Stop hoarding TP(E) - the what should the Celtics do with the TPE thread

What should the Celtics do with their TPE

  • Use it before the current season starts

    Votes: 6 4.6%
  • See what is available around the NBA trade deadline and level up for the playoffs

    Votes: 55 42.3%
  • Save it for next summer's free agent bonanza

    Votes: 69 53.1%

  • Total voters
    130

Lazy vs Crazy

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
6,415
Imagine how mad TT would be about losing his job to Drummond two years in a row.

If we were getting the guy from a few years back this would be an no-brainer but he's been real bad this year. He's getting blocked at a higher rate than Kemba, and shooting terribly from the field.
 

Jimbodandy

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 31, 2006
11,406
around the way
Yeah even if Drummond is an upgrade on Thompson, spending the big TPE on that is a terrible use of resources and spoils the chance to reset. Pass.
 

the moops

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 19, 2016
4,700
Saint Paul, MN
Oof.

https://theathletic.com/2375626/2021/02/15/nba-power-rankings-clippers-climb-plus-nba-trades/
Trade target idea: Mason Plumlee

The Boston Celtics are really going in a bad way right now, and their lack of size/interior defense has been brutal. Yes, the Celtics have had plenty of guys missing time, but they can’t be so desperate for Marcus Smart in the lineup that Washington is able to manhandle them. Plumlee signed a pretty reasonable three-year deal with Detroit in the offseason, and I’d be trying to pry him away. The Celtics can keep going with their big man trio of Tristan Thompson, Daniel Theis and Robert Williams (I guess sometimes Grant Williams too), but they need an athletic big man who knows what he’s doing defensively. Plumlee qualifies, and maybe you move Thompson and a second-round pick or two as a mea culpa on the offseason big man transaction?
 

PedroKsBambino

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 17, 2003
31,213
Do people here who watch the games agree that interior defense is a key problem? Because I do not, though I get the narrative around Bigs and the Celts.

I'd take Drummond as a buyout---he's better than anyone they have. But I wouldn't use the TPE to acquire him.
 

PedroKsBambino

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 17, 2003
31,213
This is a question I always ask as well. I go back to a players physical skills along with his motor to project how a functional system would help him defensively. In Markkanen’s case he has always struggled with physical play dating back to college and has never shown that extra competitiveness you want to see for a player to grow. He isn’t that long so he can’t compensate with additional wingspan. He’s always been a “finesse” player which usually means......he’s soft. I’d say that is accurate in this case.

Summary: He is what he looks like. Good shooter, soft interior defender, poor rebounder, a guy who is likely at his ceiling. If the opportunity presents itself he may be a good rotation player on winning team but for what his price tag will be it’s more likely he’ll continue being a numbers guy on lottery teams until he’s available for lesser dollars down the road.
Imagining him in the Celts system I'd start with what Kelly Olynyk was, and then subtract some passing. Markkanen might add some offensive versatility or rebounding above Kelly, but might not. That's the profile we're talking about I believe.
 

Auger34

used to be tbb
SoSH Member
Apr 23, 2010
9,303
Not sure if anyone listened to the most recent BS Report with KOC but the 2 players that Simmons mentioned as his preferred targets were:
Nikola Vucevic and Thad Young. KOC was against the Vucevic idea and seemed to think that the Celtics should preserve their big assets just in case Bradley Beal specifically wanted to team up with his childhood pal Jayson Tatum this offseason.
KOC mentioned Al Horford as a good option to basically “extend” the TPE due to his contract structure.

Dont really have much to add to that other than Im not quite sold on Vucevic as the player to empty the cupboard for due to his defensive shortcomings.
 

PedroKsBambino

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 17, 2003
31,213
I think the Celtics shoudl be willing to go "full Harden" to get Beal - Kemba, one of Romeo/Nesmith, and say 3 1sts and 2-3 swaps.

But I am not sure that would get it done for Washington.
 

128

Member
SoSH Member
May 4, 2019
10,025
Not sure if anyone listened to the most recent BS Report with KOC but the 2 players that Simmons mentioned as his preferred targets were:
Nikola Vucevic and Thad Young. KOC was against the Vucevic idea and seemed to think that the Celtics should preserve their big assets just in case Bradley Beal specifically wanted to team up with his childhood pal Jayson Tatum this offseason.
KOC mentioned Al Horford as a good option to basically “extend” the TPE due to his contract structure.

Dont really have much to add to that other than Im not quite sold on Vucevic as the player to empty the cupboard for due to his defensive shortcomings.
Just listened to it. KOC is also a big fan of Larry Nance Jr., who he believes would be a great fit in Boston.
 
Last edited:

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
48,214
Outside of Beal, who Boston likely cannot afford given potential trade partners (the Warriors may be a big player if he goes on the block), Vuvevic is the one name mentioned where the fit is very good on paper, the parties involved have paths to get it done given his limited market and it likely improves Boston far more than the other players referenced here.

Its important to note that Vuvevic is not currently available and Boston may not be able to afford what the Magic want in return as well. But he slots in nicely with Tatum and Brown as well as gives Boston another weapon against bigger teams.

Absent a move like that, my sense is you live with developing the kids because that seems like a better risk/reward play of dealing them away for a average wing just so the team can pad regular season win totals and maybe go another game/round in the playoffs.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,094
I think the Celtics shoudl be willing to go "full Harden" to get Beal - Kemba, one of Romeo/Nesmith, and say 3 1sts and 2-3 swaps.

But I am not sure that would get it done for Washington.
Celtics could offer Was their pick of any 2-3 non-Jay players and the pick bonanza and that still wouldn’t get it close unless Beal forces the issue, which he doesn’t appear to be close to doing.

Celtics just don’t have the ammo for anything above a Barnes type acquisition, IMO. Even getting a guy like Lonzo would be a huge win for Ainge and I would jump on somebody like him the moment it becomes available. At this point, I’m more concerned about adding talent vs. fit.
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,301
deep inside Guido territory
Outside acquisitions are needed, but for any of these moves to work Brad and the coaching staff have to figure out what the hell is wrong inside that locker room. They just don't show up consistently from game to game. It's very concerning.
 

Jimbodandy

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 31, 2006
11,406
around the way
Celtics could offer Was their pick of any 2-3 non-Jay players and the pick bonanza and that still wouldn’t get it close unless Beal forces the issue, which he doesn’t appear to be close to doing.

Celtics just don’t have the ammo for anything above a Barnes type acquisition, IMO. Even getting a guy like Lonzo would be a huge win for Ainge and I would jump on somebody like him the moment it becomes available. At this point, I’m more concerned about adding talent vs. fit.
If Beal is still there at the end of the season, there's a nonzero chance that he forces the issue. Not a hell of a lot to hang our hats on, but suppose that it's possible.

IMO nothing big will happen at the deadline unless Danny hired David Copperfield and Kemba is part of the deal.
 

HowBoutDemSox

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 12, 2009
10,104
Beal doesn’t fit into the TPE, so it’s hard to construct a deal for Beal unless Kemba is outbound as part of it. You could do a deal around Smart plus Thompson plus Nesmith/Romeo plus however many years of future picks and swaps, but Washington doesn’t even picks up the phone for that and you’ve decimated your wing depth and defense.
 

lovegtm

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 30, 2013
12,001
Do people here who watch the games agree that interior defense is a key problem? Because I do not, though I get the narrative around Bigs and the Celts.

I'd take Drummond as a buyout---he's better than anyone they have. But I wouldn't use the TPE to acquire him.
No one who watches the Celtics thinks that interior D is the primary problem. This team is fucked in multiple ways, but that’s an incredibly lazy national media take.
 

mcpickl

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 23, 2007
4,546
Outside acquisitions are needed, but for any of these moves to work Brad and the coaching staff have to figure out what the hell is wrong inside that locker room. They just don't show up consistently from game to game. It's very concerning.
It's often easy to figure out the locker room issues.

Minutes/role, which leads to money.

Which guys are playing this season for their next contract, and are they getting the minutes/role they expect to cash in this summer.

The Celtics have 3 guys that fit, Theis, Teague and Rob Williams, and I could see all of them being unhappy. Semi and Javonte are up as well, but Semi has to be happy with his role and Javonte is surely happy to be in the NBA.

Theis is a UFA, is playing out of position at PF to start games, was out of starting lineup for a bit, maybe not an issue but possible

Teague is a UFA, has been wildly inconsistent, has been overtaken by Pritchard as top backup at PG, playing the least minutes per game since he established himself, but since he signed a minimum here probably knows his paydays are over. Could be issue, but minimal

Williams, eligible to sign extension this summer, stuck as the third center when he probably feels he's at least good enough to be the #2 option, playing barely more minutes per game than last year, likely resigned to not getting a healthy extension this summer, probably not happy, but doubt he has the clout/ego to be an issue.

The one guy who money isn't an issue, but minutes/role are, is Thompson. The only way to get him into the starting lineup is next to another center, he hasn't started the last few games, his minutes are way down from last season to the second lowest of his career. I could see him looking around the league and thinking, I should've just waited and maybe I could've signed with my hometown Toronto Raptors for the MLE and I'd be playing 30 minutes a night as the no doubt starting center. He'd be playing in Tampa rather than Toronto, but if I had to guess at the most likely locker room issue with zero inside info, TT would be the pick. If they cleared him out, it also would alleviate issues Theis and Rob Williams might have.
 

DannyDarwinism

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 7, 2007
4,883
Celtics could offer Was their pick of any 2-3 non-Jay players and the pick bonanza and that still wouldn’t get it close unless Beal forces the issue, which he doesn’t appear to be close to doing.

Celtics just don’t have the ammo for anything above a Barnes type acquisition, IMO. Even getting a guy like Lonzo would be a huge win for Ainge and I would jump on somebody like him the moment it becomes available. At this point, I’m more concerned about adding talent vs. fit.
Yeah, I’m not writing off the possibility of landing one of the bigger names being tossed around completely, but it’s hard to find a deal for one of those guys that either doesn’t include Smart or isn’t easily trumped. KOC was talking about Justise Winslow as a potential target recently, and I think he’d be an interesting reclamation project, though obviously health is a pretty major concern for a guy who just hasn’t been able to stay on the court ever since Danny lusted after him. Shooters like Terrance Ross or Evan Fournier- or Ben Hogan’s budget version Wayne Ellington- would be helpful. I haven’t heard much about Gary Harris or Will Barton, but the Nuggets must be thinking about moving them considering their upcoming cap situation.

I’d rather not use it to upgrade at big, as Theis is cheap and decent and it’s just not a need for this team in most matchups. Though I did see some speculation from Matt Moore on Twitter that the Nets could land Drummond in a buy out since there’s no sensible deal out there for the Cavs, and I’d almost consider moving for him just to prevent the Nets from being gifted such a good fit at a glaring position of need.
 

the moops

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 19, 2016
4,700
Saint Paul, MN
Beal doesn’t fit into the TPE, so it’s hard to construct a deal for Beal unless Kemba is outbound as part of it. You could do a deal around Smart plus Thompson plus Nesmith/Romeo plus however many years of future picks and swaps, but Washington doesn’t even picks up the phone for that and you’ve decimated your wing depth and defense.
I am unsure on this. If BOS offers 3 unprotected picks and a couple swaps, why would they not even pick up the phone? If they are in full rebuild mode, they can flip both Thomsopn and Smrt if they wanted to for value.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
48,214
I am unsure on this. If BOS offers 3 unprotected picks and a couple swaps, why would they not even pick up the phone? If they are in full rebuild mode, they can flip both Thomsopn and Smrt if they wanted to for value.
Golden State can beat that with Wiseman and the Wolves pick. And there are other teams out there who are close enough to mortgage their futures heavily for a Beal (and they should).

Beal's market should be fascinating and maybe we see it develop over the next few weeks.
 

PedroKsBambino

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Apr 17, 2003
31,213
It's often easy to figure out the locker room issues.

Minutes/role, which leads to money.

Which guys are playing this season for their next contract, and are they getting the minutes/role they expect to cash in this summer.

The Celtics have 3 guys that fit, Theis, Teague and Rob Williams, and I could see all of them being unhappy. Semi and Javonte are up as well, but Semi has to be happy with his role and Javonte is surely happy to be in the NBA.

Theis is a UFA, is playing out of position at PF to start games, was out of starting lineup for a bit, maybe not an issue but possible

Teague is a UFA, has been wildly inconsistent, has been overtaken by Pritchard as top backup at PG, playing the least minutes per game since he established himself, but since he signed a minimum here probably knows his paydays are over. Could be issue, but minimal

Williams, eligible to sign extension this summer, stuck as the third center when he probably feels he's at least good enough to be the #2 option, playing barely more minutes per game than last year, likely resigned to not getting a healthy extension this summer, probably not happy, but doubt he has the clout/ego to be an issue.

The one guy who money isn't an issue, but minutes/role are, is Thompson. The only way to get him into the starting lineup is next to another center, he hasn't started the last few games, his minutes are way down from last season to the second lowest of his career. I could see him looking around the league and thinking, I should've just waited and maybe I could've signed with my hometown Toronto Raptors for the MLE and I'd be playing 30 minutes a night as the no doubt starting center. He'd be playing in Tampa rather than Toronto, but if I had to guess at the most likely locker room issue with zero inside info, TT would be the pick. If they cleared him out, it also would alleviate issues Theis and Rob Williams might have.
Norm Powell for TT and a first is interesting...Toronto maybe would do it as it likely is break even now and helps later. But Powell is definitely the better asset.
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,301
deep inside Guido territory
It's often easy to figure out the locker room issues.

Minutes/role, which leads to money.

Which guys are playing this season for their next contract, and are they getting the minutes/role they expect to cash in this summer.

The Celtics have 3 guys that fit, Theis, Teague and Rob Williams, and I could see all of them being unhappy. Semi and Javonte are up as well, but Semi has to be happy with his role and Javonte is surely happy to be in the NBA.

Theis is a UFA, is playing out of position at PF to start games, was out of starting lineup for a bit, maybe not an issue but possible

Teague is a UFA, has been wildly inconsistent, has been overtaken by Pritchard as top backup at PG, playing the least minutes per game since he established himself, but since he signed a minimum here probably knows his paydays are over. Could be issue, but minimal

Williams, eligible to sign extension this summer, stuck as the third center when he probably feels he's at least good enough to be the #2 option, playing barely more minutes per game than last year, likely resigned to not getting a healthy extension this summer, probably not happy, but doubt he has the clout/ego to be an issue.

The one guy who money isn't an issue, but minutes/role are, is Thompson. The only way to get him into the starting lineup is next to another center, he hasn't started the last few games, his minutes are way down from last season to the second lowest of his career. I could see him looking around the league and thinking, I should've just waited and maybe I could've signed with my hometown Toronto Raptors for the MLE and I'd be playing 30 minutes a night as the no doubt starting center. He'd be playing in Tampa rather than Toronto, but if I had to guess at the most likely locker room issue with zero inside info, TT would be the pick. If they cleared him out, it also would alleviate issues Theis and Rob Williams might have.
I don't think you can peg the issues down to those three guys. It's team-wide. Against inferior competition, they don't seem like they show up with any kind of effort compared to when they play the top teams in the league. They aren't good enough to just show up, roll the balls out, and expect to coast to wins over any team in the league.
 

NomarsFool

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 21, 2001
8,160
Would some sort of "fresh start" challenge type trade with Kemba for someone else's bad contract be an option? Maybe with a small amount of draft pick capital thrown in from either side if the basketball value doesn't quite add up? Sort of analogous to the Westbrook / Wall trade? Is there an interesting target for something like that?
 

the moops

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 19, 2016
4,700
Saint Paul, MN
Golden State can beat that with Wiseman and the Wolves pick. And there are other teams out there who are close enough to mortgage their futures heavily for a Beal (and they should).

Beal's market should be fascinating and maybe we see it develop over the next few weeks.
Well, yes there are teams that could beat it, but will they? I am doubtful that GS offers both Wiseman and MN pick.
 

mcpickl

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 23, 2007
4,546
I don't think you can peg the issues down to those three guys. It's team-wide. Against inferior competition, they don't seem like they show up with any kind of effort compared to when they play the top teams in the league. They aren't good enough to just show up, roll the balls out, and expect to coast to wins over any team in the league.
This isn't true.

They are 9-5 vs teams with losing records
They are 4-8 vs teams with winning records

This just became a narrative because they had a terrible weekend. Really just a bad game Sunday, they mostly lost Friday because Saddiq Bey happened to make 7-7 from three.
 

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
20,127
Santa Monica
Would some sort of "fresh start" challenge type trade with Kemba for someone else's bad contract be an option? Maybe with a small amount of draft pick capital thrown in from either side if the basketball value doesn't quite add up? Sort of analogous to the Westbrook / Wall trade? Is there an interesting target for something like that?
you could conjure something up with OKC/Horford while moving Kemba + assets

Al's game will age much better IMO
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,301
deep inside Guido territory
This isn't true.

They are 9-5 vs teams with losing records
They are 4-8 vs teams with winning records

This just became a narrative because they had a terrible weekend. Really just a bad game Sunday, they mostly lost Friday because Saddiq Bey happened to make 7-7 from three.
They've had a terrible month(5-15 since Jan 15th) not just a weekend. I may have been wrong about the losing records part, but the point stands about not showing up on a consistent basis.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
48,214
They've had a terrible month(5-15 since Jan 15th) not just a weekend. I may have been wrong about the losing records part, but the point stands about not showing up on a consistent basis.
If you think the regular season record, during an unprecedented season, is that important, why aren't you making a case to fire Stevens in his thread? This is the TPE/trade thread.
 

NomarsFool

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 21, 2001
8,160
you could conjure something up with OKC/Horford while moving Kemba + assets

Al's game will age much better IMO
That is an interesting one, except I think we'd have to move some of our bigs (which I think is already a bit of a problem). Kevin Love could also potentially be an option there (similar length of contract, I think).

Seems like the really terrible guard contracts have even bigger numbers than Kemba (Wall, Westbrook).
 

Cesar Crespo

79
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2002
21,588
If you think the regular season record, during an unprecedented season, is that important, why aren't you making a case to fire Stevens in his thread? This is the TPE/trade thread.
Regular season isn't that important but you still have to make the playoffs. They probably aren't in any danger but they are only 2 games up on the 9 seed.
 

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
20,127
Santa Monica
That is an interesting one, except I think we'd have to move some of our bigs (which I think is already a bit of a problem). Kevin Love could also potentially be an option there (similar length of contract, I think).

Seems like the really terrible guard contracts have even bigger numbers than Kemba (Wall, Westbrook).
Kemba + TL + 1st for
Hill/Horford

Norm Powell for TT and a first is interesting...Toronto maybe would do it as it likely is break even now and helps later. But Powell is definitely the better asset.
in a heartbeat
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,301
deep inside Guido territory
If you think the regular season record, during an unprecedented season, is that important, why aren't you making a case to fire Stevens in his thread? This is the TPE/trade thread.
I'm not making a case to fire Stevens. That would not be the thing to do. If you read my earlier post in this thread, you would have found that I said before making any trades they need to figure out exactly why they are playing like the way they are. Would shaking up the roster as big as some are saying by including Walker be the prudent thing to do at this moment especially since the core guys have barely played together due to injuries? I'm not saying that they shouldn't make some moves at some point because it's apparent they need to beef up the roster, but let's try to fix whatever is broken plus get Smart back and let the team try to get itself back on track first. If by the deadline, they are treading water still then yes all options should be on the table.

In terms of what you said, of course how they are playing in the regular season is important. If it wasn't, why would we all be talking about it? Unprecedented season or not, they are playing very poorly and it needs to change.
 

Swedgin

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2013
701
you could conjure something up with OKC/Horford while moving Kemba + assets

Al's game will age much better IMO
I wonder whether teams like OKC will be less inclined to acquire Kemba given his position and role. While I am sure he was not thrilled to get shipped off to OKC, Al is still playing roughly the same number of minutes and getting the same amount of touches for the Thunder as he did over the last few years in Philadelphia and Boston. He's playing the same role and his usage is comparable.

In contrast to Al, Kemba's historical role has been lead ball handler and the center piece of his team' s offense. It is one thing to make room for Tatum on a team with championship asperations. But it would not shock me that teams with ball handlers they are trying to develop, like OKC, would have concerns about Kemba's fit on their roster given his role and stats vs. their development priorities/current place in the team building cycle - notwithstanding Kemba's general reputation as a pro and a good guy.
 

Lazy vs Crazy

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
6,415
That is an interesting one, except I think we'd have to move some of our bigs (which I think is already a bit of a problem). Kevin Love could also potentially be an option there (similar length of contract, I think).

Seems like the really terrible guard contracts have even bigger numbers than Kemba (Wall, Westbrook).
Love's been injured all year, no idea when or if he'll be coming back.
 

mcpickl

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 23, 2007
4,546
They've had a terrible month(5-15 since Jan 15th) not just a weekend. I may have been wrong about the losing records part, but the point stands about not showing up on a consistent basis.
It's 5-10 since Jan 15th, they're 10-10 in their last 20 games, so until this terrible weekend, they were 5-8 in that stretch, with 9 of those 13 games on the road, 8 of the 13 against winning teams, and the last half of the stretch without Marcus Smart.

Up until this weekend, that's about the record I'd expect a middle of the road team to have in that stretch, and that's what the Celtics are as presently constituted.
 

mcpickl

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 23, 2007
4,546
Regular season isn't that important but you still have to make the playoffs. They probably aren't in any danger but they are only 2 games up on the 9 seed.
And you want to be in the top 6 this year to avoid the 7-10 seed playin games.
 

pjheff

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 4, 2003
1,302
Up until this weekend, that's about the record I'd expect a middle of the road team to have in that stretch, and that's what the Celtics are as presently constituted.
It’d be interesting to reconsider the thread asking how everybody thought the Celtics would do in the first twenty games, predictions that were made before the COVID outbreak, Smart’s injury, etc.
 

benhogan

Granite Truther
SoSH Member
Nov 2, 2007
20,127
Santa Monica
I wonder whether teams like OKC will be less inclined to acquire Kemba given his position and role. While I am sure he was not thrilled to get shipped off to OKC, Al is still playing roughly the same number of minutes and getting the same amount of touches for the Thunder as he did over the last few years in Philadelphia and Boston. He's playing the same role and his usage is comparable.

In contrast to Al, Kemba's historical role has been lead ball handler and the center piece of his team' s offense. It is one thing to make room for Tatum on a team with championship asperations. But it would not shock me that teams with ball handlers they are trying to develop, like OKC, would have concerns about Kemba's fit on their roster given his role and stats vs. their development priorities/current place in the team building cycle - notwithstanding Kemba's general reputation as a pro and a good guy.
Agreed. Danny is going to find it very hard getting rid of Kemba. Super small PGs that lose a hair of quickness age poorly

IMO the worse part will be if Danny doesn't cut losses and talks himself into "maybe Kemba of old will show up?"
1. I don't see that happening.
2. Even if Kemba of old magically reappears, having your 3rd offensive option be a defensive sinkhole that gets hunted in the playoffs for the next 3 seasons on a MAX deal is terribly inefficient.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,094
Agreed. Danny is going to find it very hard getting rid of Kemba. Super small PGs that lose a hair of quickness age poorly

IMO the worse part will be if Danny doesn't cut losses and talks himself into "maybe Kemba of old will show up?"
1. I don't see that happening.
2. Even if Kemba of old magically reappears, having your 3rd offensive option be a defensive sinkhole that gets hunted in the playoffs for the next 3 seasons on a MAX deal is terribly inefficient.
Yeah, I really don’t see any viable landing spots for Kemba. Maybe to OKC along with a pick to bring Horford back or something like that.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
48,214
I'm not making a case to fire Stevens. That would not be the thing to do. If you read my earlier post in this thread, you would have found that I said before making any trades they need to figure out exactly why they are playing like the way they are. Would shaking up the roster as big as some are saying by including Walker be the prudent thing to do at this moment especially since the core guys have barely played together due to injuries? I'm not saying that they shouldn't make some moves at some point because it's apparent they need to beef up the roster, but let's try to fix whatever is broken plus get Smart back and let the team try to get itself back on track first. If by the deadline, they are treading water still then yes all options should be on the table.

In terms of what you said, of course how they are playing in the regular season is important. If it wasn't, why would we all be talking about it? Unprecedented season or not, they are playing very poorly and it needs to change.
These things are not and should never be mutually exclusive. This thread is about who they might try to acquire because struggling or not, even at full strength this team is not likely to beat the other top contenders. They simply do not have enough realized talent imo.

Edit: if you really believe that the Celtics don't understand why they are struggling then I agree with you. They should not trade anyone or for anything - the entire FO should be replaced. I happen to believe they know exactly why they are mediocre but I get people losing faith in the organization at this point.
 
Last edited:

Phil Elliott

New Member
Aug 12, 2020
144
Outside acquisitions are needed, but for any of these moves to work Brad and the coaching staff have to figure out what the hell is wrong inside that locker room. They just don't show up consistently from game to game. It's very concerning.
It is concerning. Sure, guys are hurt and missing games seemingly all over the place. But, that doesn't excuse the piss poor effort by virtually everyone against Detroit and Washington. Absolutely unacceptable. I get really pissed when the outside shooting goes south and when they get sloppy with their passing. But, when they dog it, as lately, it makes me ballistic.
 

Light-Tower-Power

ask me about My Pillow
SoSH Member
Jun 14, 2013
15,968
Nashua, NH
Yeah, I really don’t see any viable landing spots for Kemba. Maybe to OKC along with a pick to bring Horford back or something like that.
Is Al an option? He looked pretty cooked last season but some of that was likely due to having to play the 4 alongside Embiid. The contract sucks but I think he’d be a pretty great fit if he isn’t totally calcified.
 

Devizier

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 3, 2000
19,474
Somewhere
Just listened to it. KOC is also a big fan of Larry Nance Jr., who he believes would be a great fit in Boston.
I’m warming up to the idea myself. Yes, he’s redundant with Theis, but 48 minutes of Theis-like play beats 25 minutes of that plus 23 minutes of who knows what.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,094
Is Al an option? He looked pretty cooked last season but some of that was likely due to having to play the 4 alongside Embiid. The contract sucks but I think he’d be a pretty great fit if he isn’t totally calcified.
He’s definitely slowing down but I’d rather have the next 2 years of Al than 2 years of Kemba. He’s hitting nearly 40% of his 3’s and his per 36 rebound rate is almost 9 / game, highest since his 2013-2014 season. I bet if we offered OKC a real asset along with Kemba, they’d consider it. And that’s the probably the type of deal that gets Kemba off this team.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
30,506
I'm not making a case to fire Stevens. That would not be the thing to do. If you read my earlier post in this thread, you would have found that I said before making any trades they need to figure out exactly why they are playing like the way they are.
Do they really need a weekend retreat to figure out why they are playing like they are? Seems pretty obvious to me. In the other thread, someone posted the latest Hollinger article and he makes the point that the Cs are approximately the same this year as last year when JB + JT are on the floor. So what's the big difference? When Smart is out and KW plays like he has been, the Cs have a problem. Not to mention that their bench is super young compared to all other contenders.

It will be interesting to see if DA thinks this is the year to sell assets to try to win it all or if it's better to see how the young players develop and maybe take his shot next year.