Rumors, Rumors, Rumors

i like marion and lewis, but i doubt it would be smart to give up the #5 pick for one of them. marion could stay for only one year and we would be lost again and i´m sure we can get a better player at #5 than lewis. so take them, if there´s a possibility to hold the pick. i would give up green, delonte and even powe ;) to get it done….

“i´m sure we can get a better player at #5 than lewis”

I’m not trying to talk myself into Rashard Lewis, or out of Kevin Durant. But honestly, what is the difference in the two? I really don’t know? Is it Durant’s post game?

agree,no way the 5th pick for these guys unless another serious young player comes too…this sounds like Celtic/Danny talk to try and drive up value of the pick..

I wouldn’t want Marion and his contract (or opt out) for anything, never mind the 5th pick plus. It’s not as if he would make the Celtics a contender and he would only hamper the team financially. Throw Banks into the deal and you have the makings of another Vin Baker-like disaster.

Rashard Lewis, I believe, fits the Celtics a lot better than Marion, but he’s still not worth letting go of the #5 pick. Now, if he could be obtained for Ratliff’s contract and a spare part/draft pick or two in a sign-and-trade that’s worth thinking about. However, the thinking should include deciding whether a front line of Lewis, Pierce and Jefferson is enough to make the Celts a contender. Probably not, if defense is a consideration.

The difference between Durant and Lewis is Durant dominated college like no other freshman EVER. It may turn out to be the difference between Mike Dunleavy and Larry Bird.

As much as I’ve enjoyed watching Paul Pierce over the years, I get more optimistic and excited about the Celtics when I think of trading him. Even though we’d have to accept less than value, it would make a lot of sense. If we’re ever going to be an up-tempo team, it won’t be with him.

Wonder how many serious trades Danny is pondering..

Also wondering how many dont include the surname Swift ? ;D

I have also considered another thing..trading for Marion , what is Ainge saying about our team ? Are we going to adapt a running game type of basketball and if so does he consider Rondo the man to implement it?

Not sure how Lewis fits with the Celtics…hes 7foot, but he plays more like a 3….we dont need a 3….Even though he’s shorter, I think Marion could be more of a 4, which is more of what we need…but I dont know if I want him for possibly just 1 year….neither one of them I really want to trade the #5 pick for…if you can get one of them, particularly Lewis, without giving up the pick, thats not bad at all in my view…

Trade Pierce for an expiring contract and one or two high draft picks. Get one or two more good young players this year in the draft. After Theo’s contract expires next year, and with Paul’s contract off the books, bring in one or two good vets to mix with the boat-load of talented youth – and bingo – we’ll be contending in the east for years to come.

Do Not – panic and trade good young players who are just about to pay dividends for over paid vets with poor attitudes i.e. head cases.

what happen with the Joe Johson rumor….that was by far my favorite. At this point in the process any trade talk is good talk. It drives up the value of the pick and our contracts.

I hope they don’t trade the pick. Especially for the stuff they are talking about. Neither of these moves makes us a championship contender. And if that is the case you make a pick at 5. Hopefully Brewer.

I’m waiting for the second generation Joe Johnson Rumor, the Rasheed Wallace rumor, the Jermaine O’Neal rumor and the inevitable Dallas, Lakers and Golden State rumors. But the right answer is:

Replace Rivers
Trade Pierce
Draft Conley

“The difference between Durant and Lewis is Durant dominated college like no other freshman EVER. It may turn out to be the difference between Mike Dunleavy and Larry Bird.”

Well thanks for the in-depth scouting report, Captain Obvious. Rashard Lewis also never played college basketball, though, so who is to say that 6’10" shooting guards just aren’t at a tremendous advantage playing in the NCAA?

With that said, what is it that is makes anyone think that Durant will be any different from Lewis? What skills has he displayed that suggest something better than what Lewis can bring to a team?

That right, mcpu40, Ainge isn’t considering any of the moves he should be making. Instead, he’s looking for brightly-colored band aids.

So it’s hopeless. My guess is that they will flail around for 2-3 more years, and then hit rock bottom. What happens after that depends on who is hired to replace Ainge and Rivers.

i started reading this blog about this time last year and remember several pro rondo bloggers. congrats to you guys. you had it right. i wonder who of us will look back smugly next year. lewis is not half the player marion is but will come a lot cheaper. i don’t get danny’s fixation with swift- it reeks of telfair.

Ok, now that I posted that, I don’t remember if Rashard Lewis was 6’10" coming out of High School, and I really doubt he was. If he wasn’t, then the sentence about 6’10" shooting guards in the NCAA is moot, but still, what is there that makes the two different? What, in their games, I mean.

What about Lamar Odom? Didn’t I hear a while ago that he may be on the block as well? I think Odom is a better fit than either Marion or Lewis.

P.S. I don’t want to give up #5 for any of these guys.

Durant is one of the best prospects of the last 10 years. Lewis wasn’t. That’s the difference.

I’m opposed to adding any of the veterans suggested here. A wing is the easiest player to add. If we’re going to hand out a big contract, it should be to a 1, 4, or 5, unless the guy is an absolute star. I don’t see that any of these guys will make us anything other than maybe the 4th or 5th best team in the East. A quick fix is never the way to go. To me, the best course is to continue to draft well, resign our own players, and avoid huge contracts so we have salary-cap flexibility if the right guy does become a free agent. Assuming KG is off the market, the only guy I’d give up the #5 for is Gasol. If this team had followed that course, we might’ve still had Billups and/or Johnson, and we would’ve had a much different story than the sad one we’ve followed the last several years.

I’m not sure I get the fascination with Conley…isn’t his game similar to Rondo’s coming in…with no real outside shot. Didn’t he perform under expectations in Orlando?

I like Rondo’s defense…more steals perminute than any other NBA player last year. He can definitely get to the hole…so this draws defenses…leaves someone open. He distributes. He’s young, he performed above expectations and he’ll grow to be a very good point guard.

Where is the call for AK 47 and his whopping career 10 ppg scoring average? What is the refrain as people argue for trading Paul Pierce for the guy? Yeah “he plays good defense”. Ugh. I know Lewis has his issues on defense but the guy, unlike Kirlenko and potentially anyone drafted with the five pick, is not a stiff. He has serious game. He is six feet 10 can play either forward position and command a double team anywhere on the floor. He would go great with Pierce. Further, if the Celtics could keep the 5th pick it would take the pressure of for reaching for a big man. The Celtics could take Brewer and keep him or draft Conley and fleece a team like Milwauki in a trade down and still get Brewer or Thornton. If you could get Lewis in return for say, Gomes, Allen and Theo Ratliffe, that would be a steal. Again, who in the Eastern Conference has a big three as good as Pierce, Jefferson and Lewis? No one I can think of.

Every Lewis trade proposal does not mention giving up the 5th pick, which is why most of us prefer this trade to the Marion trade. I think if we get Lewis via trade, Danny has to think of getting a more defensive oriented player in the draft. The only guy among the big 6 that fits that description is Brewer. I think Brewer’s position will slide a little bit as a result of the measurements, he has a pretty average wing span (6’8"). Trade down to the place where you think you can still draft Brewer or Julian Wright. Maybe trade the 5th for Charlotte’s 8th and 22. Take Brewer (if available) or Julian Wright at 8, and Sean Williams at 22, or trade the 22nd pick and a player to Seattle for Swift.

I’d trade for Marion IF they can sign him to an extension. Since Ainge wants to run (remember when he was coach of Phoenix and he had Rex Chapman at the 3?), Marion could play the 4. But the Celtics shouldn’t rent him for a year (see the Rodney Rodgers trade from years ago).

If they can get Lewis without giving up the 5, go for it. Since Lewis wants to play with his best friend Green, I don’t think Gerald can be part of the package. But if they could trade Theo’s contract, future pick, and Wally? That would solve a lot of problems for the Celtics.

I also like Footey’s trade ideas. This draft Ainge needs to be at his best. I hope his competitiveness motivates him.

With all the trade speculation I don’t doubt that Danny is a bit confused right now. As a matter of fact, speaking of confusion, with the exception of Brick who’s still selling “stale bread”, bloggers seem more confused than ever. To wit

…well, we’ll either get Oden of Durant from this draft which should make us instantly better…

…what’s the difference between Lewis and Durant, except a whole lot of expensive salary?…neither will help give this team what it needs…(huh!)

…we need Shawn Marion, he’ll satisfy Pierce’s desire for a quality vet and he’s as close as we’ll get to a 20/10 player…

No! don’t take Marion, he’s too old, is only 6’7" and only has one certain year left on his contract and will surely leave us hanging…

…why the interest in Al Thornton at #5, too much of a reach at 5….why Marion when Thornton is the same type of player (Thornton has been compared to Marion by scouts) and Thornton will come alot cheaper….no! no! Thornton will take too long to develop (and from Danny Ainge…Thornton’s skill level is expected to be duplicated at the NBA level…he’s a LEADER, many other possible draft choices are good team contributors and may not be able to duplicate their collegiate success in the pros…

Robert Swift…was developing nicely before he got injured…Why the infatuation with Swift? another 7’ stiff?…Swift would make us defensively better inside (and he would)…

…just trade #5 for Kirilenko…he’s the defensive presence we’ve been needing….the 5th pick is too steep a price for Kirilenko…get Brewer, he and Rondo will make us instantly better….Wait, our greatest need is size inside….look to draft Big at #5 and #32…No! West won’t do as a back-up to Rondo, he’s just not a PG…we need to draft a PG at #32 or move up (we obviously need size inside, defensive players on the perimeter, and another PG, thus trade down from #5 for Carlotte’s #8 and 22.

Trade down for multiple picks…we need so much…No! trade Pierce, Trade Wally…Why Lewis when we already have Gerald Green just waiting to bust out…(don’t hold your breath)….

Trade Ratliff’s expiring contract for …No! we’ll need cap relief ourselves when it comes to resigning our own players…

Let’s get O’Neal….he and Al will controll the paint….No! No! …O’Neal disappears when you need him most and he’s an injury waiting to happen…

The apparent message is to do nothing because any move comes with risk….let’s not get taken advantage of again….be careful Danny….But please do something……..No! don’t do THAT!!!…..

Master Po,

I think that is funny to. Maybe I have been on this blog too long, but I can still remember how a lot of people on here said that Banks was going to be a star and the only reason he wasn’t playing well was because Doc was an idiot and wasn’t giving him a fair chance. Ha!! I think that was one time you have to give Doc credit for getting one right.

blceltsfan said:

“I’m not sure I get the fascination with Conley…isn’t his game similar to Rondo’s coming in…with no real outside shot. Didn’t he perform under expectations in Orlando?”

Conley didn’t play in Orlando, and during the physical tests he was among the very best athletes in the camp, including a 40.5 inch vertical leap, second best of all the players who were tested.

Conley is the next Chris Paul/Deron Williams. This kid has all of the intangibles: great understanding of the game, very quick yet always under control, protects the ball, poise, intelligence, leadership qualities.

I like Rondo too but he’s no Mike Conley. Rondo is a helter skelter player, like Darrell Armstrong but without Armstrong’s shot. There is a reason why Rondo slipped into the 20’s last year.

Draft Conley, trade Rondo to Atlanta for #11 and use that pick to select Tiago Splitter, even if you have to wait a year for Splitter to come over.

In theory I like Lewis and Marion. However, I am dubious about any trade for either. I fear each trade in the end is very likely to be too much like trading Walker for LaFrentz et al. That trade probably did make the Celtics a shade better in the short run, but in the long run goes down as one of the stupidest trades ever made; almost every trade the Celitcs have made since the Walker-LaFrentz, etc. trade has been made in some way to correct (directly or indirectly) the mistakes of that one. With the current coaching staff and no other changes, I would take Yi. However, my head says that if we had a different coach we should try to trade down (a la footey) if we could get Corey Brewer and an extra pick.

John CK, not that I want the C’s to trade for AK but his career scoringa verage is actually around 13 ppg, and prior to last year he was in the 15-16 ppg range pretty consistently. (his season this year obviously dragged down his career scoring numbers) Obviously he’s not a go to guy, but if you throw in the blocks, steals, and his overall defense, he’s a pretty solid player, though definitely not a No 1. option. The $63m remaining on his contract is also prohibitive.

Be that as it may Moskqq, I think it’s undeniable that the Celts’ biggest problem the last 10 years has been trades they shouldn’t have made. The Joe Johnson trade, Billups trade, Minnesota trade, the Dallas trade and Telfair trade have been unmitigated disasters, IMO. I see the rush to spend the 5th pick on somebody like Marion or Lewis as the same kind of mistake.

When they’ve actually made picks, they’ve usually done well.

Lo,

My mistake. That is his playoff average. The guy was a 15.3 ppg 8 guy for three years before dropping off the face of the earth last year and averaging 8 and 4. He had a terrible year and played in 70 games. He wasn’t hurt. If the guy couldn’t play for Jerry Sloan last year, a great coach, why does anyone here think he could play for Doc Rivers. I think he is a stiff.

I think Lewis is a better option than Marion. Marion is under contract. He will cost the number 5 pick minimum. He is also 6’7". I can’t see the Celtics going that small. I think you could get Lewis without giving up the number 5 pick. Getting Lewis would free the Celtics up to take Brewer at number 5.

Robb, my impression (based on admittedly watching only about 7-8 of Durant’s games) is that he’s a better rebounder than Rashard (more willing to crash the glass and fight for position) and seems more inclined to play defense, block shots, etc. Basically, he plays to his height, while Lewis plays a little smaller than he is (he mainly uses his height to get off jumpers — which granted, Durant does a lot of, too). As always with prospects, it’s the lure of the unknown against the known. We know Lewis doesn’t do much other than score and he’s developed a somewhat bad reputation as a guy who looks mainly for his numbers. Durant may not end up being any better, but the potential is there, and that’s what teams are looking at.

Given that everyone — heck, even Doc and Danny — seems to realize we need to get better defensively, I really don’t understand the fascination with Lewis.

Hey Brickowski, in regards to your comments on the Rondo-Conley comparison. I don’t doubt for one second that Conley could very well be a top-flight PG though I think he will be a notch below Deron-CP3 for sure. However, citing draft position as a reason why Rondo wont be a great player is foolish. If your actually watching the finals you would realize that judging a PG because he was drafted in the 20’s of the draft is absolutely, completely short-sighted.

If we could get Lewis without giving up the 5th pick, I say go for it. What do we have to lose? Doc is still the coach and we are not going anywhere with him regardless of roster moves/changes.

Amen Chief Amen. You are exactly right. Anyone who doesn’t think that Lewis would greatly improve the Celtics is a fool. If the Celtics have a chance to pick him up cheap in basketball terms, they would be crazy not to get him.

I’m judging Rondo based on watching him play 80 times last season.

I don’t think Conley will be a notch below CP3 and D. Williams at all. Oh sure, he’ll need some time to catch up, but in three years he will be equal to them.

If Milwaukee gets Conley at #6 (which looks very possible at this point), Milwaukee will win at least 45 games, while the Celtics will be lucky to win 35. The C’s might do a little better if they trade for Marion, but the improvement will be short-lived. In 1-2 years Marion will be gone, and they will be right back in the toilet.

“If we could get Lewis without giving up the 5th pick,”

The reason the 5th pick is never mentioned in Lewis articles (at least by people who have a decent understanding of the league) is the CBA. There’s absolutely no way that Lewis can be dealt for the fifth pick.

There’s also zero chance the Sonics take on Ratliff’s contract (with the possible insurance ramifications that go along with it to pick up a third string SF or third string PG and a possible future pick.

This is all rumor and speculation, but thats the fun part. I’m right right up until something happens.
   
   Trying to think about it from Seattle’s point, with a new GM, and no coach yet, what is their motivation in dealing with Lewis. They’ve got too many bigs who don’t score much. Johan Petro & Sene are both raw, Swift is coming off injury, Wilcox is talented but erratic. Collison is a pretty good player, but not a star. PG is unresolved, and costing 10-12MM for the next 3-4 years. Why would they take on an expiring contract, when they don’t need to take on anything? I don’t know what they’ll do, but Theo/Gomes won’t get it done. And if we keep Wally and PP, how valuable is he??

“There’s also zero chance the Sonics take on Ratliff’s contract (with the possible insurance ramifications that go along with it to pick up a third string SF or third string PG and a possible future pick.”

I disagree. They are looking at getting nothing in return for Lewis right now. He is a free agent and they have no desire to sign them. Theo’s contract is in its last year. At the least, it gives them salary flexibility next summer and it also gives them something valuable to trade at the deadline next February. Good point about the CBA, if it is true. But taking Theo Ratliff and his huge expiring contract is a plus for the Sonics not a minus.

Jeff said:

"ask and you shall recieve – the JJ rumor resurfaces on RealGM:

Joe Johnson, 11th pick in this year draft and Shalden Williams (who been on the table and then off the table) Let just say he is on the table now. For #5, Gerald Green and Theo Ratliff."

Yes, last week someone said this has already been arranged if Conley slips to #5.

This is a deal that I would do, although I question whether or not the owners would do it given the huge long-term financial commitment to JJ plus the luxury tax implications for 2008-2009 (assuming that they plan to extend Jefferson).

This deal could also make it much easier to trade Pierce at the deadline.

Yeah, Brick lets do that deal and trade Pierce at the deadline and win 20 games this year rather than 24. Why not mess around. Lets trade Pierce before the season and see if the Celtics can break the franchise record for losses. If you are going to go big, go big. I really think if you made that deal and then gave aways Pierce, the team might not reach double digets in wins. They could really do something historic.

“He is a free agent and they have no desire to sign them.”

Find me one link that states this?

“At the least, it gives them salary flexibility next summer and it also gives them something valuable to trade at the deadline next February.”

So they’d take on 11.6 million dollars with of contract in the hopes that in February they MIGHT be able to make a deal at the deadline?

“But taking Theo Ratliff and his huge expiring contract is a plus for the Sonics not a minus.”

Not even close. Taking on 11 million dollars and hurting your future cap situation by taking on either Gomes or West doesn’t help them. Especially since there’s zero alternative for Lewis to end up in Boston if he so desires.

Why on earth would the Sonics want to pay Lewis $60 million or more when they are about to draft his younger, better clone in Kevin Durrant? There is no way the Sonics are going to resign Lewis and keep him.

Goems and West are productive cheap players. Why would they hurt the Sonics future cap situation? You do need to have players. By your logic, no one should have any players because they hurt their cap situation. Gomes and West are salary cap relief becuase they are productive and they don’t make much money. Even their second contracts will not be very large. They are two good rotation guys who are about to enter their primes, don’t cost much, and can be put around Durrant. If Lewis leaves, the Sonics are left with his empty slot, but you can’t trade a slot, you have to trade a contract. You can trade Theo or just let him expire and be back where you are now next summer but have Gomes and West to show for loosing Lewis, which is better than nothing.

“Why on earth would the Sonics want to pay Lewis $60 million or more when they are about to draft his younger, better clone in Kevin Durrant?”

I don’t think they will. But that doesn’t mean they’ll take scraps for him vs. just having the flexibility.

“Goems and West are productive cheap players. Why would they hurt the Sonics future cap situation?”

Both of them have only next year where they’re cheap players. Next off-season niether will be the cheap players they are right now, so they’d be getting one year of ‘cheap role’ players (and deep bench ones at that) at which point both will want extentions thus taking away possible future cap positives.

“They are two good rotation guys who are about to enter their primes, don’t cost much, and can be put around Durrant.”

Neither one of them is good, lets be realistic here for a second. They are passable role players on the second worst team in the league.

“If Lewis leaves, the Sonics are left with his empty slot, but you can’t trade a slot, you have to trade a contract.”

But what realisitically are you going to get for that contract at the deadline besides someone elses headache with a bad contract?

“You can trade Theo or just let him expire and be back where you are now next summer but have Gomes and West to show for loosing Lewis, which is better than nothing.”

Not when both of those guys are going to want bigger contracts. It’s not like they’re locked up long term cheap.

Rashard Lewis isn’t worth much more than scraps, really. He’s overrated.

 “Rashard Lewis isn’t worth much more than scraps, really. He’s overrated.”

Maybe, but he is a lot better than Kirilenko and might be better than Marion if Marion really is benefiting from the Nash factor and he can be had a lot cheaper than Marion.

Scotty,

If Gomes and West are not any good, then how will they command big contracts? Either they are just okay players who will have to settle for MLE at best second contracts or they are good players. Either way the Sonics or the Celtics benifit from having them. You seem to be saying that they are not very good but will still somehow command big second contracts. That doesn’t make any sense.

“If Gomes and West are not any good, then how will they command big contracts? Either they are just okay players who will have to settle for MLE at best second contracts or they are good players.”

Even at 3/4’s of the MLE for each of them you’re talking about taking up 7 million dollars worth of salary for two guys who won’t play more than 10 minutes a game. To get the luxury of having those two you’d have to pay Theo 12 million next year?

“You seem to be saying that they are not very good but will still somehow command big second contracts. That doesn’t make any sense.”

I consider Brian Scalabrine’s contract a big second contract based upon the minutes he plays, I see these two as no different. West isn’t a PG, Doc keeps trying to use him there but Doc sucks, and won’t play over Watson or Ridnour. Thus meaning he’s going to have to get his minutes as the backup SG. With Ray Allen there he’s not going to see more than 10-12 a night. Gomes isn’t a three in the West and he’s not going to get minutes at the four with Collison and Wilcox ahead of him. I think both of them get Scal or better contracts and that doesn’t make fiscal sense for Seattle vs just letting Lewis walk and trying to sign a couple middle of the road FA’s this year while not paying theo the 11.6 million.

Kirilenko is far, far better than Rashard Lewis. Kirilenko is an all-around basketball player. Rashard Lewis is just a shooter.

It’s obvious, JohnCK, that sometimes you and I are on completely different planets— no, make that different galaxies.

Brick,

In my galaxy Kirlenko is a headcase who completely fell apart last season and averaged 8 poitns a game. Maybe in your world he made the all-star team, but in this world he was one of the worst players in the league when you considered his salary. Again, if Kirlenko can’t get his act together playing for Jerry Sloan, one of the top coaches in the league, why would anyone think that he could get his head together and return to form playing for Doc? Again, the guy is a stiff and a headcase and he makes near max money. At his salary, I wouldn’t take him for free.

Scotty,

Seven million a year for two guys who actually play and contribute, versus Scal who plays but doesn’t contribute is not bad. Delonte West would get more than 10 or 12 minutes a night. He can play either guard position and Allen can play both wing positions. Moreover, regardless of your position on them, Seattle must disagree since they are talking to the Celtics and the deal cannot involve the number 5 pick. Who else do the Celtics have to offer other than those two guys and Allen, if you beleive that Lewis won’t come here unless Green stays?

When Kirilienko played the 4, before Boozer came, he was a stat stuffing defensive presence, a guy who get 15 pts/8 reb/2 steals /2 blocks. Very quick at the 4, long and rangy. i think that he’s still that player and his lack of range hurts his game at the 3. Right now, I’m beginning to think he could be had for much less than PP, maybe Wally and Green would do it. Contract-wise, Wally’s onlt got 2 years , and that may play right into Utah’s needs.

I’m not understanding the Lewis talk above regarding Seattle ‘s taking back Theo’s contract or not. To me, orlando and Charlotte, both below the cap, and Seattle, are where he’ll end up. Unless we’d be willing to increase the deal and take on somebody like Wilcox or Ridnour, one of their more expensive contracts, Seattle has no motivation to work with Celtics

I’m so tired of hearing about the “Nash factor” in relation to Shawn Marion. Anyone who uses that phrase obviously doesn’t WATCH basketball and just reads about it. Marion was good—VERY good—before he ever started playing with Nash.

If you’ve actually SEEN both him and Lewis play (as opposed to just looking at box scores and reading blogs), there should be NO discussion about who is the better player. Lewis is not in Marion’s league. Not close.

Robb,

When you ask what the difference between Lewis and Durant is, I have to guess you’re one of the people who knows Lewis’s stats more than his game. While Durant hasn’t yet proven anything on an NBA level, Lewis has definitively proven 2 things: 1) He is alergic to rebounding; 2) He is alergic to playing defense.

With regards to Rondo I would really like to see how much better he is with an NBA off-season under his belt. The jump from rookie to sophomore is generally pretty significant. If this kid locked himself in the gym this summer and found some semblance of a jumper, then I have no interest in Conley.
The last thing that the Celtics need to add (with the absence of a Durant or Oden pick) is another 18/19 year old…let alone an 18 or 19 year old point guard.
I think Rondo can be something special…at the very least he has that chance. Why add a duplication? why have 2 pg guards bogging down eachothers minutes?

“If they stay in Boston they should get more than 10 minutes a game ( I hope as they botht can play solid minutes and would be worth the money) and hopefully Theo will be gone as well in some deal.”

Po,

I was talking about why Seattle wouldn’t be interested. It just so happens that if either West or Gomes was a 2/3 type instead of 1/2 and 3/4 they’d have a pretty solid role in Seattle. But given the current state of thier roster there’s not many minutes for two guys to split that role. I think both of them are solid 15-20 minute a night guys in the league but wouldn’t want to spend big money on either of them for that role.

“Instead your incessant worry/dislike over 2 solid players like West and Gomes who play hard, stay out of trouble, accept their roles, etc…. seems to be misguided and not the true focal point of worry for this team in respect to this specific trade rumor or otherwise.”

I’m commenting here on why the Sonics wouldn’t be interested in this deal, not what is best for the C’s. This would be an amazing deal for us, but would have to have a secondary deal come up quickly because of some of hte problems you’ve mentioned.

“Who else do the Celtics have to offer other than those two guys and Allen, if you beleive that Lewis won’t come here unless Green stays?”

i don’t believe there’s a package that works for Seattle because I don’t ever see the reason in doing deals to take on salary you don’t have to.

Rajon Rondo, with a decent, not great, jumpshot, IMO IS Tony Parker, with better rebounding and defense! He only really had about a third of a season with significant minutes. His shot towards the end of the year, though still erratic, was improving! I think he’s got a shot to be a top 5 PG-and sooner than later!!
Watching the playoffs, the C’s are resembling (don’t kill me for this—minus experience and HEALTH)-the Spurs! RR/Tony Parker…..Bowen/TA……Manu/PP……Duncan/AJ….Oberto/Perkins! Unfortunately where we far from match up—-Pop/Doc—Arrrrrgh!!!!
Man, that “Big Gulp” of green koolaid was awesome!!! ;D

Mon said:
  Take the 5 pick, trade down with Charlotte and get Noah and Splitter.
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I am with you Mon That my sentiment exactly theb two players that will help us rthe most. our frontline is very thin and we need help there badly or we will be back in the lottery. Al and Perk can not carry the load alone next year. and Gomes is not our guy at the 4/5 positions.

I know i might get hate for this, but whatever, you have to give to get quality back.

We need a shake up, and we can’t keep all of our youngs, get over it. Here’s the trade.

Outgoing – Theo Ratliff, Next Year’s 1st round pick, Delonte, Rondo, Gomes, Scalabrine. YES I SAID RONDO.

Incoming – Lewis, Earl Watson, Robert Swift

We then keep our pick and draft Conley.

Watson/Conley
Pierce/Allen/Ray
Lewis/Sczoolander/Green
Jefferson/Powe/Lewis
Perkins/Swift/Kandi??

If we trade the 5th pick for Rashard Lewis I will piuk.

We need to draft a player at #5, or make a deal where we at least aquire something worth while, and move down to 9 or 10. To trade #5 to appease Pierce, and win 40 games would be extremely upsetting. We’d be the New Jersey Nets, or the Washington Bullets. NO THANKS!

it’s tough to say which rumor is better: johnson or lewis.

lewis and #5 makes the c’s a serious team for years to come. that is if they find a way to stop the other team from scoring. and it allows time for gerald and whoever falls to 5 to grow.

johnson has even more years in the nba ahead of him than lewis. ainge would be erasing one of the biggest blunders of this organizations recent past by acquiring him again. plus, shelden williams would help the frontcourt that freeease is concerned about.

If getting Marion requires giving up. #5 DELONTE AND RATLIFF and we have to take Marcus banks back. Thats a terrible deal…

I say go Rashard all the way. hes younger anyway

Marion may be 6’7 but he plays bigger than Lewis. Lewis is 6’10 but only averages 6 rebounds per game compared to Marions 10. Plus Marion is a good defender while Lewis couldn’t guard Yi Jianlians chair.

ok, now this is probly waaay to expensive but why has no one realized that none of the same players are mentioned in the marion or lewis trades? i say do em both and pay extra for tickets. AJ, Lewis, Marion, Peirce, and Rondo is banner material. i wouldnt mind paying extra money to see that team. give to get right? also, if we need to keep bassy (which im opposed to) for a back up point, than so be it.

again: rondo, peirce, marion, lewis, and jefferson….. think about it

One more thing on the Marion idea, coach D’Antoni of the Suns has been quoted as saying the team will not do anything in a trade that will make them take a step backward in terms of competing for a title. What that means to me is that Ratliff, West and the #5 are not going to keep the Suns as competitive as they are today. And for that I am thankful because I’m not a Marion fan. Good defensive players handle him (Bowen, Josh Howard)and I just don’t see him as a good fit (as Noah said about the Bucks) with the C’s.

blceltsfan said:

“I’m not sure I get the fascination with Conley…isn’t his game similar to Rondo’s coming in…with no real outside shot. Didn’t he perform under expectations in Orlando?”

Conley didn’t play in Orlando, and during the physical tests he was among the very best athletes in the camp, including a 40.5 inch vertical leap, second best of all the players who were tested.

Conley is the next Chris Paul/Deron Williams. This kid has all of the intangibles: great understanding of the game, very quick yet always under control, protects the ball, poise, intelligence, leadership qualities.

I like Rondo too but he’s no Mike Conley. Rondo is a helter skelter player, like Darrell Armstrong but without Armstrong’s shot. There is a reason why Rondo slipped into the 20’s last year.

Draft Conley, trade Rondo to Atlanta for #11 and use that pick to select Tiago Splitter, even if you have to wait a year for Splitter to come over.

Brick…I wasn’t referring to the predraft camp. He and Wright worked out down there, and it was reported that he did not perform well in the shooting drills, and that wright was inconsistant and had nothing outside of 12 feet.

You say Rondo’s helter skelter…I say Doc’s offensive scheme and playing with 4 other guys with less NBA experience than you.

I like Conley, but I don’t see him as a good pick for the C’s. And wait a year for Splitter (no risk there)…This whole thing about these trades is to get competitive now.

Matty Free wrote:

again: rondo, peirce, marion, lewis, and jefferson….. think about it

I think Wyc and his trustees just had a simultaneous heart attack.