Would you give up Smart for Millsap? I would (Poll)

[BitterJim]

If Atlanta wants Smart, then I would take my chances on Millsap in free agency.

With Millsap's impending free agency, he's not worth Smart. I would give Atlanta the Memphis first, Olynyk, Rozier and Zeller.

There has to be a premium on getting him this year. He would vault them past Toronto, so that they won't have to face the Cavs again in the first round. What price that's worth is up to Ainge.

In that Starters show last night on NBA network, the kid from Toronto mentioned the Raptors as a suitor for Millsap. I don't know if Toronto is a serious suitor, but the Celtics have more weapons to get him, and Horford might be a draw.

There's no real possibility that we face the Cavs in the first round without Millsap, either.  We'd have to finish 7th or 8th in the East (both of which are currently held by sub-.500 teams) for that to be reasonable possible. 

The most likely scenario as it stands now is CLE/TOR/BOS (in that order) as the top 3 teams, so the only benefit of vaulting ahead of Toronto would be home court advantage in the second round (and giving us a better chance at making, but not wining, the ECF).  I'd rather have Smart and try for Millsap as plan C in free agency (behind the longshots of Griffin and Hayward)

[Eddie20]

I love Smart and would hate to give him up for Millsap. However, the only way I could see Ainge doing this if he's taking a longview approach. I know it sounds weird since Millsap is turning 32, but I'm referring to the draft and it's high level guards. For example, we could draft Fultz, Monk, or Smith (which is the type of player Ainge would covet) and fill Smart's minutes accordingly.

So the starters next year would be:

Millsap
Crowder
Horford
Thomas
Bradley

With a bench rotation of:

Brown (who most likely would also be seeing some 4 minutes as well with his expected maturity)
Olynyk (assuming the price is right)
Rozier (assuming he makes another jump next year)
Fultz, Monk, or Smith (all seem like a good fit despite the different skills they possess)
Big man (physical veteran with the MLE)

[Who]

If Millsap were to sign a contract extension, I'd give up Smart for him.

Not without a contract extension though.

[saltlover]

If Millsap were to sign a contract extension, I'd give up Smart for him.

Not without a contract extension though.

What if he exercised his player option for next season at the time of the trade?

[CapnDunks]

I have no clue how much value Smart has around the league.

[Who]

If Millsap were to sign a contract extension, I'd give up Smart for him.

Not without a contract extension though.

What if he exercised his player option for next season at the time of the trade?

I don't know. Maybe. That is tempting.

[Moranis]

It wouldn't be that Smart (see what I did there) to trade Marcus for a 6 month rental. I'd rather wait until free agency.

and then you don't land Millsap because you wouldn't trade a bench player.  This thread is truly astonishing

Or you trade your only good bench player for a 3 or 4 month rental of a 32 year old player that isn't good enough to make you a contender, and have to either sign him to a big contract or lose him for nothing

This isn't Boogie or Blake Griffin we're talking about, it's Paul Millsap (a good player, but not good enough to vault us into contention)

worth the risk for a bench player who doesn't appear he will ever be more than that

[BitterJim]

It wouldn't be that Smart (see what I did there) to trade Marcus for a 6 month rental. I'd rather wait until free agency.

and then you don't land Millsap because you wouldn't trade a bench player.  This thread is truly astonishing

Or you trade your only good bench player for a 3 or 4 month rental of a 32 year old player that isn't good enough to make you a contender, and have to either sign him to a big contract or lose him for nothing

This isn't Boogie or Blake Griffin we're talking about, it's Paul Millsap (a good player, but not good enough to vault us into contention)

worth the risk for a bench player who doesn't appear he will ever be more than that

Ever be more than what? One of the best young defenders in the NBA and a capable point guard?

[Moranis]

It wouldn't be that Smart (see what I did there) to trade Marcus for a 6 month rental. I'd rather wait until free agency.

and then you don't land Millsap because you wouldn't trade a bench player.  This thread is truly astonishing

Or you trade your only good bench player for a 3 or 4 month rental of a 32 year old player that isn't good enough to make you a contender, and have to either sign him to a big contract or lose him for nothing

This isn't Boogie or Blake Griffin we're talking about, it's Paul Millsap (a good player, but not good enough to vault us into contention)

worth the risk for a bench player who doesn't appear he will ever be more than that

Ever be more than what? One of the best young defenders in the NBA and a capable point guard?

Andre Roberson, Tony Allen, and countless other players do.what Smart does.  They aren't that hard to find and they don't do much for the win total.  Millsap is a multiple time all star that would be Boston's best player and you don't want to trade a bench player that is in the discussion for worst offensive player in league history

[BitterJim]

It wouldn't be that Smart (see what I did there) to trade Marcus for a 6 month rental. I'd rather wait until free agency.

and then you don't land Millsap because you wouldn't trade a bench player.  This thread is truly astonishing

Or you trade your only good bench player for a 3 or 4 month rental of a 32 year old player that isn't good enough to make you a contender, and have to either sign him to a big contract or lose him for nothing

This isn't Boogie or Blake Griffin we're talking about, it's Paul Millsap (a good player, but not good enough to vault us into contention)

worth the risk for a bench player who doesn't appear he will ever be more than that

Ever be more than what? One of the best young defenders in the NBA and a capable point guard?

Andre Roberson, Tony Allen, and countless other players do.what Smart does.  They aren't that hard to find and they don't do much for the win total.  Millsap is a multiple time all star that would be Boston's best player and you don't want to trade a bench player that is in the discussion for worst offensive player in league history

Defensively, yes, Tony Allen and Smart are comparable players, but Smart can actually run an offense while Tony Allen can't even contribute to one

Millsap is a very good player, bo doubt about it. But you don't trade an almost 23 year old 6th man for the #3 team in the East for a few months of a guy that can't put you over the top if you want to do more than just make the playoffs

I agree that you would definitely trade the worst offensive player in the NBA for a few months of Millsap, but I don't see how that's relevant to a discussion about Smart and Millsap

[IDreamCeltics]

It's really a no-brainer.  If you can trade a backup point-guard for a perennial All-Star and top 20 NBA player you do it... Maybe you can convince Millsap to stay on after the season maybe not, but the team is stocked up with guard prospects and has 2 projected lottery picks in the next two years...  You can easily replace a backup point guard.

Millsap on the other hand is one of a handful of talented two-way bigs in the league, a trade for him would immediately take the Hawks out of contention in the east and make the Celtics competitive with the Cavs and Raptors.

If the goal is to win Championships you acquire Millsap.  Again... adding a top 20 NBA player to a team on the verge of contention is a good thing.

Food for thought:  Demarcus Cousins is ranked 12th in the NBA in Real Plus Minus, Paul Millsap is ranked 14th in the NBA in Real Plus Minus. 
 

[alewilliam789]

It's really a no-brainer.  If you can trade a backup point-guard for a perennial All-Star and top 20 NBA player you do it... Maybe you can convince Millsap to stay on after the season maybe not, but the team is stocked up with guard prospects and has 2 projected lottery picks in the next two years...  You can easily replace a backup point guard.

Millsap on the other hand is one of a handful of talented two-way bigs in the league, a trade for him would immediately take the Hawks out of contention in the east and make the Celtics competitive with the Cavs and Raptors.

If the goal is to win Championships you acquire Millsap.  Again... adding a top 20 NBA player to a team on the verge of contention is a good thing.

Food for thought:  Demarcus Cousins is ranked 12th in the NBA in Real Plus Minus, Paul Millsap is ranked 14th in the NBA in Real Plus Minus.

Hallelujah!! We can replace Smart in this next year's draft with either Fultz, Ntilikina, or Dennis Smith Jr. because it's such a point guard strong draft class. I would just try and grab a back up in the process or go grab a veteran.

We know Al Horford and Millsap play well together and have good chemistry which gives us a good chance at keeping him next year. What's better than playing winning basketball? Playing winning basketball with a player that you've played with and been successful with and is most likely a friend.

[Bobshot]

I like Smart a lot, but I tell you this: if they had Millsap instead of Olynyk, they would be right there with all the top contenders. That is, assuming they could get him without giving up their core players. And I'm hesitant to give up Smart for his toughness. I'd rather give up one of those Nets picks if I knew I could re-sign him.

Watching that Utah game tonite, the two most electrifying Celtics were IT and Brown. Brown was great in 8 or so minutes early--8 pts and a block. Then he disappeared on the bench.

I don't know what it is with Stevens. He plays that clod Olynyk, and you hold your breath as he creates turnovers. Brown looks almost ready to break out. That kid has moves.

[Fireworks_Boom!]

This thread is ridiculous. For those saying yes, I can't even fathom why. No way you trade a cost controlled, up and coming franchise type player, whose worth is equal on the court as it in the locker room, for a 32 year old expiring contract, free agent to be.

Ludicrous...

[GreenWarrior]

lol, so we can be the hawks?!?!!?

Ainge wouldn't part with smart when it came to butler or cousins but milsap!?!? lol. this place is comedy you can't buy.