Buyout Thread: If Celtics get a player in buyout market, who would be cut?

[Andrew McCeltic]

Bender is stronger - I don’t know how much work he put in as a Sun, but he’s bulked up enough that he can’t be pushed out of his spots the same way. He didn’t do much for Milwaukee this year in spot minutes, and he only started to show flashes in the second half of last season in Phoenix.

He’s 2 years younger than Tacko.. like, you’re talking about eating money on Wanamaker, Edwards, Waters, Green and/or Poirier to add him, and to add him over anyone else who becomes available - and I think all five of those guys are finds.

It’s a tough call - but I think if he’s a practice body getting spot minutes, in the Poirier role, he has a lower floor but a much higher ceiling.

I’d love to have them put him on a 3 year vet minimum deal with team options - idk

[BillTheGOAT]

Come on down, Bismack Biyombo!!

Jk!! BJ Armstrong will never let that happen.

Oh ****, he will probably sign with the worst team in the league before Boston.

[Andrew McCeltic]

I go to summer league every year and I was semi-impressed with Bender in 2018, he looked like he become a solid role player, but he really regressed and looked pretty hapless the next year.

Either his confidence is shaken or he just doesn't have the work ethic. BfB is high on him so it's probably not a character issue.

Could be work ethic - maybe no structure or guidance in Phoenix - I know Milwaukee talked in preseason about him needing to keep working in the weight room - and he has canned answers now about the G league..

I know I saw some comments from GS about Chriss and how he finally has a good environment now..

Just hard not to see the premature playing time before he was physically ready as something that tanked his development and confidence - would never happen in a good organization.

[threrf23]

Does anybody on this board still like Bender or nah?

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I'm not sure I have ever been more wrong on a player than Dragan. He wouldn't help us this year at all.

That being said, I still think he can be a rotation player in the league at least. He's 22, a legit 7 footer, and his 3 ball is really nice. It's just gonna take a few more years. He came over way too early (but hindsight and all that).

I was onboard too. He was always going to need to commit to getting stronger, which he hasn't shown any evidence he's doing. In fact he seems to be considered a 4/3 rather than a 4/5. He remains a skilled player and likely could develop better on a tanking team that will allow him the freedom to facilitate more on offense. But his upside his tapped unless he realizes he needs to be a tough and skilled player because he never had great enough athleticism to be excel as a finesse player.

He might always be a finesse player, and that's a matter perhaps of personality more than strength. He simply needs strength to survive as a finesse player.

He was never as skilled as advertised, but he brings some intangibles, his bball IQ is as advertised, and his size and agility give him a nice floor. He is younger this season than Kelly Olynyk was as a rookie and made a good impression on Bucks fans in the preseason. I think he's a five tho, and they have the Lopez bros.

I'd def take him if we could get an injury exception. Good depth piece at the 5, with some upside looking to the future.

[zoyathedestroya]

If there's even a decent buyout candidate who wants to come to Boston, I do think Javonte is expendable esp with the emergence of Langford. I still hope Green, turning 27 this year, lands with another team. We're all set with our wings of the future.

[Andrew McCeltic]

You’d have to really commit to Bender to add him - losing one of Edwards, Green, Wanamaker or Poirier.. And we don’t have a single bad apple on the roster this year.. You can’t do it if we’re trying to win a title - but looking into next year, you’d want to cut Wanamaker and give his minutes to Edwards and Langford in the backcourt - which would make room for Bender..

Or cut Poirier and give his spot to Bender, which doesn’t hurt you this year as much as tossing Wanamaker..

[brackdan70]

Bender is stronger - I don’t know how much work he put in as a Sun, but he’s bulked up enough that he can’t be pushed out of his spots the same way. He didn’t do much for Milwaukee this year in spot minutes, and he only started to show flashes in the second half of last season in Phoenix.

He’s 2 years younger than Tacko.. like, you’re talking about eating money on Wanamaker, Edwards, Waters, Green and/or Poirier to add him, and to add him over anyone else who becomes available - and I think all five of those guys are finds.

It’s a tough call - but I think if he’s a practice body getting spot minutes, in the Poirier role, he has a lower floor but a much higher ceiling.

I’d love to have them put him on a 3 year vet minimum deal with team options - idk

Agreed there is some upside...guy is barely 22, can hit some threes and play some D. Worth a flyer for sure but I don’t know how much if any they he would help. I don’t know who to wave to add him either....and is he the best buyout candidate that will be out there? A very interesting value play though.

[Andrew McCeltic]

**** it, just do it - Poirier gets bought out, if you can get Bender on a 3-year deal to have Bird rights if he blows up - he would be our most well-rounded big project immediately, he can shoot, pass, rebound, rim run and block shots.

[zoyathedestroya]

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Cs should be all over this although I have to admit I haven't watched a ton of Clippers this season. After Marvin, he might be the best 3-and-D swing available.

[djFan71]

Spoiler:

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Cs should be all over this although I have to admit I haven't watched a ton of Clippers this season. After Marvin, he might be the best 3-and-D swing available.

Absolutely, I'd probably have him ahead of Marvin, but will also cop to not having seen a ton of either this year. I would revoke my Javonte is safe post for Moe.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Were not cutting Poirier and eating his 2.5M in dead money next year. We’ll trade him in the offseason with cash/ a second for a team under the cap to do it for us.

Carsen wont be cut until training camp— given the extra years on his deal, we’ll be able to stretch his hit to one in the low 6 figures if he doesnt make the team.

Javonte is the guy we’d cut for a buy out. Non guaranteed for next season and hes our 15th man.

[Dogen]

After an entire 5 minutes of contemplation, I'm all in on Bender. Before the draft, I saw this guy as having enough skill and the mentality to be a decent big in this league. Haven't really followed him since, but, you know.... Phoenix. And in Milwaukee he's buried.

What I see is, if he signs with Boston and basically sits on the bench this season, it's no big loss -- we have enough depth. OTOH, if Brad and the Celtic culture can start to bring out that nascent, nasty unicorn in him that we saw glimpses of, the stuff that made him the 4th pick, it could be a real find and lead to minutes in the rotation.

Now, come playoff time and say the Celtics meet the Bucks in the ECF. If Bender comes off the bench and does ANYTHING in that series -- plays 5 minutes, neutralizes a Lopez, hits a timely three -- that's a nice statement and a bit of a head-gamesmanship for the C's. I would love to see that guy come out with a chip on his shoulder and stick to the team that waived him. Good stuff.

So the question is, is Dragan that kind of guy to do the work to get it? I thought he was before the draft. I actually still think he is. He had the attitude, and the NBA has taught him humility as it's been a hard road. But... he is still oh so young. Still time to light that... um, Dragan fire.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Or if you really like Poirier as the next Theis, cut Javonte, add Bender, keep Langford in the rotation.

And only cut Wanamaker if you’re inking another ball handler - Evan Turner or Reggie Jackson

[zoyathedestroya]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Cs should be all over this although I have to admit I haven't watched a ton of Clippers this season. After Marvin, he might be the best 3-and-D swing available.

Absolutely, I'd probably have him ahead of Marvin, but will also cop to not having seen a ton of either this year. I would revoke my Javonte is safe post for Moe.

I didn't realize he's only 26. So 7 years younger than Marvin. When matched up against us, he was tasked to harass Kemba. I imagine he can do the same against other attack guards. Defends well, hits the occasional three, doesn't make a fuss on the bench/locker room, low usage, low maintenance guy. What's not to like?

[Andrew McCeltic]

Yeah Harkless would be great as a 3/4.. but he seems likely to choose a top-tier contender - the Lakers, Heat, Sixers..

[djFan71]

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

Cs should be all over this although I have to admit I haven't watched a ton of Clippers this season. After Marvin, he might be the best 3-and-D swing available.

Absolutely, I'd probably have him ahead of Marvin, but will also cop to not having seen a ton of either this year. I would revoke my Javonte is safe post for Moe.

I didn't realize he's only 26. So 7 years younger than Marvin. When matched up against us, he was tasked to harass Kemba. I imagine he can do the same against other attack guards. Defends well, hits the occasional three, doesn't make a fuss on the bench/locker room, low usage, low maintenance guy. What's not to like?

Yeah, I saw a lot of him in Portland and he's never the guy that stood out like Dame or anything, but was always solid and making some nice plays.

[djFan71]

Yeah Harkless would be great as a 3/4.. but he seems likely to choose a top-tier contender - the Lakers, Heat, Sixers..

Lakers would sure be easy for him assuming he hasn't moved since the trade deadline.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Actually Portland would make the most sense for Harkless if they can recruit him.. or Denver

[Dogen]

Or if you really like Poirier as the next Theis, cut Javonte, add Bender, keep Langford in the rotation.

And only cut Wanamaker if you’re inking another ball handler - Evan Turner or Reggie Jackson

Yeah, Javonte is a great story, but Langford is starting to force his way into the rotation due to shining in his recent opportunities.

The more I think about it, the more psyched I am for Bender. Green is going to be an NBA journeyman, and all the best to him, but we have depth at his spot. Green is fun for highlights and hustle, but doesn't shoot the 3. Even as a pawn on Coach Brad's chessboard, Bender could add a dimension by stretching the floor.

[Andrew McCeltic]

We’d have a ton of great influences for Bender, FWIW - they’d appreciate his on-court IQ immediately, and he’d have great role models, Ojeleye especially.. terms of the contract would be biggest thing - years, options