Cavs interested in Pierce

[tlance]

The Cavs have reportedly offered a pair of 2nd round picks to the Celts for Paul Pierce.

My replies will detail why this proposed deal would be bad for both parties.

 

[tlance]

From the Celtics side,

I may be in the minority, but I think this core still may have one more run in them. I know they would be the last team that any East contender (Heat. Pacers, Bulls) would want to see in the first round.

If they decide to rebuild, then this deal may actually be the best they can get. Pierce's salary is prohibitive, so nobody is going to be tossing premium picks their way. Simply getting this contract off the books could be helpful if they go this route.

 

[tlance]

From the Cavaliers side,

this one goes down as undeniable proof that LeBron made the right decision. Here are all the reasons why a Pierce trade is bad for the Cavs:

1) Taking on Pierce's contract significantly hurts their ability to sign an elite free agent.

2) Pierce does not make them a contender, he will merely take them out of the lottery

3) Since next year's class looks a lot better than this year's, one more shot with the ping pong balls could make this team a legit title contender in the future. Paul Pierce will transform them into the Milwaukee Bucks.

I say take Nerlens, keep your cap space for 2014 and lose a bunch of games. If you get lucky and hit in the lottery again, Andrew Wiggins will be waiting.

There are no short cuts in the rebuilding process for small and mid-market teams. Take your lumps now if you are serious about contending in the future.

 

[LogicMan]

The Cavs are one of the few teams with more future picks than the Celtics. But I would not trade pierce for a second rounder, ever. He is worth a good young player of a 1st rounder. He has 3 more solid years in him

 

[Ragingcroc]

Cleveland Cavaliers already have their young core. They have had 4 Top 4 picks in 3 years! They have to test out their young guys sometime and try to start winning. If you keep losing to get draft picks, your young players will go elsewhere making the whole tanking thing for multiple lottery picks moot.

Paul Pierce will help them win which will make free agents more attracted to Cleveland when they don't sign him or sign him for peanuts in 2014. One year contracts are pretty much the best kind of contract as a team in the NBA. I don't believe anyone in Cleveland thinks Paul Pierce makes them a contender.

 

[LogicMan]

Croc, you make sense. I just wonder if they could keep KG and Pierce together in a deal

 

[tlance]

Cleveland Cavaliers already have their young core. They have had 4 Top 4 picks in 3 years! They have to test out their young guys sometime and try to start winning. If you keep losing to get draft picks, your young players will go elsewhere making the whole tanking thing for multiple lottery picks moot.

Paul Pierce will help them win which will make free agents more attracted to Cleveland when they don't sign him or sign him for peanuts in 2014. One year contracts are pretty much the best kind of contract as a team in the NBA. I don't believe anyone in Cleveland thinks Paul Pierce makes them a contender.

Their "young core" consists of a injury prone star (Kyrie) and a bunch of role players. That is not enough. Whoever they take at 1 may hit, but they are still a big free agent or a draft pick superstar like Wiggins away from contending. Paul Pierce is a nice player, but he isn't the answer.

Better to wait for the 2014 class and get one more pick. Next year's class could be awesome. Then they really have a chance to do something.

Teams who make moves just trying to get into the playoffs are doing it wrong. Trust me, I know first hand as a Wizards fan. I have watched them strive for the playoffs and fail year after year because they lack the patience and foresight to rebuild the right way.

1 more year of sucking, just not quite as much will prove worth it. If Noel shows that he can play and Irving takes another step, the Cavs will be able to attract a big free agent in 2014 without Pierce.

 

[tlance]

Croc, you make sense. I just wonder if they could keep KG and Pierce together in a deal

That might make sense, although I can't see KG and Pierce being too excited about the idea of teaching a bunch of youngsters how to play as they ride off in the sunset.

 

[#1BostonFan]

So two 2 rounders for Pierce? That doesn't help either side. Why would the Cavs want an aging 3?

 

[TexasMan]

If that's all it takes, then I wish the Rox would go after him.

 

[Clayton]

Remember when the Cavs picked up Shaq? Making a move just to make a move is rarely the right idea

 

[Sox33OSU]

A friend of mine actually told me about this, and said it would be great to have him there to show all the young guys how to win. We could get a coach for that and still keep our second rounders. There is no way this move would make the Cavs a championship contender, so what the hell is the point?

 

[Ragingcroc]

A friend of mine actually told me about this, and said it would be great to have him there to show all the young guys how to win. We could get a coach for that and still keep our second rounders. There is no way this move would make the Cavs a championship contender, so what the hell is the point?

What are you going to do with 2 second rounders anyway? You would be lucky one of them turns into a role player. Not every move can be a home run move that suddenly turns you into a contender.

 

[#1BostonFan]

A friend of mine actually told me about this, and said it would be great to have him there to show all the young guys how to win. We could get a coach for that and still keep our second rounders. There is no way this move would make the Cavs a championship contender, so what the hell is the point?

My point exactly. How does Pierce help the Cavs moving forward? How does two 2 rounders really help the Celtics. 2 rounders in the NBA are like 4/5 rounders in the NFL, not much value.

 

[Shanemansj13]

He is a good verteran, that won't have to carry the team bc of Kyrie. But he might be over the hill.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Remember when the Cavs picked up Shaq? Making a move just to make a move is rarely the right idea

This^^^ would be same type of move, out of his prime and over the hill.

 

[Sox33OSU]

What are you going to do with 2 second rounders anyway? You would be lucky one of them turns into a role player. Not every move can be a home run move that suddenly turns you into a contender.

I'd much rather see those 2 picks being used for a larger trade that could move us up potentially into the lottery, or perhaps to be used for a player that could help us long term. I know they're no guarantee, but I guarantee you Paul Pierce won't be winning a ring for the Cavs.

 

[#1BostonFan]

He is a good verteran, that won't have to carry the team bc of Kyrie. But he might be over the hill.

As a Celtics fan I'll tell yeah he's over the hill. He can still produce, but he's not the same Pierce. He might get you 15 a game still, but he can't really play defense anymore. He's not worth much, as much as I have loved Pierce, he just isn't worth much at this point. He'll probably play 1 more season and retire and I was hoping it would be in LA (Near Home) with Doc and KG going for a title.

 

[Shanemansj13]

As a Celtics fan I'll tell yeah he's over the hill. He can still produce, but he's not the same Pierce. He might get you 15 a game still, but he can't really play defense anymore. He's not worth much, as much as I have loved Pierce, he just isn't worth much at this point. He'll probably play 1 more season and retire and I was hoping it would be in LA (Near Home) with Doc and KG going for a title.

He is not worth it, especially since he would want to be on a title team. Cavs are trying to get to the playoffs and build a team. Championship is still down the road if they get the right pieces.

 

[starbigd]

You guys are living a pipe dream. there is NEVER going to be a big time free agent that's going to willingly sign to Cleveland. If they don't make trades, it's not going to happen.