Now is the Time Danny

[Granath]

Anyone who knows me knows I've been a "stay the course" proponent. There have been thousands of deals proposed here and I've said nay to most of them because ultimately it wasn't the right time to take that step. I was in favor of keeping the draft pick this year instead of overpaying for Butler, Okafor, or NameYourPlayerHere. The trick to GMing is timing - not just knowing what deals to make but when to make them.

But now is the time for Danny to make a deal. The Cs have an obvious front court need and that has to be filled before they can be considered reaching for that upper echelon. And it just so happens that there are quite a few big men of varying prices that could really help this team. Moreover many of these guys are at their lowest value in recent memory and instead of paying sky-high prices these guys are all very likely less expensive than they would have been this summer.

Noel is frustrated in Philly with his role and wants out. Putting him alongside one of the most flexible big men in Horford is a great pairing. Our PGs are good enough that everyone will get touches and Noel can play to his strengths in Boston.

Nurkic is coming off the bench in Denver and the rumors are that he could be dealt before the trade deadline. He could give the Cs rebounding and size in the middle. He's a liability at the FT line but he's effective in around the basket.

Cousins just went off on a reporter in Sac-town. His price craters if he gets past the trade deadline this year and Sac must be fairly desperate to get what they can while they can. There's scant teams to can and will pull the trigger for Cousins. This may be our window to do so if Danny wants him.

Milwaukee Bucks' Greg Monroe, Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic and Sacramento Kings' Willie Cauley-Stein are all rumored to be available as well.

That's six guys who can come in and contribute to this team right now. That's a glut of big men shopping options and recent events would indicate that the value on some of these guys is down markedly. We have many picks, Smart showed he can run a team, Brooklyn sucks...our assets are still pretty strong and we have the firepower to acquire anyone.

Whether it's hitting the homerun ball with Cousins or going after someone more reasonable like WCS, there's rarely a glut of guys like this on the market. Now is the time to strike and I think Cs fans may get an early Christmas present in the form of a 7 foot hunk of beef.

[nickagneta]

The only guy I see here that I would pursue is Nurkic. Cousins is a cancer. Noel can be had for nothing in the off season if Danny strikes out on a max level guy. Monroe is a net negative on the court and has been since a rookie, very much not the type of big this team is looking for. Cauley-Stein just isnt that good. Vucevic has two years remaining and would kill any chance of the Celtics being able to offer a max contract any time soon.

The guy I go after is Serge Ibaka if the Magic still suck come the trade deadline. You offer up Amir who has a matching $12 million expiring contract plus a pick and bring him in for just this year. Ibaka would fit perfectly on this team alongside Horford.

[Big333223]

Denver has a glut of bigs but I might be more inclined to go after Jokic, not Nurkic. Jokic doesn't have the same size but he's the more skilled, versatile of the two and would still be a big help of the boards. If he's available, I'd go that way.

Similar with Orlando, I don't have much interest in Ibaka. He's peaked as a player but his reputation is going to net him a monster contract this summer that I don't want any part of. But Vucevic is on a great deal that could be moved in a heartbeat if the C's needed the cap space this summer. He's not perfect but he gives real, legit size in the middle, he'd help on the boards, and he's a smart passer who would fit the team. I'd target him before Ibaka.

I'll also just say, Willie Cauley-Stein doesn't look ready to contribute just yet. I'd definitely prioritize Noel over him.

[KGs Knee]

The only guy I see here that I would pursue is Nurkic. Cousins is a cancer. Noel can be had for nothing in the off season if Danny strikes out on a max level guy. Monroe is a net negative on the court and has been since a rookie, very much not the type of big this team is looking for. Cauley-Stein just isnt that good. Vucevic has two years remaining and would kill any chance of the Celtics being able to offer a max contract any time soon.

The guy I go after is Serge Ibaka if the Magic still suck come the trade deadline. You offer up Amir who has a matching $12 million expiring contract plus a pick and bring him in for just this year. Ibaka would fit perfectly on this team alongside Horford.

I wouldn't turn down a deal that brought in Ibaka if it only cost us Amir and a pick, provided it wasn't one of the Brooklyn picks or the Memphis pick. But Ibaka would not be even close to my first choice and I don't really think he'd be all that great of a fit. He'd be better than any big we have now, besides Horford, but I fear we'd just be re-creating what Atlanta had with Horford-Millsap. Ibaka and Millsap are somewhat similar players, although Millsap is actually a better rebounder.

Therein lies the problem, Ibaka would make Horford a full time center, and that is not something I think is a good idea. Horford is best used primarily as a PF who sometimes shifts over to center in smaller lineups. So with that in mind, I'd prefer to look for a center.

Nurkic could be a really good addition. Allow Horford to play mostly at PF, but if we go small with Horford at C to close out games isn't likely to cause a problem in the lockeroom about it. 

[nickagneta]

The only guy I see here that I would pursue is Nurkic. Cousins is a cancer. Noel can be had for nothing in the off season if Danny strikes out on a max level guy. Monroe is a net negative on the court and has been since a rookie, very much not the type of big this team is looking for. Cauley-Stein just isnt that good. Vucevic has two years remaining and would kill any chance of the Celtics being able to offer a max contract any time soon.

The guy I go after is Serge Ibaka if the Magic still suck come the trade deadline. You offer up Amir who has a matching $12 million expiring contract plus a pick and bring him in for just this year. Ibaka would fit perfectly on this team alongside Horford.

I wouldn't turn down a deal that brought in Ibaka if it only cost us Amir and a pick, provided it wasn't one of the Brooklyn picks or the Memphis pick. But Ibaka would not be even close to my first choice and I don't really think he'd be all that great of a fit. He'd be better than any big we have now, besides Horford, but I fear we'd just be re-creating what Atlanta had with Horford-Millsap. Ibaka and Millsap are somewhat similar players, although Millsap is actually a better rebounder.

Therein lies the problem, Ibaka would make Horford a full time center, and that is not something I think is a good idea. Horford is best used primarily as a PF who sometimes shifts over to center in smaller lineups. So with that in mind, I'd prefer to look for a center.

Nurkic could be a really good addition. Allow Horford to play mostly at PF, but if we go small with Horford at C to close out games isn't likely to cause a problem in the lockeroom about it.

Horford is perceived as a center by the Celtics organization and plays center most of the time.

[chilidawg]

I have no numbers to back it up, but I think we're better off with Horford at the center.  Today's NBA requires skill and mobility, and a pairing like Nurkic/Horford would struggle, imo.

[KGs Knee]

The only guy I see here that I would pursue is Nurkic. Cousins is a cancer. Noel can be had for nothing in the off season if Danny strikes out on a max level guy. Monroe is a net negative on the court and has been since a rookie, very much not the type of big this team is looking for. Cauley-Stein just isnt that good. Vucevic has two years remaining and would kill any chance of the Celtics being able to offer a max contract any time soon.

The guy I go after is Serge Ibaka if the Magic still suck come the trade deadline. You offer up Amir who has a matching $12 million expiring contract plus a pick and bring him in for just this year. Ibaka would fit perfectly on this team alongside Horford.

I wouldn't turn down a deal that brought in Ibaka if it only cost us Amir and a pick, provided it wasn't one of the Brooklyn picks or the Memphis pick. But Ibaka would not be even close to my first choice and I don't really think he'd be all that great of a fit. He'd be better than any big we have now, besides Horford, but I fear we'd just be re-creating what Atlanta had with Horford-Millsap. Ibaka and Millsap are somewhat similar players, although Millsap is actually a better rebounder.

Therein lies the problem, Ibaka would make Horford a full time center, and that is not something I think is a good idea. Horford is best used primarily as a PF who sometimes shifts over to center in smaller lineups. So with that in mind, I'd prefer to look for a center.

Nurkic could be a really good addition. Allow Horford to play mostly at PF, but if we go small with Horford at C to close out games isn't likely to cause a problem in the lockeroom about it.

Horford is perceived as a center by the Celtics organization and plays center most of the time.

Al himself says he prefers to play PF, and is still our starting PF. Horford has begun to see more time at C with Amir being pushed out of the rotation more and more, but that wasn't the case earlier in the season.

And none of this changes the fact Horford is best used as I described.

[Rosco917]

Great post...

I feel Noel will add most to our starting lineup. When allowed to actually play daily he is developing an offense game, he rebounds, and defends well. He is able to cover 3's,4's, and 5's, he's mobile. He'll give Horford a chance to play PF, his position of choice. He's not a big, slow lumbering type of Center. If you want to go small, Horford slides to the center position.

He comes from the Boston area, I think he may want to sign and remain here. He's certainly not a max player. 

Don't count out Cauley-Stien, I'm able to watch him often, he's playing behind 2 veteran bigs, one being Cousins. Every time he get a chance to play, he contributes, and plays solid D, again he can defend 3 through 5. Again he's very mobil, he runs the floor very well...And he's on a rookie contract.

Both are young and have upside remaining. They fit on this team better than an older, slower, veteran center, who will be retired in 2-3 years. Let's get a big we can develop, the C's aren't a contender for anything but a first round out.

[wdleehi]

I think the trade for a role playing big man will happen closer to the trade deadline provided it leaves the Celtics with the flexibility to create the max cap space in the offseason.


Up until that point, I imagine the Celtics will keep all trade bait and flexibility to make the swing for the fences trade. 

[KGs Knee]

I think the trade for a role playing big man will happen closer to the trade deadline provided it leaves the Celtics with the flexibility to create the max cap space in the offseason.


Up until that point, I imagine the Celtics will keep all trade bait and flexibility to make the swing for the fences trade. 

Yeah, I doubt Ainge is going to rush out and trade for a minor upgrade in the front court until he's certain there isn't going to be a trade available for a star.  And whatever trade he does make is likely to be for a rental, or someone on a small contract.  I just can't see Ainge trading for a non-star player that has future guaranteed salary that may eat into our ability to sin a max free agent, it would be kind of foolish to do.

[nickagneta]

I think the trade for a role playing big man will happen closer to the trade deadline provided it leaves the Celtics with the flexibility to create the max cap space in the offseason.


Up until that point, I imagine the Celtics will keep all trade bait and flexibility to make the swing for the fences trade. 

Yeah, I doubt Ainge is going to rush out and trade for a minor upgrade in the front court until he's certain there isn't going to be a trade available for a star.  And whatever trade he does make is likely to be for a rental, or someone on a small contract.  I just can't see Ainge trading for a non-star player that has future guaranteed salary that may eat into our ability to sin a max free agent, it would be kind of foolish to do.

Hence my Ibaka trade idea

[nickagneta]

The only guy I see here that I would pursue is Nurkic. Cousins is a cancer. Noel can be had for nothing in the off season if Danny strikes out on a max level guy. Monroe is a net negative on the court and has been since a rookie, very much not the type of big this team is looking for. Cauley-Stein just isnt that good. Vucevic has two years remaining and would kill any chance of the Celtics being able to offer a max contract any time soon.

The guy I go after is Serge Ibaka if the Magic still suck come the trade deadline. You offer up Amir who has a matching $12 million expiring contract plus a pick and bring him in for just this year. Ibaka would fit perfectly on this team alongside Horford.

I wouldn't turn down a deal that brought in Ibaka if it only cost us Amir and a pick, provided it wasn't one of the Brooklyn picks or the Memphis pick. But Ibaka would not be even close to my first choice and I don't really think he'd be all that great of a fit. He'd be better than any big we have now, besides Horford, but I fear we'd just be re-creating what Atlanta had with Horford-Millsap. Ibaka and Millsap are somewhat similar players, although Millsap is actually a better rebounder.

Therein lies the problem, Ibaka would make Horford a full time center, and that is not something I think is a good idea. Horford is best used primarily as a PF who sometimes shifts over to center in smaller lineups. So with that in mind, I'd prefer to look for a center.

Nurkic could be a really good addition. Allow Horford to play mostly at PF, but if we go small with Horford at C to close out games isn't likely to cause a problem in the lockeroom about it.

Horford is perceived as a center by the Celtics organization and plays center most of the time.

Al himself says he prefers to play PF, and is still our starting PF. Horford has begun to see more time at C with Amir being pushed out of the rotation more and more, but that wasn't the case earlier in the season.

And none of this changes the fact Horford is best used as I described.

Well we are both probably wrong as Stevens has said in the past he has three positions: bigs, wings and guards. I imagine an Ibaka/Horford duo would just be two bigs playing together with whichever big that is best capable guarding the center on any particular day

[cltc5]

Danny has had enough opportunity to right the ship.  He coulda had ibaka a few years ago, never went after him.  Had giorg deng sitting there to be drafted, never took him.  Ainge has done nothing but played it safe since Stevens got here and it's near time for both of them to go.  Enough with the feel good stories and opportunities, we need a real team!

[BitterJim]

Danny has had enough opportunity to right the ship.  He coulda had ibaka a few years ago, never went after him.  Had giorg deng sitting there to be drafted, never took him.  Ainge has done nothing but played it safe since Stevens got here and it's near time for both of them to go.  Enough with the feel good stories and opportunities, we need a real team!

Any source on that? I have a hard time believing that OKC was gonna trade Ibaka back before Steven Adams broke out (not to mention what the price for him would have been - Orlando traded a former #2 pick and another first rounder for a one year rental of him. And that's not even mentioning that he looked like a much better player a few years ago)

I haven't seen anything to make me think he was available a few years ago, nevermind whether or not he would have been available for a reasonable price

[cltc5]

Danny has had enough opportunity to right the ship.  He coulda had ibaka a few years ago, never went after him.  Had giorg deng sitting there to be drafted, never took him.  Ainge has done nothing but played it safe since Stevens got here and it's near time for both of them to go.  Enough with the feel good stories and opportunities, we need a real team!

Any source on that? I have a hard time believing that OKC was gonna trade Ibaka back before Steven Adams broke out (not to mention what the price for him would have been - Orlando traded a former #2 pick and another first rounder for a one year rental of him. And that's not even mentioning that he looked like a much better player a few years ago)

I haven't seen anything to make me think he was available a few years ago, nevermind whether or not he would have been available for a reasonable price

I think the same year we got Jeff green