What's Your Level of Optimism for Morris's Contributions?

[crimson_stallion]

I brought this up in its own thread, but we had an obvious crowd at SG and obvious gap at PF, so I figured a lateral move based purely on positions was going to happen. I would say most of the time "lateral" moves feel like a loss because we like the player on our team and have an emotional attachment.


I would say objectively that Bradley is a better player, but there are a couple things to consider; right now, we still have Brown, Smart, Hayward, and Crowder who can guard 2s and 3s, and now we add a guy who I wish was a better rebounder, but can legitimately guard 4s. That really helps. Additionally, he is locked into his salary for this year and next at 5 million and 5.4 million which is a huge value added piece of the equation, since instead of extending Bradley and IT, we have the known valuable salary for Morris and just worry about IT.

Honestly, I think it was more about Bradley's contract situation than anything else.  I assume Morris has been picked up to replace Crowder, who I expect will be traded soon.

We really don't have another legit SG on the roster (unless you consider Hayward a SG) so losing Bradley is going to hurt.  Brown and Smart can play SG, but neither is a natural SG and neither can make up for the steady outside shooting Bradley gave us. 

I'm actually not the greatest fan of this deal because I feel we downgraded in pure basketball terms, while I also worry losing Bradley could hurt the team emotionally the same way it did when we lost Perk - it took the lockerroom months to recover.

I understand Bradley more or less had to go, but I would have liked it to have been in a deal that either got us a star / fringe star, or else a deal that got us a PF who can start for us effectively.  I kinda don't feel Morris fits either description.

But I do like him as a player in general, and I won't just the deal yet because I suspect that there is more to come.

Also possible that Boston are trying to work a S&T to the Jazz for Hayward and Favors - maybe the Jazz are hessitant to do it without getting a SF and PF back, and hence a Crowder/Morris offering might get it done. 

Will need to wait and see I guess.

[Jvalin]

He's a pretty good player on an excellent contract. Ainge did pretty well.

More like an average player on an excellent contract.

I'd much rather see us trading AB for a future pick (4 years cost control instead of 2).

[Future Celtics Owner]

I think the point you make about Drummond could be quite a good one actually. I think he can easily get 6-7 boards here, especially as he'll almost entirely be playing PF.

Sad to see AB go, but a solid guy on a good contract is a good result.

TP. He will also be good in the playoffs defending Love and switching on Lebron while playing the PF.

[nickagneta]

I love the contract and as a starter could see him getting 10 and 6. But I think his future is as a great contributor from the bench as I could see Tatum displacing here quickly and play at a ROY type level.

Again, just an awesome contract for what he brings to the court, much like Crowder, just excellent value for the buck.

[Pucaccia]

1. He is a very good player that should do well in CBS system,
2. He is tough.
3. Excellent Contract.
4. More than anything, It will fuel the Washington/Boston Rivalry and I have money down that they will get into a fight if we play them in the playoffs.

[SparzWizard]

Jeff Green. Inconsistent lol. But we'll see how he goes.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Another wrinkle to the Celtics-Wizards spitefest.

[fairweatherfan]

Jeff Green. Inconsistent lol. But we'll see how he goes.

Jeff Green where you're trading talent for attitude. 

I'm expecting him to be a nice complementary piece that we don't ask to do too much. Numbers don't matter as much as efficiency and making effort plays. He needs to focus heavily on rebounding to begin with though.

[CelticSooner]

How much better is Morris compared to Crowder? I'll admit he played for two teams I rarely watch.

[crimson_stallion]

He's a pretty good player on an excellent contract. Ainge did pretty well.

More like an average player on an excellent contract.

I'd much rather see us trading AB for a future pick (4 years cost control instead of 2).

I most certainly would not.  We have just drafted picks at #6 (Smart), #3 (Brown) and #3 (Tatum) and still have two potential lottery picks in next years draft.

I have absolutely no desire to add any more future picks - in fact I wish Danny would start offloading some of the ones he's got, because with this many of them projecting to fall in the lottery our future is pretty much set.  I'd much rather work on the 'now'.   

[Hawkeye199]

Morris can not rebound

[crimson_stallion]

My instinct tells me that Boston are aiming for a Thomas / Hayward / Morris / Favors / Horford starting five, and that they will now look to trade Smart and Crowder (maybe a pick too) to the Jazz in return for Favors and Hayward.

Money they saved in the AB deal likely would allow them to absorb Hayward with cap space left over, while Smart + Crowder ($11.5m) add up to almost exactly the same amount as Favors ($12m).

[18isGREATERthan72]

Morris can not rebound

While the stats definitely back this up, I think that ignores the context of him playing next to the league leader in TReb% in Andre Drummond.  I don't expect Morris to be a dominant rebounder by any means, but I'm willing to bet he'd average quite a bit more in Boston than in Detroit.

[SHAQATTACK]

Morris , Crowder , Zizic and Brown to unmercifully ride Draymond Green into the ground over 4 periods

[cltc5]

Huge.  Bigger stronger jaw crowder type.  Shoots 3 and rebounds.  Big win for us all around.