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Or has anyone improved their play to where teams around the league would give a player from Boston bench a second look.

My candidate for... Is he rising?

Gabe Pruitt

My candidate for... Is he sliding?

Tony Allen

Boston Celtics: World champs; the "Boston Three Party". Whatever the tagline the Celtics could be busy making moves before too long.

Much like the Cavs, injuries are the linchpin in Boston pulling the trigger at the trade deadline. With center Kendrick Perkins troubling shoulder injury –although he is set to return against the Phoenix Suns in the coming days – and a lack of production in the middle, President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge has to consider shopping for a big man. Sorry Leon Powe and Glen "Big Baby" Davis. Boston needs a bit more muscle and offense if they plan on a repeat performance come June.

The question is, who goes and who stays for the Celtics? The answer may be sitting just seats down from Doc Rivers - Sam Cassell. Rivers recently said Cassell will "have his time." Rivers didn't say however if that would be on the floor contributing or if Sam will be filling the waiver wire. If you are Ainge, that's a pretty valuable roster spot to leave untouched.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11249

Scal.....Gabe....Walker.....POB (a little...needs more viewing)....

I agree with the OP's premise that Pruitt's stock is rising at Tony Allen's expense. I love seeing Gabe get minutes that went to Allen previously. The ball moves so much better and the offensive cohesion of the 2nd unit is so much better with Gabe in the lineup instead of TA. Hopefully Doc will notice the improvement and continue to keep TA out of the regular rotation. Allen is just too unreliable, and often makes poor decisions with the ball. Pruitt, meanwhile, has exhibited nothing but poise when on the floor. Gabe may make an occasional poor decision that results in a turnover, but it can be chalked up to a learning experience at this point. But Allen, makes the same type of mistakes over and over. It seems that his decision making has actually gotten worse as his career has unfolded.

We can't even get a used tampon for Tony now. So we might as well hold onto him. We can't send him to the D-league until he gets back into shape right???

The thing that's nerve-racking about Tony is just when he begins to redeem himself after getting seriously injured. He gets injured, again. But, then every season for the past two seasons has supposed to have been Tony's breakout season. For this reason, I'm intrigued by the idea of acquiring McCants seeing him as a legitimate upgrade. Admittedly, I've only viewed highlights of McCants. But, how does a player with his potential offensively fall out of favor so fast? A tandem in the back court of he and Pruitt would be better than any of the guard combination for Boston after Rondo and Ray.

Rondo, Ray Allen, McCants and Pruitt > Rondo, Ray Allen, Tony Allen, House, Pruitt and Cassell

Minnesota needs more size which is just what Boston can't help them with. Whereas, New Jersey could be a better trade partner for them being since they can offer them back front court help in players such as Boone or Sean Williams.

Why is there rumors of us getting McCants? He played for a prep school in New Hampshire I believe.

Rumors? Posters on here are merely discussing the talk of McCants as a possible option via trade to help the bench. Who'd said Boston and Minnesota are involved in rumors involving McCants? I didn't...

McCants doesn't do anything but shoot and he isn't doing that very well this season. He isn't getting any mins in MINN because he doesn't help them win games why would he even be wanted in BOS?

Because Tony Allen's contract is BYC, Sam Cassell's contract balances it in a trade.

If we get a guard he should be able to handle the ball and he has to be able to defend if he is going to replace Tony Allen. Gabe Pruitt can do both of those things and is coming around shooting the 3.

We need some size and skill upfront.

joneb wrote:I agree with the OP's premise that Pruitt's stock is rising at Tony Allen's expense. I love seeing Gabe get minutes that went to Allen previously. The ball moves so much better and the offensive cohesion of the 2nd unit is so much better with Gabe in the lineup instead of TA. Hopefully Doc will notice the improvement and continue to keep TA out of the regular rotation. Allen is just too unreliable, and often makes poor decisions with the ball. Pruitt, meanwhile, has exhibited nothing but poise when on the floor. Gabe may make an occasional poor decision that results in a turnover, but it can be chalked up to a learning experience at this point. But Allen, makes the same type of mistakes over and over. It seems that his decision making has actually gotten worse as his career has unfolded.

TA's stock is fine, at least amongst those in the know. The ball moves better because Pruitt has supplanted House as the point guard. So, it's a question of who you'd rather have at the 2 guard: a streak shooting, super short, one-dimensional Eddie House, or prototypical 2 guard TA. TA is the more consistent player, since he plays defense every game, and I expect he'll get the bulk of the minutes at the 2 when he gets back. But, with Doc being Doc, that'll probably also spell more minutes for House at the point. And that's the real crux of the issue with the bench: House v. Pruitt.

sully00 wrote:McCants doesn't do anything but shoot and he isn't doing that very well this season. He isn't getting any mins in MINN because he doesn't help them win games why would he even be wanted in BOS?

Quoted for truth.

Although, McCant shoot is good for putting Korver to shame.

I would say Scalabrine and Big Baby. Scalabrine is showing people that he can be an effective player when surrounded by talented players. He showed that in Jersey and he is showing it again in the starting lineup.

Also Big Baby has looked a lot better in the last 4-5 games. He looks like he is in better shape than he was a month ago and IMO has outplayed Powe in the last week to week and a half.

Davis has been outplaying Powe for a couple of weeks now as you said, the only problem is Leon's stock has probably dropped considerably from where it was at the start of the season otherwise id be all for using him to get a 7 footer

cfan79 wrote:We can't even get a used tampon for Tony now. So we might as well hold onto him. We can't send him to the D-league right???

Fixed.

Only players with less than three years in the league can be sent to the d-league.

Avalanche wrote:Davis has been outplaying Powe for a couple of weeks now as you said, the only problem is Leon's stock has probably dropped considerably from where it was at the start of the season otherwise id be all for using him to get a 7 footer

If these particular teams showed an interest, would you've an interest in trading Powe (and the necessary players and future draft pick or picks) to New Jersey for Brook Lopez or Chicago for Noah? These two players are meant by me as examples and I'm not implying that either team wants to move either player. I'm just saying that I would've an interest in either since Lopez is one big of a few big men that the Nets could part with before the deadline. Even if it wouldn't be Lopez, I mention him as I'm impressed by his developing maturity on offense. But, his defense looks like it's behind his offense. While Noah seems like he might be falling out of favor with his head coach. I don't know that for certain, but he looks at least like an energy/hustle player similar to Varejao who Boston probably couldn't get from Cleveland.

Lopez is a pipe dream, that kid is a big time keeper for the nets no way they take back a bench player for him.. but i know thats not what u meant.

Not sure on Noah, i really havnt seen much of him this season

no way could we get Lopez. Thats like asking would we trade Big Al for Trenton Hassell three years ago.

I've been impressed with Scalabrine since Perk went down.He plays smart basketball.

I would like to keep Gabe Pruitt,as well.

I love Leon,too,even though he's been in a bit of a slump recently. It really depends on who we are getting in return in order for me to be ok in letting him go.

I wouldn't mind losing Big Baby,Patty O'Bryant,and Tony. The two players I would like to keep are Gabe Pruitt and Leon Powe. I think they have the most to offer overall,for now and the future.

Oh, and Billy Walker. I'm sure they are the most valuable of our players to other teams,also.

Considering that Brook Lopez was a top ten selection and has already begun starting games for the Nets. I didn't think it would be realistic to acquire him. It was more that he'd looked good in the Boston games that I was impressed to see him score as he did that I brought him up. Still, the Celtics need a taller big man. I still would view Noah as an option for the right package for the Bulls. Part of the reason that I'd suggested young big men is that their contracts are still reasonable. And there's still room to improve for them. The situation at center for Boston isn't bright. Neither Powe or Davis are centers. O'Bryant is a project that seemingly will take longer to show any signs of maturation. Time and patience the team can't afford given the current make up of the team. And who knows what the immediate future of Erden will be come next season. I say, Ainge must target a Noah who has now been in the league long enough to see that a change of team might could do him better. Unfortunately, a lot of the young up-and-coming centers in the league like Hawes or Marc Gasol are untouchable or likely unavailable like Kaman or Przybilla.

Perhaps, an offer can be the following.

Powe, O'Bryant and Walker to Chicago in exchange for Noah. This is a cap friendly deal for Chicago. However, a three-for-one deal can be tricky. I don't know if the Bulls want to release any players not playing at all on their roster.

bonsaiflipflops wrote:Perhaps, an offer can be the following.

Powe, O'Bryant and Walker to Chicago in exchange for Noah. This is a cap friendly deal for Chicago. However, a three-for-one deal can be tricky. I don't know if the Bulls want to release any players not playing at all on their roster.

Not a bad trade. Does Chicago have any open roster spots?

Have to wonder why Billy is deactivated for Perk yet Cassell is still on the active roster... ?