Also worth remembering, that the Celtics are unlikely to be the only team inquiring about Poetl and some of those teams may have a greater need and a larger asset base. The Pelicans desperately need rim protection. They entered this season with (perhaps unreasonably) high expectations. Zion's defense is no longer league worst, but its still pretty bad. If the Pels are going to 1) play Zion and 2) win - they need to put a high level defender next to him. Jonas has his virtues but defense is not one of them.
good point, NOLA would be in the discussion, but not many other contenders are in need of a 5
1. We need a few tankers in Jan/Feb to go hog wild over Victor, that are willing to start buying out their 5s to save a few shekels. OR
2. An AD blockbuster trade would help, since several teams would be involved and lead to a robust # of Centers let go. Buy out market would commence OR
3. Find a tanker/rebuilder that values PP, or Begarin, or JD, or Yam or late 1sts or 2nds.
I think there's a bit of disparity in the perceived value of Poeltl in a world where he's supposed to both be worth 2 1sts to trade for to play half a season + bird rights, and he's only getting a $12m to $14m contract.
I don't have an issue with him being on the team...I just think that's too large of an allocation of resources for someone you hope to be playing 15 minutes per game in games that matter, categorically can't shoot from more than 3 feet out & is an awful free throw shooter.
I'd be shocked if Poeltl landed SA 2 firsts, but you never know? Look what a team like the Wolves shelled out for a defense-first Center making the MAX.
Trades are weird in the NBA, if anybody had suggested Boston would get Brogdon for Theis's expensive contract + Aaron Nesmith + a late 1st they would have been laughed off this board.
If you can get Poeltl for PP/Gallo + remove that '28 protection, Brad would probably do it. The Celtics need defense + screen setting from the 5. JP delivers that in spades. Hoping/wishing on TL's health is a coin-toss