OT Celtics Aggressively Shopping 3rd Overall Pick

[BigGameDamian]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242221/Celtics-Aggressively-Shopping-3rd-Overall-Pick

The Boston Celtics are hoping to convert the third overall pick into an impact player further along in their career than be patient for a rookie to develop.

The Celtics have been a playoff team in each of the past two seasons with a strong overall team that lacks a true star.

"[I'm] hearing that No. 3 pick overall is the one that they are really shopping," said Blakely, "trying to be as aggressive as possible in trying to move that pick, because they want to get a difference-making, impact player right now. And they believe using that No. 3 pick, and maybe some other players and/or picks, might be the best way to [make] that happen."

Blakely was asked about the type of players the Celtics are targeting.

"The guys that they want are the guys that everybody wants," said Blakely. "We're talking about [Kevin] Durant, we're talking about Jimmy Butler, those type of players. And those guys are going to be at the top of their wish list until those guys say, 'We don't want to come to Boston.' "

 

[BigGameDamian]

It should get interesting if KD goes to Boston in free agency.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Jahlil okafor for #3 still being talked about?

 

[Boob-No-More]

It should get interesting if KD goes to Boston in free agency.

As much as I've enjoyed the West being the superior conference, it would be nice to see a team from the East that can give the best teams in the West a competitive finals series.

Plus I'm all for anything that weakens OKC. The sooner the better, especially, if it doesn't strengthen another team in the West (other than the Blazers) in the process.

But, I think it's most likely Durant signs a 2-year deal with OKC, with the second year as a player option. That makes good financial sense for him gives him a chance to try to win one more time with Westbrook, but still test the FA waters again next summer after OKC chokes again in the playoffs. Then, him and Westbrook will both leave at the same time and go their separate ways.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

There's a reason why it's available.... there's a dropoff after the top two picks.

 

[Mediocre Man]

There's a reason why it's available.... there's a dropoff after the top two picks.

On paper there sure is.

 

[Natebishop3]

On paper there sure is.

They're wanting someone like Butler, and I'm not really convinced there's someone as good as Butler at #3. If their plan really is to try to go for "the big three" 2.0, and bring in Durant/Horford/Butler, they have to convince Chicago that the third pick is good value. I personally don't think that it is.

 

[Mediocre Man]

They're wanting someone like Butler, and I'm not really convinced there's someone as good as Butler at #3. If their plan really is to try to go for "the big three" 2.0, and bring in Durant/Horford/Butler, they have to convince Chicago that the third pick is good value. I personally don't think that it is.

You may not find someone to think there is an equal player, but may find someone rebuilding that thinks a player there could be great in a couple of years?

 

[Natebishop3]

You may not find someone to think there is an equal player, but may find someone rebuilding that thinks a player there could be great in a couple of years?

I guess it depends on whether Chicago wants to blow it up. If that's the case, they need to deal Rose as well.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

If I was Chicago, I wouldnt even trade Jimmy Butler for the #1 pick. Butler is a proven stud!

 

[Boob-No-More]

They're wanting someone like Butler, and I'm not really convinced there's someone as good as Butler at #3. If their plan really is to try to go for "the big three" 2.0, and bring in Durant/Horford/Butler, they have to convince Chicago that the third pick is good value. I personally don't think that it is.

But, it's not just the 3rd pick. BOS has so much available to sweeten a trade. The have a total of 8 picks in this draft (3, 16, 23, 31, 35, 45 51, 58). They can offer a team looking to rebuild a buttload of picks - to go with the 3rd overall pick.

In spite of having 9 players on guaranteed contracts, they have potentially the third highest amount of cap space available, at over $53 million. Only the worst team in each conference (LAL, PHI) has more available cap space than the 47-win, 5th seed Celtics.

This has several implications. The most obvious is they can offer multiple drafts picks in an unbalanced trade scenario. This is very desirable for a team looking to rebuild as they can acquire both draft picks and shed a ton of salary. It also means that BOS has a lot of young players on cheap contracts. These young players, along with the draft picks can also be combined in one, or more, unbalanced trades to take advantage of all that cap space.

Finally, the Celtics won 47 games, were the 5th seed in the East and advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs, all without a true superstar. Any star that goes there will push them to 55, or more, wins and make them an instant contender for a top 2 seed in the East with a very legitimate shot at making the finals. They also have an excellent coach and using all those draft picks and cap space to land 2, or more, stars would make them title contenders.

Honestly, with 8 draft picks, a shit ton of cap space, lots of good, young players on cheap contracts, a good coach and already a solid playoff team, I've never seen a team so well positioned to make some big moves in the off season. Danny Ainge has done a tremendous job acquiring tradeable assets. It will be interesting to see if he can parlay those assets into one, or more star players that can take his team from a mid playoff seed to one of the two teams in the East, or even a legitimate title contender.

BNM

 

[BBert]

Ainge continues to be a great GM.

The Bastard.

 

[Natebishop3]

But, it's not just the 3rd pick. BOS has so much available to sweeten a trade. The have a total of 8 picks in this draft (3, 16, 23, 31, 35, 45 51, 58). They can offer a team looking to rebuild a buttload of picks - to go with the 3rd overall pick.

In spite of having 9 players on guaranteed contracts, they have potentially the third highest amount of cap space available, at over $53 million. Only the worst team in each conference (LAL, PHI) has more available cap space than the 47-win, 5th seed Celtics.

This has several implications. The most obvious is they can offer multiple drafts picks in an unbalanced trade scenario. This is very desirable for a team looking to rebuild as they can acquire both draft picks and shed a ton of salary. It also means that BOS has a lot of young players on cheap contracts. These young players, along with the draft picks can also be combined in one, or more, unbalanced trades to take advantage of all that cap space.

Finally, the Celtics won 47 games, were the 5th seed in the East and advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs, all without a true superstar. Any star that goes there will push them to 55, or more, wins and make them an instant contender for a top 2 seed in the East with a very legitimate shot at making the finals. They also have an excellent coach and using all those draft picks and cap space to land 2, or more, stars would make them title contenders.

Honestly, with 8 draft picks, a shit ton of cap space, lots of good, young players on cheap contracts, a good coach and already a solid playoff team, I've never seen a team so well positioned to make some big moves in the off season. Danny Ainge has done a tremendous job acquiring tradeable assets. It will be interesting to see if he can parlay those assets into one, or more star players that can take his team from a mid playoff seed to one of the two teams in the East, or even a legitimate title contender.

BNM

That's pretty much exactly what he did to get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. He traded picks and young talent. I don't remember all the players involved, but Minny got a young Al Jefferson for KG, and Seattle got Jeff Green for Ray Allen.

 

[Natebishop3]

Ainge continues to be a great GM.

The Bastard.

He still traded what ended up being Brandon Roy for Sebastian Telfair. He ain't that good

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

That's pretty much exactly what he did to get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. He traded picks and young talent. I don't remember all the players involved, but Minny got a young Al Jefferson for KG, and Seattle got Jeff Green for Ray Allen.

You forgot former blazers (for like no time) ryan gomes and seabass!

 

[BBert]

He still traded what ended up being Brandon Roy for Sebastian Telfair. He ain't that good

That does make me feel somewhat better. Thanks.

 

[Natebishop3]

That does make me feel somewhat better. Thanks.

Also, Kevin McHale basically gifted him Garnett. He hasn't really done anything earth shattering since that summer. Getting Thomas from Phoenix was pretty hilarious though. God the Suns are awful.

 

[Boob-No-More]

He still traded what ended up being Brandon Roy for Sebastian Telfair. He ain't that good

When you constantly swing for the fences, you're going to also strike out.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

When you constantly swing for the fences, you're going to also strike out.

BNM

That's called "pulling a Morey" and the strategy isn't a sound one.

Would Durant/Butler/Horford win a championship? Would they even be that much better than OKC? I'm not so sure.

 

[handiman]

With all those assets, they should be trying to pry Anthony Davis away from the Pelicans. That's a team that needs a do-over.

 

[Boob-No-More]

That's called "pulling a Morey" and the strategy isn't a sound one.

Would Durant/Butler/Horford win a championship? Would they even be that much better than OKC? I'm not so sure.

It won him a title when he swung for the fences and got Garnett and Ray Allen. How many titles has Morey won?

Those three, plus Isaiah Thomas and the rest of the Celtics young would be so much better than OKC, it's not even close. OKC doesn't even have a big 3, they have a bog two and a buch of below avwrage role players.

Durant would give the Celtics the go to scorer they currently lack, but the main reason is defense. When OKC trots out their best defensive line up, they are playing 2-on-5 on offense. Horford and Butler are both great 2-way players. Horford is one of the best bigs in the league at defending the pick and roll, and Butler is a 20 ppg player who has also been 2nd team all defense for three straight years. Their 3-guard rotation of Thomas, Avery Bradley and Butler also adds a guy who was 1st team all defense this year and widely regarded as the best perimeter defender in the league. Imagine the small ball lineup they could field with Bradley, the 6'7" Butler, Jae Crowder (who missed beating out Paul George for second team all defense by just one vote) and Horford.

Anyway, I already discussed that in more detail in a different thread last week, I'll see if I can dig up a link.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

Those three, plus Isaiah Thomas and the rest of the Celtics young would be so much better than OKC, it's not even close. OKC doesn't even have a big 3, they have a bog two and a buch of below avwrage role players.

Durant would give the Celtics the go to scorer they currently lack, but the main reason is defense. When OKC trots out their best defensive line up, they are playing 2-on-5 on offense. Horford and Butler are both great 2-way players. Horford is one of the best bigs in the league at defending the pick and roll, and Butler is a 20 ppg player who has also been 2nd team all defense for three straight years. Their 3-guard rotation of Thomas, Avery Bradley and Butler also adds a guy who was 1st team all defense this year and widely regarded as the best perimeter defender in the league. Imagine the small ball lineup they could field with Bradley, the 6'7" Butler, Jae Crowder (who missed beating out Paul George for second team all defense by just one vote) and Horford.

Anyway, I already discussed that in more detail in a different thread last week, I'll see if I can dig up a link.

BNM

There won't be a "rest of the Celtics young" because they'd have to gut the team. We had this discussion a few weeks back. To get Durant/Horford they have to renounce all their restricted and unrestricted guys. That leaves just a handful of players on the roster. Then, to make the trade work for Butler, they'd have to match something like 17 million. They won't have a roster. It will be Thomas/Butler/Durant/Horford and nobody else.

 

[Natebishop3]

Hoopshype sucks.... I shouldn't have used them. Their salary info is not up to date.

basketball-reference is better.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/BOS.html

So Crowder, Thomas, Bradley, Smart, Jerebko, Olynyk, Amir Johnson, and a bunch of scrubs.

They have to make an offer that's worthwhile to Chicago, so maybe Smart/#3/Johnson.

So if they pull it together and add Butler/Durant/Horford, they still have Bradley, Thomas, Olynyk, and Crowder. I guess that's a pretty good 8 man rotation. Definitely one of the best in the east.

 

[BonesJones]

But, it's not just the 3rd pick. BOS has so much available to sweeten a trade. The have a total of 8 picks in this draft (3, 16, 23, 31, 35, 45 51, 58). They can offer a team looking to rebuild a buttload of picks - to go with the 3rd overall pick.

In spite of having 9 players on guaranteed contracts, they have potentially the third highest amount of cap space available, at over $53 million. Only the worst team in each conference (LAL, PHI) has more available cap space than the 47-win, 5th seed Celtics.

This has several implications. The most obvious is they can offer multiple drafts picks in an unbalanced trade scenario. This is very desirable for a team looking to rebuild as they can acquire both draft picks and shed a ton of salary. It also means that BOS has a lot of young players on cheap contracts. These young players, along with the draft picks can also be combined in one, or more, unbalanced trades to take advantage of all that cap space.

Finally, the Celtics won 47 games, were the 5th seed in the East and advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs, all without a true superstar. Any star that goes there will push them to 55, or more, wins and make them an instant contender for a top 2 seed in the East with a very legitimate shot at making the finals. They also have an excellent coach and using all those draft picks and cap space to land 2, or more, stars would make them title contenders.

Honestly, with 8 draft picks, a shit ton of cap space, lots of good, young players on cheap contracts, a good coach and already a solid playoff team, I've never seen a team so well positioned to make some big moves in the off season. Danny Ainge has done a tremendous job acquiring tradeable assets. It will be interesting to see if he can parlay those assets into one, or more star players that can take his team from a mid playoff seed to one of the two teams in the East, or even a legitimate title contender.

BNM

One correction: The Celtics didn't make the 2nd Round

 

[BonesJones]

If I'm Chicago I'm asking for #3, #16, Crowder and Smart.

 

[BonesJones]

If I'm us I'm offering Plumlee, Aminu, Vonleh, and 3 Future 1sts for Butler.

 

[Boob-No-More]

That's called "pulling a Morey" and the strategy isn't a sound one.

Would Durant/Butler/Horford win a championship? Would they even be that much better than OKC? I'm not so sure.

BNM

One correction: The Celtics didn't make the 2nd Round

Oops, you're correct. Shows how much attention I paid to the first round of the playoffs in the East this year (yawn...)

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

It won him a title when he swung for the fences and got Garnett and Ray Allen. How many titles has Morey won?

Those three, plus Isaiah Thomas and the rest of the Celtics young would be so much better than OKC, it's not even close. OKC doesn't even have a big 3, they have a bog two and a buch of below avwrage role players.

Durant would give the Celtics the go to scorer they currently lack, but the main reason is defense. When OKC trots out their best defensive line up, they are playing 2-on-5 on offense. Horford and Butler are both great 2-way players. Horford is one of the best bigs in the league at defending the pick and roll, and Butler is a 20 ppg player who has also been 2nd team all defense for three straight years. Their 3-guard rotation of Thomas, Avery Bradley and Butler also adds a guy who was 1st team all defense this year and widely regarded as the best perimeter defender in the league. Imagine the small ball lineup they could field with Bradley, the 6'7" Butler, Jae Crowder (who missed beating out Paul George for second team all defense by just one vote) and Horford.

Anyway, I already discussed that in more detail in a different thread last week, I'll see if I can dig up a link.

BNM

Here's the more detailed response I mentioned...

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

If I'm Chicago I'm asking for #3, #16, Crowder and Smart.

That's pretty steep. I think they could get #3, #16, and Smart.

 

[BonesJones]

I mean we could form a Lillard/McCollum/Durant/Horford big 4 By Trading, Aminu and Vonleh while renouncing Leonard and Harkless

Lillard / McCollum
McCollum / Crabbe
Durant / Crabbe
Davis / West (RoomEx.)
Horford / Plumlee

That's a better team than OKC or a hypothetical Thomas/Butler/Durant/Horford big 4.