as Ranma had suggested, let's try a poll on DJ.

[Neddy]

should we keep DJ, potentially risking either his defection or giving out a max contract after this upcoming season?

or should trade DJ, in hopes of bringing younger pieces to build around Blake, including draft picks/draft rights?

if we hang on to DJ until he becomes a half a season rental for some contender missing a center, I am sure we will get much less in return.

[Neddy]

I am not an expert in basketball like OG or MKWest, more of a baseball guy myself, but from my layman eyes the previous clippers were constructed falsely. Blake is a point forward, and we gave him (although the best in the game) a ball dominant PG in CP3, limiting blake's game somewhat. both CP and Blake are more comfortable as #2 offensive options who are playmakers and facilitators, and we gave them DJ and Luc, whom neither is a capable offensive spot up shooters in the starting 5. JJ was the only long range threat and his small frame and short arms, coupled with no NBA level athleticism, was exposed against defenders with length and durability. in other words, other than 2 robins in CP3 and Blake, we teamed them up with 3 one trick ponies and no Batman.

I think it will serve the current clippers better and maximize Blake's talent by surrounding him with 4 starters who are all capable of spreading the floor, make 3s, and play above average to average defense. Patrick Beverly is certainly a good piece, Sam Dekker could be another, but with DJ the middle gets clogged. we need more of Tim Thomas type of a player. we can keep one of Lou or Jamal for the bench role, but both cannot co-exist. as long as Doc is the coach, I assume baby Doc is not only going to be on the roster, but start at 2 guard. he can somewhat fit the mold of 3 and D, although I think he is undersized at that position is better coming off the bench as a combo guard. Blake surrounded by guys who can do more than 1 thing, defend, shoot, and run pick and roll with blake from multiple positions on the floor, will make Blake's game come alive, and play the role that can help him age better as a multi-dimensional play maker rather than a dunker as he was in early days, or a spot up shooter he has become in last few years. his stat line should read something like 25-8-8 with frequent triple double nights and perennial run at MVP.

if we can have picks to build around this hypothetical team which should be fun to watch, we then can have a future where we can build a winner who have banners in our own arena.

[Captain Ballmer]

I am not an expert in basketball like OG or MKWest, more of a baseball guy myself, but from my layman eyes the previous clippers were constructed falsely. Blake is a point forward, and we gave him (although the best in the game) a ball dominant PG in CP3, limiting blake's game somewhat. both CP and Blake are more comfortable as #2 offensive options who are playmakers and facilitators, and we gave them DJ and Luc, whom neither is a capable offensive spot up shooters in the starting 5. JJ was the only long range threat and his small frame and short arms, coupled with no NBA level athleticism, was exposed against defenders with length and durability. in other words, other than 2 robins in CP3 and Blake, we teamed them up with 3 one trick ponies and no Batman.

I think it will serve the current clippers better and maximize Blake's talent by surrounding him with 4 starters who are all capable of spreading the floor, make 3s, and play above average to average defense. Patrick Beverly is certainly a good piece, Sam Dekker could be another, but with DJ the middle gets clogged. we need more of Tim Thomas type of a player. we can keep one of Lou or Jamal for the bench role, but both cannot co-exist. as long as Doc is the coach, I assume baby Doc is not only going to be on the roster, but start at 2 guard. he can somewhat fit the mold of 3 and D, although I think he is undersized at that position is better coming off the bench as a combo guard. Blake surrounded by guys who can do more than 1 thing, defend, shoot, and run pick and roll with blake from multiple positions on the floor, will make Blake's game come alive, and play the role that can help him age better as a multi-dimensional play maker rather than a dunker as he was in early days, or a spot up shooter he has become in last few years. his stat line should read something like 25-8-8 with frequent triple double nights and perennial run at MVP.

if we can have picks to build around this hypothetical team which should be fun to watch, we then can have a future where we can build a winner who have banners in our own arena.

Couldn't agree with you more! I have 2 dream scenario below.

Trade DJ and Lou to Bucks for Middleton and Monroe.
Trade DJ to Celtics for Crowder and Olynyk.

[UKClipperfan]

Not seeing the 'extend beyond 2017-18' option. Guess I'll vote for the 1st one.

[wassuphomeboy]

Not seeing the 'extend beyond 2017-18' option. Guess I'll vote for the 1st one.

I agree completely. This team will be lucky to win 30 games if we trade DJ.

Never seen a contender so willingly and eagerly self-destruct in this manner in the NBA before, except maybe the Bulls.

Watch us end up with a crocked Jabari Parker or Rudy Gay in some misguided attempt to go "small".

And, I might unironically drink bleach if we actually trade a 1st team all-NBA/all-Defensive center for Chowder and Father Kelly. Just as every other team in the league seems to be wising up to Danny Ainge, here comes the Clippers to save the day.

Good thing is the front office seems like they're staying put though, so far.

[Don Tommy]

I said it in a different post but I would trade DJ for Crowder and Bradley, plus mickey thrown in for salary cap purposes. That would be an amazing defensive lineup, as long as Doc doesn't screw it up!

[Forte IV]

I wonder if Boston would want DJ. Give me some Jaylen Brown

[Ranma]

I wonder if Boston would want DJ. Give me some Jaylen Brown

I'm definitely a fan of the idea of trading DJ to the Celtics. His presence in Boston would allow Horford to move to the 4 and, if Hayward does indeed come aboard, they'd have a well-balanced team with Thomas at the point to go along with Tatum and Hayward on the wings all anchored by Jordan in the middle. They'd be the best team in the Eastern Conference and could possibly still have Crowder on the team with other role players on minimum deals.

I'm not particularly high on Jaylen Brown but the kid does have upside with his athleticism and skills albeit a bit unpolished. Brown just had a standout game in Summer League. If we can get a package of Brown and draft picks from Boston, I'd be onboard with such a deal.

Plus, we can explore acquiring Aldrich and OKC's pick from Minnesota and maybe include Phoenix in a 3-way to shuffle salaries around to possibly acquire Alex Len. Len is an RFA but would be an expiring contract at about just over $4 million if he accepts his qualifying offer. Aldrich, Len, and multiple first-round picks for DJ? Yes, please.

I've harped on the notion that DJ lacks the winning mentality and have also mentioned that he would be more valuable to us than with any other team. However, I actually think Brad Stevens and the Celtics' environment has a legitimate shot of actually having him play even better, though I wouldn't say it's a sure thing. In any case, he still wouldn't be worth a max contract but should provide a similar level of production for the Celtics, especially in the barren wasteland in the East.

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Boston would now need a series of transactions to create cap space for Gordon Hayward. The Celtics would have to pull the qualifying offer on Kelly Olynyk, renounce free agents Jonas Jerebko, James Young, Gerald Green and waive the contracts of Jordan Mickey and Demetrius Jackson (or trade). The Celtics would be left with $27.6M in room and likely need to move the contract of Terry Rozier or Marcus Smart. Trading Rozier would have the Celtics short $1M of a max salary a lot.

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[Neddy]

I said it in a different post but I would trade DJ for Crowder and Bradley, plus mickey thrown in for salary cap purposes. That would be an amazing defensive lineup, as long as Doc doesn't screw it up!

I love the idea, but I don't think the money works out.

the Celts will have to send us Crowder who is around 7 million a year for 2 more years, Avery's team option is just north of 8 million. it won't work with Mickey but it will work with Marcus Smart's contract.

I would think this would be a smart deal, but #1) Crowder would be redundant with Danilo. I still love this deal but I don't know if Doc is creative enough for Griffin-Danilo-Crowder front line without a center and #2) as I expressed before, I doubt Doc brings in a better 2 guard over his son. Austin will start as long as Doc is here, period. #3) I don't want Marcus Smart playing the bulk of the backup minutes over Juwan Evans. I think in an ideal vacuum, it works out great, but I just don't see it happening.

PS- man I miss me some Moses Malone.

[Ranma]

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[wassuphomeboy]

Celtics unironically don't have anybody I'd want in return for DJ.

Remember, they got pasted by 20 last season while looking hapless on offense in the process, and DJ was a big part of the reason why. Even with Hayward, I wouldn't necessarily take this year's C's over last year's Clippers in a series.

A Middleton/Monroe trade would barely be ok with me(and only because of Middleton) and the Bucks probably aren't going to say yes. I certainly hope they don't counter with Jabari instead and we foolishly jump the gun again.

But thankfully, the FO seems to recognize DJ's value and seems to be staying put as of right now.

[Neddy]

if we can break up the MLE to two parts and give one slot to Kelly Olynyk, I wouldn't be mad about it. he is a decent backup big who can stretch the floor. shot far better than Derrick Rose from the 3.

[donemilio21]

unless we get a good player on a cheap contract (Bradley or Crowder from Boston) + a high draft pick and a cap exception, we should not even consider trading DJ.
Despite his flaws, he is currently the best frontcourt defender we have by far.

[UKClipperfan]

With the Gallo trade agreed it looks like DJ will be staying, so I hope the clamour to trade him can be put to one side.

[Ranma]

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