The (Where Ainges Fear to) Trade Thread, 2016-17 (1.0)

[Kolkmania]

The real question is if they would even be interested in Cousins since he's not fitting with the current stage of their rebuilding process. Their main prospects Booker, Marquese and Bender need minutes and opportunities to develop. That's why I don't think they will consider Cousins, they would be better off keeping Warren and the Suns 2017 pick.

They have a historically impatient owner and McDonough may already be on the hot seat. Knight's locked in for a long term deal at a reasonable rate, but I don't really like him. Cousins would be a fit there because he can do it all and basically pair with any type of big. I don't think the return will be good enough unless Phoenix is bad enough in February that Cousins can't bump them up out of the high lottery.

What is the actual price going to be for him? Ainge alluded to not wanting a leader like him a month or two ago. He's so good that anything that doesn't completely deplete our assets has to be considered. The concern would be doing a move that leaves us with close to our final product, but we have so many pieces at this point where that'd be hard to conceivably do.

I'm just not sure if they're willing to trade Cousins at the moment, they're in such a horrible position because of the trade with Philly. They have a possibility to swap draft picks with the Kings which basically increases their lottery balls and also the 2019 pick unprotected. A possible solution for them could be to acquire relatively young players like Bradley and Smart plus the BKN picks, which could keep them somewhat competitive and have an other option in the draft.

Cousins would be a solution to the rebounding problem, but I really doubt Ainge and Stevens want him due to his personality issues. Small sample size, but our offense isn't bad. It's the defense (and rebounding of course) that's lacking, so adding Cousins could potentially kill our ball movement and further deteriorate our defense. Because of this and my personal opinion that he's never going to change that whining mentality I would pass on him.

[ConstableGeneva]

Paraphrased from Lowe Post, on Boogie-to-Boston (NOT a rumor, just speculative talk), around 1:03:00 --

David Thorpe: Do you think Danny Ainge will include an Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder in a trade for DeMarcus Cousins?
Zach Lowe: Everyone knows the Celtics have the goods to make a good offer. That Nets pick might not be the golden ticket that we once thought. But personally, I think they will regress. I think Danny would gamble. I don't think that is the majority view in the organization including the coach. Brad Stevens wouldn't want to touch DMC with a 10-foot pole. That carries a lot of weight there. They also just signed a center in Al Horford. I don't know what that does to Boston's hunger to acquire a superstar big man who's gonna be a locker room question mark and yes, they have Isaiah Thomas. BTW, go read IT's quotes including any Q&A with me about DMC post-Sacramento. It's not like they're best buddies. I would say Ainge is a "maybe" while most of the organization is a "no".
Thorpe: Cousins will be a good fit in a sports town where he's just another dude and there's a history and tradition. Stevens would also be great for him but he might get a heart attack before he's 45 or he'll just age fast. He's a good defender/rebounder. Complete package. He wants to dominate. He's worth the risk.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Paraphrased from Lowe Post, on Boogie-to-Boston (NOT a rumor, just speculative talk), around 1:03:00 --

David Thorpe: Do you think Danny Ainge will include an Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder in a trade for DeMarcus Cousins?
Zach Lowe: Everyone knows the Celtics have the goods to make a good offer. That Nets pick might not be the golden ticket that we once thought. But personally, I think they will regress. I think Danny would gamble. I don't think that is the majority view in the organization including the coach. Brad Stevens wouldn't want to touch DMC with a 10-foot pole. That carries a lot of weight there. They also just signed a center in Al Horford. I don't know what that does to Boston's hunger to acquire a superstar big man who's gonna be a locker room question mark and yes, they have Isaiah Thomas. BTW, go read IT's quotes including any Q&A with me about DMC post-Sacramento. It's not like they're best buddies. I would say Ainge is a "maybe" while most of the organization is a "no".
Thorpe: Cousins will be a good fit in a sports town where he's just another dude and there's a history and tradition. Stevens would also be great for him but he might get a heart attack before he's 45 or he'll just age fast. He's a good defender/rebounder. Complete package. He wants to dominate. He's worth the risk.

Just listened to Lowe's podcast-- He strongly hinted that Stevens first hand told him he wants no part of Boogie.

[truth18]

Paraphrased from Lowe Post, on Boogie-to-Boston (NOT a rumor, just speculative talk), around 1:03:00 --

David Thorpe: Do you think Danny Ainge will include an Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder in a trade for DeMarcus Cousins?
Zach Lowe: Everyone knows the Celtics have the goods to make a good offer. That Nets pick might not be the golden ticket that we once thought. But personally, I think they will regress. I think Danny would gamble. I don't think that is the majority view in the organization including the coach. Brad Stevens wouldn't want to touch DMC with a 10-foot pole. That carries a lot of weight there. They also just signed a center in Al Horford. I don't know what that does to Boston's hunger to acquire a superstar big man who's gonna be a locker room question mark and yes, they have Isaiah Thomas. BTW, go read IT's quotes including any Q&A with me about DMC post-Sacramento. It's not like they're best buddies. I would say Ainge is a "maybe" while most of the organization is a "no".
Thorpe: Cousins will be a good fit in a sports town where he's just another dude and there's a history and tradition. Stevens would also be great for him but he might get a heart attack before he's 45 or he'll just age fast. He's a good defender/rebounder. Complete package. He wants to dominate. He's worth the risk.

Just listened to Lowe's podcast-- He strongly hinted that Stevens first hand told him he wants no part of Boogie.

I **** KNEW IT. Eat your **** crow everyone who said otherwise.

[reload141]

Wonder who they would target then... it's obvious we need some sort of 4/5 but who would be available?!

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Yeah, Ainge isn't risk-adverse to guys who are locker-room cancers. He traded good character guys in Battie and Eric Williams for Ricky Davis, who at that time, was a cross between JR Smith and Lance Stephenson in terms of being a complete knucklehead. Ainge also loved Rondo despite his reputation of clashing with Tubby Smith in Kentucky. Chris Mannix also hinted at this front office divide regarding Cousins over the weekend on the pregame show.

I was on board with taking a chance with Boogie.....but if Brad Stevens doesn't like him.......man, I'm not sure I'd be willing to take that leap of faith if it cost the Celtics Brad Stevens, a starter, and a lottery pick. Stevens could have any college job he desires. Do the Celts just stay the course, trade Bradley and/or Crowder for another big, and then sign Hayward as a FA?

[canman1971]

Listen, I guarantee Stevens has never said a word to any reporter/analyst about cousins. And I am not a fan of people putting words in other's mouths.

[truth18]

Listen, I guarantee Stevens has never said a word to any reporter/analyst about cousins. And I am not a fan of people putting words in other's mouths.

It's Lowe. And how exactly can you guarantee it lol?

Spoiler:

Shyamalanian twist: canman is Brad Stevens.

[Marvel]

Listen, I guarantee Stevens has never said a word to any reporter/analyst about cousins. And I am not a fan of people putting words in other's mouths.

Yeah, well the piece doesn't say anything about Brad saying/talking anything about Cousins. So, Lowe must have heard it directly from the horses mouth or he just doesn't think Boogie will be a good fit here.

[Marvel]

Wonder who they would target then... it's obvious we need some sort of 4/5 but who would be available?!

Nrkic/Jokic.

[canman1971]

Listen, I guarantee Stevens has never said a word to any reporter/analyst about cousins. And I am not a fan of people putting words in other's mouths.

It's Lowe. And how exactly can you guarantee it lol?

Spoiler:

Shyamalanian twist: canman is Brad Stevens.

Maybe I am, haha.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Listen, I guarantee Stevens has never said a word to any reporter/analyst about cousins. And I am not a fan of people putting words in other's mouths.

Lowe didn't say "I think" or "I heard" or anything remotely soft. He said very matter of fact that Brad Stevens does not want to coach Cousins.

I'd guarantee that players and coaches do talk with Lowe about other players off the record. He's arguably the most respected NBA writer and people do share a lot with him. I'd find it far more plausible that Lowe is telling the truth and heard from Stevens or a direct link to him than that he's making it up.

Edit- I lied. He said "I don't think". I still maintain that he hinted strongly at hearing from a direct connection, though.

[London2Boston]

Cousins ticks so many boxes.

Elite Bigman.
Automatic 20 and 10 player.
Will take all the pressure off I.T
Not scared to battle and fight.
Is abit of a ****, that this team lacks.
Would allow Horford to move to the Four and won't have to handle the burden of carrying all the beating down low.

Of course though, there is a huge question mark over his character, but I honestly think he would mature in front of our eyes here. Maybe, I am too naive though.

[Banks2Pierce]

it's obvious we need some sort of 4/5 but who would be available?!

I still don't think that's obvious unless Jerebko continues to completely suck. The sample size is starting to pile up on him, though. Priority A is always going to be getting an Alpha stud and sorting the rest later.

[truth18]

Listen, I guarantee Stevens has never said a word to any reporter/analyst about cousins. And I am not a fan of people putting words in other's mouths.

It's Lowe. And how exactly can you guarantee it lol?

Spoiler:

Shyamalanian twist: canman is Brad Stevens.

Maybe I am, haha.

Always knew Brad had good taste in music.

[reload141]

it's obvious we need some sort of 4/5 but who would be available?!

I still don't think that's obvious unless Jerebko continues to completely suck. The sample size is starting to pile up on him, though. Priority A is always going to be getting an Alpha stud and sorting the rest later.

I don't doubt priority A is getting an Alpha but at the same time which really good big man will be available? Or do you trade for someone like Noel/Bogut.... could you pry Favors out of Utah? Unlikely... go after Griffin in FA? Well if CP3 leaves then maybe he does...

[EJay33]

I **** KNEW IT. Eat your **** crow everyone who said otherwise.

Ahh, the irony of you going on a profanity laced tirade instructing others to eat crow.

[truth18]

I **** KNEW IT. Eat your **** crow everyone who said otherwise.

Ahh, the irony of you going on a profanity laced tirade instructing others to eat crow.

You alright man?

[EJay33]

I **** KNEW IT. Eat your **** crow everyone who said otherwise.

Ahh, the irony of you going on a profanity laced tirade instructing others to eat crow.

You alright man?

Yup. Why do you ask?

[canman1971]

It's Lowe. And how exactly can you guarantee it lol?

Spoiler:

Shyamalanian twist: canman is Brad Stevens.

Maybe I am, haha.

Always knew Brad had good taste in music.

How do you know my taste in music?