Boston's "predicament"

[LogicMan]

A Godfather offer for Cousins would look like:

BOS: DeMarcus Cousins, Darren Collison

SAC: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Brooklyn's pick, Amir Johnson (for salary purposes)

I would make that trade, although I dont know how we would make up for Smarts offense

 

[LogicMan]

I saw the following report this week. Sting, even since you started this the predicament is more fascinating. They are one of the best teams even without the super high value draft picks being used.

Since December 15, the Warriors are the only team in the league with a better record than Boston’s 23-7 mark. The way things currently stand, the Celtics are on track for an ECF matchup with Cleveland. However, there’s a good chance the final outcome of that series remains the same regardless of whether or not Ainge makes a major trade. At the moment, Boston is teetering on the brink of title contention. Rather than push to make the leap right now, why not try to keep the window open for as long as possible?

 

[WiggyRuss]

LeBron James is avergaging a career high in assists and is still the best player in the game- and his sidekick Irving has not even entered his prime years yet.

If Boston doesnt wait they will wish they would have.

No matter who Boston gets the Cavs will have the 2 best players in the series.

 

[tlance]

I saw the following report this week. Sting, even since you started this the predicament is more fascinating. They are one of the best teams even without the super high value draft picks being used.

Since December 15, the Warriors are the only team in the league with a better record than Boston’s 23-7 mark. The way things currently stand, the Celtics are on track for an ECF matchup with Cleveland. However, there’s a good chance the final outcome of that series remains the same regardless of whether or not Ainge makes a major trade. At the moment, Boston is teetering on the brink of title contention. Rather than push to make the leap right now, why not try to keep the window open for as long as possible?

The main issue is that the top players in the draft class are guards, so this may be the year to trade the pick. I think they should keep next year's pick though.

 

[larryjohn]

The main issue is that the top players in the draft class are guards, so this may be the year to trade the pick. I think they should keep next year's pick though.

Instead I thought they might move Smart or Bradley -- opening up a spot for Fultz or Ball.

 

[LogicMan]

BOSTON (CBS) — The Celtics are one of the hottest teams in the NBA as next Thursday’s trade deadline approaches, but that hasn’t changed Danny Ainge’s approach.

The C’s have won 11 of 12 and sit just 2.5 games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. But Ainge said his philosophy hasn’t changed at all because of the success of the team and he wants someone who can be a part of the big picture long-term, and not a quick fix who will only be around for a couple of months.

“I’m certainly aware of all of our competition around the East. It’s not from a lack of desire to want to do a trade, but as an organization we have priorities and a plan,” Ainge told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich during his weekly interview Thursday morning. “We’re not looking for Band-Aids and we’re not looking to give up future assets. We’re trying to build something more sustainable than a rent-a-player.”

Ainge said there has been plenty of interest in this year’s Brooklyn Nets pick, which has the best odds of being the top overall selection in June, but the team’s dearth of future picks and young assets makes the asking price go up whenever he’s dealing with other teams.

“Everyone knows the assets we have and the young players we have,” he said. “In any conversation we have the price is a lot because of what we have in the bank. That’s the challenge we’re facing and we’re trying to stick to our plan. If a deal comes along where the price to add someone to the team who is more long-term than someone who is just the last 25 games of the season, we have more interest in that than we do in finding a Band-Aid.”

While he admits the Celtics could use some help on the defensive glass, Ainge isn’t going to sacrifice their success in spacing the floor for a little more rebounding.

“We talked about this before the season started and our biggest weakness is defensive rebounding. Some games we get away with it and our guards get back in and get a lot of rebounds, but that’s been a team focus. But it’s also our greatest strength to play skilled players,” he said. “When we have Kelly Olynyk and Al Horford on the court, and the floor is spread for Isaiah and three-point shooters at our big positions, that’s why [Isaiah is] having such a great year and we’re scoring at such a high clip this season. You can’t just put a rebounder that can’t shoot out on the court because it might provide some help on the rebounding end, because it takes away from our strength on the offensive end.

“We know what our weaknesses are; we’d like rim protection and rebounding. At the same time we do like skilled bigs to play around our guards,” added Ainge.

Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle had some nice things to say about the Celtics after they beat his Mavericks on Monday night, saying they could represent the East in the NBA Finals. Ainge is flattered by those remarks, but said there’s a long way to go between now and the postseason.

“Rick is a former Celtic and a good friend of mine, a former teammate. I think Rick is being very nice. I’m not saying I don’t believe what he said; this Celtics team surprises me often,” admitted Ainge. “They’ve really come together, Brad had done a great job and Isaiah and many others are having fantastic years.

“The playoffs are so unpredictable. I feel like we’re a very good team and getting better. I don’t think you’ve seen the best of the Celtics,” Ainge continued. “I don’t think our core group has been together for many games at all this year. I’m looking forward to that after the All-Star break. We’re going to get Avery Bradley and Jaylen Brown back; it’ll take a few games to get acclimated, I think, but after that, the rest of March and April if we can remain healthy, you’ll see what the potential of this team is.”

 

[LogicMan]

Larry John thats the issue. Your going to get a great player this draft if you are in the top 4, which Boston will be assured to have, perhaps 2 franchise players, but three of those are guards and one a small forward. Whats Danny to do? Can he sign a rebound machine thats hits three's?

 

[trojanfan12]

Instead I thought they might move Smart or Bradley -- opening up a spot for Fultz or Ball.

Hard to say. If they are good with what they have at the guard position, they may be wise to trade this years pick if it can bring them someone who can fill a need for them long term.

They are currently what? 2nd in the East and only a couple of games behind the Cavs for the #1 seed. The question they have to answer though is: "Does being 2.5 games behind the "regular season Cavs" equate to being close enough to threaten the "playoffs Cavs."

Being able to compete with the Cavs in the regular season when they are more interested in getting to the playoffs rested and healthy is a completely different animal than competing with a Cavs team in the playoffs, when they can focus just on one team for 4-7 games.

If Boston feels like they can compete with "playoffs Cavs" then they should stand pat. If not, then they should look to make a move as long as it's one that is, as Ainge said in Logicman's post, "something sustainable, not a rent-a-player."

 

[The Q]

Ibaka was the ideal fit from a talent perspective. But I get not making the move.

Selling high on thomas would be smart, but I doubt it happens.

 

[larryjohn]

Ibaka was the ideal fit from a talent perspective. But I get not making the move.
Selling high on thomas would be smart, but I doubt it happens.

Ainge would get killed in the short-term for trading IT. On the other hand, the question is "can you win a championship with IT as your PG?" That a fair question. ESPN has some type of player ranking for defense ... IT was ranked something like #445 -- the worst in the NBA.

 

[The Q]

Ainge would get killed in the short-term for trading IT. On the other hand, the question is "can you win a championship with IT as your PG?" That a fair question. ESPN has some type of player ranking for defense ... IT was ranked something like #445 -- the worst in the NBA.

Exactly. On both accounts.

The PR hit would be insane, but long term it's probably the right move.

Esp if it helps get them a Jimmy Butler or a George (my dream is George's teammate Turner, but the Celts wanting to be an 8 seed and get swept by CLE so badly ruined that dream 2 years ago...I had turner #2 on my board that year).

 

[LogicMan]

Being able to compete with the Cavs in the regular season when they are more interested in getting to the playoffs rested and healthy is a completely different animal than competing with a Cavs team in the playoffs, when they can focus just on one team for 4-7 games.

I could not agree more. The Celtics are not going to compete this year with a trade. Maybe only westbrook could come in here and make them better than they are with just 30 games to go. They have amazing karma already with each other, and the bench is 5 deep. So there is no magical solution and they need a defensive big who still allows them to space and run this high scoring offense. Boogie Cousins is really what they need, like him or not. Boogie with this team and you are going to the finals

 

[tducey]

I keep Thomas if I'm the Celtics but I think a Paul George would be a great fit in Boston. Given Toronto got Ibaka this week got to think Boston's going to do something soon.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

I keep Thomas if I'm the Celtics but I think a Paul George would be a great fit in Boston. Given Toronto got Ibaka this week got to think Boston's going to do something soon.

BKN pick & Jaylen Brown will get Indy listening at least

 

[Arizona_Sting]

If the Pacers do decide to tear it up they need to deal Teague, Paul Geroge and Thad and go all out.

Turner is a stud, build around him.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Right now? Nothing. Keep it to see where it lands. Assess the situation after the lottery and go on from there. If its like #1 or #2 or where the consensus best players are all PGs, look to trade it then. It doesn't even have to be for a superstar. They could just trade down in the draft. For example, here's a hypothetical: Boston trades #1 overall to Philly for Nerlens Noel and pick #6 (Lakers pick owed to Philly), and Boston drafts Jayson Tatum. They're in basically a no lose situation whether its traded for picks, superstars or they just pick someone themselves.

Lakers pick is top 3 protected again though - so if the Lakers gets another top three - that might change things for them some

 

[trojanfan12]

I could not agree more. The Celtics are not going to compete this year with a trade. Maybe only westbrook could come in here and make them better than they are with just 30 games to go. They have amazing karma already with each other, and the bench is 5 deep. So there is no magical solution and they need a defensive big who still allows them to space and run this high scoring offense. Boogie Cousins is really what they need, like him or not. Boogie with this team and you are going to the finals

Completely agree, especially with the bold. He'd be a risk, but he's young enough that he might be a risk worth taking if you guys can get him without giving up too much. A more stable organization may be exactly what he needs.

 

[LogicMan]

He'd be a risk, but he's young enough that he might be a risk worth taking if you guys can get him without giving up too much.

No I think the Kings will want more than Ainge can "bite off"

 

[The Q]

If the Pacers do decide to tear it up they need to deal Teague, Paul Geroge and Thad and go all out.

Turner is a stud, build around him.

Such a unique skillset, but exactly what boston is looking for.

I'm ticked boston thought getting swept by CLE was important than landing a stud like him in the lottery.

I had him #2 on my board for that draft. Guys who can both block shots and shoot 3s are a rare commodity.

 

[trojanfan12]

No I think the Kings will want more than Ainge can "bite off"

True and I just read that he says he's happy in Sacramento and wants to sign an extension, so Ainge doesn't even have the leverage of Boogie wanting out.