kmgarnett21 wrote:if we trade powe, i'll be pissed. i'd MUCH rather trade ray allen. i think he's one of the most expendable players (who plays consistent minutes) on our team
As do I.
In fact, there are much cheaper players who can play the same exact role with the starters better than Ray Allen can. Furthermore, those players wouldn't need to see big minutes on the 2nd unit, allowing Powe and T. Allen to forge their own identity.
Ray is a great outside shooter who really isn't much of a catch-and-shoot player. In addition, he really isn't as much of a floor spreader as he is given credit for being because of poor space discipline. When he is on the floor and a Perkins or Powe get a one-on-one on the block, Ray consistently is slow in bringing his man from the corner to at least the foul line extended. Additionally, when he is the point man in the pick game, he often ignores wide open dives to the front of the rim. Furthermore, Ray and Pierce provide a bit of duplicity in regards to their sweet spots on the perimeter.
The more and more I think about it, heck, this team might just be better served with a Cat Mobley or even Matt Carroll. The question then becomes, are the pieces you can get in addition to that package worth making a deal for Ray Allen. That would take involving multiple teams but it is possible, imo.
In the Carroll example, he is incredible from the right side of the court. Although not a physical talent, he has enough of a first step to make people pay for closing out on him. Essentially what you are already getting from Ray Allen, except that Ray prefers the ball on the left hand side of the court (which Pierce traditionally prefers, as well.) Now Carroll isn't even a good one-on-one defender but I don't think Ray is, either. Both are more than adequate in help defense.
Cat Mobley might be the ideal target, though. His three point shooting suffered a bit last season but I think it will bounce back. Additionally, he has the ability to post up other shootings guard. He has the long arms and the wherewithal to play both good man and help defense (though he has admittedly lost a step.)
As mentioned above, the only way you would do a deal like this is if the total package coming back makes it worth your while. I don't buy into the "never trade the best player in a deal" bit. Well, not always. Everything needs to be factored.
For instance, hypothetically speaking, if you were to do the following deal, it would set up the Celtics to acquire a quasi-star to pair with Pierce, Rondo and Garnett.
Celtics
Trades Ray Allen, Glen Davis, Brian Scalabrine, 2009 Boston 2nd RD'er and $3M
Receives Matt Carroll, Antoine Walker, Tim Thomas, Adam Morrison, 2010 Lakers 1st RD'er (via MEM) and 2010 Minnesota 1st RD'er (via LAC)
Bobcats
Trades Matt Carroll and Adam Morrison
Receives Glen Davis, Brian Scalabrine and Jason Hart
Clippers
Trades Jason Hart, Tim Thomas and 2010 Minnesota 1st RD'er
Receives Javaris Crittenton, 2009 Boston 2nd RD'er (via BOS) and $3M
Grizzlies
Trades Antoine Walker, Javaris Crittenton and 2010 Lakers 1st RD'er
Receives Ray Allen
The Skinny:
BOS: The Celtics acquire a floor spreader who is paid accordingly and will more likely mesh with his more talented teammates on the offensive end of the court better than his predecessor. Thomas provides a mobile tweener forward, with length, to additionally aid in the spreading of the floor. Walker and Morrison's contracts, paired with the two 1st RD'ers, allow for the acquisition of a piece before the deadline. Boston also has some young pieces that could be added to sweeten the pot, if needed.
CHA: Charlotte is in the market for a 3rd PG and Hart provides that. Additionally, Charlotte is a bit thin at the moment in the frontcourt. Though not world beaters, Scalabrine and Davis help to provide coverage in that respect. Lastly, Johnson can stop laying off marketing personnel as he saves $2,806,786 in 2008-09 and up to $11.7M after 2009-10.
LAC: The Clippership receives a young scoring guard, instant cap space, future cap savings of ~$6.5M in 2009-10 and payment of $3M for a draft pick that they are unlikely to see until 2012. With the salary savings of $5,770,280, the Clippers would still have the flexibility to acquire a piece or two in 2008 via the TPE. The addition of Boston's 2nd RD'er allows for the acceptance of a straight salary dump. If Los Angeles wanted any of the Miralles', Sesar's or Pepper's, in addition to what is being sent, so they could trade rights in lieu of the 2nd RD'er, that wouldn't be a problem, either. I would not include Erdren in any deals.
MEM: The Grizzlies acquire a veteran with name recognition to help sell tickets and provide leadership. And they acquire him for what amounts to an expiring contract, a developmental scorer and a (likely) late 1st RD'er.
Likelihood: Not happening. There would likely be too much fan backlash for the Celtics despite the likelihood of improved team performance.