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

[SmartWentCrazy]

Why are people talking about Bender? Would prefer Javonte over him, to be honest

[Andrew McCeltic]

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[Gant]

There's only one reason to get a buyout candidate, which is to get a playoff rotation player for this year. That player would have to add a quality that the team lacks right now.

Dragan Bender wouldn't help in this regard.

Maybe Marvin Williams might have due to greater height and experience than the guys he'd theoretically be taking minutes from. But in reality I don't think the current Marvin would displace Grant Williams or Ojeleye, and he probably won't have a meaningful playoff role for the Bucks either.

I think Tristan Thompson with his length, experience, and defensive ability fits. A longer defensive presence with experience would be useful in some matchups. Even Tristan would get limited playing time though.

Buyout guys rarely move the needle.

[DoubleHappiness]

Why are people talking about Bender? Would prefer Javonte over him, to be honest

Same. But I think it's because of ceiling.

If Vinnie wasn't signed though, dumping Vinnie would be an easy easy choice. He has shown one of two things, but I don't see a ceiling at all. He's going to be lucky to hang onto the very back end of rosters if he stays in the NBA.

If Harkless comes over, where do his 20 mpg come from? He's a great defender so I'm not opposed. Just don't see the windows.

[Dogen]

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[Andrew McCeltic]

Bender yesterday - it’s G League, but look how perfect his execution is now that he’s getting minutes and some confidence he’s not going to be shoved into the backboard on every play:

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[zoyathedestroya]

No to Dragan Bender. You have been warned.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Why are people talking about Bender? Would prefer Javonte over him, to be honest

Same. But I think it's because of ceiling.

If Vinnie wasn't signed though, dumping Vinnie would be an easy easy choice. He has shown one of two things, but I don't see a ceiling at all. He's going to be lucky to hang onto the very back end of rosters if he stays in the NBA.

If Harkless comes over, where do his 20 mpg come from? He's a great defender so I'm not opposed. Just don't see the windows.

Poirier looks to me like he just needs minutes - and once he’s acclimated can be a good back-up center.

Harkless would get minutes at the 3/4, spelling Tatum and Hayward and taking some court time from Grant and Semi.. but with our injuries..

[Andrew McCeltic]

No to Dragan Bender. You have been warned.

This is compelling - but don’t you have to do the anagrams in Croatian?

[DoubleHappiness]

Why are people talking about Bender? Would prefer Javonte over him, to be honest

Same. But I think it's because of ceiling.

If Vinnie wasn't signed though, dumping Vinnie would be an easy easy choice. He has shown one of two things, but I don't see a ceiling at all. He's going to be lucky to hang onto the very back end of rosters if he stays in the NBA.

If Harkless comes over, where do his 20 mpg come from? He's a great defender so I'm not opposed. Just don't see the windows.

Poirier looks to me like he just needs minutes - and once he’s acclimated can be a good back-up center.

Harkless would get minutes at the 3/4, spelling Tatum and Hayward and taking some court time from Grant and Semi.. but with our injuries..

That's fair. Kind of wild Harkless is still 26, only a year and a half older than Semi.

I'm still onboard the Dragan bandwagon, but he obviously doesn't help us this year. I don't see a path for him here. Which sucks.

His handle never developed and he has some other glaring weaknesses that make me think he might never make the jump to being a decent NBA player. But the frame and shooting are definitely there.

[Fencer reregistered]

Guys who we have who can defend some or all of the 2/3/4 positions without apologies include:

Tatum
Brown
Hayward
Smart (but when enough PGs are hurt he needs to play some 1
Langford
Semi
Grant (but when enough centers are hurt he needs to play some 5)
Green

And Theis, but he's pretty clearly our starting center this season.

To cut Green for a big you'd basically be saying that the seven guys ahead of him are enough.

[Dogen]

There's only one reason to get a buyout candidate, which is to get a playoff rotation player for this year. That player would have to add a quality that the team lacks right now.

Dragan Bender wouldn't help in this regard.

Maybe Marvin Williams might have due to greater height and experience than the guys he'd theoretically be taking minutes from. But in reality I don't think the current Marvin would displace Grant Williams or Ojeleye, and he probably won't have a meaningful playoff role for the Bucks either.

I think Tristan Thompson with his length, experience, and defensive ability fits. A longer defensive presence with experience would be useful in some matchups. Even Tristan would get limited playing time though.

Buyout guys rarely move the needle.

I agree about Williams, wasn't too high on him, although I can understand why Kemba would reach out to him. A solid vet is a nice add for a playoff team like the Bucks. For the Celtics, Thompson is option #1 now for me. Cavs saying he's not going anywhere, but there's plenty of time before March 1.

So with that uncertainty, I'd go for Bender if he's interested. Celtics have their inside scoring/rebounding big in Kanter, and athletic-but-undersized defensive rim runners in Theis and Timelord. Bender would be that complimentary stretch big. He might not move the needle much, but fits a need.

Let's face it, all he needs to do is block ONE Giannis shot in the playoffs and we'll all be falling over ourselves. I stil think he's going to turn into a plus player. Not this year, but I'd nab him now.

[Dogen]

No to Dragan Bender. You have been warned.

Zoya, that's gold!

[Gant]

I saw Bender play a full game against Maine early in the season. Maybe he's better in most games, but he was not overly impressive in that one. He played against Poirier and Yante Maten. Tacko didn't play that night- probably out with a knee twinge he got early on.

Bender: 25 min, 5-11, 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 blk
Poirier: 26 min, 6-9, 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blks
Maten: 36 min, 5-15, 13 points, 15 rebounds, 1 blk

https://www.espn.com/nba-g-league/boxscore?gameId=401164777

[zoyathedestroya]

No to Dragan Bender. You have been warned.

This is compelling - but don’t you have to do the anagrams in Croatian?

Haha. Or it might just be suggesting to waive Wanamaker.

[Edug27]

So what’s the word on Biyombo? He’d fit rather well.

[Dogen]

Guys who we have who can defend some or all of the 2/3/4 positions without apologies include:

Tatum
Brown
Hayward
Smart (but when enough PGs are hurt he needs to play some 1
Langford
Semi
Grant (but when enough centers are hurt he needs to play some 5)
Green

And Theis, but he's pretty clearly our starting center this season.

To cut Green for a big you'd basically be saying that the seven guys ahead of him are enough.

Yep, we'd be losing some depth defensively, but Grant and Romeo are starting to step up. Bender opens the floor more than Green, and has the size to defend at the 4, but he's not a very good defender or versatile one yet. So the question is whether you take a hit defensively to get that 3pt shot in the arsenal. Dragan's shot looks very good.

Seems everyone was all about trading players and picks for Bertrans! Bender is going to be just as good if not better in the long run, IMO, but unfortunately he's not there yet. I'd roll the dice now.

[SMTBSI]

If Harkless comes over, where do his 20 mpg come from? He's a great defender so I'm not opposed. Just don't see the windows.

Harkless would get minutes at the 3/4, spelling Tatum and Hayward and taking some court time from Grant and Semi.. but with our injuries..

Harkless's career 3P% by season is incredibly confusing to me.

'12-'13: .274
'13-'14: .383
'14-'15: .179
'15-'16: .279
'16-'17: .351
'17-'18: .415
'18-'19: .275
'19-'20: .370

Generally about 2 attempts per game each year.

Even with not-gigantic sample sizes, that's some crazy variability.

[Dogen]

So what’s the word on Biyombo? He’d fit rather well.

He'd fit in great! Biyombo or Thompson. But do the Hornets seriously part with an all star level player without any return?

[canman1971]

No to Dragan Bender. You have been warned.

Well, that's how Jim Morrison came up with Mr Mojo Risin.

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