Bringing some levity and common sense to this trade

[Mike Pemulis]

ESPN gave us a B+ and DET a D: AB had to go because of the cap vs DET got a one-year rental and lost MM and KCP.

From a purely rational standpoint, there was an overwhelming case that Bradley was the best option. Crowder has one of the league's best contracts, one that pays him an average of $7.3 million over the next three seasons. And while Smart is also in the final year of his deal, he'll be a restricted free agent next summer, allowing Boston to control the process and potentially keep down his salary. (At 23, he's also more than three years younger than Bradley.)

and

In the worst-case scenario, the Celtics would have lost two of their core players (one by trade, Bradley by free agency). The best-case option had them paying Bradley more than $20 million a year, a move that in conjunction with re-signing All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas would have pushed them deep into the luxury tax for the foreseeable future.

Also, helps the position balance and MM is a serviceable rotation player. I hate losing AB because he could give top guards fits when healthy (he did vs Butler but wasn't healthy vs Kyrie in the playoffs).

Marcus hopefully absorbs this workload since he'll spend less time defending forwards this season.

[Ilikesports17]

ESPN gave us a B+ and DET a D: AB had to go because of the cap vs DET got a one-year rental and lost MM and KCP.

From a purely rational standpoint, there was an overwhelming case that Bradley was the best option. Crowder has one of the league's best contracts, one that pays him an average of $7.3 million over the next three seasons. And while Smart is also in the final year of his deal, he'll be a restricted free agent next summer, allowing Boston to control the process and potentially keep down his salary. (At 23, he's also more than three years younger than Bradley.)

and

In the worst-case scenario, the Celtics would have lost two of their core players (one by trade, Bradley by free agency). The best-case option had them paying Bradley more than $20 million a year, a move that in conjunction with re-signing All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas would have pushed them deep into the luxury tax for the foreseeable future.

Also, helps the position balance and MM is a serviceable rotation player. I hate losing AB because he could give top guards fits when healthy (he did vs Butler but wasn't healthy vs Kyrie in the playoffs).

Marcus hopefully absorbs this workload since he'll spend less time defending forwards this season.

He's got to slim down to do it.

Might help his offense too.

[Forza Juventus]

I don't care about the luxury tax and neither should any of us. If that is the main reason for this trade it's awful. I would like to believe it was for "basketball reasons" and to keep the "trade flexibility".

[Neurotic Guy]

ESPN gave us a B+ and DET a D: AB had to go because of the cap vs DET got a one-year rental and lost MM and KCP.

From a purely rational standpoint, there was an overwhelming case that Bradley was the best option. Crowder has one of the league's best contracts, one that pays him an average of $7.3 million over the next three seasons. And while Smart is also in the final year of his deal, he'll be a restricted free agent next summer, allowing Boston to control the process and potentially keep down his salary. (At 23, he's also more than three years younger than Bradley.)

and

In the worst-case scenario, the Celtics would have lost two of their core players (one by trade, Bradley by free agency). The best-case option had them paying Bradley more than $20 million a year, a move that in conjunction with re-signing All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas would have pushed them deep into the luxury tax for the foreseeable future.

Also, helps the position balance and MM is a serviceable rotation player. I hate losing AB because he could give top guards fits when healthy (he did vs Butler but wasn't healthy vs Kyrie in the playoffs).

Marcus hopefully absorbs this workload since he'll spend less time defending forwards this season.

He's got to slim down to do it.

Might help his offense too.

Everyone's talking about the prohibitive  20+M that Avery will command next year.  What are people's thoughts about what Marcus will be offered?  As a RFA the Cs will need to match any signed offer sheet to keep him.   How much will the Cs pay next year to sign IT to a max and then match whoever signs Marcus?   I don't think Smart will be offered AB money, but with a solid season and shot improvement he won't be far behind.

[chilidawg]

I don't care about the luxury tax and neither should any of us. If that is the main reason for this trade it's awful. I would like to believe it was for "basketball reasons" and to keep the "trade flexibility".

Not the luxury tax, but cap space.  We needed to clear cap space to sign Hayward.

[KGBirdBias]

What's funny to me is all year all we hear is how the Celtics don't have any talent. The media snubs AB from All Defensive teams and then as soon as we trade him and let KO walk and get Hayward....all these moves suck. LOL

Really, this team beat the Cavs without IT and added a All Star, drafted a stud and rugged PF who will give Bron more fouls.

It wasn't the Celtics fault they had to unload AB. This time next year when AB signs for $20M a year people will be thanking Ainge. This after he lands 2 top 5 picks.

Stevens deserves a influx of talent. He's coached with 2 bullets in the gun for 4 years. Now he's got 4 bullets and after next year he'll have a 6 shooter.

[Forza Juventus]

I don't care about the luxury tax and neither should any of us. If that is the main reason for this trade it's awful. I would like to believe it was for "basketball reasons" and to keep the "trade flexibility".

Not the luxury tax, but cap space.  We needed to clear cap space to sign Hayward.

I understand but Bradley is better than Crowder. We could have traded Crowder. If we decided on Bradley based on future luxury tax concerns I don't like the trade. But if it was for position versatility, trade flexibility etc I can live with it.

[Celtics4ever]

Everyone's talking about the prohibitive  20+M that Avery will command next year.  What are people's thoughts about what Marcus will be offered?

Unless he magically learns how to shoot it won't be 20 +million.   Are you one of those guys who thought KO would get $20 million a year?

[hwangjini_1]

Everyone's talking about the prohibitive  20+M that Avery will command next year.  What are people's thoughts about what Marcus will be offered?

Unless he magically learns how to shoot it won't be 20 +million.   Are you one of those guys who thought KO would get $20 million a year?

last season, avery shot:

3 pointers at 39%
2 pointers at 50%
Free throws at 73%

these are good numbers. what do you consider knowing how to shoot?

[CelticSooner]

What's funny to me is all year all we hear is how the Celtics don't have any talent. The media snubs AB from All Defensive teams and then as soon as we trade him and let KO walk and get Hayward....all these moves suck. LOL

Really, this team beat the Cavs without IT and added a All Star, drafted a stud and rugged PF who will give Bron more fouls.

It wasn't the Celtics fault they had to unload AB. This time next year when AB signs for $20M a year people will be thanking Ainge. This after he lands 2 top 5 picks.

Stevens deserves a influx of talent. He's coached with 2 bullets in the gun for 4 years. Now he's got 4 bullets and after next year he'll have a 6 shooter.

Ainge can do no good. Just gets old seeing it everywhere. Even here of all places.

[Celtics4ever]

As Ben Franklin said, " Common sense is not common!"  I will demonstrate in the next post.

[Celtics4ever]

Everyone's talking about the prohibitive  20+M that Avery will command next year.  What are people's thoughts about what Marcus will be offered?

Unless he magically learns how to shoot it won't be 20 +million.   Are you one of those guys who thought KO would get $20 million a year?

last season, avery shot:

3 pointers at 39%
2 pointers at 50%
Free throws at 73%

these are good numbers. what do you consider knowing how to shoot?

We were not taking about AB, epic snarky fail on your part.  Thank heavens for cut and paste eh?

Did you not read the part about Marcus will be offered?   I guess not.   All you demonstrated here is that you have poor reading comprehension!

I don't  consider Marcus Smart's  35.9% FG knowing how to shoot.  Do you?   

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smartma01.html

Go ahead and start your rationalizing defense mechanism....

[Cman]

Everyone's talking about the prohibitive  20+M that Avery will command next year.  What are people's thoughts about what Marcus will be offered?

Unless he magically learns how to shoot it won't be 20 +million.   Are you one of those guys who thought KO would get $20 million a year?

last season, avery shot:

3 pointers at 39%
2 pointers at 50%
Free throws at 73%

these are good numbers. what do you consider knowing how to shoot?

I think he's talking about Smart not Bradley. I don't expect Smart to get $20m per year. Rather closer to $12m would be my guess.

[kozlodoev]

What's funny to me is all year all we hear is how the Celtics don't have any talent. The media snubs AB from All Defensive teams and then as soon as we trade him and let KO walk and get Hayward....all these moves suck. LOL

Really, this team beat the Cavs without IT and added a All Star, drafted a stud and rugged PF who will give Bron more fouls.

It wasn't the Celtics fault they had to unload AB. This time next year when AB signs for $20M a year people will be thanking Ainge. This after he lands 2 top 5 picks.

Stevens deserves a influx of talent. He's coached with 2 bullets in the gun for 4 years. Now he's got 4 bullets and after next year he'll have a 6 shooter.

I'm sure that's how we're going to win against LeBron, by giving him more fouls. 

[Neurotic Guy]

Everyone's talking about the prohibitive  20+M that Avery will command next year.  What are people's thoughts about what Marcus will be offered?

Unless he magically learns how to shoot it won't be 20 +million.   Are you one of those guys who thought KO would get $20 million a year?

You should read posts before responding.  I didn't say that Marcus would earn 20M (and where did KO come from?).  I did say say that with a solid season and improved shot he wouldn't be too far behind AB.   I was curious about others' opinions on what they THINK Marcus' value might be especially in light of the presumption that Avery would be one and done because we wouldn't be able to afford him.  I do realize that bad-shooting Marcus does not get near Avery $.  And I was surprised Kelly got as much as he did (I realize others thought he might get more).