Celtics Weren't Willing To Re-Sign Ibaka After The Season..

[Phantom255x]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/source-boston-celtics-werent-willing-re-sign-serge-ibaka-after-season-had-they-traded-him

.. which is another reason they didn't go after him as hard as Toronto did.

This is a little surprising, only because it kind of makes you think Ainge and the C's don't want Ibaka long term.

So where does that leave them in FA?

Doubt Hayward, Griffin and Noel are leaving their current teams.

Then who is left? Millsap?

Oh and you can watch the Felger/Mazz video at your own peril. Mazz said "Olynyk sucks", Felger doesn't like him, and someone said Rozier will be better than Smart long term. What Felger did say that made sense (which is shocking) is that the C's are better suited to make a small trade to get to Cleveland, then should try and make a move to get better than Cleveland next season. But I disagree when he says the C's should trade for Butler EVEN IF he doesn't get them past Cleveland THIS YEAR. I don't think he realizes how expensive Butler really is on the market.

[Monkhouse]

This isn't anything new though.

We already knew Ainge was not interested in Ibaka, so why give up assets for a rental that isn't going to push us over the top?

[jpotter33]

I've got an inkling that Danny thinks we've got a good shot at Blake this summer, which might not be a crazy idea with how things have played out so far for these teams this year.

To me, that's one of the only things that makes sense in this whole Ibaka deal.

[Phantom255x]

This isn't anything new though.

We already knew Ainge was not interested in Ibaka, so why give up assets for a rental that isn't going to push us over the top?

The tidbit I found interesting though was that he never planned on having Ibaka here long term.

Obviously things can change, but if that's the case that could be another "realistic target" that is out of the market potentially. It's looking even thinner, the FA market that is.

[NHCelticsFan]

I wouldn't rule out Hayward leaving Utah.  He already said he will go where he feels he can win a ring, and Utah has struggled a little bit as of late.

Boston has been on fire lately, and Hayward fits our needs.  The Butler/Stevens connection is a huge plus as well.

Boston recently beat Utah.  We are already better than they are, and adding Hayward would make us even better than we are now.  I'm sure he has at least thought about playing in Boston.

Edit:. Just wanted to add that Hayward in Boston would mean a shared load for both Gordon and IT.  Each of those two are being asked to play the lead role offensively for their teams, and would compliment each other well on the same team.

[86MaxwellSmart]

Ibaka is like 35 years old...and looked invisible the last time he played against us.

[Phantom255x]

I wouldn't rule out Hayward leaving Utah.  He already said he will go where he feels he can win a ring, and Utah has struggled a little bit as of late.

Boston has been on fire lately, and Hayward fits our needs.  The Butler/Stevens connection is a huge plus as well.

Boston recently beat Utah.  We are already better than they are, and adding Hayward would make us even better than we are now.  I'm sure he has at least thought about playing in Boston.

Edit:. Just wanted to add that Hayward in Boston would mean a shared load for both Gordon and IT.  Each of those two are being asked to play the lead role offensively for their teams, and would compliment each other well on the same team.

I wouldn't mind Hayward here, and he would be a great fit (#2 scorer and plays good defense).

Might make Bradley available in a trade to fill another need.

Especially if they plan to extend IT+Smart going forward.

[BitterJim]

I've got an inkling that Danny thinks we've got a good shot at Blake this summer, which might not be a crazy idea with how things have played out so far for these teams this year.

To me, that's one of the only things that makes sense in this whole Ibaka deal.

I hope Paul Pierce has been influencing Blake a bit.  If the Clippers get bounced in the first round again, I could see him deciding to move on

[86MaxwellSmart]

I've got an inkling that Danny thinks we've got a good shot at Blake this summer, which might not be a crazy idea with how things have played out so far for these teams this year.

To me, that's one of the only things that makes sense in this whole Ibaka deal.

I hope Paul Pierce has been influencing Blake a bit.  If the Clippers get bounced in the first round again, I could see him deciding to move on

[/b]

They don't make KIA commercials in Boston.

[Phantom255x]

I've got an inkling that Danny thinks we've got a good shot at Blake this summer, which might not be a crazy idea with how things have played out so far for these teams this year.

To me, that's one of the only things that makes sense in this whole Ibaka deal.

I hope Paul Pierce has been influencing Blake a bit.  If the Clippers get bounced in the first round again, I could see him deciding to move on

Probably a stupid question to ask..

But is Blake worth it anymore with all the injuries and everything?

I know I included in the post that I doubt Griffin is available, but even if he is, does he still have the hops to be effective?

[Ilikesports17]

I've got an inkling that Danny thinks we've got a good shot at Blake this summer, which might not be a crazy idea with how things have played out so far for these teams this year.

To me, that's one of the only things that makes sense in this whole Ibaka deal.

I hope Paul Pierce has been influencing Blake a bit.  If the Clippers get bounced in the first round again, I could see him deciding to move on

Probably a stupid question to ask..

But is Blake worth it anymore with all the injuries and everything?

I know I included in the post that I doubt Griffin is available, but even if he is, does he still have the hops to be effective?

yes yes yes.

He is a very good passer and in since returning from injury is averaging 24/9/5 with 53% shooting.

[jpotter33]

I've got an inkling that Danny thinks we've got a good shot at Blake this summer, which might not be a crazy idea with how things have played out so far for these teams this year.

To me, that's one of the only things that makes sense in this whole Ibaka deal.

I hope Paul Pierce has been influencing Blake a bit.  If the Clippers get bounced in the first round again, I could see him deciding to move on

Probably a stupid question to ask..

But is Blake worth it anymore with all the injuries and everything?

I know I included in the post that I doubt Griffin is available, but even if he is, does he still have the hops to be effective?

Sure, because honestly what else is out there? Ibaka most likely stays with Toronto, and Griffin is surely still much better than Milsap.

We're going to have to spend that cap space somewhere, and this will be the last summer to make any free agent splash for awhile. So why not? It won't cost us going forward, so it's ultimately a win-win for us. He's still easily the best ATTAINABLE free agent this summer since Curry and Durant most likely won't leave.

[csfansince60s]

The old adage that the best trades are sometimes the ones you don't make certainly applies here.

[Phantom255x]

I've got an inkling that Danny thinks we've got a good shot at Blake this summer, which might not be a crazy idea with how things have played out so far for these teams this year.

To me, that's one of the only things that makes sense in this whole Ibaka deal.

I hope Paul Pierce has been influencing Blake a bit.  If the Clippers get bounced in the first round again, I could see him deciding to move on

Probably a stupid question to ask..

But is Blake worth it anymore with all the injuries and everything?

I know I included in the post that I doubt Griffin is available, but even if he is, does he still have the hops to be effective?

yes yes yes.

He is a very good passer and in since returning from injury is averaging 24/9/5 with 53% shooting.

Great to hear.

I remember like in an Area 21 segment on TNT, there was KG helping Blake out with some post moves.

If Griffin could stay healthy and develop a post game, oh man he could really blossom into something else... He's close but not a superstar now but he could get there if it works out.

[Stig]

I wouldn't rule out Hayward leaving Utah.  He already said he will go where he feels he can win a ring, and Utah has struggled a little bit as of late.

Boston has been on fire lately, and Hayward fits our needs.  The Butler/Stevens connection is a huge plus as well.

Boston recently beat Utah.  We are already better than they are, and adding Hayward would make us even better than we are now.  I'm sure he has at least thought about playing in Boston.

Edit:. Just wanted to add that Hayward in Boston would mean a shared load for both Gordon and IT.  Each of those two are being asked to play the lead role offensively for their teams, and would compliment each other well on the same team.

Will Hayward give up that much money to join Celtics? and even he does what do you do with Crowder?