Most valuable *individual* player available for 2024 #1 pick

[jbk1234]

Why do you think that one bad postseason would cause the Celtics to reverse many years of strategy, in which they've made huge investment?

Tatum is due a Supermax, White needs a new contract, and they can't afford to replace Horford. If they fall short with Tatum and Brown, again, they might ask whether keeping Brown on a Supermax is worth the tradeoffs.

They have Bird Rights on Tatum and White alike. So no problem there.

And they have Kornet/Tillman/Queta behind Porzingis and Horford. So they're supporting that position as best they can. ... Anyhow, I don't see why they'd seriously entertain trading Brown just to replace a very good Sixth Man in Horford.

The Celtics have gone into this second-apron-induced period of roster inflexibility very intentionally. They have 12 guys under control who can actually play (I'm excluding Svi M.), plus 2 good prospects in Springer and Walsh, and a few longer-shot prospects too (admittedly, Cs fans would be happy if so much as 1 useful guy emerges from Peterson/Davison/Begarin/Madar). They don't need to trade an all-star for depth.

It's not just depth though. It's the ability to add depth, get below the 2nd apron, and the No. 1 overall pick.

[Fencer reregistered]

Tatum is due a Supermax, White needs a new contract, and they can't afford to replace Horford. If they fall short with Tatum and Brown, again, they might ask whether keeping Brown on a Supermax is worth the tradeoffs.

They have Bird Rights on Tatum and White alike. So no problem there.

And they have Kornet/Tillman/Queta behind Porzingis and Horford. So they're supporting that position as best they can. ... Anyhow, I don't see why they'd seriously entertain trading Brown just to replace a very good Sixth Man in Horford.

The Celtics have gone into this second-apron-induced period of roster inflexibility very intentionally. They have 12 guys under control who can actually play (I'm excluding Svi M.), plus 2 good prospects in Springer and Walsh, and a few longer-shot prospects too (admittedly, Cs fans would be happy if so much as 1 useful guy emerges from Peterson/Davison/Begarin/Madar). They don't need to trade an all-star for depth.

It's not just depth though. It's the ability to add depth, get below the 2nd apron, and the No. 1 overall pick.

None of which are nearly as important as building a championship team.

[brackdan70]

Tatum is due a Supermax, White needs a new contract, and they can't afford to replace Horford. If they fall short with Tatum and Brown, again, they might ask whether keeping Brown on a Supermax is worth the tradeoffs.

They have Bird Rights on Tatum and White alike. So no problem there.

And they have Kornet/Tillman/Queta behind Porzingis and Horford. So they're supporting that position as best they can. ... Anyhow, I don't see why they'd seriously entertain trading Brown just to replace a very good Sixth Man in Horford.

The Celtics have gone into this second-apron-induced period of roster inflexibility very intentionally. They have 12 guys under control who can actually play (I'm excluding Svi M.), plus 2 good prospects in Springer and Walsh, and a few longer-shot prospects too (admittedly, Cs fans would be happy if so much as 1 useful guy emerges from Peterson/Davison/Begarin/Madar). They don't need to trade an all-star for depth.

It's not just depth though. It's the ability to add depth, get below the 2nd apron, and the No. 1 overall pick.

Like Fencer said, the Cs are in a place where they can legitimately get a banner or two or maybe more. They aren’t and shouldn’t monkey around too much with that window. They have good depth players with bird rights so have positioned themselves to deal with the challenges of the second apron.
Yes Browns contract is big, but it’s not that easy to get a 2nd/3rd option like Brown. The Cs ownership is fine spending money on a contender. They won’t through in the towel even if they don’t win it all this year.

[Scoot McGroot]

They have Bird Rights on Tatum and White alike. So no problem there.

And they have Kornet/Tillman/Queta behind Porzingis and Horford. So they're supporting that position as best they can. ... Anyhow, I don't see why they'd seriously entertain trading Brown just to replace a very good Sixth Man in Horford.

The Celtics have gone into this second-apron-induced period of roster inflexibility very intentionally. They have 12 guys under control who can actually play (I'm excluding Svi M.), plus 2 good prospects in Springer and Walsh, and a few longer-shot prospects too (admittedly, Cs fans would be happy if so much as 1 useful guy emerges from Peterson/Davison/Begarin/Madar). They don't need to trade an all-star for depth.

It's not just depth though. It's the ability to add depth, get below the 2nd apron, and the No. 1 overall pick.

Like Fencer said, the Cs are in a place where they can legitimately get a banner or two or maybe more. They aren’t and shouldn’t monkey around too much with that window. They have good depth players with bird rights so have positioned themselves to deal with the challenges of the second apron.
Yes Browns contract is big, but it’s not that easy to get a 2nd/3rd option like Brown. The Cs ownership is fine spending money on a contender. They won’t through in the towel even if they don’t win it all this year.

Also, just on a mechanical level, Brown can't be traded until July 26. That would be a pretty tough window for a team to have drafted someone number 1, probably played them a bunch in summer league, and then trade the pick later on for Jaylen Brown? And vice versa?

[Wolveswin]

I think Bridges is a good answer…but must involve Rockets and getting Nets 1sts/swaps back. So either Rockets get lotto luck, or…

To #1 Winner: #8 (2024 Nets 1st via Rockets) + Amen or Green (+maybe that owed 76ers 1st or weakest Suns owed 2025 1st from Nets)

To Rockets: Bridges

To Nets: #1 + All Nets Future 1sts/Swaps (returned) + Rockets Salary Filler

Nets organization can sell their fan base excitement of acquiring #1 overall pick (and future capital back so they can tank right).

[supertruck97]

I think Bridges is a good answer…but must involve Rockets and getting Nets 1sts/swaps back. So either Rockets get lotto luck, or…

To #1 Winner: #8 (2024 Nets 1st via Rockets) + Amen or Green (+maybe that owed 76ers 1st or weakest Suns owed 2025 1st from Nets)

To Rockets: Bridges

To Nets: #1 + All Nets Future 1sts/Swaps (returned) + Rockets Salary Filler

Nets organization can sell their fan base excitement of acquiring #1 overall pick (and future capital back so they can tank right).

There is no scenario where the Rockets trade all of the Nets picks plus Amen for Bridges. None.

And swapping Amen for Green only marginally changes that NO, to a No.

[Wolveswin]

I think Bridges is a good answer…but must involve Rockets and getting Nets 1sts/swaps back. So either Rockets get lotto luck, or…

To #1 Winner: #8 (2024 Nets 1st via Rockets) + Amen or Green (+maybe that owed 76ers 1st or weakest Suns owed 2025 1st from Nets)

To Rockets: Bridges

To Nets: #1 + All Nets Future 1sts/Swaps (returned) + Rockets Salary Filler

Nets organization can sell their fan base excitement of acquiring #1 overall pick (and future capital back so they can tank right).

There is no scenario where the Rockets trade all of the Nets picks plus Amen for Bridges. None.

And swapping Amen for Green only marginally changes that NO, to a No.

Then no Bridges for you.

I mean, when trade can happen, we will know it’s #8 in well known weak draft, 1x future 1st, and 2x swaps. That isn’t enough draft capital for Bridges.

Is Amen or Green too much on top? Sure, I can get that argument…plenty of ways to rebalance. Like I mentioned, Nets add an owed 1st (76ers or Suns) or Rockets keep swaps but Nets add protections (like lotto).

Bottom line, Rockets need to add to Nets owed draft capital for Bridges.

[supertruck97]

I think Bridges is a good answer…but must involve Rockets and getting Nets 1sts/swaps back. So either Rockets get lotto luck, or…

To #1 Winner: #8 (2024 Nets 1st via Rockets) + Amen or Green (+maybe that owed 76ers 1st or weakest Suns owed 2025 1st from Nets)

To Rockets: Bridges

To Nets: #1 + All Nets Future 1sts/Swaps (returned) + Rockets Salary Filler

Nets organization can sell their fan base excitement of acquiring #1 overall pick (and future capital back so they can tank right).

There is no scenario where the Rockets trade all of the Nets picks plus Amen for Bridges. None.

And swapping Amen for Green only marginally changes that NO, to a No.

Then no Bridges for you.

I mean, when trade can happen, we will know it’s #8 in well known weak draft, 1x future 1st, and 2x swaps. That isn’t enough draft capital for Bridges.

Is Amen or Green too much on top? Sure, I can get that argument…plenty of ways to rebalance. Like I mentioned, Nets add an owed 1st (76ers or Suns) or Rockets keep swaps but Nets add protections (like lotto).

Bottom line, Rockets need to add to Nets owed draft capital for Bridges.

I'm one of the many Rockets fans who does not want Bridges. He's Trevor Ariza 2.0. I still remember when Ariza signed with the Rockets. He's was a Pippen-type who we thought just needed the opportunity to be a #1. That experiment quickly failed when we relaized, like everyone else, that Ariza is a good #2/3 option on a winning team, but would lead a team to the lottery as a #1.

That's what Bridges is.

No he is not worth a Top 10 pick, plus another recent Top 5 pick, plus a swap (From likely OKC to Nets pick, which could be a 15-20 spot swap in a good draft) plus more and more and more.

Just. No. Keep him, let him be the #1 and we'll thank you for the lotto picks that result from that decision.

[Wolveswin]

There is no scenario where the Rockets trade all of the Nets picks plus Amen for Bridges. None.

And swapping Amen for Green only marginally changes that NO, to a No.

Then no Bridges for you.

I mean, when trade can happen, we will know it’s #8 in well known weak draft, 1x future 1st, and 2x swaps. That isn’t enough draft capital for Bridges.

Is Amen or Green too much on top? Sure, I can get that argument…plenty of ways to rebalance. Like I mentioned, Nets add an owed 1st (76ers or Suns) or Rockets keep swaps but Nets add protections (like lotto).

Bottom line, Rockets need to add to Nets owed draft capital for Bridges.

I'm one of the many Rockets fans who does not want Bridges. He's Trevor Ariza 2.0. I still remember when Ariza signed with the Rockets. He's was a Pippen-type who we thought just needed the opportunity to be a #1. That experiment quickly failed when we relaized, like everyone else, that Ariza is a good #2/3 option on a winning team, but would lead a team to the lottery as a #1.

That's what Bridges is.

No he is not worth a Top 10 pick, plus another recent Top 5 pick, plus a swap (From likely OKC to Nets pick, which could be a 15-20 spot swap in a good draft) plus more and more and more.

Just. No. Keep him, let him be the #1 and we'll thank you for the lotto picks that result from that decision.

That is fair. To each their own on here.

Nets are interesting. Owe own picks (to Rockets) and have ton of cap space and owed picks for star trade. Rockets are gambling (hoping) Nets fail big 2025 offseason of the Nets. The variance on that 2026 Nets 1st is huge. One can say Nets fail and pick is top 10. Or one can say Nets build a winner and pick is meh 20+.

Bridges will (if offered) get better offers than #8, 1x future 1st and 2x swaps. If Rockets want him, add to that.

[Colbinii]

A team like Sacramento, Atlanta or New Orleans [LAL Pick] landing #1 are teams who could shop that pick, along with other assets, for a bonafide star.

I don't see a point in trading the #1 pick in this draft for a role player, and I don't know if a team would trade an actual star for just the #1 in this draft. Mikal Bridges is getting wildly overvalued in this thread, holy smokes. He is a #4 or maybe #3 player on a championship team. His Contract gives him some additional value, but it isn't like he is worth #1 along with a prospect as good as Amen Thompson. Hell, I wouldn't trade Amen Thompson alone for Bridges given the disparity in their respective upsides.

[Celts17Pride]

I think the playoffs need to play out and extension discussions might have to take place before you even get there. If the Celtics falter, the No. 1 pick, cap savings and filler might get you Brown.

No chance.

This has very little to do with Jaylen Brown. Tatum, Porzingis, White are in their primes and Horford and Holiday are at their tail end of their carrers. Celtics are not going to trade a seasoned all-star, winner, highly productive wing for a rookie. The time is now (1-3 years) for the Celtics. They don't have time to develop a starting rookie.

[Mamba4Goat]

The floor is probably a Lauri/Bridges type. If the best you're getting is someone worse than that the team with the pick probably isn't answering the phone.

[babyjax13]

The floor is probably a Lauri/Bridges type. If the best you're getting is someone worse than that the team with the pick probably isn't answering the phone.

Only issue with Lauri is Utah isn't going to sell low. They are going to renegotiate and extend, then it sounds like there will likely be a 6 month period before he can be traded. I think Bridges makes a lot of sense, especially if it is Memphis. Ja/Bridges/Bane/JJJ is a nasty quartet.

[Mamba4Goat]

The floor is probably a Lauri/Bridges type. If the best you're getting is someone worse than that the team with the pick probably isn't answering the phone.

Only issue with Lauri is Utah isn't going to sell low. They are going to renegotiate and extend, then it sounds like there will likely be a 6 month period before he can be traded. I think Bridges makes a lot of sense, especially if it is Memphis. Ja/Bridges/Bane/JJJ is a nasty quartet.

Bridges, Smart, Bane, and Williams would be such an awesome defensive wing rotation.

[VCfor3]

The floor is probably a Lauri/Bridges type. If the best you're getting is someone worse than that the team with the pick probably isn't answering the phone.

Only issue with Lauri is Utah isn't going to sell low. They are going to renegotiate and extend, then it sounds like there will likely be a 6 month period before he can be traded. I think Bridges makes a lot of sense, especially if it is Memphis. Ja/Bridges/Bane/JJJ is a nasty quartet.

Bridges, Smart, Bane, and Williams would be such an awesome defensive wing rotation.

I'm sure Memphis would gladly offer the #1 pick plus stuff for Bridges if we won the lottery too. We would need to figure out a starting PF/C, but maybe we grab Richards into our TPE or something.

Ja/Smart
Bane/Kennard
Bridges/Vince Williams/GG
Clarke/Santi
JJJ/Richards? (May have Richards start next to JJJ and Clarke be backup C)

Ziaire Williams/Rose/LaRavia/Konchar as the salary filler. Konchar could be flipped for a couple 2nds, two young guys you can take a flyer on but really are value for being able to be expirings, plus an actually expiring. Memphis adds in the #1 in 2024 plus additional draft capital.

[Patsfan1081]

I think the playoffs need to play out and extension discussions might have to take place before you even get there. If the Celtics falter, the No. 1 pick, cap savings and filler might get you Brown. I don't think Griffin trusts the draft process, but if Ingram declines to extend, there's an opportunity there for a three-team deal. Maybe the Cavs reset if Mitchell declines to extend (or a three team deal). If Mitchell does extend, maybe the Nets consider building around the No 1 pick.

Why do you think that one bad postseason would cause the Celtics to reverse many years of strategy, in which they've made huge investment?

Trading an all star for picks doesn’t send a very good message to the rest of a veteran playoff team. If Brown asked out I would think they would move him for pieces that would help now, especially considering how weak this draft is.