No Mutombo, But Maybe Smith or Alonzo

by Jeff Clark on Dec 27, 2008 1:00 PM EST in Boston Celtics Rumors

But as the Celtics continue to search for some length to complement Leon Powe and Glen Davis off the bench, there was nothing encouraging on the Dikembe Mutombo front. The free agent said he’d be making a decision on a team soon, but the Celts may be holding off for someone with a more balanced game as they mainly see Mutombo as a contributor on the defensive end.

“No, I don’t think we’re going to get him,” said Rivers. “We talked to David (Falk, Mutombo’s agent) and I would say it’s a no.

“We would love him, but we’re going to wait it out.”

The Celts haven’t given up on P.J. Brown coming back, but at this point Danny Ainge believes Brown’s not coming out of retirement. Then again, Ainge thought the same thing at this time last year.

Alonzo Mourning’s name is still being floated, but an even more intriguing property could be available soon. There is talk Oklahoma City may buy out Joe Smith’s contract, and that the club is at least serious about trading him.

The Celtics can’t and won’t discuss him publicly, but at a lanky 6-foot-10, Smith would seem to fit the club’s need.

Said one NBA scout, “Are you kidding me? Joe Smith would be perfect for the Celtics.”

In related news, I think we know how the team will free up a roster spot. Speaking about Cassell, Doc said the following:

“I love him on the bench whether we use him or not,” Rivers said. “To me he’s more a part of the coaching staff than one of the players right now for us because of his knowledge and the way he helps us with the other guys.”

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Zo will go to Miami if anywhere and Joe smith if he has the choice would rather go to cleveland

by TheAncientRivalry on Dec 27, 2008 1:23 PM EST reply actions

The good news is that OKC wants to make an effort to deal him before buying him out,

thus removing the choice part of things for Smith.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Dec 27, 2008 3:04 PM EST up reply actions

do you think we can put together a package for him though? i have my doubts…

by D Dub on Dec 27, 2008 3:04 PM EST up reply actions

Now, you're askin' the tough questions, D Dub

Not quite sure about that one myself. But I would agree with TAR that we’re in trouble if he gets bought it, because I think he’ll look to make a beeline back to Cleveland in that situation.

That said, I’m not worried about him being a malcontent if we do make a trade – it just appears that he’d be happiest in Cleveland from what’s been said so far.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Dec 27, 2008 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

I would do everything they can to get Zo, he gives us a legit backup center with toughness and experience, and offense, he would be better than PJ brown, and much better than Joe Smith. Either way, they need a center off the bench or else if Perk’s shoulder goes out again during the playoffs we’re done

by hpantazo on Dec 27, 2008 2:24 PM EST reply actions

Alonzo

would be a perfect person to get up with the C’s. I cant see anyone better. But like Ancient Rivalry said, I think he would end up going back to the Heat…

by Mizzy21390 on Dec 27, 2008 2:46 PM EST reply actions

I think Alonzo Mourning returns to Miami if they’re a playoff team and at the moment they are.

If they’re not, I do not think he returns to Miami, but at that point it’s 50-50 as to whether or not he plays in the NBA this season.

by Who on Dec 27, 2008 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

Joe Smith not worth giving up a young

Joe Smith has been a nice player for years but if OKC demanded a draft pick or Giddens/Walker I’d rather take my chances with Big Shot Bob Horry who wouldn’t cost us anything.
Do not write off O’Bryant yet. It is Doc style (see Leon, Big Baby and now Pruitt, even Rondo) to bring guys along slow and you can’t argue with the outcome.
There are many on this blog who conclude he’s a bust but I think they are premature with that judgment. I see a good attitude from him and some agile center play in the garbage minutes he’s had.

by Wildblu1 on Dec 27, 2008 3:56 PM EST reply actions

Curious how anyone who’s watching games on TV can see a good attitude from a player who never gets off the bench – and whose work ethic has been impeached dating back to his college days.

If you’re talking clapping, I clap a lot during games, too. I appreciate the complement.

And for the record, I’d move a draft pick and literally anyone on our sorry bench to get Joe Smith.

by CoachBo on Dec 27, 2008 4:03 PM EST reply actions

Your opinion is as valid as anyone’s but what makes you think we care if you are declaring “for the record” or not. You don’t really think we keep tabs on Coach Bo’s predictions do you?

As for O’Bryant, good point about what you can tell from TV but I have been to 7 games too and, let’s put it this way, he doesn’t exhibit the bad attitude that his critics have tagged him with. He’s barely 22. Think of Kendrick Perkins at 22.

While you’re trading anyone on the bench for Joe Smith, don’t forget Tyron Lue for back up PG

by Wildblu1 on Dec 27, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Perk was in his fourth NBA season at 22...

…playing 22 minutes a game and usually starting. I’m not sure that comparison does POB any favors.

by PJ Martinez on Dec 27, 2008 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

In addition to PJ's comment,

I would add that while I’ve had many complaints with Perk over the years, effort has just about never been one of them. The guy comes to work, plain and simple.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Dec 27, 2008 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

And for the record, I’d move a draft pick and literally anyone on our sorry bench to get Joe Smith.

I think in the end some team will agree with that stance, and that Sam Presti will trade Joe Smith instead of waiving him. His contract is easy to match up with, and Presti attempts to scrape off any potential assets that he can get his hand on. I think he’ll get another draft pick for Joe.

by Who on Dec 27, 2008 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

as pitino would say- alonzo is not walking thru the door. he’s miami’s. deke would be a plus-get the big3 out to sell the product. at least, kg played with and knows joe smith. it feels like the most vulnerable trade bait would be big baby.

by nazzbo on Dec 27, 2008 4:15 PM EST reply actions

Scals and Big Baby for Joe works on realgm.com.

by Smitty77 on Dec 27, 2008 6:34 PM EST reply actions

I believe

our starting five are better than the Lakers’ starting five but the drop off is pretty bad once we go seven-eight deep. Losing Posey was a real dumb move.

by The Real Large James 2 on Dec 27, 2008 7:38 PM EST reply actions

Agreed about the dumb move.

Ainge risked the Big 3’s chance at repeating. WTF!

by Bankshot on Dec 27, 2008 8:09 PM EST up reply actions

Posey really isn’t that good. He was clutch in the playoffs I’ll give you that but Tony Allen is more of an offensive threat than Posey. Besides financially it made sense to let Posey go. Why pay for 4 years when he might only have 2 good years left? That just doesn’t make sense. Ainge is smart.

by esp4p3 on Dec 27, 2008 9:45 PM EST up reply actions

That’s disappointing news about Deke. Ah well.

by Who on Dec 27, 2008 8:35 PM EST reply actions

Bulpett's article tells me practically nothing about the Celtics's chances of getting Motombo.

I keep reading that little article, and each time it suggests the Celtics aren’t that taken with Motombo – seeing him only as a defensive player. But then Rivers says the Celtics would love to have him. It just sounds like b.s. tossed off during a negotiation. So why should anyone be disappointed that we’re in a negotiation with Motombo?

by no kidding on Dec 27, 2008 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

With ya, no kidding

Not sure I’d completely write us out of this one yet either…

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Dec 27, 2008 11:50 PM EST up reply actions

Price too high?

Falk is trying to get the most he can for Mutombo, as a good agent should. This isn’t over until he signs somewhere…

by nba is the worst on Dec 28, 2008 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

bon the bright side

C’s will make the playoffs. how far they go will depend on how the team can compete with cleveland. lakers, I’m not worried about. hard for me to believe how the lakers could beat the c’s.i for one cannot envision a group of punks beating up on kg,pp & Ray.
lets get back to winning games. Our bench needs an upgrade. joe Smith is cool, but pj brown would be better. No AW, no Stephan…although if steph played right he could be the 2nd unit all by himself!. & if poor tony allen had 1/2 of ray allen’s brain….

by tommyfan on Dec 27, 2008 10:19 PM EST reply actions

PJ

I watched one of the Fakers/Celtics game on NBATV the other night and focused on PJ..it was truly amazing the impact he had on the second unit…in other words I agree with tommyfan…maybe Lue for backup PG?…one thing we all know, Danny will be making moves..

by Fastbreak1 on Dec 28, 2008 11:51 AM EST reply actions