Rumor: Boston discuss Battier | Chicago wants Lee

[Hangtime84]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... ttier-deal

Add Houston's Shane Battier to the list of perimeter players that possess the ideal combination -- veteran know-how with an expiring contract -- to interest the Boston Celtics.


After the name of Cleveland's Anthony Parker surfaced Friday as a player that Boston has joined conference rival Chicago in pursuing, sources said Monday that the Celtics and Rockets have likewise discussed the prospect of Battier moving East.

Yet it's too soon to say whether the teams can reach an agreement on a deal to send Battier to the Celtics, given that Boston's trade chips are limited and since Houston is regarded as one of the most aggressive teams in a conservative market and might need Battier's expiring $7.4 million salary for a bigger move.


Chicago's well-chronicled interest in Houston's Courtney Lee persists as well, and discussions between the teams continues. Yet it's not clear there, either, if the teams can come to terms on a trade that works with the Bulls obviously (and justifiably) unwilling to part with Taj Gibson and reluctant to surrender the developing Omer Asik to import the shooting guard everyone knows the Bulls covet.

[Optimism Prime]

I will endorse a Battier trade on one condition: He agrees (under the table) to coach for us once he retires. And learns from the best coaches the league has to offer until then. Sadly, Doc Rivers ain't in that category.

[inquisitive]

If we give up Lee, i would want Asik who i am not thrilled with and Gibson. Or we could ship TWilly instead of Lee.

[rdehonney]

If we give up Lee, i would want Asik who i am not thrilled with and Gibson. Or we could ship TWilly instead of Lee.

I've watched Asik play and he's a better player then his stats show, however I agree. I'd rather give up t-will, lee is one of the 4 players on this team I really dont want to give up along with scola, lowry, and pat. I know i didnt include k-mart but I think hes expendable if the right piece comes along. Do you guys think the battier deal suggests we're trying to make a big move because I dont see who boston could give us that would be worth giving shane up

[Aaron Brooks]

Twill > Lee, shooting is easier to develop than playmaking and ballhandling

[inquisitive]

The reason i want to keep Lee is that he can play D also. Very rare to find players who are good on both sides of the ball. I don't know much about TWilly's D , so that is why i mentioned him instead.

[rdehonney]

Twill > Lee, shooting is easier to develop than playmaking and ballhandling

tell that to andre igoudala, id really rather not get rid of either

[rdehonney]

The reason i want to keep Lee is that he can play D also. Very rare to find players who are good on both sides of the ball. I don't know much about TWilly's D , so that is why i mentioned him instead.

t-will can play d also, either way can we just get rid of bud instead... lol

[inquisitive]

The reason i want to keep Lee is that he can play D also. Very rare to find players who are good on both sides of the ball. I don't know much about TWilly's D , so that is why i mentioned him instead.

t-will can play d also, either way can we just get rid of bud instead... lol

No doubt..please get rid of Bud the Dud!!

[sully00]

It seems like there is a lot out already putting the idea of Houston sending Battier to Boston down, but loud denials actually tend to get my attention.

You guys know Morey better than I do but he doesn't seem afraid to spend some money to collect some assets. Is there much talk of you guys trying to clear cap this year or is it more about two years from now?

Is taking on Jermaine O'Neal and his 6.2 mil for next season possible if it comes with Avery Bradley and a Boston's 2011 1st?

[inquisitive]

It seems like there is a lot out already putting the idea of Houston sending Battier to Boston down, but loud denials actually tend to get my attention.

You guys know Morey better than I do but he doesn't seem afraid to spend some money to collect some assets. Is there much talk of you guys trying to clear cap this year or is it more about two years from now?

Is taking on Jermaine O'Neal and his 6.2 mil for next season possible if it comes with Avery Bradley and a Boston's 2011 1st?

O'Neal is out of the question. I think the Rockets will stay away from any injury prone player with good reason. . Not sure about Avery and the pick. I do think the Celtics should concentrate on a good shooting guard, not SF. Someone like RIP and Parker which they were reportedly interested in would be a better fit. Battier is very inconsistent with this shot, but his D is there every night. He doesn't take plays off. One of the smartest players in the league.

[Guy986]

I'll take Bradley + Expiring contract for Battier no problem

[sully00]

The idea wasn't that JO was worth a damn he isn't, we don't really have an expiring contract package that fits that is why I was saying if HOU isn't going to try and go into FA this off season is Bradley and '11 1st worth that last year of JO.

Boston has a lot of guards, guys under 6'5", then Pierce, then a bunch of bigs of varying size but limited athleticism. We have nobody in that 6'8" range to go guard a big 3 quick 4 with Melo coming to NY it is like everyone in the East has that guy.

Probably too much money for the Rockets to eat.

[MaxRider]

i hate miami and lakers
i don't mind trading lee and battier to chicago and boston to improve their bench

[inquisitive]

The idea wasn't that JO was worth a damn he isn't, we don't really have an expiring contract package that fits that is why I was saying if HOU isn't going to try and go into FA this off season is Bradley and '11 1st worth that last year of JO.

Boston has a lot of guards, guys under 6'5", then Pierce, then a bunch of bigs of varying size but limited athleticism. We have nobody in that 6'8" range to go guard a big 3 quick 4 with Melo coming to NY it is like everyone in the East has that guy.

Probably too much money for the Rockets to eat.

Yep, too much money. As personal standpoint, i wouldn't mind seeing Battier play for any contender except the Lakers. He deserves a title at this point in his career.

[shobe_81]

i hate miami and lakers
i don't mind trading lee and battier to chicago and boston to improve their bench

Right, trade the smartest player on the team for trash from boston.

Lets play the emotional game rather than what's better for the team's future.

[MaxRider]

i hate miami and lakers
i don't mind trading lee and battier to chicago and boston to improve their bench

Right, trade the smartest player on the team for trash from boston.

Lets play the emotional game rather than what's better for the team's future.

we aint going anywhere this season
why not help battier try to win champ?
his contract is expired
if he likes us he can return in the offseason
lee has to go unless we don't plan to develop t-will

[sully00]

The idea wasn't that JO was worth a damn he isn't, we don't really have an expiring contract package that fits that is why I was saying if HOU isn't going to try and go into FA this off season is Bradley and '11 1st worth that last year of JO.

Boston has a lot of guards, guys under 6'5", then Pierce, then a bunch of bigs of varying size but limited athleticism. We have nobody in that 6'8" range to go guard a big 3 quick 4 with Melo coming to NY it is like everyone in the East has that guy.

Probably too much money for the Rockets to eat.

Yep, too much money. As personal standpoint, i wouldn't mind seeing Battier play for any contender except the Lakers. He deserves a title at this point in his career.

Fair enough, what if the money was mitigated by Boston sending 3 mil to HOU? My guess it wouldn't be both Bradley and a 1st but one or the other but I am not the GM, I am just curious if this concept has any legs.

This is the kind of move Danny Ainge used to do when building the C's when Morey was there. Boston needs help now and flexibility for next season. HOU would seem to be best served collecting assets for a trade.

The real question isn't the money as both teams can find a way to make the actual cash work for each other, the question is whether or not the Rockets are going to try and clear the cap this off season or not. If not maybe become away for Boston to use Houston's cap to hide a mistake and it ends up costing HOU about 3 mil for a 1st round draft pick. If HOU isn't going to use JO then he will either be an injury retirement or a buyout and the actual cash lay out for HOU won't likely approach the 6 mil he is owed.

This is actually how Boston acquired Rajon Rondo by taking on Brian Grant's last year from PHX. We didn't get this good a deal but the result was still pretty good.

[AsijsLV]

JO, Bradley and some pick?

[TMU]

JO, Bradley and some pick?

Again, it is highly unlikely that the Rockets will trade for an injury-riddled and overpaid center.