Possible player movement... If only Boston were a player...

[campybatman]

That is, if only Boston were a player in landing one of these players possibly on the trading block.

I like options number two, five, seven and nine on this list. They all have attractive contracts for Boston.

2. Mike Miller, Timberwolves:

Just thinking out loud here, but couldn't the Celtics use Miller's shooting touch off the bench with losses and injuries mounting? If Doc Rivers could find a way to hide Miller's defensive deficiencies, his shooting and rebounding could be just what Boston needs to replace James Posey. Miller turns 29 on Feb. 19. What could be a better birthday present than a trade to the defending champs?

5. Charlie Villanueva, Bucks: Milwaukee GM John Hammond would prefer not to trade Villanueva. But reality is what it is: The Bucks can't afford to re-sign both Villanueva and Ramon Sessions. One of them has to go, and Villanueva is a versatile, established presence who is attractive to a lot of teams. He's also a restricted free agent after the season, so a summer sign-and-trade is a possibility.

7. Rashad McCants, Timberwolves: Randy Wittman made McCants a reluctant sixth man, and his role hasn't changed much under Kevin McHale. McCants becomes a restricted free agent in July. His best chance to increase his value would be to find a new team before the deadline and prove he finally is ready to tap into his potential.

9. Josh Howard, Mavericks: Off-the-court distractions notwithstanding, the Mavericks finally appear ready to move Howard. Word throughout the league is that the Mavs are talking to everybody about everything, and Howard figures to be a pawn in every discussion. Despite his damaged reputation, Howard is low-risk; his contract has a team option for 2010-11.

[threrf23]

Mike Miller's ankle worries me since he's been missing games and posting career low %s when he has played (indicating that he hasn't been fully healthy). I also think what he brings is a little too similar to what Ray already brings us to add a new dimension to our team. Plus, we would also hear more of the Kevin McHale working for the C's theories.

I'm not big on Charlie V. Not an extremely efficient shooter, not a great defender though probably improving. I just think he's overrated based on his boxscore stats.

McCants I could take. He's a great (though streaky) shooter and isn't a liability defensively and can possibly be had for cheap. His shot was ice cold for most of the season before he posted a couple nice performances before officially landing in McHale's doghouse. But is he altogether enough of an upgrade what we already have to justify the potential locker-room consequences? I don't think so.

Sign me up for Josh Howard. We don't have what it takes to land him (if its true he's on the block).

[Avalanche]

There is absolutely no way there would be locker room problems with Mccants while KG is here, Mccants lived with Garnett the entire time They were wolves together and he was broken when Kevin left

If anything it would help, he would be a great 6th man for this team IMO

id throw money at him in the off-season, if i didnt want sheed

[Avalanche]

that being said... Obryant/Giddens/Cassell for Mccants works

Minny gets a center to develop with Al and Love (not great, but they have the time for a project big)
Also a defensive 2 guard to replace Mccants' spot in the rotation

cassell would be bought out and return, we get mccants who is a huge upgrade to the bench and a roster spot to bring someone else in

[Dogen]

Some interesting ideas, Avalanche; glad you have been posting here.

If Minni can take on the extra player in the deal it might be pretty good for them. Obviously McCants has some issues there and he might not be back next season so why not take a look at a couple of low expense projects for him. Giddens cold get some pt there and compliment Miller's scoring by coming off the bench as a wing who can rebound, post, play defense. And POB is, well, McHale-like in length if nothing else.

For the C's, we get a shooter off the bench and a certified KG disciple. We could go after him in off season, but need to make a move or two now and open up a roster spot. So McCants replaces Giddens and Danny brings in the best option veteran big to replace POB.

[cisco]

that being said... Obryant/Giddens/Cassell for Mccants works

Minny gets a center to develop with Al and Love (not great, but they have the time for a project big)
Also a defensive 2 guard to replace Mccants' spot in the rotation

cassell would be bought out and return, we get mccants who is a huge upgrade to the bench and a roster spot to bring someone else in

I like this idea.

[campybatman]

Speaking of Rasheed, I see Josh Howard as a possible steal like Wallace had proven for Detroit. That is, if he indeed ends up being traded. Boston must begin to retool and bring in talented players to replace the top three players on this team to make that transition a smooth one. You aren't replacing all three immediately together but it's to be a gradual thing to help prevent a drop off which results in a hiatus from making the playoffs or competing for a championship. Like Dumars, Ainge should consider the same approach of acquiring another team's castoff player who's an established talent in the league, but for whatever the reason the front office decided to turn the page on him. I mean it doesn't hurt to target these players that have lowered their value around the league due to injury, a down year statistically or for character issues. Well, as long as their contracts aren't undesirable.

[cisco]

I like the idea of Rasheed Wallace for next season, but not Josh Howard. He is a downgrade from PP and Ray and comes up small when it counts.

[Avalanche]

Sheed next season has to be the goal KG/Sheed/Perk is just a dream frontline

as far as mccants goes, if the wolves are cutting their losses and trading at low value while he isnt playing its something that has to be looked into, hes the type of guy that could break open games for us off the bench and really take the scoring load off the big 3 some nights

[humblebum]

Ya, I'm intrigued by McCants but I really can't see what the Celtics have that the Wolves would actually want.

Villenueva has the perimeter skillset the Celtics need in a PF but something tells me that he's not a good fit, i.e. he doesn't strike me as the defense first, type.

[Avalanche]

i still think obryant/giddens/cassell might be enough for a player they dont really want around (well mchale doesnt anyway) throw in a second round pick

[shrink]

The only problem with a 3-for-1 McCants deal (besides getting Taylor to sign any piece of paper with Cassell's name on it) is that MIN would have to waive two players before they did it. Booth's still around because PHI pays 100% of it, and MIN is using most guys on its roster.

[campybatman]

Here's some insight into the McCants situation in Minnesota. I like the way in which he's at least trying to handle it positively. Especially, considering he would be in a contract year this season but isn't playing of late.

For someone who was the Wolves' second-leading scorer last season and is used to logging heavy minutes, it admittedly hasn't been easy.

"Of course, it's frustrating," McCants said. "But to be successful, you've got to go through some ups and downs. You've got to lose some to win some. Right now, all the frustration and not playing is really just fueling me to get better."

"Rashad has really worked hard," McHale said. "He has done everything he has had to do, and I'm proud of him. It's not easy. If you're not playing and you're used to it, it's very, very hard. But he's handling everything well."

McHale said he told McCants that during their talk and that if he keeps working hard and gets his chance, good things will happen.

"It's not about if I want to," he said. "It's just about positioning and where I am in a contract year. No one says they want to be traded or they're on the block. Whatever happens happens. I know it's going to be what's best for the team and for me and my family."

The cut in McCants' playing time came shortly after reports that he attended a New Year's Eve party in Las Vegas with girlfriend Khloe Kardashian. But he said one had nothing to do with the other.

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_11464730

[ParticleMan]

i'd love to get Josh Howard. not as a replacement for PP or RAy but as a 6th man. he would be a HUGE improvement over TA. i'd send anything they'd want outside of our starting 5. i just don't that it's enough, and the salary is an issue.

i just hope the Cavs don't land him.

Mccants would be OK. i'd give up that package for him, though i'd prefer walker to go in place of giddens.

[I love heinsohn]

PM: I seriously doubt Dallas blows things up this season, but if they struggle again in the playoffs I could see the Celtics making a serious offseason push to grab Howard.

Something like Ray/Scal/POB for Howard/Dampier would work. This clears a ton of long-term salary off of the books in Dallas and gives the C's a third piece to slot between Perk and Rondo as KG/PP wind down. It also solves the backup center issue for the next few years (Damp is overpaid, but serviceable) allowing Danny to work his magic with one of Powe/Baby and Walker/Giddens plus his future 1sts as trading chips.* I definitely see DA going the other way from the rest of the league and trying to pick up assets for 2011 that are getting ditched in the LeBron-mania.

*Once the 2009 draft passes the Celtics will be eligible to trade their 2010, 2011, or 2012 picks.

[Pogue Mahone]

I like Howard--- A LOT. On another board, I posted the following trade idea:

Celtics
Trade Ray Allen, Glen Davis, Eddie House and Tony Allen
Receive Josh Howard, DeSagana Diop, Francisco Garcia and Kenny Thomas

Mavericks
Trade Josh Howard, James Singleton and DeSagana Diop
Receive Ray Allen and Glen Davis

Kings
Trade Francisco Garcia and Kenny Thomas
Receive Tony Allen, Eddie House and James Singleton

The Skinny:

BOS: Acquire, Howard, a floor spreader who can legitimately play both wing positions, rebounds, shoots the three and is priced reasonably for his skill set. Also get a defensive center, Diop, who blocks shots and rebounds. Get another floor spreader in Garcia with the size to cover both wing positions and the ability to dribble and set up the offense. And contrary to most, I think he is underrated as a defender. Lastly, the Celtics get a nice-sized contract that is set to be expiring next year. Thomas' contract, when added to Scalabrine's is ~$12M in expiring. Howard has a team option for a reasonable amount but could also be included to a team looking to shed a lot of salary. Those three players would total ~$22M in expirings. Really, this deal allows for maximum flexibility while also ensuring the Celtics have the pieces to remain highly competitive.

DAL: Acquire another "star" to pair with Kidd and Nowitzki. Get a minimum-salaried bench interior player.

SAC Shed ~$4.6M in 2009 salary. Shed ~$9.5M in 2010. Save ~$38M total from this one deal which I imagine would help a small market team that is currently in a rebuilding mold.

[campybatman]

Ugh. I dislike both Dampier and Diop's contracts. No thanks.

I prefer to give the options of McCants to replace Tony, Marbury to replace House and Joe Smith to replace Davis a try. Not to say that all thee will or even can be obtained by Boston. I mean it hypothetically speaking.

[CelticFaninLBC]

None of the key players are getting traded this season.

[CelticFaninLBC]

I like the idea of Rasheed Wallace for next season, but not Josh Howard. He is a downgrade from PP and Ray and comes up small when it counts.

Sheed's an ideal pickup in the offseason considering Boston's needs and it's highly doubtful Detroit tries to keep him. I'm guessing they'll go young and offer a big contract to Ben Gordon, who would seem to work well with Stuckey in the backcourt... They can then go after Bosh or Amare the year after.... I can see Sheed getting a 2 year deal from Boston..

The only way Ray Allen is dealt is if they have a bunch of injuries next year and Allen's dealt at the trade deadline due to teams desiring his expiring contract.

[threrf23]

I actually like Pogue's suggested trade. Although I am unsure that either the Mavs or Kings are on board.