A little Celtics buzz

[sully00]

On a side note, do any of our insiders have a clue on what Dan Lifshatz' tweets regarding Ainge working on a trade to land a star player that he says C's fans will be happy about?

I've got to say he's been pretty on the mark this summer so far. Called Brown at 3 (not wildly difficult on it's own), the Horford signing being completed a day or two early (also not crazy), but also had BOS/GS as the finalists for Durant with GS as the favorite. So nothing on it's own is too compelling but it's a nice overall picture considering he produces at the Celtics' home radio station. Of course that they are having trade talks for a star doesn't really mean anything on it's own, they've been trying to trade for a star for 2+ years lol.

I love how the other people at the radio station are asking him how he knows this stuff.

[Andrew McCeltic]

So like do Boston fans also think this guy has the most lopsided view of deals or is it just me?

I know what's fair, that doesn't mean I can't start lopsided. Those deals do happen (3 unprotected BKN 1sts?)..

You don't seem to have much idea at all at what is fair. You're saying you could make peace with getting Middleton for two mid to late firsts. That's different than starting lopsided - which I don't see the point of anyway. I think the more likely explanation is that you're a huge humor that consistently undervalues players on other teams.

The 'make peace' was just homering- what do you think is fair value for Middleton? 2 1sts and getting out from his salary, if that's what the Bucks are trying to do, actually doesn't seem unfair to me. I wouldn't think that was fair for Griffin or Cousins. But I don't know why he was rumored to be on the market in the first place, if he's not just a salary dump, that changes his value.

What players do you want to talk about fair value for? Okafor and Noel? Not much agreement with the Philly fan base and the rest of the league on those two.

Envisioning "lopsided" trade scenarios doesn't mean I don't have a sense of what's likely to go down, but I've followed the league long enough to know not to foreclose any possibilities. Our GM did get a 1st round pick for his last coach.

[165bows]

It's Tim Duncan, guys. We're trading for Timmy. He's finally gonna be a Celtic.

For a half second I was thinking maybe Dirk but reading his quotes sounds like no way.

[OFWGKTA]

It's obviously Kawai Leonard

Actually could be Aldridge if the Spurs are gonna try and set up a more long term window to build around Kawai

[sully00]

I am absolutely terrified that we are giving up valuable assets for Russell Westbrook. I just can't see Presti holding on to him if he doesn't sign an extension. Remember, OKC was one of the teams that voted against lottery reform, which means he is very much in favor of tanking. Given that the 2017 NBA Draft looks like it might have a 2 or 3 franchise players, I can see Presti dealing everyone of value for picks and expirings.

The Ray Allen trade came out of nowhere. Same thing with the Perk/Jeff Green deal. If we give up that 2017 Nets pick for Westbrook, I'm going to be worried the whole season. Let's just hope that Ainge gets Presti to somehow throw in Steven Adams in a deal, just in case Westbrook walks.

Why be terrified of trading for Westbrook? I think people need to come terms with the fact that if you want to date the supermodel you better be able to keep her happy. These top tier guys are not going to be put themselves in a situation where they are simply the employee. If you have the leverage of a top 5 player your going year to year. Teams are not buried hopelessly over the cap so they can take risks they otherwise would not.

[BullyKing]

I know what's fair, that doesn't mean I can't start lopsided. Those deals do happen (3 unprotected BKN 1sts?)..

You don't seem to have much idea at all at what is fair. You're saying you could make peace with getting Middleton for two mid to late firsts. That's different than starting lopsided - which I don't see the point of anyway. I think the more likely explanation is that you're a huge humor that consistently undervalues players on other teams.

The 'make peace' was just homering- what do you think is fair value for Middleton? 2 1sts and getting out from his salary, if that's what the Bucks are trying to do, actually doesn't seem unfair to me. I wouldn't think that was fair for Griffin or Cousins. But I don't know why he was rumored to be on the market in the first place, if he's not just a salary dump, that changes his value.

What players do you want to talk about fair value for? Okafor and Noel? Not much agreement with the Philly fan base and the rest of the league on those two.

Envisioning "lopsided" trade scenarios doesn't mean I don't have a sense of what's likely to go down, but I've followed the league long enough to know not to foreclose any possibilities. Our GM did get a 1st round pick for his last coach.

Middleton as a salary dump... you are literally the most clueless person on this entire website.

[Andrew McCeltic]

You don't seem to have much idea at all at what is fair. You're saying you could make peace with getting Middleton for two mid to late firsts. That's different than starting lopsided - which I don't see the point of anyway. I think the more likely explanation is that you're a huge humor that consistently undervalues players on other teams.

The 'make peace' was just homering- what do you think is fair value for Middleton? 2 1sts and getting out from his salary, if that's what the Bucks are trying to do, actually doesn't seem unfair to me. I wouldn't think that was fair for Griffin or Cousins. But I don't know why he was rumored to be on the market in the first place, if he's not just a salary dump, that changes his value.

What players do you want to talk about fair value for? Okafor and Noel? Not much agreement with the Philly fan base and the rest of the league on those two.

Envisioning "lopsided" trade scenarios doesn't mean I don't have a sense of what's likely to go down, but I've followed the league long enough to know not to foreclose any possibilities. Our GM did get a 1st round pick for his last coach.

Middleton as a salary dump... you are literally the most clueless person on this entire website.

Maybe you can explain things to me real slow....

[sully00]

You don't seem to have much idea at all at what is fair. You're saying you could make peace with getting Middleton for two mid to late firsts. That's different than starting lopsided - which I don't see the point of anyway. I think the more likely explanation is that you're a huge humor that consistently undervalues players on other teams.

The 'make peace' was just homering- what do you think is fair value for Middleton? 2 1sts and getting out from his salary, if that's what the Bucks are trying to do, actually doesn't seem unfair to me. I wouldn't think that was fair for Griffin or Cousins. But I don't know why he was rumored to be on the market in the first place, if he's not just a salary dump, that changes his value.

What players do you want to talk about fair value for? Okafor and Noel? Not much agreement with the Philly fan base and the rest of the league on those two.

Envisioning "lopsided" trade scenarios doesn't mean I don't have a sense of what's likely to go down, but I've followed the league long enough to know not to foreclose any possibilities. Our GM did get a 1st round pick for his last coach.

Middleton as a salary dump... you are literally the most clueless person on this entire website.

Middleton is probably going to traded in salary dump it is just going to be Monroe's salary they are dumping.

[bondom34]

Not to get overly involved but in what world would Middleton ever be a salary dump? I mean you trade a borderline star (at worst a top 5 SG) to get out from his salary?

[BamaCeltic]

I must've missed why anyone is even talking about Middleton when the rumor is we're trading for a "star player"

[Crossy2008]

It's obviously Kawai Leonard

Makes sense. Maybe we can get them to include Aldridge too.

Throw out something like Rozier/Hunter/Bos '18 1st. Then send Smart for Westbrook.

Westbrook/AB/Kawhi/LMA/Horford.

with

IT/Brown/Crowder/Olynyk/Amir bench.

This basketball thing is so easy to figure out sometimes.

Very green font.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Monroe is going to opt out next summer, they can lose him if they want to. More likely they'd make a trade on talent, like sending him to NOP with MCW for Asik/Evans. Middleton is the long term salary they might be balking at, looking at huge extensions for Giannis and Parker.

That team's already horribly constructed and they just used the tenth pick on Thon Maker. I wouldn't bet against anything right now."

[Andrew McCeltic]

I must've missed why anyone is even talking about Middleton when the rumor is we're trading for a "star player"

Because I made an offhand comment and now BullyKing wants to measure d*cks with me.

[OFWGKTA]

It's obviously Kawai Leonard

Makes sense. Maybe we can get them to include Aldridge too.

Throw out something like Rozier/Hunter/Bos '18 1st. Then send Smart for Westbrook.

Westbrook/AB/Kawhi/LMA/Horford.

with

IT/Brown/Crowder/Olynyk/Amir bench.

This basketball this is so easy to figure out sometimes.

Very green font.

Mine was green font as well, though Aldridge might actually be in play if Pop is out too

[bondom34]

But Middleton is literally the only spacing they have. And the cap is going up.

[OFWGKTA]

I'd edit that last comment Andrew McCeltic

[Andrew McCeltic]

Not to get overly involved but in what world would Middleton ever be a salary dump? I mean you trade a borderline star (at worst a top 5 SG) to get out from his salary?

It's the only motivation I can imagine for him being on the market in the first place, especially when that team can't shoot.

[bondom34]

Not to get overly involved but in what world would Middleton ever be a salary dump? I mean you trade a borderline star (at worst a top 5 SG) to get out from his salary?

It's the only motivation I can imagine for him being on the market in the first place, especially when that team can't shoot.

Except I've never seen him as "on the market" for anything other than maybe a star in return.

And he's the only one on that team who can shoot, so it makes less sense.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I am absolutely terrified that we are giving up valuable assets for Russell Westbrook. I just can't see Presti holding on to him if he doesn't sign an extension. Remember, OKC was one of the teams that voted against lottery reform, which means he is very much in favor of tanking. Given that the 2017 NBA Draft looks like it might have a 2 or 3 franchise players, I can see Presti dealing everyone of value for picks and expirings.

The Ray Allen trade came out of nowhere. Same thing with the Perk/Jeff Green deal. If we give up that 2017 Nets pick for Westbrook, I'm going to be worried the whole season. Let's just hope that Ainge gets Presti to somehow throw in Steven Adams in a deal, just in case Westbrook walks.

Why be terrified of trading for Westbrook? I think people need to come terms with the fact that if you want to date the supermodel you better be able to keep her happy. These top tier guys are not going to be put themselves in a situation where they are simply the employee. If you have the leverage of a top 5 player your going year to year. Teams are not buried hopelessly over the cap so they can take risks they otherwise would not.

I'm terrified because of what the Cs would give up for him in what might equate to a 1 year rental. I'm not sure he values winning more than being in the spotlight.

[Crossy2008]

It's obviously Kawai Leonard

Makes sense. Maybe we can get them to include Aldridge too.

Throw out something like Rozier/Hunter/Bos '18 1st. Then send Smart for Westbrook.

Westbrook/AB/Kawhi/LMA/Horford.

with

IT/Brown/Crowder/Olynyk/Amir bench.

This basketball this is so easy to figure out sometimes.

Very green font.

Mine was green font as well, though Aldridge might actually be in play if Pop is out too

I did realize that and played along.

In all seriousness though, and I mean all of it, Smart, Brown, and Rozier are all super potential players, and even though the general value of them may not be very high depending on who you ask, they should fetch a really nice return without affecting our core.