We are currently starting a poor mans Drummond so I disagree we wouldn’t have use for an upgraded version. Drum/Theis > Tristan/Theis.No. The C's have no use for Drummond.
We are currently starting a poor mans Drummond so I disagree we wouldn’t have use for an upgraded version. Drum/Theis > Tristan/Theis.No. The C's have no use for Drummond.
Sure, but would you use sacrifice the TPE for that upgrade? They'd just have a logjam of bigs.We are currently starting a poor mans Drummond so I disagree we wouldn’t have use for an upgraded version. Drum/Theis > Tristan/Theis.
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.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.
Just listened to it. KOC is also a big fan of Larry Nance Jr., who he believes would be a great fit in Boston.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.
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.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.
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.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.
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.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.
It's often easy to figure out the locker room issues.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.
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.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.
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.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.
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).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.
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.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.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.
Well, yes there are teams that could beat it, but will they? I am doubtful that GS offers both Wiseman and MN pick.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.
This isn't true.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.
Sadly I don't think he's particularly helpful even on a vet minimum deal. His last 2 years have been beyond dreadful.FWIW, The Athletic is reporting that the Pistons are sitting Blake Griffin in anticipation of a possible buyout.
you could conjure something up with OKC/Horford while moving Kemba + assetsWould 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?
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.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.
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.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.
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).you could conjure something up with OKC/Horford while moving Kemba + assets
Al's game will age much better IMO
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.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.
Kemba + TL + 1st forThat 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).
in a heartbeatNorm 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.
yea but our 1sts are so much more attractive nowThey'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.
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.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 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.you could conjure something up with OKC/Horford while moving Kemba + assets
Al's game will age much better IMO
Love's been injured all year, no idea when or if he'll be coming back.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).
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.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.
And you want to be in the top 6 this year to avoid the 7-10 seed playin games.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.
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.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.
Agreed. Danny is going to find it very hard getting rid of Kemba. Super small PGs that lose a hair of quickness age poorlyI 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.
Pretty sure I read recently that he's close to returning.Love's been injured all year, no idea when or if he'll be coming back.
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.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.
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.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.
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.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.
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.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.
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.Just listened to it. KOC is also a big fan of Larry Nance Jr., who he believes would be a great fit in Boston.
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.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.
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.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.