ddb wrote:this offseason one of the moves that needs to happen is Pels S&T Lonzo Ball to the Celtics for Smart/Thompson. Here's why.
#1: Tatum/Brown/Walker are all scorers. None of them are natural at creating for others, nor do we really want them as primary facilitators.
#2: Smart is expiring after next season and will command a pay raise. Is his style & contributions worth 20+ million?
#3: Thompson at 9 million isn't very appealing for a team that may not even get out of the first round this season. Unloading that contract is a better move.
Lonzo will be in the 20-25million range as RFA. S&T Smart/Thompson for Ball. Ball gives Boston an elite passer and facilitator who is also big enough and versatile enough to play with Kemba. so in turn it solves the Kemba problem too...Ball is the better passer, shooter, scorer, younger, more athletic, bigger than Smart. Smart is the heart & soul of the Celtics...I'm not denying that....but at over 20 million per year that could get ugly real fast. I would say it's time to move on from Marcus, not at the fault of Marcus, but because logistically it just makes sense...Celtics desperately need that elite ball mover...the Rondo type that can make everyone else around him better. I think Lonzo's best days are ahead of him.
Kemba-Ball-Brown-Tatum-Williams is a heck of a lineup. From there Danny needs to improve the bench with a couple veteran guys that fit the modern game....Celts need to see what they have in Langford/Nesmith as well.
so for all the Brown for Beal people out there. Maybe that's what Boston looks to do. But I'm not ready to move on from the JB/JT foundation. Those guys are still getting better...they are frustrated, but a player like Lonzo will make their lives easier. I think from a skill-set perspective their games all compliment each other really well. Same with Pritchard. Lonzo is a Swiss army knife guy that I think would lead to Tatum/Brown taking even bigger steps forward in their development. Also Lonzo to Timelord 3-5 times per game. it would be fun to watch. Lonzo is someone you just put on the basketball court. Can be a big lineup with Lonzo at the 1, Brown/Tatum at the 2/3. Or you can go smaller with Pritch/Langford/Lonzo....all sorts of combinations that would all make much more sense with Lonzo out there. with an improved 3pt shot, a younger brother to push him, and a dad that seems to be more chilled then a few years ago, I'm pretty high on Lonzo right now. I feel like he's flying under the radar. Whoever brings him in is going to get a good player.
on the flip side of things I believe NOLA would do this as well. They have Zion...Ingram. They have some nice pieces. Probably stuck with Bledsoe....doesn't seem like Lonzo wants to be there. They need veteran character guys that will bring toughness and leadership. I think Smart/Thompson would be very appealing to that team as they push to get into the playoff mix out West.
I think lonzo will look to go to a place where he can be looked at as a star or #1 or #2....not saying that’s his best role but I think he feels he can lead a team or be a Batman. Clearly he’s excelled in a less is more role this year but I’m guessing klutch and lonzo want him in a large market like New York or Chicago where he can elevate his brand and marketability. Don’t think we are even an option for him or will be.
As far as beal I would do brown for beal and yes, ideally you bring beal here while keeping brown but that’s not happening. I’ve been bullish on beal getting traded this offseason but if the wizards make the playoffs the chance of that happening decrease dramatically imo.
I think that will be enough for him to say hey “this was a crazy covid year but we made the play in or playoffs and let’s see what me and Russ can do next season”. I think he genuinely wants to be successful in Washington but I was banking on them completely **** the bed this season and at one point they were. If he decides to stay through next season It’s not the worst idea ever because then the Celtics can try and unload kemba so we can make a run at beal when he opts out next offseason and keep brown.
I do wonder and I heard windhorst and others say I wonder if beal would take the extension this offseason with a wink wink deal to trade him if he wants to move on. Similar to pg in okc. I think beal gets more money by opting out and re- signing next year tho bc of his 10 year status.
