Celtics Plan, Summer 2021

[Cellar-Door]

I think the issue with Grant is that it hard to picture 15-20 minutes per game when he can thrive. He's a small-ball center who can only guard undersized 5s and slower 4s. So when does he play?

Look at the teams that finished ahead of the Celtics in the East:

Philly ran out Embiid (7-0) and Howard (6-10).
Brooklyn went with DeAndre Jordan (6-11) and Claxton (6-11). I guess if you call late Jeff Green (6-8) a center maybe Grant is a decent matchup?
The Bucks run out Lopez (7-0) and Portis (7-0). Grant is a good matchup for P.J. Tucker, but how often is Tucker going to play small-ball center on a team with Giannis?
Knicks? Robinson and Noel, both 7-0. Maybe Grant guards Taj Gibson (6-9) if the Knicks go small?
The Hawks play Capela (6-10) at center 33 MPG. His backup Okongwu (6-8), plays 12 minutes per game, so there's a potential Grant matchup.
The Heat--Adebayo (6-8)--give Grant credit here, he handled Bam fairly well in the bubble playoffs. Bam's backup Dedmon (7-0) plays 13MPG, so in this case, Grant is maybe more useful against the starter?

I guess you could give Grant Semi's minutes and he becomes your backup PF?

But Semi's minutes were sitting right there for the taking and Grant didn't make the case. I hope Grant improves to become serviceable, but we're down on him because last season the team gambled on Jabari Parker instead of trusting Grant with an expanded role. Jabari Parker, man.

I would be delighted for Philly to play Dwight Howard against Grant, Same for DeAndre and the Nets. Dwight can't score on Grant enough to offset being forced to defend the perimeter DeAndre either. Grant isn't bad on D, even against bigger guys, certainly not to the level where anything but a top scoring big is going to just light him up.

When you play Smallball 5s, it's because you are trying to get an offensive advantage and force the other team to match. The other team can try to stay big and punish you inside, but other than Embiid and MAYBE Lopez there isn't a guy there who can score efficiently enough over Grant to offset the floor spacing and quickness mismatches at the other end if Grant is a real 3pt shooter.

 

[JM3]

I think the biggest problem with smallball 5 Grant is his rebounding, not his defense.

 

[benhogan]

When you play Smallball 5s, it's because you are trying to get an offensive advantage and force the other team to match. The other team can try to stay big and punish you inside, but other than Embiid and MAYBE Lopez there isn't a guy there who can score efficiently enough over Grant to offset the floor spacing and quickness mismatches at the other end if Grant is a real 3pt shooter.

good point.

Grant, catch n shoot, from the corners (& staying out of the Jays/Fournier way above the break) is where he can make a difference (44.6% in SSS). Offensively, we don't want him posting (clogging the lane) or dribbling around (shoot or move the ball).

Most importantly he can't look like Mrs. Doubtfire again

 

[chilidawg]

I think the issue with Grant is that it hard to picture 15-20 minutes per game when he can thrive. He's a small-ball center who can only guard undersized 5s and slower 4s. So when does he play?

Look at the teams that finished ahead of the Celtics in the East:

Philly ran out Embiid (7-0) and Howard (6-10).
Brooklyn went with DeAndre Jordan (6-11) and Claxton (6-11). I guess if you call late Jeff Green (6-8) a center maybe Grant is a decent matchup?
The Bucks run out Lopez (7-0) and Portis (7-0). Grant is a good matchup for P.J. Tucker, but how often is Tucker going to play small-ball center on a team with Giannis?
Knicks? Robinson and Noel, both 7-0. Maybe Grant guards Taj Gibson (6-9) if the Knicks go small?
The Hawks play Capela (6-10) at center 33 MPG. His backup Okongwu (6-8), plays 12 minutes per game, so there's a potential Grant matchup.
The Heat--Adebayo (6-8)--give Grant credit here, he handled Bam fairly well in the bubble playoffs. Bam's backup Dedmon (7-0) plays 13MPG, so in this case, Grant is maybe more useful against the starter?

I guess you could give Grant Semi's minutes and he becomes your backup PF?

But Semi's minutes were sitting right there for the taking and Grant didn't make the case. I hope Grant improves to become serviceable, but we're down on him because last season the team gambled on Jabari Parker instead of trusting Grant with an expanded role. Jabari Parker, man.

The value of a small ball center who can shoot the 3 is that they can pull a big like Jordan or Capela out of the paint and open up space for others. Against a guy who isn't going to take advantage of the size mismatch, that can have real value.

Not saying Grant is that guy, but maybe.

Edit, sorry missed a couple other people saying pretty much the same thing.

 

[DJnVa]

Satoransky seems interesting on paper as a 10 minute a game guy. Anyone have an opinion on him?

Yeah---he's not going to sign up to be a 10 mpg player. He's averaged 25 mpg the last 4 seasons.

 

[the moops]

Is there any talk of the Bulls cutting Satoransky? I know only 5 million of his 10 million is guaranteed, but I think if anything they would trade him rather than take the dead money cap hit

 

[pjheff]

Grant is an older guy so the concern is that this may be as good as he gets.

He’s still 22 years old, younger than Pritchard.

 

[Sprowl]

He’s still 22 years old, younger than Pritchard.

22 is the new 35.

Grant Williams has come a long way as a 3-point shooter. If he can regain the defensive quickness he had as a rookie by losing a few pounds, he can be a useful 9th man.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

IMO, GW needs minutes on the offensive end to do things other than stand in the corner and shoot 3s and he needs minutes on the defensive end to guard littler players (or even working on guarding big Bigs). Seems to me what he needs to work on is something that requires playing against competition (as opposed to just workouts) but what do I know?

The offensive game he'll have as a successful pro will be built around corner 3s (and extending his range to above the break 3s), setting screens, exploiting the occasional mismatch, rediscovering some of the passing skills he showed in college. For the most part, that's not stuff he can work on in summer league. Defense, maybe he can get a little more out of summer league, but, at the same time, I'm not sure how much he can really get from competing against mostly non-NBA guys. Even on defense, a lot of his value will come as from playing within a system. I think there's a case to be made that his offseason time would be best spent on conditioning and skills work, not playing in the poor man's junior varsity environment that is summer league.

Jay King talking PG depth via FA options. Some excerpts from the very useful Athletic, definitely worth the subscription IMO

https://theathletic.com/2716277/2021/07/20/smart-backup-plan-five-point-guards-the-celtics-could-targets-this-summer-by-board/?source=dailyemail

I like King's writing quite a bit. He and now-at-BSJ John Karalis are 2 of my favorite Celtics writers these days.

1. TJ McConnell
McConnell is still coming off a strong season. He has never been an accurate outside shooter but still has found ways to be efficient. Even at 6-foot-1, he shot more like a big man from inside the arc last season, making 58.6 percent of his 2-point attempts. (For the sake of reference, Tristan Thompson shot 52.3 percent on 2-pointers.) By averaging 6.6 assists per game, McConnell narrowly missed leading the Pacers in that category, even while playing just 26 minutes per game. He led the whole league in steal rate.

2. Mills
Set to turn 33 before the next NBA season begins, he has not slowed down as a high-volume 3-point maker. Last season, he made 37.5 percent from deep while taking almost the same amount of 3-pointers per 100 possessions as Walker.
Obviously, Mills wouldn’t replace everything else Walker does offensively. But Mills flies around screens, commands a lot of attention and never stops moving without the ball. The Spurs’ offense through the years has regularly been better — and often much better — with Mills on the court, as his on-off history shows.

3. Neto
Over the years, Neto’s teams have typically defended much better with him in the lineup. He’s not a high-usage guy at the other end of the court, but he has shot the ball well throughout his career and has experience playing alongside big-time scorers.

4. Brad W
Wanamaker molded himself into a valuable bench player with the Celtics, but he is coming off a rough season where his 3-point shot abandoned him. He could be a target if Boston wants a tough third-string guard,

5. Ish Smith
If the Celtics want a change-of-pace guard now that Walker is gone, Smith could be an option. Even at age 33, he remains one of the NBA’s fastest men. He has flaws (just check his career true shooting percentage), but he can get into the paint against just about anyone and can be extremely difficult to guard once he gets going.


Other guards around the league projected in the Celtics price range by Hollinger’s BORD$ tool include Cory Joseph (whose contract next year is partially guaranteed), Ryan Arcidiacono, Saben Lee, Jordan McLaughlin, Lou Williams and Elfrid Payton, among others. Payne also was projected to fit into the taxpayer mid-level exception but has likely played himself into a greater contract with a strong regular season and postseason.

The Celtics don’t necessarily need to find another ballhandler in free agency. They could address their backcourt depth by trading for a guard like Tomas Satoransky or Delon Wright (either player would fit into the remaining piece of the Gordon Hayward exception)

Interesting names. I'm not really interested in the return of Brad Wanamaker. Is Mills really a PG? McConnell, Neto, and Smith are interesting names. I also wonder if a Kris Dunn is available.

 

[the moops]

I also wonder if a Kris Dunn is available.

ATL is also wondering this

 

[HomeRunBaker]

ATL is also wondering this

That was awesome! (He said in his Chris Farley voice!)

Dunn has a $5m or so player option which he will surely exercise. Or it may be an opt-out that he won’t exercise.....either way, he’s not going to be a FA and will be playing as a $5m expiring.

I was just thinking of him going through draft work. Kid had/has all the physical tools this league requires but it appears wrong people got into his head (hired his father as trainer, great person but not a basketball guy)......never adjusted to learn how to defend without fouling, spent an entire summer two years ago working on a 15-foot midrange shot (taking 250 a day), and then of course the injuries which may or may not have had to do with non-optimal basketball training. Waste of talent.

 

[pjheff]

Dunn has a $5m or so player option which he will surely exercise. Or it may be an opt-out that he won’t exercise.....either way, he’s not going to be a FA and will be playing as a $5m expiring.

Would Atlanta be willing to move him into a trade exception to clear payroll in order to retain Collins?

 

[benhogan]

That was awesome! (He said in his Chris Farley voice!)

Dunn has a $5m or so player option which he will surely exercise. Or it may be an opt-out that he won’t exercise.....either way, he’s not going to be a FA and will be playing as a $5m expiring.

I was just thinking of him going through draft work. Kid had/has all the physical tools this league requires but it appears wrong people got into his head (hired his father as trainer, great person but not a basketball guy)......never adjusted to learn how to defend without fouling, spent an entire summer two years ago working on a 15-foot midrange shot (taking 250 a day), and then of course the injuries which may or may not have had to do with non-optimal basketball training. Waste of talent.

if Dajounte Murray learns the "easiest skill " (3pt shooting, while being a good FT shooter) could that make him the 3rd star around the Jays?

https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2021/07/21/boston-celtics-non-star-trade/3/

https://airalamo.com/posts/san-antonio-spurs-rumors-dejounte-murray-derrick-white-gettable-trade

 

[DJnVa]

22 is the new 35.

If he can regain the defensive quickness he had as a rookie by losing a few pounds, he can be a useful 9th man.

He definitely *can*. The question is, *will* he?

Remember this from after he was drafted? He showed up at Tennessee at 260#. The Celtics list him at 236# now.

 

[Jimbodandy]

My god look at the yoke on 2018 Grant. He must have been pulling 700 with that thing.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Would Atlanta be willing to move him into a trade exception to clear payroll in order to retain Collins?

I’m sure they will look to move him. I’m sure his representation will look to get him moved to a lottery team where he can be assured an opportunity.

I’d say there is very little chance he’s with the Hawks beyond draft night. The player doesn’t want to be going into a contract year without having a rotation spot locked up and the team doesn’t want to have a $5m deal on their books for a non-rotation player when they have bigger fish to fry.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

if Dajounte Murray learns the "easiest skill " (3pt shooting, while being a good FT shooter) could that make him the 3rd star around the Jays?

https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2021/07/21/boston-celtics-non-star-trade/3/

https://airalamo.com/posts/san-antonio-spurs-rumors-dejounte-murray-derrick-white-gettable-trade

I absolutely LOVED Dejounte coming out of college for these reasons. Ideal NBA body along with the athleticism while already possessing elite defense on draft night.....which is rare. I would drool to have him as our lead guard moving forward. His age matches up well with The Jays timeline too.

Having said that.....I have no idea how we have the assets to acquire him unless Pop wants Smart.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

I absolutely LOVED Dejounte coming out of college for these reasons. Ideal NBA body along with the athleticism while already possessing elite defense on draft night.....which is rare. I would drool to have him as our lead guard moving forward. His age matches up well with The Jays timeline too.

Having said that.....I have no idea how we have the assets to acquire him unless Pop wants Smart.

Smart for Murray seems like a lateral move or marginal upgrade at best? I'd still do it depending on the other parts.

 

[benhogan]

I absolutely LOVED Dejounte coming out of college for these reasons. Ideal NBA body along with the athleticism while already possessing elite defense on draft night.....which is rare. I would drool to have him as our lead guard moving forward. His age matches up well with The Jays timeline too.

Ime would know which of White or Murray to go after. My money would be on Murray

Obviously, we can all dream on Lilliard or Beal demanding their way here, just don't see it happening without Brown going the other way. I still see more improvement from Jaylen so I'm not excited by dealing a young, powerful wing.

The Celtics probably need to develop/create the 3rd star by finding a mid-20s borderline star that's still improving and timelines with Tatum/Brown (Collins will get maxed & Lonzo will get paid close to that, so they need to be crossed off the list)

If we want to retain Smart. TT + Romeo + PP + a 1st works $$$ wise. Spurs do need a backup Center, for Poeltl, so Tristen is not a complete waste of a roster spot. SA may be shifting younger (Gay/Mills gone?) and this deal would add 3 youngsters and open up cap next summer (although they have a ton of space this Summer).

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Smart for Murray seems like a lateral move or marginal upgrade at best? I'd still do it depending on the other parts.

There is a functional difference between the two as Murray can initiate the offense from the 1 and defend the position at an elite level. Smart is more of a combo/spot-up 2 who is best defensively utilizing his size/strength in defending wings while struggling against quicks.

The other important difference is the contract situation. Smart is an expiring $13.8m however Dejounte is locked into another 3/$45m. Who wants to overpay Smart next summer? I sure don’t which is why I expected him to be moved......and the Spurs have both Murray and White on similar longer term deals that they may want out of one while clearing cap space to utilize in the FA market next summer.

Two very different type players with very different contract scenarios.

 

[Devizier]

It would have to be Smart+ for Murray, especially given the difference in contract length for both players.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

It would have to be Smart+ for Murray, especially given the difference in contract length for both players.

Yeah it would be whatever young rotation position that Pop prefers. Hard to tell right now with the anticipated turnover on the Spurs roster this summer but I’d imagine it would be Nesmith over Grant, Semi or Pritchard for obv reasons. Having Murray and Langford in that rotation makes us real long on the perimeter.

 

[scottyno]

Those Tatum over Giannis takes from a few weeks ago look kind of silly now. If Tatum is ever even close to as good as Giannis they're going to be great for a long time

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Those Tatum over Giannis takes from a few weeks ago look kind of silly now. If Tatum is ever even close to as good as Giannis they're going to be great for a long time

Giannis had a historical series made even more astonishing by his knee injury. Zero doubt that this will go down as one of the most impressive Finals performances we will ever see.

 

[benhogan]

Those Tatum over Giannis takes from a few weeks ago look kind of silly now. If Tatum is ever even close to as good as Giannis they're going to be great for a long time

weren't those comps based on contract/potential going forward or under 25yr old lists (GA too old)

 

[scottyno]

weren't those comps based on contract/potential going forward or under 25yr old lists (GA too old)

no, they were based on people saying it's easier to build a winning team in the playoffs around current tatum than giannis and that giannis wasn't good enough to win as the #1 guy in the playoffs

And any Cs fan that wouldn't trade Tatum for Giannis because he's 26 is taking crazy pills

 

[HomeRunBaker]

no, they were based on people saying it's easier to build a winning team in the playoffs around current tatum than giannis and that giannis wasn't good enough to win as the #1 guy in the playoffs

And any Cs fan that wouldn't trade Tatum for Giannis because he's 26 is taking crazy pills

Curious. Why wasn’t this posted two weeks ago?

If you did and I missed it I apologize lots of threads and posts here.

 

[scottyno]

Curious. Why wasn’t this posted two weeks ago?

If you did and I missed it I apologize lots of threads and posts here.

I might have, I don't remember. I do remember posting before the nets series that Giannis was going to dominate and getting told it wouldn't matter and then making a bunch of posts as he was dominating his way through the playoffs.

Don't remember if I've said it on here or other places, but Giannis and Luka are the only players I'd trade Tatum 1 for 1 for when you include age and contract

 

[benhogan]

no, they were based on people saying it's easier to build a winning team in the playoffs around current tatum than giannis and that giannis wasn't good enough to win as the #1 guy in the playoffs

And any Cs fan that wouldn't trade Tatum for Giannis because he's 26 is taking crazy pills

maybe you can cite those post(s)

we're just kicking around Celtic ballhandler ideas, part of the Celtic Summer Plan, after the Kemba whiff 2 summers ago...

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Often times, one poster says something and it gets blown up out of proportion. He probably just forgot about Giannis.

If I were starting a team today, Tatum would be Top 3

Doncic,
Zion
Tatum
Jokic
Trae
Booker
Mitchell
Jaylen Brown
Morant
Bam

 

[benhogan]

Don't remember if I've said it on here or other places, but Giannis and Luka are the only players I'd trade Tatum 1 for 1 for when you include age and contract

That's pretty bullish on Tatum.

I'm not dealing JT because I think he is going to add a huge amount of FTAs next season as he fills out. I also expect his 3pt% to slowly climb over the years. My most outlandish comment on Tatum is JT being Top 3 NBA player by the 2023 playoffs and was accused of wearing green googles

 

[nighthob]

I might have, I don't remember. I do remember posting before the nets series that Giannis was going to dominate and getting told it wouldn't matter and then making a bunch of posts as he was dominating his way through the playoffs.

Don't remember if I've said it on here or other places, but Giannis and Luka are the only players I'd trade Tatum 1 for 1 for when you include age and contract

I think the idea would be to team them up as Giannis and JayTay would be a pairing that would run the NBA for years.

 

[scottyno]

That's pretty bullish on Tatum.

I'm not dealing JT because I think he is going to add a huge amount of FTAs next season as he fills out. I also expect his 3pt% to slowly climb over the years. My most outlandish comment on Tatum is JT being Top 3 NBA player by the 2023 playoffs and was accused of wearing green googles

4 years of team control with presumably a leg up on a 3rd contract, and he's not even in his prime yet, what other players does it even make sense to trade him for? I doubt most of this board would trade him for current KD/Curry/Lebron/Kawhi etc so who does that leave?

 

[benhogan]

4 years of team control with presumably a leg up on a 3rd contract, and he's not even in his prime yet, what other players does it even make sense to trade him for? I doubt most of this board would trade him for current KD/Curry/Lebron/Kawhi etc so who does that leave?

yea, I agree. All aboard the Tatum Express. Me and my goggles are there.

It's not a huge stretch that someone rated JT a hair higher than the other two, especially if they see his ++ defense return

Post-COVID, healthy Tatum was doing some Bird-esque stuff.

 

[nighthob]

When Jaylen’s healthy again next year how are teams going to guard him when they need to be catapulting kitchen sinks at Tatum?

 

[sezwho]

When Jaylen’s healthy again next year how are teams going to guard him when they need to be catapulting kitchen sinks at Tatum?

and potentially a full season of Fournier making near 50% of open threes should help space things better.

 

[BigSoxFan]

I might have, I don't remember. I do remember posting before the nets series that Giannis was going to dominate and getting told it wouldn't matter and then making a bunch of posts as he was dominating his way through the playoffs.

Don't remember if I've said it on here or other places, but Giannis and Luka are the only players I'd trade Tatum 1 for 1 for when you include age and contract

Giannis wasn’t getting past a healthy Nets team so the original comments stand. But I give him full credit for making the most of the opportunity he was given, especially after dealing with his own injury scare. He was awesome and I’m happy for him.

 

[BigSoxFan]

yea, I agree. All aboard the Tatum Express. Me and my goggles are there.

It's not a huge stretch that someone rated JT a hair higher than the other two, especially if they see his ++ defense return

Post-COVID, healthy Tatum was doing some Bird-esque stuff.

25:1 odds to win MVP next year...tempted to take a shot although it’s probably Luka’s time soon

 

[Auger34]

Ime would know which of White or Murray to go after. My money would be on Murray

Obviously, we can all dream on Lilliard or Beal demanding their way here, just don't see it happening without Brown going the other way. I still see more improvement from Jaylen so I'm not excited by dealing a young, powerful wing.

The Celtics probably need to develop/create the 3rd star by finding a mid-20s borderline star that's still improving and timelines with Tatum/Brown (Collins will get maxed & Lonzo will get paid close to that, so they need to be crossed off the list)

If we want to retain Smart. TT + Romeo + PP + a 1st works $$$ wise. Spurs do need a backup Center, for Poeltl, so Tristen is not a complete waste of a roster spot. SA may be shifting younger (Gay/Mills gone?) and this deal would add 3 youngsters and open up cap next summer (although they have a ton of space this Summer).

The Celtics would have to blow their asset load if they want to keep Smart and get Murray. I think if you add 2 1sts to your offer then the Spurs might listen…

Given the fact that I’m really excited about that trade means even that’s probably not enough. I think you’d have to add Nesmith as well and I think we are probably in the ballpark.

Murray, Smart, the Jays and TL with Horford and Fournier off of the bench is a very, very interesting team. With full health I think theyd have the capability of winning it all and could compete with anyone

 

[the moops]

I can't imagine it would take Romeo, Pritchard, Nesmith, and three firsts to get Murray. That seems like a ludicrous offer for a guy who is never going to be an all-star.

 

[benhogan]

Murray, Smart, the Jays and TL with Horford and Fournier off of the bench is a very, very interesting team. With full health I think theyd have the capability of winning it all and could compete with anyone

Agreed, the key Celtic's (Jays, TL, DM) would all still be ascending.

Spurs have a bunch of interesting young players in Devin Vassell, Derrick White, Dejounte Murray, Tre Jones, Lonnie Walker, Jakob Poeltl, Keldon Johnson (going to the Olympics should help his confidence/development). They have failed to make the playoffs 2 straight seasons and moving on from DeRozen, Mills, Gay, Aldridge (gone already) isn't the worst idea. Maybe add a couple of 1yr deals this summer?

Trading Murray for an expiring (TT) opens up 2 MAX slots for them next Summer while adding 3 young players (1st, Langford, Pritchard). Throwing in another protected 1st shouldn't bother the C's since they are entering a different phase of their development.
Derrick White would also be interesting, but his cost would be substantially less than DM.

I can't imagine it would take Romeo, Pritchard, Nesmith, and three firsts to get Murray. That seems like a ludicrous offer for a guy who is never going to be an all-star.

Dejounte Murray will probably never get All-Star consideration, even if he shoots 38% from 3. Voters just don't value defense, distributors and would rather add a hollow 20pt scorer from a non-contender.

If that holds down his trade value, great. He's pretty much the type of player(s) you want around the Jays. Waiting around for older, expensive, established All-Stars demand their way to Boston to play 2nd fiddle to Tatum seems unlikely.

 

[the moops]

Oh I agree. I would think he would be an excellent fit. I just can't imagine it taking that much of a haul to get him

 

[HomeRunBaker]

The Celtics would have to blow their asset load if they want to keep Smart and get Murray. I think if you add 2 1sts to your offer then the Spurs might listen…

Given the fact that I’m really excited about that trade means even that’s probably not enough. I think you’d have to add Nesmith as well and I think we are probably in the ballpark.

Murray, Smart, the Jays and TL with Horford and Fournier off of the bench is a very, very interesting team. With full health I think theyd have the capability of winning it all and could compete with anyone

Smart has to be the one included based on contract, what the Spurs are possibly looking to accomplish, and position. There isn’t another player(s) that makes sense for either side.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Smart has to be the one included based on contract, what the Spurs are possibly looking to accomplish, and position. There isn’t another player(s) that makes sense for either side.

Agreed. TL perhaps? Spurs don’t really need more non-elite guard/wing depth.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

According to an NBA source, two Atlantic Division squads, the Celtics and 76ers, have interest in Knicks swingman Reggie Bullock, who started all season at either shooting guard or small forward.

This "report" from the NYP is lightly sourced so take it with a grain of salt and Bullock simply adds to the team's rotational depth.

More to the point, I am very interested in the types of players they target. That will speak volumes about the direction they are headed both as a team as well as whom they plan to keep from last season.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Agreed. TL perhaps? Spurs don’t really need more non-elite guard/wing depth.

Their roster is in the midst of a complete overhaul. I’m not sure what we know they will need but as I mentioned earlier a big part of the value could be in freeing up cap space for next summer as well as having it for this summer. Being locked into 3 more years of Murray and White is what I’m thinking they may want to move away from by draft night.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Their roster is in the midst of a complete overhaul. I’m not sure what we know they will need but as I mentioned earlier a big part of the value could be in freeing up cap space for next summer as well as having it for this summer. Being locked into 3 more years of Murray and White is what I’m thinking they may want to move away from by draft night.

Agreed. I just think they would prefer a big prospect to PP/AN, if possible. But at this point, they’re probably most interested in just acquiring assets and clearing cap space like you said.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Agreed. I just think they would prefer a big prospect to PP/AN, if possible. But at this point, they’re probably most interested in just acquiring assets and clearing cap space like you said.

Yes, that was my thought behind Smart and Nesmith in the swap.

 

[the moops]

Smart has to be the one included based on contract, what the Spurs are possibly looking to accomplish, and position. There isn’t another player(s) that makes sense for either side.

I agree with all of these reasons except based on contract. BOS can easily cobble together the money without including Smart

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I agree with all of these reasons except based on contract. BOS can easily cobble together the money without including Smart

Sure they “could” but it wouldn’t make much sense to the other party.