Shopping In Orlando

I am really starting to think that we’re going to be getting some crappy contracts along with whatever talent comes in our next trade or two… Yikes.

Something is definitely going down, but Danny, believe it or not, I do understand that teams make trades for only financial reasons. Isn’t that how we ended up getting and trading Raef for Theo in the first place? To save a year of salary on a bad contract? The fact that neither player has any skill left was irelevant.

If you can read between the lines of Ainge’s comments, the financial relief is being sought by teams trying to free-up their options in the trade or draft market. I’m sure Ratliff’s expiring contract is the one being targeted. It also seems quite probable that callers are starting conversations with “low-ball” offers or merely trying to establish the cost of acquiring Ratliff’s contract.

For instance, Atlanta, desirous of obtaining Conley but wishing not to overpay at #3, could be offering to change drafting positions with the Celtic’s if Ratliff’s contract is part of the deal. As the draft approaches, other offers may come in for late 1st round trades for present Celtic players, i.e., Gomes for draft position #27 etc. Or we could see similar offers for Powe and pick #39 etc. The teams making the offers would rather settle on a known NBA talent rather than risk drafting a player that may not make their roster.

Wallace commented that as the draft nears, the trading frenzy gets wild as teams discover their newest “love-affair” with certain players. We apparently have 2nd round interest in Sean Williams indicating that if we keep our #5 draft position that we’re not looking at the center position as some mock boards suggest (Haws?).

I think Danny will not deal anymore with Portland after the Telfair fiasco unless there is a 3rd or 4th team involved….Just use the Pick Danny and admit that trading is not your cup of tea.

So “mere fans” don’t understand the NBA trade world? Well, based on past performance, Ainge doesn’t understand it either.

While some boggers think that trading down in the draft for multiple picks would indicate that Ainge is insane, it could work to our advantage. If the players that Ainge is targeting could be obtained at #12 (Thornton?), for instance, and if multiple picks were involved for #5, Ainge could continue pairing those other picks with non-core Celtic players to move up in the draft. For instance, if Ainge did draft Thornton at #12 but wanted to trade up to get #15, he could trade a #26 pick PLUS Delonte West for #15 and select Javaris Crittenton (Highly regarded 6’5" PG). Similar options could be endless. He could still get his shot-blocker (Sean Williams) at #32.

While this scenario makes us still younger we could be finally correcting our team’s roster imballance with comparable talent. One must decide if our objective is to get better for the long haul or if we’re on an imaginary timetable for instant gratification.

The logic of trading down could be our best option if a desirable veteran is not available. Our eventual course of action will ultimately depend upon how we value the talent on the board.

This “source” lost me when he talked about how Pierce hasnt proven himself in crunch time….any Celtic fan thats watched the team the last 3 years has seen him come through NUMEROUS times in crunchtime with all types of big shots and buzzer beaters….this guy doesnt sound too swift to me…

Danny can’t take Willams at all. In any city other than Boston you could get away with it. With Willams, BC has a chance at the final 4.

If Duran and Oden were not in the draft and we got number 1 it would have been a diffcult decision who would the number 1 be in this years draft?

Keep Pierce.

I would think Memphis and the Celtics would be able to trade if Gasol wants to be traded. We have Wally or Theo’s contract and then we would have to give up a couple of young celtics or the number 5.

Otherwise just draft our picks and try to get a veteran center that can rebound. Since the Celtics are not going to play Olowokandi as a backup. Not since Parrish, McHale, Bird, Kite and Walton have we had enough big men on one team. To many times we have to play small ball to try to win a game I believe the last 11 years we have had to play this way. If we cannot get Gasol I would like to see us move up on our 32nd pick with possibly Charlotte they have the 22nd pick and trade one of our young guys to swap draft picks if the right big man is there and then make the trade if that is the case.

Possible big men lineup.

Center Jefferson and power forward Yi, Horford or Wright start the game

Off the bench
Center Perk and the 1st or 2nd round draft pick or the following: Scal and a new veteran big man or Olowkandi use them as backups when Perk plays center and Jefferson stays in the game to play PF. We need 6 big men with the expanded rosters.

If we get Gasol

Center Jefferson and PF Gasol

Center – Perk if we loose Perk in the Memphis trade then a Veteran Big man would be needed in another trade. Keep Olowokandi and draft a Power Forward or center with the 5th or 2nd round pick, Scal is on the bench also.

If making a trade is not Danny’s “cup of tea”, and it isn’t, should he even be hired in the position he currently is in?

Re bceltfan; That really isn’t a question you’re asking but a “loaded” rhetorical question meant to repeat your distain for Danny Ainge! Is’nt time to ride another horse?