Signal Move Or Just Another Transaction?

You’re so right about the lack of speculation of roster moves. Hoopshype.com used to be something I read EVERY single day for their rumors section. I haven’t looked at it in forever- and it’s great!

 With two open spots Danny can bide his time. If a quality player becomes available (doubtful) he would jump at the chance to add the depth.
Otherwise he can wait to see the holes needing to be filled because of injuries

Antoine is logging the big DNP’s in Minnie. He’ll be back, if only for old times sake.

There is no doubt in my mind that we will be making some kind of move. I just havent a clue what it will be. I am confident Danny will not sign a player that he doesnt feel will see the floor. I mean, what is the point? Trades are a different story with possibilities that are endless. 8)

I like Brandon. He’ll get a chance somewhere.

This move signals a few things:

The team is in full win now mode. No time for developmental projects.

Danny has something in mind and he’s way ahead of everyone. I have no idea where this is leading.

Could it be they just want flexibility with the roster spot and didn’t want to lock in Wallace for the year? What I mean is, could they still pick him back up as a short term guy after the 20th? Is that allowed?

2 for 1 trade- hard to envision what that might be. Two free agents?

I’m stumped.

The best option is to wait for a Kurt Thomas and Cassel buyout. Both are playing now, so its not like bring in guys who havent been around a team for 6 months, like Brown and Webber. If not I say wait until March to sign someone as insurance.

i like kurt thomas. there’s also the ex-spur power forward on the knicks ( can’t bring up his name) who’s available. we need a down low banger. pruitt should be tested for some minutes at the point to see if backup point is needed.

Slightly off topic, but maybe not. What is the state of the C’s current TV deal? The last ownership had taken most of the money up front leaving the C’s with little revenue for several years. With a new deal and their resurgence there would be pleanty of money to pay the luxury tax. I actually hope this the last year of the old deal, because they certainly are in a position to negotiate a favaorable deal. I am trying to figure out how cash starved operations is or is not. (yes the limiteds have money but running at a loss when you’re filling the Garden would give one pause).

Kurt Thomas would be a good backup for KG in 10-15 mpg. He’s a solid defensive player who can board & hit the elbow jumper.

As for the PG, I think Ainge is waiting for just the right vet. I’m guessing he didn’t want to sign anyone that would challenge Rondo for the starting spot, or tempt Doc into using the vet over Rajon. Brevin Knight would have been that vet. Beno Udrich isn’t better than Rondo.

I think Ainge is looking for someone like Cassell. Experienced, but will play a role.

Money not an option.
Brandon was released for another roster space.
I guess Brandon just got traded for a roster space to be named later.

Keith Van Horn ain’t that old. Wonder what kind of shape he’s in? ;D

KVH retired because he couldn’t get or stay healthy. Not much of an option.

Malik Rose is the Knick and he’s still a Knick until they waive him which is by no means a certain thing. Zeke likes what he brings to a combustible locker room. And even if they do waive him he’s Leon Powe with less mistakes except he’s lost nearly all of his athleticism. And I don’t like Leon Powe.

Kurt Thomas is starting for Seattle. He’s their only big man who plays defense and one of their few role model type vets. They need his experience and teaching for the youth there. They also need him to be competitive in games. And he’s an excellent trade asset right up until his contract expires. Unless Presti feels like being Father Xmas twice in one year I don’t see him letting Kurt go. And even if he does …. isn’t Phoenix at the front of the queue?

The Clippers look like they’ll be in the hunt for a playoff spot when Brand comes back and if they stay on track they’re not letting Sam Cassell go.

As for a 2-for-1 trade. Who are we giving up that has quality trade value? And how are we getting two guys of quality back?

We already had enough flexibility with an open roster space. This was all about saving money.

Well, if you think that cutting Brandon Wallace was strange, how about Memphis letting Terrence Kinsey go? Kinsey, you may recall, was the NBA rookie of the month last April, averaging over 18 ppg. He was making even less than Brandon Wallace and the Grizz are nowhere near the luxury tax threshhold. Plus, they already had an open space on their roster, just like the Celtics. So go figure.

If you look at the Celtics’ salary structure, you will quickly see that there is absolutely no way the Celtics could do a 2 for 1 or 3 for 2 trade that makes any sense (i.e. improves the team in any significant way) without trading Pierce or Ray Allen. Nor do I see an free agent out there who could crack the rotation. So the only conceivable explanation for cutting Wallace is to save the money.

That was strange Brickowski …. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that. Had to find two articles just to believe it. Thought it was a mistake at first.

By the way …. we should sign Tarence Kinsey. Good shooter, plays good D, and well all the rest is a work in progress.

Even though Walker is playing well as a bench presence for Minny, that doesn’t mean it’s a certainty that Toine won’t move on…just not to Boston. I kind of doubt he’d rather continue to languish two of the five years of basketball he’s got left in him in NBA Siberia(Minnesota).

though it would be nice to see him back averaging 10.4 off the Celtics bench as opposed to Minny’s…

Danny’s been always one or two steps ahead of all of us. I’m pretty sure he’s working on something. With the willingness the owners have shown to spent money I don’t think Wallace’s low salary makes the difference. There must be something else. Only Danny knows.

I wonder how is Kelvin Cato. I mean, is he the lazy and out-of-shape version we saw in Orlando or the 7-foot defensive presence he was in Houston? Cato in shape is an ideal fit because of his size, his rebounding, his shot-bloking ability and his experience. The only problem is his attitude, and Danny doesn’t seem to like to take too many risks with character issues.

Regarding the overseas idea: I don’t know of any decent (to say nothing of NBA backup level) who are about to be released in Europe. Although, As a Maccabi fan – if you want Marcus Fizer – you can have him… ;)
Personally, i like the Jackie Butler idea the most. He’s young, strong and can bang around just about anyone in the league.

We don’t need anything right now. We are 20-2 and there is more risk to damaging the karma than improving it with who is out there.
It is what they say it is….flexibility. We don’t know who or if someone goes down.
I liked the idea that Walace could be a defensive tweener but this means that Danny didn’t think so and Danny has been right on with his picks. (Even Telfair is showing real value but we held the better value – Rondo)

Cato worked out for the Celtics before training camp and Batista beat him out. I doubt much has changed. Doesn’t look a good option.

I think another shooter/scorer off the bench plus a big man would round out the roster nicely. Cassell only gets in the way of eddie and eddie is playing so well that I would hate to see him lose minutes. rggie miller would be ideal for the stretch run. I’m concerned about ray allen; he hasn’t shot well and he’s hurt. he’s better than delonte, wally or jeff green at this point but I think we overpaid for him. still, wihtout him you don’t get Garnett so you have to look at that too. I love everything else about Ray and hope that he starts knocking down shots but if there were one major area of concern to me it would be that we need another shooter off the bench.

I cannot believe this is solely a $$$ issue. Ainge is not so shortsighted as to give up on a guy he so clearly saw potential in for the limited savings this cut brings. Ainge may not have anything specific in mind right now, but this move was clearly for future froster lexibility – and by future I mean the near future (this season).