16 Days in January—Determining Trade Deadline Activity

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

There is no one path to improvement in the NBA from what I can see. Obviously there is a fair bit of luck involved but we've seen a variety of paths to true contention. The big question is how much of a swing ownership wants to take because a miss could put you into real purgatory (I would argue that fans of teams like Houston or New Orleans are deeper in purgatory but it doesnt matter) for a longer time.

That said, its hard to believe that a creative mind with backing of ownership (i.e. willingness to spend) couldn't up-tier the talent on this roster a bit with a few moves. They have draft capital, they have a combination of flawed young players who might be worth a flier plus veteran contracts/skillsets in Smart, Horford and Richardson who may be attractive to teams being forced to make moves. None of that makes them a contender but there are other scenarios at play besides run it back or get lucky.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Not being a contender or not being in the lottery is the definition of purgatory.

At least when you are in the lottery, you can watch young players grow and develop. Finishing .500 every year is about as defeating as it gets.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Since it makes people happy to be right, I will admit to being totally wrong about my use of the term "purgatory". I enjoy watching young players level up a lot but I would far prefer to be a fan of the Celtics than the Pelicans or Rockets right now and I am entirely comfortable if I am the only person on the planet who thinks that way. For me, I derive more value out of rooting for a team that has a punchers chance to compete now than not. YRMV.


The important point for Celtics fans is that there are still multiple paths to being more competitive with Tatum and Brown. They aren't easy or obvious and they will have to get lucky in a matter of speaking but they don't have to stay a .500 team whose president gets heat for the college games he chooses to attend.

 

[benhogan]

I've used purgatory plenty to describe the Celtics this season BUT it's not an entirely fair description. They have 2 All-Stars + accouterments (young players + mid-level salaries + draft picks). This team is more of a "bridge to '23 playoffs", if Brad makes a couple of deals.

PBS should be laser-focused on John Collins if the asking price is a good starter + a 1st (even if it's more than that, he's worth it). IF Atlanta is really motivated to move him to appease Trae Young + salary obligations that's the type of "luck" that needs to be exploited.

Then the summer is dedicated to
1. PBS finding THE BALLHANDLER
2. Tatum regaining his 3pt stroke at Pure Sweat
3. IME will have a season to reflect back on and should be better.

 

[lexrageorge]

5. Use the picks and draft well.

I see a couple of real issues with this strategy.

First, there is the probability that they can succeed with a pick in the dreaded 13-18 range. So far, we've seen them swing and miss at #14, which is not a totally unexpected or uncommon outcome for picks in that range. Most such players have a ceiling as a "poor man's <insert favorite veteran role player here>". So, if a bona-fide 3rd star becomes available to pair w/ Tatum & Brown, I'd be perfectly OK with their exhausting their draft capital to get said star.

But, to me, the bigger issue is that while it is possible to get lucky with a pick in that range, it usually takes at least a couple of seasons for such a player picked there to develop. And then the team has to hope that Tatum and Brown are willing to stick it out and wait for this 3rd player to fulfil his potential (and he may never get there), while Tatum's agent is whispering LA, Miami, NY or other favored locale into Jayson's ear.

I'm with those that believe Brad Stevens has the assets and tools to improve this team. They are not ideal assets, and it will not be easy. But if we expect Stevens to be an above average GM, it's fair to expect him to work with what he has to make a major move either this offseason or next.

 

[Swedgin]

I've used purgatory plenty to describe the Celtics this season BUT it's not an entirely fair description. They have 2 All-Stars + accouterments (young players + mid-level salaries + draft picks). This team is more of a "bridge to '23 playoffs", if Brad makes a couple of deals.

PBS should be laser-focused on John Collins if the asking price is a good starter + a 1st (even if it's more than that, he's worth it). IF Atlanta is really motivated to move him to appease Trae Young + salary obligations that's the type of "luck" that needs to be exploited.

Then the summer is dedicated to
1. PBS finding THE BALLHANDLER
2. Tatum regaining his 3pt stroke at Pure Sweat
3. IME will have a season to reflect back on and should be better.

I am firmly in agreement as to the primacy of getting "The Ballhandler".

Thoughts as to who/how? In FA, we would have the Mid-Level or a sign and trade using one of Smart/Richardson. Brunson is out of that price range. So the targets would be Rubio, Ty Jones, Delon Wright, Sato... anyone else?

 

[benhogan]

I am firmly in agreement as to the primacy of getting "The Ballhandler".

Thoughts as to who/how? In FA, we would have the Mid-Level or a sign and trade using one of Smart/Richardson. Brunson is out of that price range. So the targets would be Rubio, Ty Jones, Delon Wright, Sato... anyone else?

Maybe use picks/young players/filler to go after Brogdon this summer if Indiana starts a teardown

If Brad can add Collins, then the Jaylen option could be invoked for a ballhandler like SGA or Mitchell (obviously Summer business)

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

You guys are dreaming if you think the Celtics can get Collins for less than fair value. And Smart plus a first-rounder is not fair value. I mean, Collins might well be traded, but whispered rumors about his relationship with Trae don't make him a depressed asset or anything.

 

[Cellar-Door]

You guys are dreaming if you think the Celtics can get Collins for less than fair value. And Smart plus a first-rounder is not fair value. I mean, Collins might well be traded, but whispered rumors about his relationship with Trae don't make him a depressed asset or anything.

A ton of tied in people are all saying the price is "pretty reasonable", might take a bit more than Smart and a 1st but I think there's a good chance he gets moved and you're surprised how little it took.

Edit- I don't think it will actually be Smart and a 1st BTW, mostly because that doesn't make a ton of sense for BOS, the PG situation is rough outside Smart, and getting a new one is tough, so the downgrade from Smart would probably be worse than the upgrade to Collins.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

A ton of tied in people are all saying the price is "pretty reasonable", might take a bit more than Smart and a 1st but I think there's a good chance he gets moved and you're surprised how little it took.

Edit- I don't think it will actually be Smart and a 1st BTW, mostly because that doesn't make a ton of sense for BOS, the PG situation is rough outside Smart, and getting a new one is tough, so the downgrade from Smart would probably be worse than the upgrade to Collins.

You might well be right, but at this point my default assumption is that the Hawks aren't going to break up what once again seems to be a winning team unless a trade of Collins makes sense for this season, as well as going forward. The closer the Hawks get to the #6 seed, the more the "fair value" equation changes, doesn't it?

 

[chilidawg]

Edit- I don't think it will actually be Smart and a 1st BTW, mostly because that doesn't make a ton of sense for BOS, the PG situation is rough outside Smart, and getting a new one is tough, so the downgrade from Smart would probably be worse than the upgrade to Collins.

Exactly. Trade Smart and you have a different hole to fill. They've got a pretty good 7 man rotation going right now. I think quality depth is more of an issue than the ever elusive "3rd star".

 

[Cellar-Door]

Exactly. Trade Smart and you have a different hole to fill. They've got a pretty good 7 man rotation going right now. I think quality depth is more of an issue than the ever elusive "3rd star".

I think they need a new starting 4 and a bench PG long term, but you're likely creating holes wherever you sell from to do that.
Your best case probably is... a "star" of the All-Star but not All-NBA variety becomes available and wants to come to you so you package Horford and picks plus maybe Richardson for him.
2nd best option is probably... get a good but overpaid player in a salary dump and get improvements from Tatum/Brown/TL, such that you have a deeper version of the Bucks type of team.

 

[benhogan]

You guys are dreaming if you think the Celtics can get Collins for less than fair value. And Smart plus a first-rounder is not fair value. I mean, Collins might well be traded, but whispered rumors about his relationship with Trae don't make him a depressed asset or anything.

just going off what was widely reported a few days ago

 

[Jakarta]

So the team went 10-6 in January, their best month of the year (along with November when they went 9-6) plus a win on NYE against Phoenix. They have won 4 or their last 5, and have outscored their opponents by 104 points during that span. This has lifted their per game point differential by 2 points, and they are now 3rd overall in the east in point differential.

Coming up before the trade deadline are 4 winnable games - home against CHA, followed by a 3 game trip to Detroit, Orlando, and Brooklyn (who are without KD and Kyrie, and possibly Harden). This team has been maddeningly inconsistent, so they could win or lose all 4 or anything in between and it wouldn’t be a complete shock.

However, they are healthy, things seem to finally be clicking with the new coach and his team, plus Tatum reverting to his usual form leaves me feeling optimistic (not the first time I have felt this way this year, so hardly an indicator of great success moving forward). MS and TL in particular seem to be trending in the right direction, making me want to hold onto both, absent a real blockbuster with a third star incoming.

This means the core for the rest of this year is JT/JB/MS/TL, which seems like a very strong top 4 based on how they are playing now. I think JR and Al complement this core well and expect both to still be on the team. This feels to me like the ideal 8th guy would be a sniper (what we all wish AN was).A guy I would be targeting for this role is Mike Muscala, who is shooting almost 43% from 3, and is signed through next year. Perhaps DS (who OKC could then trade to Dallas or someone for more picks) and a second would get it done. This would also help the Cs get under the luxury tax, but would leave them very thin at pg.

It’s not the type of move that makes this team a top tier contender, but is the type of move I see them making as a way of showing the team and fans they are “buyers” and a move that I think may make the team better (addition by subtraction with DS), if they are confident that some combo of PP/JR/JT/RL could handle the backup pg duties.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

So the team went 10-6 in January, their best month of the year (along with November when they went 9-6) plus a win on NYE against Phoenix. They have won 4 or their last 5, and have outscored their opponents by 104 points during that span. This has lifted their per game point differential by 2 points, and they are now 3rd overall in the east in point differential.

One other thing worth noting about their January is that the team was 3-3 in the 6 games Smart missed and 7-3 in the 10 games he played in. 10-6 isn't great but it is a step forward.

 

[benhogan]

Schroder for Muscala in a 3-teamer would be attractive for the cap, some front-court shooting and player development (PP or RL minutes instead of DS). BUT when healthy Schroder is one of the few players here, besides the JAYs, capable of taking over and winning a game. It's probably the right move in the long term but moving DS (as bad as he's been recently in the blowouts) isn't really addition by subtraction. It would be passively punting on the season. Brad will need to take this down to Feb 10 to figure out the right "path forward", it's still gray.

Teams potentially looking for vet PG/bench help due to injuries:
Cleveland (Rondo stinks), Chicago, Dallas, Clippers, Nets, Utah, Denver, Heat, Lakers (not happening), Bucks, Minnesota.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Schroder for Muscala in a 3-teamer would be attractive for the cap, some front-court shooting and player development (PP or RL minutes instead of DS). BUT when healthy Schroder is one of the few players here, besides the JAYs, capable of taking over and winning a game. It's probably the right move in the long term but moving DS (as bad as he's been recently in the blowouts) isn't really addition by subtraction. It would be passively punting on the season. Brad will need to take this down to Feb 10 to figure out the right "path forward", it's still gray.

Teams potentially looking for vet PG/bench help due to injuries:
Cleveland (Rondo stinks), Chicago, Dallas, Clippers, Nets, Utah, Denver, Heat, Lakers (not happening), Bucks, Minnesota.

Moving on from Schroder is complicated by the current lack of an alternative backup, not just to manage the minutes with Smart on the bench but also for games where Smart is out. I don't think Pritchard has proven he cannot do it, but he also hasn't laid claim to it.

That said, I don't think moving him would be punting on the season. He does some good things but the fit is not good and he does some things that aren't good. I'd move him but they need to at some point find a competent backup PG. Not someone capable of "taking over and winning a game" (too much to ask for) but someone who fits the system better.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

So the team went 10-6 in January, their best month of the year (along with November when they went 9-6) plus a win on NYE against Phoenix. They have won 4 or their last 5, and have outscored their opponents by 104 points during that span. This has lifted their per game point differential by 2 points, and they are now 3rd overall in the east in point differential.

Coming up before the trade deadline are 4 winnable games - home against CHA, followed by a 3 game trip to Detroit, Orlando, and Brooklyn (who are without KD and Kyrie, and possibly Harden). This team has been maddeningly inconsistent, so they could win or lose all 4 or anything in between and it wouldn’t be a complete shock.

Of the 6 games they lost, 3 were implosions but more importantly the three relatively healthy good teams they played, they lost handily (PHI, CHA, and ATL). Of course, I don't believe the Cs were at full strength in any of those either. But that also shows how thin the Cs margin for error is this year even if they are theoretically better than their record.

The CHA game will be super interesting to see assuming Cs are at full strength. I thought Cs really missed TL.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Moving on from Schroder is complicated by the current lack of an alternative backup, not just to manage the minutes with Smart on the bench but also for games where Smart is out. I don't think Pritchard has proven he cannot do it, but he also hasn't laid claim to it.

That said, I don't think moving him would be punting on the season. He does some good things but the fit is not good and he does some things that aren't good. I'd move him but they need to at some point find a competent backup PG. Not someone capable of "taking over and winning a game" (too much to ask for) but someone who fits the system better.

I don’t feel Pritchard is incapable in that role, as this should be his niche somewhere for the next 7-8 years, but more that Ime doesn’t like how he fits with his defensive system which is understandable. The latter is what we’ve know since the summer……Schroder isn’t a good fit but he has a critical skillset that this team lacks. We’d all love a better fit however the summer question remains……what are the other options? Now we include tax consequences along with acquisition cost which puts Brad in the same spot as he was then.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

C's schedule was pretty favorable in January too. Not so much the first 2 months.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

C's schedule was pretty favorable in January too. Not so much the first 2 months.

Yes very much so. I recall (somewhat) joking when I posted our big run we were about to have in January which wasn’t really far fetched. As flawed as this team is and as badly as some parts fit……we still have two guys who when on their game are Top-10/Top-25 players in this league, respectfully. This is probably one of the reasons why many of us are so frustrated.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

……we still have two guys who when on their game are Top-10/Top-25 players in this league, respectfully. This is probably one of the reasons why many of us are so frustrated.

Plus a guy who is a candidate for the All-defensive teams plus a probably top-5 center in the EC. Plus we have three veterans who have played substantial roles on teams that have made deep playoff runs plus a guy who is top 10 in 3P%. One would think that would translate into better than 2 games over .500.

The problem really being that our Top-10/Top-25 players haven't been playing like Top-10/Top-25 players for stretches. Maybe they can figure out some consistency for the rest of the season.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Plus a guy who is a candidate for the All-defensive teams plus a probably top-5 center in the EC. Plus we have three veterans who have played substantial roles on teams that have made deep playoff runs plus a guy who is top 10 in 3P%. One would think that would translate into better than 2 games over .500.

The problem really being that our Top-10/Top-25 players haven't been playing like Top-10/Top-25 players for stretches. Maybe they can figure out some consistency for the rest of the season.

Sometimes things are better on paper.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Plus a guy who is a candidate for the All-defensive teams plus a probably top-5 center in the EC. Plus we have three veterans who have played substantial roles on teams that have made deep playoff runs plus a guy who is top 10 in 3P%. One would think that would translate into better than 2 games over .500.

The problem really being that our Top-10/Top-25 players haven't been playing like Top-10/Top-25 players for stretches. Maybe they can figure out some consistency for the rest of the season.

The good news is we haven’t peaked yet…….have we? I’m getting pulled in again i can feel it. FML

 

[Cesar Crespo]

The good news is we haven’t peaked yet…….have we? I’m getting pulled in again i can feel it. FML

I had them at 41-46 wins and that's looking to be the case. 30 games left, 19-11 would get them to 46. That would be a pretty good stretch.

 

[tbrown_01923]

The good news is we haven’t peaked yet…….have we? I’m getting pulled in again i can feel it. FML

it's ridiculous though isn't it? I have skipped watching 3 game stretches a few times this season, only to get drawn back in from conversations here, catch maybe 1 good game and then end up disappointed again. It's a flawed team. The fit of the roster is a problem. there are too many combinations that you just can't play together (many of Schroder+ but as you have been saying, nobody else on the bench brings his penetration skils).

As long as they are playing hard, I think I am in. I am not counting on significant improvements from either the current team or anybody they may trade for. I also cant fathem why they can't play against the zone, so maybe there is some opportunity for improvement there. But becasue we haven't seen it yet, I am leaning not to expecting it this year.

 

[nighthob]

So one of the reasons that it makes some sense for Morey to hold Simmons if he's pretty confident Harden wants to go to PHI is here:
https://www.spotrac.com/research/nba/the-salary-math-behind-the-james-harden-situation-1381/

Harden could opt out and sign with PHI (if they cleared the cap space) and make about 4/200.

However what Harden WANTS to do is opt-in, get traded then extend. because he'd make 5/275 or so.

If you want Brooklyn to agree to that, you probably have to give them real value, because otherwise they have an incentive to let him opt in for another go.

It will be really hilarious if Morey wasted two years of Embiid's career refusing to deal Simmons out of conference to get James Harden, only to deal Simmons to a division rival to get an older James Harden.

 

[Cellar-Door]

It will be really hilarious if Morey wasted two years of Embiid's career refusing to deal Simmons out of conference to get James Harden, only to deal Simmons to a division rival to get an older James Harden.

My reading on the Harden/Simmons thing with HOU is that Morey was willing to do it and it was either (or both) Harden or Fertita who pushed through BKN. You don't get Embiid's blessing on a Simmons/Harden swap, then change your mind.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

As long as they are playing hard, I think I am in. I am not counting on significant improvements from either the current team or anybody they may trade for.

The Cs are something like #1 in defense in January. They play hard.

And as for improvement, as noted many times by other people here, if they were middle of the pack in 4Q production, they'd have at least a couple extra wins.

 

[JM3]

They're also 3rd in the East (Cavs/Heat) & 7th in the NBA (Warriors/Suns/Jazz/Cavs/Heat/Grizzlies) in point differential.

So they aren't that far off.

 

[Senator Donut]

They're also 3rd in the East (Cavs/Heat) & 7th in the NBA (Warriors/Suns/Jazz/Cavs/Heat/Grizzlies) in point differential.

So they aren't that far off.

That Kings game is still contributing more than a full point to their point differential (53 point win, 52 games played). Nevertheless, point differential reveals there are no truly elite teams in the east this year, as judged by regular season play.

 

[JM3]

That Kings game is still contributing more than a full point to their point differential (53 point win, 52 games played). Nevertheless, point differential reveals there are no truly elite teams in the east this year, as judged by regular season play.

True, but all games count, & even without that game only the Bucks & Mavs jump them & they'd be tied with the 76ers.

But yeah, Bulls with best record at +1.8 is something.

 

[nighthob]

My reading on the Harden/Simmons thing with HOU is that Morey was willing to do it and it was either (or both) Harden or Fertita who pushed through BKN. You don't get Embiid's blessing on a Simmons/Harden swap, then change your mind.

Yes, Morey's press parrots spun it that way. The reality was that Houston demanded full price from Morey for Harden after what he'd done to the franchise. Morey wanted the same rates that the Nets were getting. There was never a chance that he was getting a discount.

 

[the moops]

That Kings game is still contributing more than a full point to their point differential (53 point win, 52 games played).

They also lost to Toronto by 32 points which offsets much of that

 

[the moops]

Yes, Morey's press parrots spun it that way. The reality was that Houston demanded full price from Morey for Harden after what he'd done to the franchise. Morey wanted the same rates that the Nets were getting. There was never a chance that he was getting a discount.

Allen, Levert, Prince, three first round picks and four first round pick swaps.

If IPHI had to pay the same price, what would think that would be? I mean, Ben Simmons is not worth 3 picks and 4 swaps. In fact, I would argue he is closer in value to just those three players than he is to those picks.

 

[PrometheusWakefield]

They're also 3rd in the East (Cavs/Heat) & 7th in the NBA (Warriors/Suns/Jazz/Cavs/Heat/Grizzlies) in point differential.

So they aren't that far off.

I don't understand why this isn't a bigger deal on this board.

If we were looking at a baseball team I think all of us would take a quick look at pythag and results in close and late games and come to the quick conclusion that this team is unlucky and likely to perform closer to their pythag record over the course of the year.

My understanding is that pythag would suggest a team not far off from the top 3 that we all assumed the Celtics would be this year and very much in contention in an Eastern Conference that has no dominant team. If that's what we are it would be foolish to sell.

 

[JM3]

I don't understand why this isn't a bigger deal on this board.

If we were looking at a baseball team I think all of us would take a quick look at pythag and results in close and late games and come to the quick conclusion that this team is unlucky and likely to perform closer to their pythag record over the course of the year.

My understanding is that pythag would suggest a team not far off from the top 3 that we all assumed the Celtics would be this year and very much in contention in an Eastern Conference that has no dominant team. If that's what we are it would be foolish to sell.

Basketball in general is less linear than baseball in terms of a top 5-10 team having a reasonable shot at a championship, whereas while the Celtics have been underperforming their point differential, their chances of actually winning a championship are still microscopically small.

As such, moves that will help them stay under the tax this year, & maybe provide additional equity for future years, while not damaging the current product tooooo much are probably optimal.

Celtics have also actually had decent health compared to a lot of other teams below them, so their ceiling just isn't that high right now.

My main point was they aren't awful & haven't really been a .500 type team, so potentially tweaking & not an overall teardown may still be effective.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I don't understand why this isn't a bigger deal on this board.

If we were looking at a baseball team I think all of us would take a quick look at pythag and results in close and late games and come to the quick conclusion that this team is unlucky and likely to perform closer to their pythag record over the course of the year.

My understanding is that pythag would suggest a team not far off from the top 3 that we all assumed the Celtics would be this year and very much in contention in an Eastern Conference that has no dominant team. If that's what we are it would be foolish to sell.

Point differential in partial seasons in the NBA can be very wonky (as noted by the Kings game moving their differential a full point) with blowouts, and unbalanced schedules, injuries making a much bigger impact (your 3rd baseman gets hurt... not a big deal, your star gets hurt in the NBA you drop a ton, things like the Heat last night missing 3 of their 4 best players, is like if a baseball team was missing the entire infield and was starting a pitcher from AAA.) There is also an element to which close and late in the NBA is less luck dependent than something like baseball.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

I don't understand why this isn't a bigger deal on this board.

If we were looking at a baseball team I think all of us would take a quick look at pythag and results in close and late games and come to the quick conclusion that this team is unlucky and likely to perform closer to their pythag record over the course of the year.

My understanding is that pythag would suggest a team not far off from the top 3 that we all assumed the Celtics would be this year and very much in contention in an Eastern Conference that has no dominant team. If that's what we are it would be foolish to sell.

Because the Cs suck, haven't you heard?

 

[nighthob]

Allen, Levert, Prince, three first round picks and four first round pick swaps.

That would be a center (the least important position on the floor), a wing whose injury list is longer than Rudy Gobert's wingspan, salary filler and a bunch of low firsts. There are possibly two valuable ones near the end of the decade. The deal was the standard pupu platter you generally get when a star forces his way out of town.

If IPHI had to pay the same price, what would think that would be?

Simmons, Maxey, and a passel of firsts. Which is what the Rockets wanted. And while I'm as big a Simmons skeptic as there is, he's infinitely more valuable than a center and an oft-injured wing (and before you rush to his defense he misses, on average, a third of every season and has played more than 60 games once for his career) that combines the desired traits of barely above average offense and terrible defense. If he were in Boston we'd be bemoaning our luck in passing over Pascal Siakim, Dejounte Murray, and Malcolm Brogdon to have drafted him.

 

[Swedgin]

According to reports Dinwiddie is available. Cannot claimed to have much Wizards this year. What about taking Bertans salary of their sheet stapled to Spencer in exchange Horford?

 

[the moops]

According to reports Dinwiddie is available. Cannot claimed to have much Wizards this year. What about taking Bertans salary of their sheet stapled to Spencer in exchange Horford?

I just can't see them going into the tax this year unless it results in a 3rd star coming here who really makes them contenders. I don't think Dinwiddie is that 3rd star. And Bertans - oof, he has been bad this year

 

[Burkharts Uppercut]

I just can't see them going into the tax this year unless it results in a 3rd star coming here who really makes them contenders. I don't think Dinwiddie is that 3rd star. And Bertans - oof, he has been bad this year

Agreed. Hard to see the fit in a PG shooting worse than Marcus and is reportedly being run out of the locker room by his teammates. One interesting note is that his contract fits exactly to the dollar into the Evan Fournier trade exception, so perhaps Brad can become a facilitator in some way that's beneficial to the Cs.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Agreed. Hard to see the fit in a PG shooting worse than Marcus and is reportedly being run out of the locker room by his teammates. One interesting note is that his contract fits exactly to the dollar into the Evan Fournier trade exception, so perhaps Brad can become a facilitator in some way that's beneficial to the Cs.

I think he's a bad fit, but he's being run out by Beal who people seem frustrated with in WAS. He wants it to be HIS TEAM, but also to not take any criticism for poor play. Maybe the rest of the team doesn't like Dinwiddie, but it seems more like he failed to properly kiss the ring for Beal's taste.

 

[Burkharts Uppercut]

Fair point. Dinwiddie could be getting a bad rap unjustly in all this, but still best to avoid given all other factors.

The Wizards guard that would make some sense for the Cs is Aaron Holiday who is also reportedly available. He reminds me of how annoying Mario Chalmers was for the Heat. And he's vaccinated, unlike Justin Holiday.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Fair point. Dinwiddie could be getting a bad rap unjustly in all this, but still best to avoid given all other factors.

The Wizards guard that would make some sense for the Cs is Aaron Holiday who is also reportedly available. He reminds me of how annoying Mario Chalmers was for the Heat. And he's vaccinated, unlike Justin Holiday.

Yeah, Dinwiddie is a really bad fit for BOS anyway, I just was pointing out that he seemed fine in BKN, and some of the stuff coming out of WAS did not make it seem like he was a problem in himself, but that he and Beal had issues.

Holiday I don't hate, but also don't think is worth bothering with sending an asset for. One name I'm curious about if he's bought out if Dragic, but I think DAL will make him a better offer. We could probably offer him more playing time, so it's an outside chance if he still wants minutes vs, playing with Luka, or going to someone like BKN to play small minutes.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Agreed. Hard to see the fit in a PG shooting worse than Marcus and is reportedly being run out of the locker room by his teammates. One interesting note is that his contract fits exactly to the dollar into the Evan Fournier trade exception, so perhaps Brad can become a facilitator in some way that's beneficial to the Cs.

Talk about lying eyes. Seems like almost every time I've see Dinwiddie, he lights it up from 3P but looking at his stats, the four years that he shoots with volume (over 5 3PA/g), he's shot .326, .335, .308, and this year .314. Even Schroder shoots better than that.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Some roundup news:
View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2953006-trade-deadline-intel-wizards-among-nbas-most-active-shoppers-eyeing-sabonis

Fischer notes that Schroder for Troy Brown Jr and a 2nd has been discussed, and that Richardson is being shopped, with Utah among interested teams (also notes that MIN likes Smart and TOR wants TL, but neither of those seem to indicate any actual discussions or interest on Boston's part).

Edit- I think the Troy Brown trade isn't happening, the Celtics are looking to cut more salary than that, just dumping Schroder to CLE for a 2nd would be better.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Feels to me like Richardson to Utah makes sense for Jazz, it's just a question of whether they will pay a 1st for it (I suspect not). And if they won't, I'd rather just have Richardson as a player/contract for the summer and into next year than take a low second.

I guess if you like Jared Butler you might?

 

[Auger34]

View: https://twitter.com/TheAthleticNBA/status/1488906139257348096


Maybe I’m missing something but that seems like kind of an overpay for Malik Beasley? If that’s the going rate right now I really only see Brad dumping salary to get under the cap and nothing significant happening