point.

I think the Celts will probably have to spend money this summer because of that, whether or not there is a max guy available to take the team to contention.  The only way they would not spend that $$ is if Ainge felt that doing so would somehow prevent them from making a trade for a star.

[crimson_stallion]

Interest in Bogut...

An old, immobile, constantly injured big man with no offensive game.

Yeah, that sounds like the type of move the Celtics would make.

[Eddie20]

Interest in Bogut...

An old, immobile, constantly injured big man with no offensive game.

Yeah, that sounds like the type of move the Celtics would make.

Yeah, that sounds a lot like Bill Walton in 86. So definitely a C's type move.

As for Bogut, you forgot to mention that he's a good rebounder, great post defender, solid rim protector, excellent passer for a big, and sets crushing screens.

[Smitty77]

Bogut has the higher defensive RPM of ANY center in the league this year!!!

https://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM/position/9

Smitty77

P.S.  We could use some solid interior defense!!!!

[Smitty77]

Interest in Bogut...

An old, immobile, constantly injured big man with no offensive game.

Yeah, that sounds like the type of move the Celtics would make.

Best defensive RPM of any center in the league!!!

https://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM/position/9

Also, we would likely make another trade to add offense.

Smitty77

[SHAQATTACK]

Rather have him than Lee

[cltc5]

Sweet.  We'll get at least 5 games out of him before he's injured.

[kozlodoev]

Interest in Bogut...

An old, immobile, constantly injured big man with no offensive game.

Yeah, that sounds like the type of move the Celtics would make.

Best defensive RPM of any center in the league!!!

https://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM/position/9

Also, we would likely make another trade to add offense.

Smitty77

Are we planning to put 7 players on the floor or something? That would be quite a trick. 

[Rosco917]

Bogut should be headed to a club that is a contender. Of which we are not. He would be a good fit for us, but from what I'm seeing this year, we should look a younger center that will develop in a few years. Willie Cauley-Stein comes to mind. Noel if he can be had reasonably.

Even with IT the Celtics are not ready to make noise in the East. They should keep developing what they have, and be looking at younger free agents. We need up-grades at too many positions.