Finding energy and athleticism: The Bird in the Hand.

by Sizzlack on May 16, 2011 12:25 PM EDT

All the talk, rightfully so, is about getting younger, faster, more athletic, scoring punches off the bench who can create and get to the rim.

Names get tossed around left and right, J.R. Smith, Nick Young, Jamal Crawford. While all those are fine and good, and great players, I'd argue there are far more pressing needs at the Center position. With little assets to work with other than the MLE (assuming it stays intact) it will be difficult to fill both needs in free agency.

All this talk has made us forget about the possible bird in the hand we already have, Avery Bradley and Von Wafer.

Avery is already under contract on his rookie scale deal, Wafer signed a 1-year deal that eventually became guaranteed, and the Celtics now own non-bird exceptions on him. This means they can resign him at a value of 125% of last year's contract. This is a no brainer in my mind, Wafer didn't get the time, or show enough this past year to get teams to through any real money at him, more than likely. If he's on board to get another year in the system and really show he can contribute, he could be a wonderful value at that price.

Many of us have said over the course of the year, Wafer had improved by leaps and bounds. His defense steadily improved, pressuring the ball and using his energy at all times. Yes, he struggled at times keeping that energy under control, we'll all remember that forehead slap moment when he ran into JO. But all in all, he really seemed to buy into the system. He's very young, super athletic, and can score from basically anywhere.

Bradley, has yet to complete a training camp, missed the first quarter of the season with an ankle injury, and generally had few opportunities to really adjust to the NBA game. But we all saw the time in Maine did him well, he came back with seemingly loads more confidence. A full Summer season and training camp I'm convinced will do wonders for the kid. I believe Bradley is a big part of the teams plans for the future, an athletic energy guy who can back up Rondo and cause havoc on opposing ball handlers.

So with limited assets to spend this off season, it is my contention to spend those assets elsewhere, and take the bird in the hand. The young, athletic talent we're clamoring for, may already be there.

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I agree so much

We have athleticism and young talent in Avery Bradley. Sure, he’s got a lot to learn, but that YOUTH is what we need. We need the bench to be a sparkplug, a sudden jolt of speed and athleticism. I think it’s key for the next season that Bradley be a part of the rotation because

a) that would give Rondo the much-needed rest,

b) it will allow Delonte West to move over to the 2 spot where he can focus as a combo guard without having to worry about pressure from the opposing PG,

c) it will finally allow a player to develop in this system. Face it. We’ve tried the route of dumping all the young guys and trading them for vets who might give us a lift. It doesn’t work. Did Troy Murphy, Sasha Pavlovic, Carlos Arroyo give us any valuable playing time when we needed it? I don’t think so. I’d much rather have Erden and Harangody sitting on the bench, working their asses off to make a name for themselves in this league and trying to work their way into the rotation instead of veterans that we don’t know what to do with anymore.

As for Von Wafer, I’m a terribly big fan of him and I’d definitely like to see him on the rotation as well. When he played for the Houston Rockets, he was instant offense, and maybe we could do that, but if West moves to the backup 2 (like I said earlier), he might not get enough time. But he’s a pretty darned good backup if ever another wing in this team goes down to injury. I say keep him.

by paolost on May 16, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

Well, if West comes back as well, Wafer would be down the list a bit.

But there’s still minutes to be had, if he’s playing well, and Wafer is injury insurance if West goes down again, giving you another SG that can step up.

"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach

04 + 07 = 11

by Sizzlack on May 16, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Speed

off the bench would be really great. Bradley, West, Wafer, and Green would definitely do a lot of running. Now all we need is an athletic PF or C (note: not Big Baby type of athleticism) like a Craig Smith or something and that bench might be able to last.

by paolost on May 16, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. West will continue to be a combo guard because Doc will trust him to back up Rondo over Bradley.

Don’t get me wrong, I really like Bradley and he could be as good as a lottery pick this year (That’s Ainge talking) but he is still essentially a rookie and cannot truly run this team from the point, yet.

by Surferdad on Jun 8, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree fully.

Expanded roles for Green, Bradley and Wafer – that’s a lot of speed and athleticism right there. And Green and Wafer both give you plus length at their positions.

Combined with Rondo, Pierce & Ray & DW, I think you’d have to say we have pretty strong depth at the 1-2-3. A strong mix of veterans and youth.

Unfortunately, we are very thin at the 4 & 5. We still have, for at least one year, the immense talent that is KG. And JO, when able to play, if he doesn’t retire, can still bring it defensively at C. But we have pretty much no depth. Krstic and Murphy – what can they give us if they get a full training camp?

I’d feel more comfortable going into next year if we picked up at least two solid bigs from somewhere. Yeah, we could stash Shaq for the playoffs, but we also need depth for the regular season or KG & JO won’t make it to the playoffs healthy.

I wonder who we’ll get in the draft?

I wonder what is up with Lasme, these days? Will they bring him back to camp?

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on May 16, 2011 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

I really doubt Murphy would be staying in green next year

especially since he’s not really helping with the whole become-faster-and-more-athletic program. I think he’s going to be let go, though I’m pretty sure some team is going to fall for the potential impact he could make.

I’d really like to have Lasme back though, and get him to fight for that spot in the rotation. What we’ve really been missing is an athletic big that could catch lobs and just dunk/draw the foul. Lasme’s currently part of the Maine Red Claws.

by paolost on May 16, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Lasme was more of a wing guy anyway.

And honestly, Sims would be the better option there anyway if we’re looking for a D-league call up option. He’s already gone through a summer league and camp, and played in a Celtics system a full year in Maine.

He may be the other option Danny looks to bring in for depth at SF. He’s certainly athletic, and showed a lot of potential making a D-league all star team and being one of the best players in the NBDL last year.

04 + 07 = 11

by Sizzlack on May 16, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, I know Lasme was more of a 'power SF'

but I mashed my curiosity as to his current status into the above for no particular reason.

I liked him a lot. I hope he can come back and compete for a job at camp.

I don’t know if there is room for him, but more is better at this point.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on May 16, 2011 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Bring back Lasme! (at least for summer league/training camp)

http://fanshots.com/video/stephane-lasme-big-dunk-on-bargnani-nba-celtics-vs-raptors

…pretty athletic if you ask me.

Plus he really seemed like a team player. I wanted him originally over Von, but our need at the time was more for the 2 spot.

by green18, 19, 20... on May 16, 2011 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd definitely want Sims on the roster

but as an SF, he might not get that much playing time. He’d be a good body to stash there, but if we’re going to use most of our SF time bet. Pierce and Green, I’d rather have him play in the NBDL.

by paolost on May 16, 2011 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Ya but he's already done that.

He’s already been an NBDL all star and regarded as one of the best players in the league.

At some point, you can only gain so much from playing in the D-league, you gotta get up into the league and see what you can do. I think after the season he’s had there, he’s clearly past that point.

04 + 07 = 11

by Sizzlack on May 16, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Rec'd

by paolost on May 17, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Kaman

If we can trade for Kaman we should ……….

by juanpan on May 16, 2011 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

we dont have the options

by ZM15 on May 16, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

He is a bit injury-prone.

by paolost on May 16, 2011 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

he makes $12m how do you do that?

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!

by remembering9ergods on May 16, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Next Year's Backcourt

Rondo
Allen

Bradley Back-up Point
West back-up to Ray

We must integrate Bradley next year.

I believe West is better suited for the Shooting Guard.

by Glen B on May 16, 2011 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

Potentially putting the kibosh on the CP + DH talk: A $45M cap!!!!???

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2011-05-16/sbj-nba-proposes-45-million-hard-salary-cap

That would make it pretty much impossible for us to fit Howard in via free agency, let alone getting both he and Chris Paul.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on May 16, 2011 5:53 PM EDT reply actions

agreed but

1st of all we dont know what ainge will do in the draft. i suspect he goes for a defensive big like kenneth faried or justin harper. i also wouldnt be surprised if he also took a big in the 2nd round as well. maybe michael dunigan. guys he can develope as the season goes on and can play if he has too because they play defense. maybe ainge even buys another draft pick as some teams will want to dump theirs.

2nd, we have a trade exception from the daniels trade to sacto. with it we can take back up to $3m

3rd, BBD wants to start and wants more money. i believe he will sign with another team for between $7-9m. we need to work a sign and trade with that team and get a trade exception for him, maybe even an extra draft pick. we can take back 125% of that so we could take back up to $8.75-11.2m. we could package next years celtics 1st rounder with the trade exception and get a decent player or two.

on top of that, if the CBA doesnt do away with it, there’s the MLE and LLE.

we should have alot of options, it’s just finding the best trades available and making them.

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!

by remembering9ergods on May 16, 2011 6:23 PM EDT reply actions

I do hope that we draft bigs that are taller than 6'8 and athletic.

Also, what do you guys think we can get with the trade exception from Quis?

And yes, best not to let Glen Davis just walk away without giving us anything potentially. A sign&trade has to be worked out.

by paolost on May 16, 2011 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions

id also like taller bigs but both of those guys play bigger than their size.

i believe faried has a 7’2 wing span. he also averaged 14.5 rebounds, and plays great defense. he’s a haslem type player with more upside, IMO.

the trade exception from quis? depends what teams are willing to trade. sacto may trade thompson if we include a draft pick. never know. gotta look around, im sure thats why danny got it, is to use it.

sign and trades can happen after a player goes to another team, look at lebron and bosh last year. both signed decided to go to miami but toronto and cleveland both ended up with trade exceptions and multiple draft picks. ainge just has to call and say hey, lets make a deal instead…..

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!

by remembering9ergods on May 16, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I've seen Faried's game, and he's also terribly athletic

I doubt he’d fall as low to number 2 tho, especially because of all the teams that would be wanting bigs.

by paolost on May 16, 2011 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

he's projected to go #20 or so.

minny owns pick #20 and it’s their second in this draft. with an already loaded young team they may decide to move it. id offer them money for it or even a future 1st rounder in 2013, 2014, etc…they just might take it. then ainge could use our #25 pick on the best remaining center and the 2nd round on best player available.

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!

by remembering9ergods on May 16, 2011 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

draft express has him going #17

I think he may be worth fighting for, because this class is pretty weak in the rebounding area. I lot of big guys who can shoot but have forgotten how to rebound because they are all too busy practicing their 3pt shot.

#15-17 picks go to the Pacers, 76ers, and Knicks. All are pretty young teams that might be interested in trading for some veterans or experience. I’m not sure what we can do with BB or not. I know we would like to get a sign and trade but not sure how we fit in a draft pick with that.

by Cool Hand Luke 15 on May 22, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Trade exception money is likely to only come in as part of a larger deal.

Although it does provides them a secondary “Bi-Annual” type money. Potentially, it could lure a potential veteran minimum type player away from a different contending teams.

If two contenders are considered relatively equal, having an extra million to throw at someone may tip the scale. Of course this is all assuming they even still count in the new CBA.

04 + 07 = 11

by Sizzlack on May 16, 2011 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Chris Douglas-Roberts?

He is young, athletic, and would come cheap. He used to run with Rose in Memphis, and I know it was not the pros, but on many nights he played better than Rose without standing out. He is fast, and he could run with Rondo. Can play the 2 or 3, and would only improve with Doc and K.G in his ear. Rondo, Jeff Green, Roberts seems like a good start when it comes to getting younger and more athletic.

Jose Barea would be great off the bench a little undersized but this guy just dosent seem to run out of gas. Could be good coming in for Rondo if West gets offered more than we are willing to give.

As far as centers go young and athletic is just going to have too high of a price tag, so Pryzbilla is the guy that comes to mind for the 5 spot. Lets face it the roster probably wont look that different. But, it would be nice to get a young guy behinde K.G so Green can be used at the 3 more than the 4. I just hope he has a solid role on the team. Oh yeah, I really hope before Doc and Danny decide to keep Baby around that they think about that dunk he couldnt get high enough for. Please let Davis go and put the money behinde a guy that is in good shape, and not just shapely.

by CoachBullins on Jun 3, 2011 4:21 PM EDT reply actions