The Trading Pierce Option

Utah (for Kiralenko), Houston (Battier & filler), but I think Dallas would be the best bet. They could afford him and would be interested. The kind of deal a top level team would try for where money is no object. Howard, Terry, expiring contracts. Some sort of combo of this would work.

Whops, I forgot Devin Harris too. He’s probably who Ainge would want too.

I meant whoops. Too early, too early….

Both players wouldn’t like the trade – that’s the kind of trade that only happens in the fantasy world Jeff..

   With the Cavs and Spurs in the finals, lots of teams must be thinking “I can get there” The Surs are getting older, and the Cavs are a very beatable team, with the best player in the world. That’s gotta make Pierce a little more valauable, and more teams a little more inclined to tweak.
   I’m not sure this management team has the time for another 3 year plan, so I’d think he’s staying put, but at least 3 teams could/would/should trade for him.
1) Utah is a good offensive wing player away from seriously competing, and, if you want Kirilenko, you can probably do a deal.
2) Portland would move Randolph in a nanosecond, and PP would be a great trade for them. We’d have to decide if we wanted Randolph or could move him somewhere else.
3) I’d have to think the Lakers could have Pierce for Kwame Brown, Bynum , and the 18th pick if we were serious about moving him. Lakers should jump on that and keep Odom. Lots of teams have an interest in Bynum if we don’t. He’s definitely comparable to a high lottery pick this year.

We would have no go to guy with any of those deals.. think about that. The only way is further down after that..

What on gods green earth is the fascination with Kirilenko? can we please stop that . I cringe everytime i read someone want him. Why would i want to give up someone that can put 30 any given night so i can have someone that can repel it with a couple more blocks a game? He isnt mentally strong and is built like a twig .Not to mention he has a lengthy contract to top it off.

We owe it to him to build a team that can contend. I admire his patience with his organisation , mine ran out a while ago.

If I could get Deng for Pierce, I’d do it. But I think Chicago is more likely to trade Gordon for a veteran and keep Deng.

havlicekstoletheball,

I don’t see that the organization owes Paul anything, except $75M over the next 4 years. The organization has to do what’s best for the Celtics, not what’s best for Paul Pierce. If that’s the same thing, great; if not, too bad for Pierce. If winning were what mattered most to Paul, then he should have had the foresight to realize that a max contract made it tougher to trade him and tougher to add talented players around him. He wanted the $, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But no one made him re-sign with the Celtics and no one made him require a max contract.

If I trade Pierce away, it won’t be for a small forward unless hes 6’9" 6"11" tall, rebounds, blocks shots and does’t hurt me on offense…oh hes gotta be young and healthy…
O’Neill can’t get thru a season w/o injuries (mebbe Paul’s getting that way too ,better trade him fast). Nix O’Neill. Bulls prob is neither small forward nor scoring; their prob is defense and the coach(who is not flexible enuf w his combinations). They could use more size. Paul ain’t it. If I could get Deng for Pierce straight up I’d take it right now because of the age differences and Deng’s superior defense and athleticism. Chicago isn’t that stupid. If we trade Paul it should be for draft picks because no player worth his salt is going to spec on the Celts immediate improvement, particularly when Mr. Rivers is the coach. Sit in that player’s chair…I’m coming in and Pierce is going out and Rivers is in…you buying that trip?…on with the youth movement..and give Paul a chance to win one at the same time-that’s win -win .

My feelings exactly TNCeltic.

The Youth movement idea died the second those ping pong balls meant #5 was headed our way..

It has to be a win now policy.. i really dont see how else this can be addressed without Pierce being a part of it..

I agree with TNceltic.

I would add this, any trade for PP can’t be for a vet. It has to be for younger players and picks. I don’t see how we can rebuild around PP unless we find a way to make the move this summer. I think that window is closing.

If they trade Pierce, the Celtics need to get younger and better defensively.

The deal that makes the most sense is Kirilenko and #24 for Pierce. Kirilenko had a bad year and makes alot of money. Utah would have to give that offer serious consideration. Kirilenko won’t score like Pierce but he does alot of other things, and he’s an all-star level talent.

Another option is Pierce and the MN pick for Tayshaun Prince, Antonio McDyess (expiring) and #15. (Detroit will want to dump Nazr Mohammed’s terrible contract instead of McDyess, but I would say no to that.) Prince had a truly horrendous playoff series against Cleveland, and could be available. But he’s a base year compensation player until July 1, which makes it almost impossible to do a deal on draft night.

I don’t see anything happening with Houston or Dallas. They don’t have the right pieces to send back. Dallas is not going to give JET and Josh Howard for Pierce. They just aren’t.

Golden State is a possibility, but only if they are willing to include Biedrins in the deal. Al Harrington (who would probably have to be included) is not a good defensive player, and JRich is a poor man’s Pierce and has an over-inflated opinion of himself.

Instead of Pierce straight up for Jermaine O’Neal, how about Rasheed Wallace? Wallace is just as skilled as O’Neal. With O’Neal you have to put up with the whining and the constant stream of injuries. With Wallace you have to deal with his hot temper and his technical fouls. But Wallace is only owed 25 million over the next 2 years, while O’Neal is owed 82 million over the next 4 years. You don’t get any younger by doing this, but you do get a whole lot better defensively. Sheed is a very good post defender.

I would do a deal with the Lakers that included Bynum, another player, and a pick or two.

no to oneal-injuries have plagued our trades enough. no to rasheed-too old. tayshaun prince would do.ok to ak47-versatile, can play d. biedrins is good, but i am afraid of nelson taking us to the cleaners.

I think someone like Pietrus who is a FA would be serviceable for this team and wouldnt break the bank. He has very good defensive abilities in my opinion..
Signing him for MLE would allow some major improvements to be made down low and even PG if possible..

I’ve been focused on CHicago as a spot for Pierce for a while. I don’t think you get Deng but you might get Gordon, PJ Brown’s contract and the knick pick. we probably need to toss in tony alle, or telfair or gomes to make it work. I believe that continuing to try and build around Pierce is a flawed plan that will never work. His value has dropped and will drop more. you could also wait and see how he plays and hope to move him by the all star break to a contending team but I would rather do the surgery now and give this team a fighting chance for next year. the O’neil proposal makes sense and I agree that dallas could use a player with Pierce’s toughness. the problem is that we don’t need a wing player in return especially if we drafft a kid like Brewer. we already have a log jam with green, wally, pierce, gomes, tony etc. some of those guys have to go. had we gotten brandon roy it would have been clear to us last year that we had the successor to pierce and it was ok to trade him. But danny held on to the building around pierce decision and we all know how that worked out. To me it is so obvious that you have to trade Pierce that I can’t understand how the C’s ( and fans) would contemplate anything else. His injuries are increasing and he is not made for a running team plus he has a salary that is going to kill this team in coming years. I don’t get why other don’t see that. he has to go so let’s get what we can for him .

I don’t think this is the right time to trade Pierce. His trade value is too low coming off his injuries, being so badly out of shape when he returned, and not being able to play in the Olympic qualifiers. We should wait until mid-season, let him show that he’s back in shape and reasonably healthy, and then see what we could get for him. Plus by then teams, including the C’s, will have a better idea of their needs as they start to see how their draft picks are panning out.

“I don’t see anything happening with Houston or Dallas. They don’t have the right pieces to send back. Dallas is not going to give JET and Josh Howard for Pierce. They just aren’t.”

100% correct Brick. i don’t think Dallas gives EITHER Josh Howard or Devin Harris for Pierce. Maybe a combination surrounding JET, but definately not one of the younger guys.

“I would do a deal with the Lakers that included Bynum, another player, and a pick or two.”

You don’t get Bynum, another player and a pick or two for Pierce. You might get Odom, a bad contract and Bynum for Pierce and a pick but you don’t get the young C prospect a solid player and draft picks for a guy whose owed 75 million and just missed half the season.

“I don’t think you get Deng but you might get Gordon, PJ Brown’s contract and the knick pick. we probably need to toss in tony alle, or telfair or gomes to make it work.”

You don’t think you get Deng? I can guarantee you don’t get Deng, they wouldn’t deal him for Gasol they certainly aren’t for Paul. You also aren’t going to get Gordon, contract filler on short and the Knicks pick either. PJ Brown can’t be dealt at this point, he can be after July 1 if he were to decide he WANTED to come to Boston at which point the Bulls could sign and trade him as part of a package. With Wallace making his money and Hinrich already being signed to an extention and Deng up for one within the next year the idea that you’re going to get them to deal for Pierce’s contract doesn’t make sense with thier salary structure.

What is it with the facination with Kirlenko? The guy is 27 years old. He is in his prime. He will not be getting any better than he is now. He is a career 12 6 guy who last year averaged 8 and 4. What am I missing here. I look at him and see “career journeyman backup” and you people want to trade Paul Pierce straight up for the guy. In addition, he makes a ton of money. I wouldn’t take him for free. I just don’t get why anyone would want him, especially considering his contract. You people whined about Raef.

The problem with getting Deng is that Paxon has no balls. He wouldn’t pull the deal for Gasol that would have given him a legit shot at winning the East this year and instead got pounded by the Pistons. As constituted the Bulls are going no where but to the second round and out. But, Paxon massively over values his assets and does not have the nerve to pull the trigger and make a deal for a player who would put him over the top. Gasol fits the Bulls better than Pierce does and Paxon wouldn’t make that deal. You watch, Chicago won’t make any deals in the off season.

Isn’t Kirlenko Russian for “Scalabrine”?

I’d trade Pierce for Josh Howard & Devin Harris then go ahead and use the #5 on Brewer. “JET” can stay in Dallas

  The win now policy got us LaFrentz for Walker and earlier pissed away Joe Johnson for 2 guys we never kept. Did the win now policy also net us Telfair? That shrewd contract w the alcoholic from Connecticut? “Brilliant!” “Win now” kinda sounds like “victory in Iraq!”. Please define…does win now mean NBA champion?..does it mean Eastern Conf Champ? Does it mean 500 winning %? 20 more wins? San Antonio with Rivers as coach would not be playing for the NBA title this year. Period. Repeat this mantra the name of the team is the Boston Celtics not the Paul Pierce Friendship Society- it is not the Celtics job to make Pierce happy…it’s to make the best team it can within the parameters the NBA sets. WE have a long way to go…and more of us will stay around if we perceive that management acts with intelligence. Management…1) Do no harm! 2) Don’t make big stinkers of mistakes 3) if you do err, correct it as quickly as possible…don’t compound the errors by continuing to try to prove you were right when you were wrong. I think Ainge has been trying to clean up a financial mess at the same time as improving.
The NBA is a very tough physical game and injured players can’t cut it. Older players tend to be injured more..look at Miami..with a healthy Wade I think they would be in the final again. Wisely put together a good group of healthy athletes…..then give ’em a break by helping them with a real coach.

I’m all over this board, claiming Pierce for Terry or Harris & Howard. It works. It gives Dallas a legit marksman who can hit clutch shots – a proven winner and the C’s another nucleus of young vets who have won and will bring that to the C’s. I know the numbers don’t match up, but will have to add fillers to make the #’s work

argh Devin Harris is horrible.. and we complain about Rondos poor shooting !

We can all say that you won’t get this guy and we can’t get that guy but you never know what goes on behind closed doors. Some teams have different values on guys than we do. Isn’t that why most here disagree with Ainge on his moves? I don’t think that Danny feels that the build with Paul plan has sailed. I don’t see Paul going anywhere. I bet he’ll still have a big year this season.

Trading Pierce should only mean that we’ve decided to go with the youth movement, otherwise, I don’t see the point b/c we’d be giving up talent chemistry with the existing roster for talent alone. With that in mind, a trade for Pierce should only be a lottery pick this year at least one young player. I would do something like PP to CHI for Nocioni filler #9.

I don’t see Pierce going anywhere either, because he’s Wyc Grousbeck’s favorite player. The fact that Pierce will almost certainly be here next year, along with the continued presence of Rivers, are the two reasons why I have utterly lost faith in Celtics management.

In their desperation to put veterans around Pierce and sell a few more tickets, they will do something this Summer that completely demolishes the future of this team. I smell it coming.

Red2 said:

“I’ve been focused on CHicago as a spot for Pierce for a while.”

It really doesn’t work, even if PJ Brown doesn’t retire. I also have no use for Ben Gordon. He’s a streak shooter who doesn’t do much else. In fact, after A. Walker he’s the league’s biggest chucker.

I would do Pierce and Perkins for Ben Wallace, Tyrus Thomas and the NY pick. But would Chicago do that?

ALthough I think this is a long shot, I would contact seattle about what it would take to pry away the #2 pick (Pierce, Green, Theo and #5 pick?). Pierce would look very good with Allen and the rest of that team. I think they could possibly contend in the west and Pierce could be excited about this move.

Kirilenko is recognized by many as a top flite defender, shot blocker. he’s naturally a PF, and very quick at that position. In the past , he’s a stat stuffer who can help in lots of ways. If the Celtics are interested in becoming a up-tempo team, he’d be a good addition.

If the Lakers are talking about giving Bynum & Odom for O’Neal, why wouldn’t they give up Bynum, pick 18, and Kwame Brown, who’s a major disappointment, for Pierce. They’d be a better team.

Brickowski,

After this year’s playoff disaster, I find it hard to beleive that Chicago wouldn’t love to get rid of Wallace and his giant contract. His signing is the one huge mistake Paxon has made as GM. It is an albetross around their necks and Wallace is only going to get older and slower and more of a liability in the coming years. The problem is why would the Celtics want Wallace? Yeah, Ty Thomas is a nice player but he is still years away from having an offensive game. Taking Wallace’s contract and giving up Pierce is a lot to pay for Ty Thomas and the number 9 pick. I don’t see what that deal gets us. at all.

VT Bill,

Dealing for Bynum is taking a huge chance. I kind of like the idea but if Bynum turns into a bust, which he might, it is a really bad deal for the Celtics. Of course if Bynum is a bust, at least the Cetlics get out of Pierce’s contract. But all and all, I kind of like Bynum and the number 18 and Brown for Pierce. It would then give the Celtics two expiring contracts to deal. You could make another deal for a mid-level vet with Theo and or Brown. If Bynum grows up, him and Jefferson would be fiersome.

Ben Wallace is still an elite defender. I hate his contract, but I hate Pierce’s contract too.

Sure, you could offer Pierce for Kwame, Bynum and the Lakers’ pick. But that’s part of the package that the Lakers have offered for Jermaine O’Neal.

I expect that a big man with star power (e.g. O’Neal or Rasheed Wallace) is at the top of the Lakers wish list and Pierce is at best third.

Brick,

Ben Wallace will be 33 years old at the start of next season. They guy has never averaged more than 10.3 points per game and his rebounding has dropped every year from a high of 16.3 in 2003 to 9.5 last year. Wallace has to rebound to make up for his complete lack of an offensive game. At his age, I doubt he will ever average 10 rebounds a game again. Yeah, you hate Pierce’s contract, but Pierce is at least productive. I don’t get why you want to give him away for overpaid unproductive guys like Wallace and Kirlenko. I don’t care how well the guy plays defense, if he can’t rebound or score, he is not worth elite money. Kirelenko neither rebounds nor scores with any particular efficiency, Wallace doesn’t score and is no longer at his age an elite rebounder. It is only down hill from here for Wallace. The Celtics would be nuts to take that contract.

Did I also mention that Wallaces minutes droped from 40.8 in 2002 to 36 last year? What will it be next year? 35? Pay max money to a guy who can’t score, won’t average 10 rebounds a game and won’t play more than 35 minutes a game? But he is an elite defender!!

How about a trade with Sacromento for Mike Bibby and the number 10 pick. You could probably get Noah at 10 or Al Thornton who is supposed to be good. But any trade you do you would at Least want a lottery pick. Anything less and your not getting good value.

Mike Bibby is the most overrated player in the league. Horrible defender, just horrible.

Well, Ben Wallace wouldn’t be my first choice, either, JohnCK, but I can’t see Pierce going to the Bulls unless Wallace is included. The window for that deal (which would have involved PJ Brown’s expiring contract), closed at last year’s trading deadline.

I see Chicago picking up Zach Randolph this offseason, not Pierce.

Also Wallace is only signed for one year less than Pierce and makes $16 million a year for the next three years. The Celtics are only on the hook to Pierce from another four years. Taking Wallace’s contract would make takeing Raef’s contract look fiscally sound and the Celtics wouldn’t have Pierce to make up for underproductive max contract. Further, I can’t imagine what playing on a frontline with Wallace and Thomas, neither one of which are any threat to score would do to Jefferson’s game and phschy. The guy would be double teamed every time he touched the ball. I don’t think he is ready for that. It might destroy his confidence. Not only would that Celtics team be unbearable to watch, it might not win more than 25 games healthy. UGH!!

trade Pierce, trade Theo, trade the #5pick

Suns outgoing
Stoudemire
Banks

Suns Incoming
Theo Ratliff
Ryan Gomes
#5
#11

Hawks outgoing
Joe Johnson
#11

Hawks incoming
Ricky Davis
Marcus Banks
Randy Foye
#7

Timberwolves outgoing
Ricky Davis
Randy Foye
Mike James
#7

Timberwolves incoming
Paul Pierce
Sabastain Telfair

*now the fun part*
Celtics outgoing
Paul Pierce
Sabastain Telfair
Theo Ratliff
Ryan Gomes
#5

Celtics Incoming
Stoudemire
Joe Johnson
Mike James

I’ve believed for years that the C’s will not win a championship as long as Paul Pierce is on the team. I like sending Pierce to the Bulls for Gordon, the #9, and filler (probably Brown and another contract). I ran it through the trade machine and the dollars work. We could still send Ratliff and the #5 to Atlanta for Johnson, and with the #9 we draft Spencer Hawes. This would leave us with a lineup of:
Hawes/Perkins
Jefferson/Brown
Johnson/Gomes/Green
Gordon/Allen/West
Rondo/West
Not a bad lineup to compete in the Atlantic division.

Brick,

The Cetlics would be better off keeping Pierce and letting his contract run than taking Wallace. I would send him to Seattle for Rashard Lewis before I did that. I still think Pheonix might take him for Sean Marion. Nash is 33 years old. They have got to make a move and they cannot be San Antonio as currently constituted. A lineup in Pheonix of Nash, Pierce, Staudamire Raja Bell and Boris Diaw would be awesome. I think getting Marion for Pierce would be as close to fair value as you are going to get.

You should keep Pierce. He’s your best player. He deserve to have his number in the rafters. Show some loyalty.

I have no loyalty, and there ought to be a rule that no number goes to the rafters unless the player has at least one ring.

There is going to be something wrong with every player that you could realistically get back for Pierce. Just live with it and move on.

If you trade PP(someone who can create his own shot), you either have to get back a guy just like him or have a pg who can create easy shots for others..in other words PP for Deng wouldn’t work unless you include a guy like Hindrich as well.

How about:

Pierce – Minnesota

1. Pick – Boston
   Foye
   James
   Davis (expiring Contract)

Some ideas:

Pierce for the number three pick, Speedy Claxton, Josh Childress, and Lorenzen Wright. This works financially for both sides. It’d give us two top five picks [Al Horford and Cory Brewer/Julian Wright, anyone?] I would love to ask for the 11th pick, but I’m not sure if that would be too much. The only way I can see that happening is we threw in Rondo since they look like they’re going to take a PG [Crittendom] with that pick. Atlanta gets another big time player to go with Johnson and Pierce can move to SF. Wright and Childress both have ok contracts, although I’m sure Childress is going to be coming up for a contract extension soon.

Why no Joe Johnson? Why would you trade Joe Johnson for Paul Pierce? Doesn’t make sense.

Charlotte: 8th pick, 22nd pick, Sean May, Brevin Knight. Works financially. I’d like Walter Hermann to give us some more size as well. Depending on how the draft goes, we can go big/small again [Horford/Wright, and Green/Brewer/Wright]. And then pick up someone at 22nd who can fill a role or pick an intriguing foreigner (Gasol, Rudy F., Bellinelli, etc) Getting another top ten pick could also free us to take a chance on Yi, especially with the latter pick.

Not enough? Well, I’m not sure what to tell you. I’m not sure how big the market is going to be for a 30 someold small forward with potential elbow problems and a huge contract.

I think Atlanta might give up the number 3 pick because they just don’t have any good options at that pick. Hortford doesn’t fit with the team, Conley is a reach and the fan base would go into revolt if they took Yi. Pierce and Johnson along with Marvin Williams and Sheldon Williams would give Atlanta a team someone in town might care about. The Celitcs in the meantime could take Hortford at 3 and Yi at 5 and still have Rondo, West, Tony Allen and Green to play the wings. They could probably then package Childress and Theo’s contract for a wing scorer and have Wright, Perkins, Jefferson and Hortford to play down low, letting Yi play the wing and get stronger. If Rondo turned into a PG, tht team would be hard to deal with in the coming years.

To be honest all of these deals suck. Not only are the players we get back all risks in terms of injuries (Jermaine, Kirilenko), age (Kidd, Wallace), or actual impact (Lewis, Bibby, Marion,etc.) most of them are huge financial commitments nearly on the level that Pierce is. If you can’t get a major star without giving up Pierce or Jefferson and possibly hold onto Rondo as well than you should make several smaller moves and draft the BPA at #5 and move on. This is not the time for desperation. We may not ever win a title with the group as constituted but the deals people are proposing give us less of an actual chance with only a glimmer in the minds of dull brains that the C’s will have a chance in the future to win one.

The Bulls wouldn’t trade Deng for Pierce straight-up, but if I was Danny, I would in a heartbeat. Deng will be top 10 in the next few years. But I don’t really see what Pierce would do for the Bulls in that situation.

Sticking with the Bulls, I’d take a Nocioni sign-and-trade, Tyrus and Sefalosha deal.

I would actually rather keep Pierce but no matter what we should draft the best palyer avalable at 5. There is no gaurentee that this player is going help right away. If we draft Yi then we should trade Pierce because our team would not be ready to compete right away. I agree with any trade that would get us the number 3 pick from Atlanta as well. A front line of Yi, Al horford and Jefferson would dominate for years to come.

The ownership will not trade PP, mainly because they gave Rivers his contract extension. You don’t keep Rivers if you are trading PP and looking for a fresh start. Rivers and PP are tied up, at least for one more year.
Should the Celts trade PP? It depends on a lot of things and the most important are the team you want to build and the system you want to run. The worst move the Celts could make? Trade PP, add a bunch of new players and see what happens. The second worst move? Keep PP, add some new players and see what happens. Hey, that’s what we have beeen doing in the last 4/5 years… This team hasn’t had an identity since O’ Brien got away (I didn’t like that system but at least we had one…)

The identity will probably be playing off of Al’s low post game and Pierce’s drives to the rim. Concentrate on what the #5 pick & Wally could net us. That may be ownership’s first option. Second would be trading Theo. How about targeting Kevin Martin from Sacremento?

“Concentrate on what the #5 pick & Wally could net us. That may be ownership’s first option”

I agree that this is the ownership first option, at least because they need the Ratliff’s contract to avoid the luxury tax. But I don’t know which good player we could get this way. Someone could post some ideas

Would Seattle be interested in Pierce, the #5, the #32, the Minny pick and a future 1st for Durant, Watson, Wilcox, and Wilkins? Pierce and Allen as bookend swingmen would be incredibly potent, and if they Could grab Horford:

Ridnour
Allen
Pierce
Horford, Collison
Swift, Petro, Sene

could be an exciting line up.

(A guy can dream, right?)

we would be crazy to trade pierce for filler
pierce would be crazy to want to leave now that he has one
of the best big man out there who is just coming into his
own. 20yr old
so since pierce leaving is crazy, lets draft the right piece
like Horford or Brewer or Conley at 5 and let
Rondo west pp big al perk and gomes plus #5 and maybe
Green rule the east. we were hurt and young last year
not anymore.
Keep in perspective how valuble pierce is,
coming into the season he was our leading scorer, not easy
to replace, leading rebounder, not easy to replace, and
our leading dimes man , which isnt easy to replace.
then he goes down and misses a huge part of the season,
that plays a huge impact on winning and losing.
this year will be the first in a long time the pierce
has help.
pierce = leading scorer
Big Al = leading rebounder
Perk = leading shot blocker
Rondo = leading assist guy
Green = leading 3pt scorer
Rondo = leading steals man

“pierce = leading scorer
Big Al = leading rebounder
Perk = leading shot blocker
Rondo = leading assist guy
Green = leading 3pt scorer
Rondo = leading steals man”

yes, and Rivers = head coach

When is the last time that a team traded away their best player to win a championship?! We can not get equal value for him in a trade, so any trade would be a long term thought. 3 “decent” players do not equal 1 star… If we traded him away, and I don’t think that is a good move, it would have to be for one player that had a likely higher upside than Pierce (which would be very tough) and another very good/almost star type player. Other than that we get the short end of the stick and farther away from contention not closer.

O’neals rediculous contract makes him a player we should run from… Talented guy with injury issues?! How many times are we going to do that again! Same with people talking about Camby…

Brick, I hate to say this, but I have agreed with about 95% of what you said above. You know that pains me! I do however disagree with them doing something that demolishes the team. They made no moves last year at the trading deadline even though people were upset. This shows they are not going to take the bad deal anymore after having been burned with making a trade just to make a trade. “The best deal is sometimes the one that isn’t made” is right on the money.

I find it funny that we never really talk about Wally much on here. He is a legitimate deadly shooter and scorer in this league and before getting injured he made a huge difference in our line-up. I realize that the injury prone issue lately is the big deal, but is it possible they shut him down last year so that we could get him 100% healthy for this year knowing he wouldn’t help us accomplish anything anyway? IMO he is the comeback player of the year next year…

Triple OT, I here ya! When I heard that Seattle would listen to offers on #2 my imagination ran wild. Of course it’s a pipedream but as you said we can dream none the less!

I don’t want to trade Pierce and lose for the next 5 years. Get some vets in here!

warriorspirit – never in a million years

Would everyone stop with the Rashard Lewis crap already? Good scorer does not equal good player. He’s the #2 guy playing 40 minutes a game on a team that has been mediocre-to-downright horrible for years.

People who want Lewis are the same people I’ve seen over the past 2 years on this site yearning for players like:
Shareef Abdur Rahim
Maurice Taylor
Samuel Dalembert
Mo Peterson
Al Harrington
Jamal Magloire
Allen Iverson
Vladamir Radmonovich
Etan Thomas

In other words, perennial losers who look good on paper … until you watch them play and begin to understand why their teams consistently suck. And, yes, I put Iverson in that buch. One trip to the finals is an abberation among years and years of horrible teams.

Every one of those guys has been the subject of trade speculation at some point in the last two years, and the joke is that there’s even been any debate about any of them. They are all losers, players who maybe have some aspect of their game that hypnotizes people into disregarding all that is wrong with their game, and Rashard Lewis fits in perfectly with that crew.

I i Think a Gerald Wallace and Brevin knight and charlotte’s 2 first round picks works best for Pierce and Telfair. Charlottes wants a scorer and veteran like pierce and may be primed to do such a deal.

Pierce, Wally, Green and Telfair for Odom, Kwame, Farmar and Radmonovic.

Ratliff, D West and #5 for Jason Richardson and Patrick O’Bryant.

PG: Rondo, Farmar
SG: Richardson, TA
SF: Odom, Vlad
PF: Al, Gomes
C: Perk, Kwame (expiring), O’Bryant

As for Wallace: I’m not sure that Charlotte would pull that trade. In fact, why would they do that? Where is the evidence that they want a veteran scorer? Considering that they’re losing money, or so I’ve heard, trading for a much more expensive, and older player, makes very little sense for them. [A prospect that would probably torpedo any Pierce to Charlotte trade, even the one I proposed]. If we could get Wallace that would be great, because he is quite talented.

I like halfman’s idea. Pierce for Bynum and picks…. but that will never happen. Pierce really plays Kobe’s position.

Macauley got his ring— with the Hawks after the Celtics traded him away. But they had to beat the Celtics in a 7th game to do it.
As for Reggie Lewis, retiring his number was a pure sympathy move because he died.

Retiring the numbers of players that don’t win championships is something that an expansion franchise would do. Unfortunately, the current owners are doing their best to turn the Celtics into an expansion franchise, with their cheerleaders, giveaways, stunts and other “game presentation” gimmicks.

Let’s just let Pierce stick around and earn his #34 by winning a title… Most of these trade offers are foolish…

Triple OT says:
  Would Seattle be interested in Pierce, the #5, the #32, the Minny pick and a future 1st for Durant, Watson, Wilcox, and Wilkins?

No, they would not.

And add Gerald Wallace to my list of flashy losers who somehow dazzle casual fans into believing they will help.

Gordon (and change) for Pierce is almost a lateral move at the current point of each of their career paths. I was all aboard a year ago at this time but Gordon really improved this season, and Paul was hurt.

No way Deng is on the table for Pierce. Like someone said above he wasn’t available for Gasol, so do the math.

Why, exactly, is Gerald Wallace a flashy loser?

Trading Pierce is just such a huge step backwards that I can’t help but oppose it. With Jefferson finally arriving, the team is now set at the forward spot for the next several years with Pierce and Jefferson. (Gomes and Powe are good backups for now.)

But serious help is needed at both guard spots and the center position. Face it, all the guards on the roster are either average or questionable due to inexperience/health issues. Rondo, West, Ray, Green, Allen, and Wally… if I’m an opposing coach, nobody in that backcourt really scares me. At center, I love Perk but he still hasn’t convinced me he can be more than a solid backup.

Trading the pick for help in the pivot and/or in the backcourt is probably necessary at this point. Otherwise, it’s back to the drawing board…

The worst thing the Celtics could do is panic. Someone above made a very good point when they said “first do no harm”. Even if the Celtics did nothing and just took Yi number 5, they would be a much better next year than this one. The fact is Al Jefferson played as well as any big man under the age of 24 the second half of last year. If he is healthy and really dedicates himself in the off season, he is the All Star to put with Pierce. Right now everyone is angry about the season and angry about the draft, so the tendancy is to panic. Further, most people Bill Simmons. Simmons is a smart guy and good writer, but you can’t really take anything he writes about the Celtics and or the Red Sox seriously. He is too much of a fan and too angry about never breaking into the Boston media as a writer. Bill Simmons nuerosis is no way to run a basketball team.

It may be that there isn’t a good deal available for Pierce or the number 5 pick. If that is the case, the Celtics should take the best player available and go at it next year. Better to do that than pull another Telafair deal or worse.

Jefferson’s game is vastly improved with Pierce on the floor.

Gordon was only in his third year last year and he went for 21 points last year and shot 45% from the field. The problem is that he is only 6 foot three and has as many assists as turnovers. Pierce can really rebound for a guard and is big enough to defend any wing player in the league. Gordon is too small to defend anyone but a PG or a very smallish two guard and really doesn’t do anything beyond scoring. I agree with you Jeff that Ben Gordon is a pretty poor substitute for Paul Pierce.

jarobiso, my comment about Wallace may be rash. He’s still young, and his field goal % is good, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

BUT, so far in his career, he seems like a guy who puts up good numbers on stinky teams. Those are the guys I’m really leary of. The guys who are significant contributors to bad teams. That’s the path he seems to be headed down. If he’s so good, and Brevin Knight is good, and Ameka Okafor is good, and Sean May is good, why is Charlotte so bad?

Lots of players can put up nice-looking numbers given 35-40 minutes a night, but I don’t trust stats for guys who seem unable to produce wins. It’s the reason I never wanted SAR, even when he was a 20/10 guy. I always thought his numbers were inflated because he wouldn’t have gotten those minutes or that many shots on GOOD teams. I’m starting to believe that might be true of Wallace.

But I never claim to be a basketball genius, so I will readily admit that you may know his game a lot better than I do, and I will default to your opinion on him (but I stick to my guns on those other guys).

Just to clarify so that you don’t think I was putting down Ameka Okafor— When I say “other guys,” I mean the guys on my original list.

How about we keep Pierce and try to win some frickin’ games next year, huh?

Cousin It said:
  
“BUT, so far in his career, he seems like a guy who puts up good numbers on stinky teams. Those are the guys I’m really leary of.”

You mean like Paul Pierce?

Look, there are 1,000,001 reasons why they shouldn’t trade Pierce. He’s their best player, he can create his own shot, he’s a “true Celtic” (whatever that means), he’s fun to watch when he slashes to the hoop, they’ll only get 50 cents on the dollar in a trade, they’ll take a step backwards, etc. etc.

Those reasons are all true. And there are only three reasons to trade him:

1. When Jefferson is 27 Pierce will be 35.
2. They do not have enough assets to put a contending team around Pierce before he becomes too old to be the centerpiece of that team.
3. He may “pull a Kobe” if he gets too furstrated with the losing.

And those three reasons, sadly, override all of the arguments about what a great player he is, unless all you really want is a team somewhere in the 35-45 win range instead of a team that has a real shot at a title, and if you are willing to live with yet another complete rebuild as soon as Pierce decides to hang up his sneakers.

Just to play devil advocate Brick,

1. Why does Jefferson have to be 27 before he is the All-Star to put with Pierce? It looks to me like he might be that good next year. Further, why is Pierce necessarily done at 35? Jason Kidd isn’t done at that age. Pierce is a fitness fanatic who has always taken care of his body. I don’t think it is unreasonable to think that he will be an all-star or a near all-star into his late 30s.

2. I don’t know if the Celtics don’t have enough assets. I don’t know what kind of player Rondo is going to be. I don’t know what kind of player they are going to get in the draft. I also don’t know what kind of player they could concievably trade for with Theo Ratliff’s expiring contract and Wally’s expiring one next year. You are willing to give Pierce away on a wink and a smile that someoene Kirelinko is going to develop into a star. How is that any better of a gamble than hanging in there with what the Celtics have?

3. He might pull a Kobe. I do not think Pierce is a degenerate like Vince Carter. He has too much pride to simply stop playing in order to get a deal. He is not Allen Iverson either. So, I don’t see him being disruptive or just refusing to play. Further, if the team really does improve and make the playoffs next year, who is to say that might make Pierce happy at least for a while.

I don’t see the point of giving away Pierce.

Sorry Brick there is no way you should have the last word on this topic… JK!

How old will Pierce be when Al Jefferson is 25? I think everyone had there hopes up that Oden and/or Durant meant that the C’s were going to be a championship calibre team. Well guess what… the C’s got screwed by the lottery… again! Deal with it people the team most likely has a ceiling of a Pacers of the 90s team. Dealing Pierce does NOT get the C’s out of this position… simply dealing Pierce is a kneejerk reaction to the current status of the club (the fact that we will likely not win a championship anytimes soon.

However there is still hope (just as much hope that trading Pierce would eventually lead us to championship contender status). The hope lies in four pieces the C’s have in hand already. Al Jefferson, Rajon Rondo, Gerald Green, and the #5 pick. If one or two of these players end up being All-star to Super-stars (not highly likely on the Superstar count) than this team could compete in what is a seriously weak Eastern Conference.

“BUT, so far in his career, he seems like a guy who puts up good numbers on stinky teams. Those are the guys I’m really leary of.”

You mean like Paul Pierce?

Or Al Jefferson, muahahaha.

Jeff, Pierce is 30 and Gordon is 24. I’m assuming some convergence of production here in the coming years. I do agree that Pierce’s rebounding is something that sets him apart, although he’s not much of a defender himself. Plus he plays sloooow and ballhoggy.

After the lotto debacle, I’m really up for anything.
If they can’t land KG or JO for everyone’s favorite GG/Ratliff/Wally/picks package, then let’s see what we can get for Pierce.
It’s tough because I don’t think less-informed fans could handle a Pierce trade at this point and more youth.
The Garden would be empty every night in 07-08 and Wyc would go balistic.
However, with a pair of picks from this year’s draft and Jefferson/Rondo already here, they would have an outstanding future.

phaze said:
  How about we keep Pierce and try to win some frickin’ games next year, huh?

Agreed!

A while back I posted the URL for the American Ostrich Association.

Pierce, Jefferson, Rondo and “veteran x” (fill in the name of the best possible player they could get with pick #5, without giving up every other decent player they have) isn’t going to win squat.

Folks are welcome not to believe me. Go drink some more kool aid and go listen to the Celtics marketeers if it makes you feel better. Just keep repeating “we’re a playoff team in disguise” until you start believing it. Maybe it will help you sleep.

“Pierce, Jefferson, Rondo and "veteran x” (fill in the name of the best possible player they could get with pick #5, without giving up every other decent player they have) isn’t going to win squat."

Maybe it won’t Brick. Whatever it is, it will be a lot better than it would be if the Celtics gave Pierce away for an over paid still Kirelenko and a low first rounder, or a geriatric making 16 million a year like Wallace. Yeah, the Celtics may not be able to put together a championship team right now. No kidding. But, how does giving away Pierce and winning 24 games next year without injuries do them any good? The fact is that 50 wins and a decent second round playoff series may be as good as it gets for a while. That sinks, but I will take that over making stupid trades and being in the lottery every year.

Brick,

You have your head in the sand thinking that trading Pierce will someone solve an intractible problem.

Guys, we don’t need 3 players and 5 picks for Pierce, nor do we want 4 nickels and an assortment of old pennies for a quarter. If you move PP, you need 1 or two players max, with a pick(s). You take Gordon if the Bulls were including Tyrus Thomas and a pick of some sort. You take Deng and a pick if they would do it, although I’m not so sure they would. Kilerinko is intriguing, although he’s not enough. Forget Seattle’s #2. Bynum/Brown picks is also intriguing. What we want is someone who has a chance to be special, and preferably in the front court. You want youth because you are trading PP cuz he is getting old. You don’t trade a 30 year old for a 29 year old. I’d love Bierdins, but he’s GS’s only big. Not happening. No Randolph please. No #5 for Rashard Lewis as it is too high a price.

One last thing. Does anyone here realize that Chauncy Billups can opt out this summer? He is only scheduled to make 6 million next year. That is a guy, the Celtics really could get in a sign and trade for Theo’s contract and maybe some spare change. I can’t believe Billups in this market will get more the $12 million a year. At this point the Pistons, would probably just want the cap room and a couple of decent rotation players if they are going to loose Billups for nothing anyway. Interesting no one here talks about Bullips, especially considering that he would fill two huge holes for the Celtics, perimeter defense and PG>

They won’t get even vaguely close to 50 wins or the second round. Don’t kid yourself. Teams that don’t defend (e.g. the Washington Wizards) never get that far.

50 wins is realistic- before the injuries set in early this season, the C’s were atop the division, on a 5 game win streak or so and just a couple of games under .500. AND this was before Al got his act together and before Delonte started playing his best basketball of the season (which still wasn’t as good as he CAN play,)and during Doc’s stretch where he wasn’t playing Rondo. So take a team that was just barely under .500 and about to be over that mark, then add Rondo’s assists and steal per game minus the turnovers from Telfair, and add Al’s progress and 50 wins is very realistic

And might I add, Brick, that a Celtics team that didn’t play any real defense (Pierce played a little more D, Walker didn’t know what defense was, and there was still no defensive low post guy…unless you count the likes of Vitally and Vin Baker) made the Eastern Conference finals not that long ago…

Why can’t the Celtics go for Billups? Just out bid Detroit. The guy has already won a ring. He is looking to get paid. Theo’s expiring contract plus Gomes and Green gets you to the salary you need. Maybe you offer Detroit next year’s 1st and Minne’s first as a sweetner. You could sign Billups for 4 years and say $56 million or about $14 million a year. You then take the number 5 pick and draft Yi. Billups would solve both the PG issue and the perimeter defense issue. He is also a winner who would provide leadership. Next year your line up would be Billups, a healthy Wally, Pierce, Jefferson, and Perkins, with West, Rondo, Allen and Yi coming off the bench for a tight, versitile nine man rotation. You then let Wally’s contract expire and use the money to resign Jefferson. You make a run for two more years, then Billups and Pierce’s contracts run out and hopefully Rondo and Yi will be fully developed Vets ready to step up in their place. Why is that such a bad idea?

I’ve always liked the idea of sending Pierce to Minny to team with Garnett in return for their 7th pick, Ricky Davis, Mike James and whatever cap filler is needed. AND THEN trading the 7th pick to Atlanta for Joe Johnson so they can pick up Conley or Acie Law. It still leaves us with the 5th pick to land Wright, Brewer or Yi or use it in a trade for Rashard Lewis. We sport a line-up of James, Johnson, Ricky Davis, Lewis, Jefferson. Of course Wally to Portland for Randolph would be nice too …

Billups is also 31. So, if they were to offer him a big contract, which is what it would take, hopefully they only offer a four year one, if possible.

Also, when I trade with Seattle, I would acquire their second pick and tell Splitter that I want to pick him up at 31 and pay his million dollar buy-out and give him a first round type contract as well. He can start making noise again that if he isn’t drafted low enough to pay his buy-out he will stay in Europe like he did before. That might allow him to stay in the draft until the second round.

Please, please, please lets remember what the goal is here. The goal is to win a championship. I don’t want to root for a team mired in mediocrity, winning 45 games a year and losing in the first or second round of the playoffs. Realistically, with PP, that is the best we’re going to do. The best comparison for PP is with Chris Webber or AI, guys who have seen their best days and were probably overrated to begin with.

When you’re evaluating these trades, think about this question: is the player we’re trading for ever going to be good enough to start for a championship level team? It will take Al about three years to reach his pinnacle as a player. That means we should build our team starting now to reach it’s pinnacle as he does in 2009 – 2010. We should trade for guys like Gerald Wallace, Tyrus Thomas, or Zach Randolph, who are undervalued and will only improve (or at least hold their value). Please for the love of god, I hope we don’t mortgage the future for second tier players like Rashard Lewis, or Joe Johnson.

Billups will resign with the Pistons. And he’s no panacea.

It will be another wasted year with Pierce. 35 wins, late lottery, no future, yawn.

Yeah sure, he’s awsome.

jimmyt, you make sense. Also, we beat the Spurs this year and Jefferson did a nice job offensively against Duncan. All the good teams are getting older. The Pistons stunk against the Cavs. The Cavs may not have as good a team as the C’s. I don’t know why everyone is panicking. I also don’t know why everyone who is running out of patience and tired of rebuilding is now ready to rebuild again, which is what we are doing if we trade Pierce. The Cavs got into the playoffs, got lucky by getting the Wizards and then overachieved. Now they’re in the finals. We can do that too. Let’s put a moratorium on trading Pierce for someone nowhere near his value and get on with it. We should get a good player at #5, the core players should be better next year and will have one year of playing together as a team. The parts are starting to fit. We know we need additional players to get better. As much as everyone here thinks DA is terrible, I think he knows what we need to get better, is trying to do it, but will not make a trade that makes no sense. Nothing much will happen till right before the draft or even up to the trade deadline so let’s stop dreaming about scenarios which won’t make us better or are unrealistic.

JohnCK, I think you have the right approach. I don’t think Billups is the guy anymore, but if we add a good draft pick, get a younger quality vet while not giving up much and let our guys grow up I think we’ll get there and sooner rather than later.

BubbaLouie says: “We sport a line-up of James, Johnson, Ricky Davis, Lewis, Jefferson.”

Yuck.

Bubba – not a bad idea to trade pierce to minny but I wouldn’t do it for any less than their 7th pick, Ricky Davis (his problem here was PP),Foye, Mike James. James would back-up Rondo and RickyD would get the 6th man award. I’d start Foye. It works on RealGM if your wondering. (PS – suspect this was Ainge’s plan all along – makes sense of last year’s draft now doesn’t it.)

This saves McHales job and keeps Garnett happy. Why does Ainge do this ? I’m hoping that Ainge is serious about getting Blatt that defensive genius of a coach from EuroLand. With the 5th and 7th picks we can get some athletes that can play D and fit into Blatt’s defensive system that capitalizes on speed and athleticism.

I’d like to get Noah to play the high post in the Princeton offense and good D. I love his enthusiasm – it has to be contagious. I would definitely use 7 to get Joe Johnson if that can be done. If not, then consider packaging it with a salary (Wally) to trade down to get Thornton. This keeps our most valuable trading chip (Ratliff) available to be packaged in another trade.

There is no gaurentee Billups will sign with the Pistons. The Pistons are done. They have got to be thinking about rebuilding. Investing, $50 or $60 millions in a 31 year old Chauncy Billups gets them nowhere. They really might consider a good sign and trade offer than gives them picks and cap space rather than resigning Billups. Further, Billups wants money.

No one said Billups is a pancea Brick. But if you think the the Celtics if they upgraded at PG with Billups and added a solid player with the 5th pick would only win 35 games, you are just being unreasonable. That team would have a legit shot at winning 50 games and being the fourth best team in the east behind Miami, Clevland and Chicago and maybe better than that. Mimai will be a year older and Chicago has no one down low who can score. That team would be competetive. That sounds a lot better to me than trading Pierce and winning 30 games next year.

10_percent – you and bubba are saying that danny could use pierce to acquire Foye, Joe Johnson and Yi or Thornton in addition to our own #5 pick (Noah). If he could do that he would be a freaking genius. The yoda of gm’s everywhere. I think that could be a fun team to watch … eventually. Especially, if they get Blatt to run the show as head coach or defensive coach.

10_percent_club, Ricky Davis’s problem here wasn’t PP. It was Ricky Davis. If he did in the 2nd yr what he did in his first (play within his skill level and concentrate on defense) he would have been terrific. Instead he tried to do what PP was doing, taking the ball to the basket against 2 and 3 defenders. Pierce can do that, Ricky couldn’t, but didn’t figure it out.

Some of you people are delusional. Let’s wait until 20-25 games into the season with this “playoff team in disguise” and see where we stand.

You’re also delusional if you’re still waiting for Ricky Davis to become a significant contributor to a winning team.

If he’s so good, why does he always play for sucky teams? Or, more to the point, why do his teams suck so consistently? Don’t you ever stop to wonder … if he could be a big part of the reason?

More to the point, if the back court of Mike James and Divis couldn’t get to the playoffs with Garnett, what on earth makes you think they would lead Boston to the promised land?

There isnt a veteran on the market that we can trade for the 5 pick which will help our team much. The only way to get to the top is to go the “farm system” route, by drafting players, like with the 5 spot, and hoping they develop into studs like Wade and Stoudamire. Otherwise, we will be trading something that might be worth twenty or thirty dollars a few years down the road, for the rights to ten dollars right now. We need to invest, not liquidate. The 5 pick is an investment. Al is an investment, a rapid growth investment. Rondo might be considered a junk bond in that he has the potential to bear huge returns, but the fact he cant shoot makes placing bets on this to happen highly risky. We dont need another plodder, another safe bet who will barely keep pace with the cost of inflation. Last year, Danny trading the 7 pick for Telfair was the equivalent of cashing in 100 shares of Google stock and placing it on the roulette table. Simply careless and arrogant. If the Celtics trade the pick for a vet, it will officially be known that they are truly not serious about winning another championship.

The problem we have here is no one has any patience to let a team grow together. Let this team and the guy we pick at 5 play together for a couple years and you will see a huge improvement. All star in PP, very soon in Big Al, all star in Wally, solid mean defender in Perk, upcoming point in Rondo, Delonte with his lay it out style, Gomes can come in and score at will, GG will get better and better, TA possibly could return to former self… Come on guys!! That team with a couple more years together and a solid pick this year can contend in the East. One or two players take a huge jump up and we can contend for it all. That’s not Kool Aid drinking, that’s looking at a team with some good role players and 3 all stars who can score on anyone…

Pierce is the one with no patience, because by the time they grow together, he will be ready to retire.

We can’t keep Pierce and build a championship team at the same time. Not possible. Ainge has tried to fool the fans that he could rebuild this way. It has been an abysmal failure. When will they stop lying to themselves and lying to us?

Theo and Telfair and a pick to Denver for Camby and Najera. Helps get Denver out of cap hell since Theo is insured. Telfair gives them a back up pg and is only on the books for 1 more year as well. Camby gives the C’s a shot blocking mobile center who doesn’t need the ball on the block. Najera is a credible back up PF for Al. Win more games now and see how more of the young guys develop.

Brick – That may be the case and he may be ready to retire, but just maybe GG will be the player he is and then some. I don’t feel we owe Pierce anything. His multi-millions are what he is owed. Nothing more. I like him and would like to see him get a championship ring. Not neccessarily for him, but for the C’s. I thought it was nice to see Antoine get a ring because I liked him, but that did nothing for us. If trading Pierce makes us better and gets us a championship, fine, but I can’t recall one time that someone traded away an all-star and got closer to winning. Just because we may not agree with what the way they are trying to rebuild, doesn’t mean that they are lying to us. There are a lot of teams out there that dwindle in mediocrity year after year and never win. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it! No offense to those living in Boston, but no legit free agent wants to move there. Why would they?! They can live the lifestyle in LA or Phoenix or Miami. If we don’t win by developing the players we have, we will never win. Receiving a legit all-star in a trade who will push us over the top will never happen, because unless they have major baggage (like Iverson) their team won’t let them go. We would be the only one stupid enough to trade away our All-Star. Maybe LA…How did that work out for them…?!

Green Mountain… Camby is a has-been. In fact, due to his injuries he is a “never-was”. Let’s repeat the same mistakes and bring in another injury prone okay player… Like Fidelity Investments (Boston plug) motto right now… SMART MOVE!!

I don’t like moving for Camby at all. His trade value will never be higher. The guy has never been healthy. He has one healty year and now the Nuggets if they are smart will pawn him off on some team looking for “veteran help”, which is pig latin for “they have paniced” and get a lot more than he is worth. You watch, Camby will never have another year like the one he just had and someone will get robbed by trading for him. I hope that someone is not Boston.

“If we don’t win by developing the players we have, we will never win.” EJ Playa

Then we will never win. The talent on this team outside of Pierce and Jefferson is underwhelming to put it mildly. EJ you got a better chance of winning powerball than Green does of being half the player Pierce is. And I’m not even a big Pierce fan. In order for Jefferson to thrive he needs a credible threat on the outside. Pierce is that guy. This team needs to improve the quality of players 3-8 if they want a shot at the Playoffs and eventually a championship.

I feel that if Ainge keeps the pick, PP will ask out. So what to do?

PP & Al are two of the more talented duos in the East. Why not trade to build the team around them? I’m not sure the 5 pick will help the C’s immediately.

It’s called trading Theo’s contract with Gerald Green, Gomes/West or another filler for a Good BIG MAN. Screw Yi, He’s proven nothing.

Then you draft Corey Brewer at #5 to replace Gerald Green….Brewer is a proven Winner that can play D and score, Gerald is a proven dunker…Its really that simple

If Wyc can resign Al for good money and pay a luxury tax for a year until Wally’s contract expires we are fine. I’m sure he can endure one year, since we’ve endured 4.
Rondo
Pierce
Brewer
Jefferson
Good Big Man

We would definately get some quality back in that trade, I’d even take Camby for Theo and Gerald straight up. Denver needs some cap relief. That would be one balanced lineup of Defensive and offensive players.

Who is going to lead this team if Pierce gets traded? Who can drop those 40 points ? who can take command and want to be the man with 5 seconds left?

None of you who want him gone have supplied a sufficient answer as to this yet..

You just want him gone for the sake of trading someone.. and judging from the repetitive threads on this site. Its all thats on your minds.

Some of you say “Oh WYC loves him , he wont trade him” well why the hell would he? this is a business after all and he is the only marque name left.

Jason Terry and whoever doesnt put asses in seats… Get Real everyone.sheesh.

Well Pierce doesn’t put anyone in the seats either. His cachet is getting very stale.

The same thing happened in Philly with Iverson. They thought they had to keep him to put fans in the seats. But the seats were empty because the fans realized that the team was going nowhere with AI.

And they asked the same questions in Philly. “Who is going to drop 40 points when we need it?” The answer of course is no one. Funny thing though. The team had a better record after Iverson left. Maybe three guys dropping 15 could be better than one guy dropping 40? I’m just throwing that theory out there for you math buffs.

Dont remember any championship winning teams with 15 ppg leading scorers ..

I dont think Boston fans are disillusioned with Pierce , its not giving him anything to work with thats the issue if anything..

In regards to Philly , going from abysmal to mediocre isnt something to scream about. Have a look at what they put around AI during his tenure there in the last two seasons.. Chris Webber of all people.That relationship between player and management died a while ago..

It hasnt occured here yet to that extent..

Phili improved vastly minus Iverson. Brick never said trading him turned them into instant contenders. He said it made the team better. The record showed it, clearly and undeniably. If you can’t grasp that, it’s your problem.