Eliminated: BOS is out, knee-jerk trades & solutions

[Foshan]

So i thought this could be fun as each team gets knocked out. Especially at a time in which fans of said eliminated teams are thinking very clearly

So where does Boston go from here?

[Commodor]

If you can upgrade Kemba you do it, otherwise hold the boat and pray for better health next year.

Maybe empty the draft capital cupboard for a legit big man if one presents themselves (Turner rightfully a popular pick there).

Just let Brown-Tatum continue to develop together and retool as you can.

[basketballwacko2]

If you can upgrade Kemba you do it, otherwise hold the boat and pray for better health next year.

Maybe empty the draft capital cupboard for a legit big man if one presents themselves (Turner rightfully a popular pick there).

Just let Brown-Tatum continue to develop together and retool as you can.

The draft cupboard is pretty much empty now they have their own picks and a couple of extra 2nds. They're not getting Myles Turner.

[Commodor]

If you can upgrade Kemba you do it, otherwise hold the boat and pray for better health next year.

Maybe empty the draft capital cupboard for a legit big man if one presents themselves (Turner rightfully a popular pick there).

Just let Brown-Tatum continue to develop together and retool as you can.

The draft cupboard is pretty much empty now they have their own picks and a couple of extra 2nds. They're not getting Myles Turner.

Yeah, should have clarified I meant of Turner's caliber than Turner himself. Doesn't seem like Indy is interested in breaking it up.

[youOK]

I think Kemba is most likely on the team next year. He is a small, older, volume shooter who had a terrible playoffs and struggled with injury. He also makes $36MM next year.

His value right now is at the absolute lowest and they might even have to pay someone to take him on. I think best course for the Celtics is to have him play next year and either he shows enough value to stick around or he has at least rehabbed it enough where he is worth something again.

I can't really see them trading Brown for a star considering other trades they have turned down so I think their realistic path is small trades and through the draft / internal improvement from Tatum / Brown.

[Resistance]

If you can upgrade Kemba you do it, otherwise hold the boat and pray for better health next year.

Maybe empty the draft capital cupboard for a legit big man if one presents themselves (Turner rightfully a popular pick there).

Just let Brown-Tatum continue to develop together and retool as you can.

The draft cupboard is pretty much empty now they have their own picks and a couple of extra 2nds. They're not getting Myles Turner.

Yeah, should have clarified I meant of Turner's caliber than Turner himself. Doesn't seem like Indy is interested in breaking it up.

If there is a Big (Center/PF) on the level of Turner and he is on a playoff team, it will take some effort for Boston to get him in a trade when the compensation is weighted towards deaft picks rather quality rotation ready talent. If a playoff level team trades away one of their better players for picks and filler which downgrades the rotation, then they are putting at risk their ability to compete in the present and near future.

If things slip enough, any future draft picks will be used by the next GM rather than the GM that made the trade for them.

[babyjax13]

I think they should look to do a bit of a reset, even if it means taking a step backward. What exactly do Tatum and Brown need around them to be successful? I think there are three things:

(1) ball movement
(2) spacing
(3) interior defense

Looking at their roster, there are a lot of players that contribute to one of these categories, and one category only, so those would be the guys I'd first be thinking about moving.

Contributes nothing
1. Tristan Thompson
2. Jabari Parker
3. Romeo Langford
4. Carsen Edwards

Contributes only to "ball movement"
1. Tremont Waters (he shoots a good percentage but barely plays, however his assist numbers are impressive for how much he plays)

Contributes only to spacing
1. Aaron Nesmith
2. Mo Wagner

Contributes only to interior defense
1. Luke Kornet
2. Robert Williams
3. Tacko Fall

You have to ask, "of these guys, who is a good enough specialist or has high enough potential that I'd want to keep them?" And I think the answer is that there are only two: Aaron Nesmith and Robert Williams (Tremont Waters seems like he might be fine as a third stringer). And, with Williams, I do think vertical spacing is important, so I'd almost be tempted to say that he offers more than is immediately obvious.

Next I'd look at the guys who contribute in two categories, and consider who doesn't move the needle much, even if they still provide some spacing/interior defense/ball movement. Five players come to mind here: (1) Evan Fournier, (2) Kemba Walker, (3) Grant Williams, (4) Semi Ojeleye, and (5) Payton Prichard. Now, I actually really like Williams and Semi, but could they be a bit redundant with each other? If you move one in a larger trade that results in some kind of upgrade, I think you welcome that. Walker is probably unmovable, and I think Fournier you might keep as your sixth man and be okay with that. So the upshot here is: one of Williams/Ojeleye probably goes to help get an upgrade. Prichard was a nice surprise, and like Nesmith, you probably wait to see what you have unless including him in a deal can net you an upgrade.

This leaves you with your non-Tatum/Smart core, who you probably don't move, unless there is a huge upgrade available.
1. Marcus Smart
[and as I've said above...] 2. Robert Williams

So, the depth chart of players that are sticking around in this scenario are:
Williams/
Tatum/
Brown/Nesmith
Smart/Fournier
Walker/Prichard

The players under contract being moved:
1. Tristan Thompson
2. one of Grant Williams and Semi Ojeleye
3. Carsen Edwards
4. Jabari Parker

I think there are some teams with veterans who would make sense that would not be too hard to acquire.

1.
Boston trades: Tristan Thompson, cash
Boston receives: Mason Plumlee
Boston gets interior defense and ball movement from the center position.

New Orleans trades: 2 2nds (they have 4 this season)
New Orleans receives: cash
The Pelicans don't have room for all these seconds, so they deal them for cash.

Detroit trades: Mason Plumlee
Detroit receives: Tristan Thompson, 2 2nds
Detroit moves Stewart to the starting lineup, Thompson is a fine stop-gap backup, and they get some seconds.

2.
Boston trades: Carsen Edwards, Jabari Parker, Semi Ojeleye, Romeo Langford, 2021 BOS 1st (16)
OKC trades: Kenrich Williams, 2021 OKC 2nd (35), 2021 MIN 2nd (36)
This one might not be super popular, but Boston moves down in the draft to get a really good rotation player locked up for almost no money, and create a TPE. OKC takes a shot on developing Ojeleye and Langford, as well as whoever they can draft at 16.

Depth chart so far:
Williams/Plumlee
Tatum/G. Williams
Brown/K. Williams
Smart/Fournier
Walker/Prichard

Boston is now also sitting on a TPE, plus two early seconds.

3. Draft
35. Joel Ayayi
36. Daishen Nix
Boston drafts two big guards who can move the ball and defend. They'll be buried in the rotation, but I think both have some interesting upside and could be contributors down the road.

4. Free Agency
MLE: Nmenja Bjelica
min. Jarrell Brantley

Grab a proven power forward who is stretchy and passes well, and take a shot on a project power forward who is hyper-athletic and a great passer for his position.

Final team:
Williams/Plumlee
Tatum/Bjelica/G. Williams
Brown/K. Williams
Smart/Fournier/Ayayi
Walker/Prichard/Nix
last: Brantley

I think this team is better than this year's team because the pieces fit better - I do not think it is more talented. I don't think talent is their issue, I think it is fit.

[loserX]

How do the teams feel about Wall for Kemba+Tristan? Is it close-ish?

Boston needs more playmaking to complement Tatum and Brown; Kemba is talented and a big-time competitor but his game has been an imperfect mesh even when he was healthy. Wall has his warts but he is still a savvy set-up man, a better fit with the Celts' dynamic young stars.

Houston breaks up Wall's contract a little, and saves money in 2022 with TT expiring a year before the others.

Boston still needs a useful big, too. Maybe a Langford/Nesmith/sweetener for Boucher swap, if Toronto is ready to cash out?

[Fencer reregistered]

I'm in the unpopular stay-the-course camp.

Tatum is a superstar.
Brown is a star.
Smart and Fournier are good perimeter starters (and Fournier is a decent distributor for a non-PG, and Tatum is rapidly becoming one too).
Langford is a guy with rookie-level experience who plays good defense (which will likely be outstanding as he matures) and just scored a reasonably efficient 17 points starting a playoff game.
Nesmith projects to being a high-end 3&D guy at a minimum.
Kemba could be an elite 6th man.
Robert Williams is a stud when healthy.
Grant Williams will be a good smallball reserve center if he can cut down on the sophomore mistakes.

I'd just jettison the worst deadweight, get more bouncy project centers when we can, overhaul the medical staff again, insist that Stevens add some harder-ass assistant coaches, and proceed from there.

[Fencer reregistered]

By the way:

-- The Cs project to be far enough into luxury tax territory that they won't be bringing anybody in via S&T.
-- Mo Wagner is not a Celtic.

[babyjax13]

By the way:

-- The Cs project to be far enough into luxury tax territory that they won't be bringing anybody in via S&T.
-- Mo Wagner is not a Celtic.

I forgot they released him to sign Parker, good catch.

[Fencer reregistered]

By the way:

-- The Cs project to be far enough into luxury tax territory that they won't be bringing anybody in via S&T.
-- Mo Wagner is not a Celtic.

I forgot they released him to sign Parker, good catch.

Next catch: Robert Williams contributes quite a bit to ball movement -- and really spacing too, as the radius of the dunker's spot is much greater with him there than it is/would be with anybody else on the roster, and indeed anybody other than a few other guys in the league.

Of course, anything favorable about Time Lord has an "if healthy" caveat ...

[babyjax13]

By the way:

-- The Cs project to be far enough into luxury tax territory that they won't be bringing anybody in via S&T.
-- Mo Wagner is not a Celtic.

I forgot they released him to sign Parker, good catch.

Next catch: Robert Williams contributes quite a bit to ball movement -- and really spacing too, as the radius of the dunker's spot is much greater with him there than it is/would be with anybody else on the roster, and indeed anybody other than a few other guys in the league.

Of course, anything favorable about Time Lord has an "if healthy" caveat ...

I looked at the assist percentage of NBA centers and Williams was slightly above average, so I did think about calling that a strength of his, but decided it wasn't enough of an outlier to merit it.

[basketballwacko2]

If you can upgrade Kemba you do it, otherwise hold the boat and pray for better health next year.

Maybe empty the draft capital cupboard for a legit big man if one presents themselves (Turner rightfully a popular pick there).

Just let Brown-Tatum continue to develop together and retool as you can.

The draft cupboard is pretty much empty now they have their own picks and a couple of extra 2nds. They're not getting Myles Turner.

Yeah, should have clarified I meant of Turner's caliber than Turner himself. Doesn't seem like Indy is interested in breaking it up.

I'm not saying they would never trade him but he's vastly underrated on defense 3.7 blocks per game before hurting his foot. But he'll be back unless someone wants to over pay.

[Resistance]

Point Guards
Kemba Walker
Marcus Smart
Payton Pritchard
Tremont Waters


Shooting Guards
Evan Fournier
Romeo Langford
Aaron Nesmith
Carsen Edwards


Wings
Jaylen Brown
Jayson Tatum



Bigs
Robert Williams
Tristan Thompson
Grant Williams
Luke Kornet
Semi Ojeleye
Jabari Parker
Tacko Fall

***************************************************


Point Guards
Kemba Walker
Marcus Smart
Payton Pritchard
Tremont Waters

Walker has two years left on his contract with the second year a PO (Player Option). Since there are doubts that he will give up the guaranteed salary of $37,653,300 for the 2022-23 season and go into Free Agency, I will go with him having tow years left on his contract.

Smart has one year left on his contract and will be a Free Agent in summer 2022. Due to injuries to other players and relative rawness of some of their young players, he has been sometimes being given a bigger role than his abilities suggest that he should have. He is capable of playing minutes at SG and SF at times.

Pritchard is a rookie, so he has several years left on a modest contract. He has done relatively well considering that he is a late first round pick, but it is doubtful that he will be a starter on a true contender.

Waters is on a Two Way contract and he has played limited minutes. It is doubtful that he will be back with Boston next season and might not be in the NBA long term.


Shooting Guards
Evan Fournier
Romeo Langford
Aaron Nesmith
Carsen Edwards

Fournier needs a contract. I have no idea what salary is more than what Boston will be comfortable with paying. If he doesn't come back, then some combination of Langford, Smart, Nesmith and Brown to cover minutes at SG.

Langford has missed some games due to injuries and is somewhat behind in his development. He will have two seasons left on a rookie contract.

Nesmith is a rookie and has done better after a slow start. He will have three seasons left on his contract.

Edwards is a tiny SG with two years left on his contract with the second year unguaranteed. Wtih Langford and Nesmith moving ahead of him in the rotation, he doesn't appear to have a long term future with Boston. His long term future in the NBA might be in doubt as well.

Wings
Jaylen Brown
Jayson Tatum

Brown will have three seasons left on his contract and is considered one of their core players. Consider him a SF/SG.

Tatum will be starting the first year of a a new contract and is their best player. Consider him a SF/PF.


Bigs

Robert Williams is their best Center and will have one season left on his rookie contract. He does appear to be somewhat brittle.

Tristan Thompson is their backup Center with one year left on his contract. Not terribly bad, but not close to great either.

Grant Williams is a PF that will have two years left on his contract. Nothing spectacular and could eventually be pushed down in the rotation if the Celtics are able to acquire a better backup PF.

Luke Kornet is a Center that needs a contract.

Semi Ojeleye is a PF that needs a contract.

Jabari Parker is a PF that has an unguaranteed contract for next season.

Fall is on a Two Way contract and he has played limited minutes. It is doubtful that he will be back with Boston next season and might not be in the NBA long term.


This was written with the idea that the option years on the rookie contracts will be picked up by the Celtics.


**************************************

Needs:

Since Walker very well could be limited to playing to 60 games out of a possible 82 regular season games and Smart could be covering some minutes at SG, they could use another PG. Whether the new PG is on a regular or Two Way contract is subject to debate. Since Walker and Pritchard aren't that big, it could be a help to have a PG with some length when there is a need to show some size on defense.

If Fournier returns, they should be able to get by at SG with contributions from a group of Smart, Nesmith, Fournier, Langford and Brown. No idea who is the starter from that group. Edwards has a guarantee that Boston would want to get rid and he is a strong candidate to be thown into a trade so they can get rid of the guranteed salary. The need is for a SG/SF type to give them some flexibility in the rotation rather than adding a strictly SG type. So they should be looking for at least one SG/SF (or SF/SG) to replace Edwards and two will be needed if Fournier doesn't come back.

If Fournier comes back, then Brown can be mostly a SF. If there is uncertainty at SG and/or Smart has to play heavy minutes at PG, then Brown could be penciled in for minutes at SG which means Tatum will need to play mostly as a SF.

There really aren't any players that are athletes with length in the PF group of Grant Williams, Jabari Parker and Semi. If they are able to get a competent starter at PF, then Tatum can be mostly a SF and Brown mostly a SG. That will give the rotation more length to offset the small players (Walker & Pritchard). So an athletic PF/SF or PF/Center would be a huge help.

Since Robert Williams has had injury issues and Thompson is a journeyman, they could use another Center to replace Kornet. With Fall also expected to leave, they could be looking for two Centers or Center/PF types.


********************************

Not expected back

Waters, Fall, Kornet
Semi and/or Parker

Edwards has guaranteed salary, but Boston might prefer to move him if possible to get rid of the guranteed salary and free the roster spot.

So they could be replacing at least 6 of their 17 (15 regular + 2 Two Way) players. If Fournier doesn't come back, then that moves them into maybe needing to replace at least 7 out of 17 players. If they aren't able to acquire players better than Semi and Parker, then they might be back.

[Slim Charless]

Smart and Kemba and a 1st to Dallas for KP, Brunson and filler. Both teams exchange their overpaid, injury prone stars.

Mavs can use defense and toughness which will be provided by Smart and both players can provide secondary ball handling and scoring for Luka.

Boston gets a big who can hit the 3 and will be motivated to play for them (most likely). Brunson becomes PGOTF.

[Buzzard]

This is a tough one. Boston has tier 2 star talent in Tatum and Brown. I would say they are more talented than Butler and Bam. The issue is the Heat are much more cap friendly because of Walker.

I have been a proponent of trading Smart for two seasons and now that ship has sailed from a peak value standpoint. If they could ship Smart and a piece(s) for Wiseman they should be all over it.

Its time to start taking some risk yet holding on to Brown and Tatum. Spin the wheel of fortune Mr. Ainge.

[Buzzard]

Kemba and Smart for Wiggins and Wiseman. Fill in the blanks with what is needed to make it fair. The money works all day though.

[Scoot McGroot]

Might need to re-think ideas in this thread

[gswhoops]

Kemba and Smart for Wiggins and Wiseman. Fill in the blanks with what is needed to make it fair. The money works all day though.

I like Smart but this makes no sense for us. Paying Kemba 30-something million to come off the bench and not close games is untenable.