Celtics could keep four point guards says Rivers

[campybatman]

For me, the odd man out is among Miles, Cassell and Pruitt. Unless a trade is forthcoming, one of these players is expected to be let go. This article is somewhat confusing. It was said that Ainge likes to carry multiple point guards going into training camp. On the surface, all four are safe to remain on the final roster. However, Ainge has the final say with Rivers adding his input. It's also known that Rivers desired the resigning of House. House was eventually resigned with Tony Allen. So, there could be some truth to when Rivers says he expects all four to be here. Still, if you read deeper... Pruitt is the unknown. It sounds like Pruitt has to convince Rivers he belongs on the team, if not then he isn't safe after all.

This will be a tough decision for Ainge. He has one lead guard and three combo guards and a small forward who can add much needed depth behind Pierce but will miss games initially to a ten-game suspension. Then too, you've a rookie, Walker, who seems to be turning heads and impressing those who it matters to early on.

Barring anything unforeseen, the Celtics will be keeping four point guards on their final roster. One cut will need to be made from the 16 in camp (or a trade would have to be made where the C’s got one fewer body in return), but the little guys seem safe.

Just one year removed from shouldering a Dumpster of doubt, Rajon Rondo is the unquestioned leader at the position. Eddie House was re-signed for his outside shooting. Sam Cassell was brought back for a veteran hand and to make sure things don’t ever get too quiet. That leaves second-year man Gabe Pruitt, who is still trying to grow into his talent.

He will have time. Asked about keeping all four, Rivers replied, “I would say likely, because Sam can play more than just the 1. He can play the 1 and the 2. Gabe can, too, at times. I’m not that concerned by that position.”

There may be a little light concern about Pruitt, however. While Rondo was confidently guiding the Celts to a championship in his second season, Pruitt is being prodded to do more.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... position=1

[Dogen]

I think Miles is going to be safe. TA, Sam, and House got resigned, so maybe the team just doesn't have the need to develop Pruitt further at this point.

[Celtsfan1980]

Pruitt is being proded to do more? What does that mean?

[Dave_From_NB]

Personally I think that Davis is out of town for a pick. How few comments there are about Davis I believe is an indicator. No comments I've heard that Davis worked hard in the summer, came to camp in better shape. The Celtics Big Man Coach doesn't even mention Davis in a 5+ minute interview where he talks about the players he's working with. POB and Powe are getting the starter center minutes at practice with Perk down. No comments that Davis is doing well in practices. Comments that Miles is getting most of his practice minutes at PF, and that he's doing really well. And the few pictures I've seen of Davis, he's wearing what essentially is a weight loss uniform (long sleeve shirt under the jersey).

Cripes almighty, there was even a mention of Scal from yesterdays practice. (!)

Oddly enough for such a huge man, Davis has become the invisible man.

[Rocky5000]

Yeah, the silence on BBD has been strange. I'd imagine we'd hear something about him, there's now been talk about every single other player.

[BillessuR6]

I expect a minor trade. I think Pruitt is gone...Having 4 PG`s on a team just doesn`t make sense...

[mrautobahn]

I expected BBD gone anyway this year... the Celtics can't afford to resign 2 undersized forwards after the season...

And I believe the Powe is the better one... but that is just my opinion...

One poster said a possibility is that BBD can be traded for a pick... I thought you have to trade contracts... and picks alone isn't permitted anymore?

[Havlicek17]

I have read conflicting reports about whether Sam I Am got a guaranteed contract or not. The most recent articles I read said it is guaranteed, but I just am not 100% sure.

Regardless, Doc's comments yesterday suggest that all the PG's are staying. He says they can sometimes play the SG position. Is he hinting a change could come from the 2 spot? That position is going to be real crowded. Let's see Jesus, Tony, and JR full time. Eddie, Sam, Gabe, and the Truth part time.

Then again, teams are going small, so who knows.

[Dave_From_NB]

One poster said a possibility is that BBD can be traded for a pick... I thought you have to trade contracts... and picks alone isn't permitted anymore?

Perhaps it has changed, but I understood players on their first contract and making league minimum could be traded for a pick.

[Man_Up]

Pruitt is looking like the odd man out right now.

[GreenGrizz]

I think AInge is up to something. I don't think any current Celtics will get a cut. One or two of them will be traded. Doc and Ainge are not that stupid for keeping all young players around the championship-type team. As far as I know, Miles, POB, House, TAllen and Cassell are here to stay.

[hiphop1]

I dont know if Indy would do this but I sure as hell would.

Powe
Giddens
Scal

for

Jeff Foster

[Mahoney_jr]

Indy won't trade 3 for 1. They recently traded 2 for 1 and can't afford to take on any more players.

[ParticleMan]

I dont know if Indy would do this but I sure as hell would.

Powe
Giddens
Scal

for

Jeff Foster

what the hell?!?!?

powe >>>> foster by himself.
then to give up giddens too, who has starter potential?

what exactly is the point of this???

[Mahoney_jr]

Maybe to absorb Scal's negative value?

But let's forget that trade. It's not how the NBA works. This kind of deal would never happen in a comparable situation to ours/Indiana's.

Back to topic: I said Pruitt is as good as gone, but maybe the BBD theories from this thread are something to think about.

[Jammer]

Minimum contract players ON 1 or 2 YEAR contracts can be traded for a pick, cash, or the rights to some guy drafted 15 years ago.

Patrick O'Bryant and Darius Miles can not be traded before December 15,
but neither of them is going to be traded anyway.

So, Glen Davis is the one guy who can be traded to ANY team for a pick or cash (I wonder what he'd fetch in a straight cash deal? - My guess was $1.25 million, but since I saw the picture of him on Celtics.com I figure he's even bigger than they wanted).

The Celtics list Glen Davis as a forward, not a center, for what it's worth.

[SonicYouth34]

Why do we need four point guards? What's the ceiling for Pruitt? ISs he someone that we should just because of the potential?

That Powe trade is awful, I'd only consider it if we're BBD instead of Powe.

[armageddon]

Here's my 2 cents worth....

Just watched the C's practice on NBA TV and Maxwell said that Sam's contact is still unguaranteed. Watching the team scrimmage and run through plays, Sam looks like a coach in training. He also said in an earlier interview that he will have no problem sitting on the bench this year as insurance if there is an injury.

So....they keep all 16 for now, Sam signs as an assistant coach and waits to see how the season unfolds. Sam only signs as a player if Rondo goes down, or if a trade opens up a roster spot and we don't need another center.

[cloverleaf]

Sounds reasonable, armageddon--whether or not Danny makes a trade. Doc lamented not having had Sam from back in the preseason last year, so putting him on the PJ/Elder Statesman/partial-year plan with the preseason and coaching-in-training makes sense. If it works, I could see other teams adopting the model for selected super-veterans.

[Havlicek17]

Armagedon, thanks for clearing up Sam's contract status. I hope you are right, I would much rather see Sam coach and have us go into this year with the remaining 15 man roster. It gives us flexibility to do a trade later in the year as well.