We need to do something about our bench

[Rocky5000]

We have 5 players who are pretty much untradeable. Cassell, because the other team knows he'd just quit. Scal, because he's Scal and makes too much for what his is, but too little to have real value as trade filler. Pruitt and POB, because of lack of playing time/production. And Big Baby, because his overall shooting is worse than Toine shoots from 4 on a bad day. (0.333 FG%!)

Giddens and Walker, might be movable, since they're rooks, but I don't think anyone wants to do that so soon, and we're not likely to get much in return

However, these are the possible scenarios I could see happening:
Perhaps there is a shot that we can trade Cassell somewhere, wait for him to get bought out, and then bring him back in 30 days to play or coach.
POB or Cassell could get cut and we grab a D-league player or someone who gets conveniently bought out or comes out of retirement.
Giddens,Walker,POB, or Pruitt earn playing time and our bench is no longer a problem.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I don't want to see POB anywhere near the floor. Pruitt needs some more PT before I can pass judgment, and I'd like to see Giddens and Walker play some meaningful NBA minutes. Scal is what he is but he's 6 fouls, a warm body, and he'll hit some shots. Davis is useless...he doesn't bring anything, really, to the floor. Powe, TA, and House are the only bench guys bringing it on a regular basis. We need to hope someone like Joe Smith gets bought out so we can cut Davis and bring Smith in.

[nasbahceltic]

Joe Smith seems like the most logical trading option, but the deal would have to include Scal and its hard to see OKC taking him on for anything we would be willing to offer them as it stands right now. Baby might be part of a deal, but then again he's a FA at the end of the year and would they take on an extra year of Scal (Joe Smith being a FA at the end of the year), just to squeeze in a few months of Big Baby and then potentially lose him.

I guess we could include Giddens or Pruitt in a deal, but I'm reluctant to trade either of those guys as I see both of them as future contributors and Joe Smith would only be coming here for a stretch run and then gone at the end of the season most likely.

Best case scenario would be POB and Scal, but I'm not sure if we could convince OKC that POB is worth anything. However, if it comes down to the trading deadline and nobody else is offering anything they could get desperate and decide to just get something rather than let Joe walk at the end of the year for nothing.

Guys like PJ or Mutombo are always intriguing, but the ball is completely in their court and until we get some indication that they want to come back I think you would have to assume they don't plan on resuming their careers.

I would love to get Mourning, but with the way that Miami's performed so far I think he'll come back in a Heat uniform after all. Lets remember he has a ring already so the ring chaser thing doesn't apply to him like it did PJ last year. Also, living in Miami the last 7 or so years I can tell you that the guy is huge down here. He absolutely loves the Mia and is one of the most involved athletes in the entire state in terms of his contributions the community. This is a long shot at best.

Marbury. Clinically insane, ball-hog, no concept of team ball on offense or defense, doesn't play a position of need (Big-man or a Big-sf seem to be the positions of need). To top it all off Rondo has become the unquestioned floor-general on this team. Do you think "Starbury" is gonna wanna fall in line as he stll sees himself as the bets pg in the conference? That being said, if we could get him on some meds and KG can keep his old buddy under control he would be the type of explosive scorer ideally suited for a 6th man role. Anybody remember Van Exel coming off the bench a cpl years back w/ the Mavs. That is exactly the type of game Marbury could bring to the team. Still, I just don't think he fills a big enough need to justify taking a chance on. I mean seriously are you ready to trust this guy in the 7th game in the ECF against Cleveland as a top 8 rotation guy? I don't think I'm that desperate yet.

Overall, I think we'll add somebody and as it stands right now it seems that Joe Smith would be the most likely guy to target, given his availability and the need on this team. This all hinges on OKC and if they value all the available cap space they can muster up for this summer or if they see something in one of our younger guys and want to get something for Joe Smith rather than nothing

[celticfan42487]

If we can find a tall defensive Center, I think the bench will be ready to help us win #18.

Last year's bench will still be better, but our starting 5 is better then last year to make up for that.

But if we don't find a tall defensive Center it will take all-star miricales for us to get through CLE and we'll struglle more with LA too.

[campybatman]

Players I think can be had

Joe Smith
Mourning
Mutumbo
Marbury
Sean Williams
Gadzuric
Warrick
Tinsley
Atkins
George

The players I'd bold faced I believe are the lone realistic options. Atkins I recall played good enough during his first stint in Boston that I would explore the possibility of reacquiring him from Denver, if I were Ainge. Perhaps, trade Cassell for either A. Carter or Vaughn straight up. If to Denver, Cassell reunites with Karl and is groomed to join his coaching staff in the immediate future. But, the Nuggets probably prefer to move Atkins' contract which is more than Carter's at $3.4M.

Anthony Carter - $1.2M (expiring)
Jacque Vaughn - $1.2M (expiring)

It has been reported that Joe Smith desires to be traded. However, like Atkins, his salary ($4.7M) will make it a tad of a challenge for Ainge to come up with something that could peak the interest of Oklahoma City.

As for the other players on your list. It might come down to whether or not some of those name would make sense coming Boston's way.

I don't like the salary of Gadzuric. He seems more like a power forward than a true center. Also, I think you could experience alike issues as you've with O'Bryant with Sean Williams being a young and possibly (still) immature and undisciplined player. I think Ainge likes George but he's one of the names on the list that could mean giving up Powe or Tony Allen.

Healthy for the first time since signing with the Nuggets nearly 18 months ago, Chucky Atkins can't help but feel a little restless. The veteran point guard is buried in Karl's playing rotation, often relegated to extended mop-up duty or spot minutes when the game still has meaning. That's why Atkins perks up when he hears his name has been mentioned in trade talks involving the Orlando Magic. "It would be perfect for me," Atkins, an Orlando native, said Sunday. "It would be an opportunity to play. It's home. I can't turn it down." Rocky Mountain News

Orlando general manager Otis Smith told Florida Today that he has talked to Denver management about Atkins but nothing is imminent as the Magic explores options to add depth at the point. Depending on the players involved, trading Atkins could benefit the Nuggets as they try to get under the luxury-tax threshold. Atkins is making $3.24 million this season and is guaranteed only $760,000 in the final year of his contract next season, making him attractive for a team seeking salary relief. "I like Denver," Atkins said. "The coaching staff has been fair to me. The ownership and the front office has been fair to me. Since I've been here, I've been injured. I'm back now. Teams know what I can do. "For me to be playing 10 or 11 minutes when the game is over, I'll do that now, but ultimately, I feel like it's a disrespect. I ain't sitting here saying I want to be traded, but if there's a trade to be made, (Orlando) is the trade for me." Rocky Mountain News

[BadWolf]

OKC could use a 2 like Giddens. We could use Joe Smith.

[BillessuR6]

OKC was very interested in TA this offseason, so I would presume they would have some interest in Giddens as well. And they need a veteran and a good locker room guy like Scal to help guide all those youngsters...

[campybatman]

Well, Tony Allen and Desmond Mason have that Oklahoma State connection with Giddens being born in Oklahoma City. Makes sense... But, Tony might be a duplicate of Mason. If Giddens can somehow prove [how?] that he can play in the NBA. Then could Tony be expendable before the trade deadline?

[TheOGJabroni]

This is hypothetical because I'm playing NBA 2K9 but the Heat have offered me Zo for Eddie House. Do you think the C's do this trade?

[campybatman]

No. Mourning is a free agent.

[Triple M]

the bench is fine but we do need to improve I would love for us to get a big who could shoot the mid range shot and play good defense in the paint. It would of been nice if PJ didn't retire but he went out on top so i can't blame him for that. btw does anyone see Sam doing anything in the 3nd half if he is activated?

[humblebum]

I don't have any idea why anyone would want to trade Tony Allen right now. He's easily the best bench player on the Celtics and the only real option for consistent minutes behind Ray and Paul. Giddens and Scals is a much more plausible move for the Celtics though I'm not really sure that that deal gets it done. Hopefully Smith is bought out and he chooses the Celtics over the Cavs.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I agree, Tony has been the best thing coming off our bench. I would say he has to be untouchable right now...

[Athanacropolis]

I agree, Tony has been the best thing coming off our bench. I would say he has to be untouchable right now...

Coming from a guy who used to be a TA doubter!!! Damn! My, how times have changed.

Don't worry: I was a TA doubter too.

[cfan79]

I don't think anyone off the bench is untouchable. I love Tony, but he can be replaced easily.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I agree, Tony has been the best thing coming off our bench. I would say he has to be untouchable right now...

Coming from a guy who used to be a TA doubter!!! Damn! My, how times have changed.

Don't worry: I was a TA doubter too.

Yes I did used to hate TA..but last year and especially this season, he has improved. While still not immune from stupid moves from time to time, overall he has been great off the bench!

[MyInsatiableOne]

I don't think anyone off the bench is untouchable. I love Tony, but he can be replaced easily.

While I don't think TA is fantastic, right now he is the best guy off the bench...and who would we readily and easily replace him with right now?

[Kids Are Alright]

TA is only replaceable because of his knees, IMO. He has a recurring injury and that would be bad. Prob an ok risk for a bench stud.