Monroe Buyout / Signing with Celtics (merged threads)

[kozlodoev]

That’s absurd.  Yabusele was chosen over keeping Jordan Mickey, and he was kept ahead of Ante Zizic.  He’s looked as advertised — a guy with a lot of raw talent who has a long way to go.  Who knows what will become of that talent, and ultimately it will help him to be traded somewhere that he has a chance to play, but he has value to NBA teams looking towards the future.

My old kitchen table would have been kept over Jordan Mickey. Keeping someone who might be an NBA player (however unlikely) over someone who clearly isn't is a no-brainer. I've seen no indication that Cleveland wanted Yabusele over Zizic, though admittedly it's not something I've dwelled on.

Don't know where you see talent -- I see a guy who is routinely outsized and overmatched. And there's the fact that he has had conditioning issues throughout his career to boot. Mark my words, he won't last his rookie contract in the NBA.

Not losing sleep if the team sends him packing to get a real player.

[kozlodoev]

What is everyone's obsession with trading Yabusele?

Well, we ran out of roster spots, and Yabusele is expendable. His salary also conveniently matches Evans'.

[Monkhouse]

Why are you guys so infatuated with giving up Yabusele...

Horford has spoken highly of his potential.

Even though salaries match, I would rather like to hold onto him... I think he has very high ceiling, and if there is anyone who can bring it out of him, it's Horford who has taken a veteran leadership and mentoring role, and of course Brad Stevens.

(If only, if only, his salary didn't match Evans...) Sigh... 

[jpotter33]

What a huge nab for us, especially since it only cost us Hayward’s ankle! 

Seriously, though, if we add a Williams or Reke in addition to Moose, look out NBA, because we have a legitimate shot of hanging Banner 18 this year!

Do you genuinely believe that? You could add both and we wouldn't beat GS imo.  IF we got past LBJ (still doubtful imo), I'd expect a gentleman's sweep at best.  Our best player may not bew the 3rd best player in a series against GS.  It really isn't even close.

Have you watched any of Cleveland lately? We’d clearly be the favorites (along with Toronto) in that series right now, and that’s before even discussing Love’s injury and us adding Monroe, let alone the possibility of Hayward coming back or us adding a Tyreke or Lou.

As for GS, I don’t understand why people think they’re invincible. We’ve *literally* played them point for point this year in our two matchups. They’re one of the best teams in decades, but they are beatable in the right matchup, which we happen to matchup very well with them. Sure, they’ll be favored over us, but people acting like it wouldn’t even be a series haven’t been watching the same basketball the rest of us have this season.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

What is everyone's obsession with trading Yabusele?

Well, we ran out of roster spots, and Yabusele is expendable. His salary also conveniently matches Evans'.

That's pretty short-sighted thinking. What if he becomes a consistent starter? Would it be worth it then for a roster spot and a 1-year rental?

Larkin+Nader also works. Why not trade them?

Seems like Celtics blog is too ready to trade young players in short-sighted moves.

[cltc5]

Why are you guys so infatuated with giving up Yabusele...

Horford has spoken highly of his potential.

Even though salaries match, I would rather like to hold onto him... I think he has very high ceiling, and if there is anyone who can bring it out of him, it's Horford who has taken a veteran leadership and mentoring role, and of course Brad Stevens.

(If only, if only, his salary didn't match Evans...) Sigh... 

Umm he's been in the league two years and hasn't done Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.

[saltlover]

Why are you guys so infatuated with giving up Yabusele...

Horford has spoken highly of his potential.

Even though salaries match, I would rather like to hold onto him... I think he has very high ceiling, and if there is anyone who can bring it out of him, it's Horford who has taken a veteran leadership and mentoring role, and of course Brad Stevens.

(If only, if only, his salary didn't match Evans...) Sigh... 

Umm he's been in the league two years and hasn't done ****

Umm, no, this is his first year.

[KGs Knee]

What a huge nab for us, especially since it only cost us Hayward’s ankle! 

Seriously, though, if we add a Williams or Reke in addition to Moose, look out NBA, because we have a legitimate shot of hanging Banner 18 this year!

Do you genuinely believe that? You could add both and we wouldn't beat GS imo.  IF we got past LBJ (still doubtful imo), I'd expect a gentleman's sweep at best.  Our best player may not bew the 3rd best player in a series against GS.  It really isn't even close. 

Ye of little faith.

We absolutely have a legitimate shot of not just getting to the Finals, but posing a serious threat to GSW.

I mean, if we still had IT instead of Kyrie, we might not even make the playoffs, but I digress.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

That’s absurd.  Yabusele was chosen over keeping Jordan Mickey, and he was kept ahead of Ante Zizic.  He’s looked as advertised — a guy with a lot of raw talent who has a long way to go.  Who knows what will become of that talent, and ultimately it will help him to be traded somewhere that he has a chance to play, but he has value to NBA teams looking towards the future.

My old kitchen table would have been kept over Jordan Mickey. Keeping someone who might be an NBA player (however unlikely) over someone who clearly isn't is a no-brainer. I've seen no indication that Cleveland wanted Yabusele over Zizic, though admittedly it's not something I've dwelled on.

Don't know where you see talent -- I see a guy who is routinely outsized and overmatched. And there's the fact that he has had conditioning issues throughout his career to boot. Mark my words, he won't last his rookie contract in the NBA.

Not losing sleep if the team sends him packing to get a real player.

I am marking your words Koz, because Yabusele's shooting will keep him in the NBA longer that that.

I expect him to be a starter and a difficult matchup offensively for most teams. The struggle will be getting his defense up to par. At least he is putting in the effort on that side of the court.

[GreenEnvy]

Now Ainge can move Yabu and 2018 Celtics #1 for Evans

Just one of those please.  Both would be overkill for a rental.

I don't see how it would be overkill, given that one of these two has zero trade value.

You don’t trade a young player you just brought over from Europe/China that you knew would spend most of the year in the G-League if he has zero trade value. You wait to see if the asset matured beyond zero. This was always going to be  a development year for him.

Nader on the other hand is prime trade filler.

Yes, but you only brought Yabusele in because you ran out of options to sign warm bodies that are 6'8 or taller. He isn't an NBA player right now, and early indications are that he'll have the NBA career or someone like Semih Erden. There is no point in grooming someone who projects as mediocre to average NBA player in 4 years. Just go ahead and sign an average guy when you need one.

That’s absurd.  Yabusele was chosen over keeping Jordan Mickey, and he was kept ahead of Ante Zizic.  He’s looked as advertised — a guy with a lot of raw talent who has a long way to go.  Who knows what will become of that talent, and ultimately it will help him to be traded somewhere that he has a chance to play, but he has value to NBA teams looking towards the future.

Yeah. Yabu IS a first round pick. He was nearly a lottery pick (may have been a stretch by DA, but the kid has talent). He’s a 22-year-old rookie, so he’s not super young but still has plenty of time to grow into the NBA.

But if they asking price is Yabu and a 1st, I do it. What can we realistically expect from the 27-29 pick? We have title expectations and we would honestly probably be wasting a roster spot on a kid who won’t play over a veteran who can help.

Evans is the way to go. He’s big enough (at 6’6”) to play SF, but can run the offense as a PG. He’s a good shooter, rebounds well for his size and is also an adequate passer. I like that he can play both guard spots effectively, allowing Brad to play around with lineups/matchups.

Go get him Danny.

[GreenEnvy]

What a huge nab for us, especially since it only cost us Hayward’s ankle! 

Seriously, though, if we add a Williams or Reke in addition to Moose, look out NBA, because we have a legitimate shot of hanging Banner 18 this year!

Do you genuinely believe that? You could add both and we wouldn't beat GS imo.  IF we got past LBJ (still doubtful imo), I'd expect a gentleman's sweep at best.  Our best player may not bew the 3rd best player in a series against GS.  It really isn't even close. 

Ye of little faith.

We absolutely have a legitimate shot of not just getting to the Finals, but posing a serious threat to GSW.

I mean, if we still had IT instead of Kyrie, we might not even make the playoffs, but I digress.

If we get Evans now, Golden State will be taking knees after each practice collectively praying Hayward doesn’t return this season.

[tarheelsxxiii]

What a huge nab for us, especially since it only cost us Hayward’s ankle! 

Seriously, though, if we add a Williams or Reke in addition to Moose, look out NBA, because we have a legitimate shot of hanging Banner 18 this year!

Do you genuinely believe that? You could add both and we wouldn't beat GS imo.  IF we got past LBJ (still doubtful imo), I'd expect a gentleman's sweep at best.  Our best player may not bew the 3rd best player in a series against GS.  It really isn't even close.

Have you watched any of Cleveland lately? We’d clearly be the favorites (along with Toronto) in that series right now, and that’s before even discussing Love’s injury and us adding Monroe, let alone the possibility of Hayward coming back or us adding a Tyreke or Lou.

As for GS, I don’t understand why people think they’re invincible. We’ve *literally* played them point for point this year in our two matchups. They’re one of the best teams in decades, but they are beatable in the right matchup, which we happen to matchup very well with them. Sure, they’ll be favored over us, but people acting like it wouldn’t even be a series haven’t been watching the same basketball the rest of us have this season.

I haven't watched a single CLE game all year.  Nothing has changed... they struggle and don't care about the regular season (again).  They'll again go from worst to best in defense come playoffs.  Superstars play for championships. 

And again, you're comparing regular seasons.  Celts are 5x more motivated in these games.  GSW learned from their record-breaking season and now coast to the playoffs in good health.  I'd fully expect them to win in 4 or 5.  The talent discrepancy is truly laughable. 

[mgent]

Playoff rotation:

Kyrie 36 / Smart 12
Brown 32 / Smart 16
Tatum 28 / Hayward 16 / Smart 4
Monroe 24 / Morris 20 / Tatum 4
Horford 30 / Baynes 18

[CelticsElite]

This guy is a really underrated passer too

[Erik]

Playoff rotation:

Kyrie 36 / Smart 12
Brown 32 / Smart 16
Tatum 28 / Hayward 16 / Smart 4
Monroe 24 / Morris 20 / Tatum 4
Horford 30 / Baynes 18

I see what you did there. 

Aside from that, the list needs more Theis!