Celtics Rumor: C's Interested In Trading Up For Nikola Vucevic
by Jeff Clark on Jun 22, 2011 6:41 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics Rumors
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PrintUSC's Nikola Vucevic goes from afterthought to potential top-10 NBA draft pick - LA Daily News
NBA personnel said this week Vucevic will probably be drafted somewhere between the No. 9 and No. 17 picks, which makes it seem silly there were doubts he would turn pro a few months ago. "He's moved up drastically during his workouts," said an NBA general manager who did not wish to be identified. "A lot of teams like him now." The Knicks are believed to be highly interested, along with the Houston Rockets. The Boston Celtics are even interested in trading up in order to select Vucevic, according to sources.
Update: Some more buzz about the C's via Andy Katz:
Draft buzz: Kanter at No. 2? Kemba sliding? - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN
Boston brought back Marquette's Jimmy Butler for a second workout within a week, putting Butler in the mix at No. 25. The Celtics are also considering Jeremy Tyler, who played in Israel and Japan recently, among other places. Cleveland State's Norris Cole has also been tabbed as a favorite among some circles in the organization. Cole has interest in teams like Sacramento if the Kings don't get a point guard in the lottery.
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A little about Nicola after the break.
Filling void a tall order - BostonHerald.com
Perhaps the most promising player in this second tier is Nikola Vucevic, who averaged a solid 17.1-point, 10.3-rebound double-double at the University of Southern California. The native of Montenegro has had three years of exposure to the Pac-10, giving him an enormous advantage over other European big men attempting to make a transition to the NBA. And like Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies center who played his high school basketball in Memphis while living with his older brother, Pau, Vucevic is equipped to play inside. He’s 6-foot-10 with a 260-pound frame that he’s not averse to using. It remains to be seen if he has Marc Gasol’s toughness and heart.
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I honestly have no idea as to who any of the draftees are...
…But i have a feeling that since this batch is mostly regarded by the ever powerful media as a “weak” draft, it’ll make the drafted kids more motivated to prove everyone otherwise…. which is very possible to do since they are not hyped too much like the previous drafts. I think when the spotlight is not on you, it makes it a bit “easier” to squeeze your way into the Pro system…… That said, i hope we get a decent enough big! Oh pleassssseeeee!!!!
Not worth trading up for
He doesn’t have Marc Gasol’s toughness and heart.
by jackscompletelackofsurprise on Jun 22, 2011 7:22 AM EDT reply actions
I'm trying to remember. Didn't the Celtics work Vucevic out? And if so, was Garnett there, and did he approve of him?
Since no one here is likely to know the answer to the last question, then I’m not going to put any thought into this guy. Too little information.
Go Danny, pick us a winner. But I’m hoping it’s a big guy.
Don't know about KG, but the C's have his visit written up on their site.
Here’s the relevant part of their blurb on him:
2010-11 statistics: 17.1 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 0.8 APG
Why you might know him: Vucevic, a native of Bar, Montenegro, measured out as the tallest player at this year’s NBA Draft Combine at nearly seven feet with shoes on. He also had a dominant season in the competitive Pac 10 conference in 2010-11.
Background summary: Vucevic came to the United States to pursue his basketball dream and joined the USC Trojans in the 2008-09 season. In his first collegiate season in the United States, Vucevic put up modest numbers of 2.6 PPG and 2.7 RPG in 23 appearances. Those numbers have spiked dramatically since, rising all the way up to 17.1 PPG and 10.3 RPG. He has a solid body, but despite his size he is still able to shoot. Vucevic nailed 34.9 percent of his 3-point attempts this season, good for fourth on the team. He earned First-Team All-Pac 10 honors in 2010-11. Outside of USC, he was the top rebounder in the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship while representing his native Montenegro, with 10.8 RPG in the tournament. Vucevic’s numbers suggest that he has the ability to score and shoot from the outside, but he is not afraid of banging down low and battling for rebounds.
No, the players aren't present at the workouts.
There may be exceptions, but it’s pretty rare.
"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
My comment above was kind of dumb. I just want to know if the kid has heart.
I’m not blindly dismissing measurements or stats, but they can be misleading. When possible, I’d prefer to hear from a player I respect who’s played with an unknown guy. Players who’ve been out on the court with someone can usually figure out that guy much quicker than any observers.
Red herring?
Sources say the C’s are interested . . . sounds like the C’s just doing their job checking out the prospects. I still think DA is too cagey to telegraph who he really wants or what he intends to do come draft time.
by Thruthelookingglass on Jun 22, 2011 7:40 AM EDT reply actions
He's definitely improved his stock.
Most reports say he’s had arguably the most impressive workouts of any player in the draft, and he’s interviewed quite well on top of it.
He lacks the athleticism and the refined skill game to be a lottery pick, but he certainly seems to have the package that could make him a viable Center in this league for a long time. The Marc Gasol comparison is a good one.
If the Celtics move up, it will have to be at the right price, and that clippers pick will definitely come into play.
"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
Yes, it's a red herring
DA surprised last year when he drafted AB. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same happens this year.
Bottom line is he’ll draft someone and Doc will play him maybe 5 min max per game in first half of season only
this guy should develop into a good center in about 3 to 4 years
he has the physical frame (but not that athletic) and growing skill set to be a starter eventually but does he have what it takes to be a superstar? not too many rookies have that potential overall, sadly most rookies drafted in the 1st and 2nd rounds disappear from the NBA altogether, I’m guessing about 90%. Maybe even higher if you add the numbers and average it out for the last 10 years.
from what I’ve seen from interviews and video, this kid has a solid work ethic, has a good level headed demeanor and good BBall IQ, he’s not a basket case or knuckle head, he should improve in the right system and have a nice all around game, he won’t be a specialist
it’d be worth a 1st round and a couple of future second round picks to get him, Danny could always buy a second rounder he likes using cash, not sure how that rule really works though and what the restrictions are but other clubs have done it
Probably not much chance to be a superstar.
But a solid starter on a championship-level team? I think so—at either the center of the PF position.
he's not a PF.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
His college coach has gone out of his way to say that he could play either position in the NBA.
Certainly, it looks like he’ll have the range to play the perimeter as a PF.
I would bet that's just his college coach talking up his value.
I watched him in 3 games this year and no way can I seem him playing PF in the NBA. I don’t remember any scouting report on him suggesting that he could.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
+1
Vucevic, has the basketball talent to develop into a good center but also the physical frame as you say to be a effective center as he is 6’ 10.25" w/o shoes, 6’ 11.75" in shoes, has a 7’ 4.5" wing span, 9’ 4.5" standing reach and is a solid 260 lbs.
centers picked between ten and twenty
don’t usually pan out. anyhow, they alreadt owned erden and stupidly let him go for murphy.
Except that he was picked at 60.
"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
Big Baby
Maybe they could trade Baby and the 25 for something higher and maybe even a future pick..probably second round…
It'd have to be to a capped team, who had a need for BBD.
Any team with cap space could just sign Baby outright, why work with the Celtics on a sign and trade? Now if you had a capped team, who really needed a PF and Baby fit a need for them that they didn’t think they could get with their pick, maybe they’d take Baby + the Celtics first round, to move down. Of course, they’d have to either have trade exceptions, or package players out to match salaries, probably to a third team, who would then want some form of compensation for using their space to facilitate the deal (second round picks, maybe the clippers pick Boston owns.)
This is why sign and trade deals get incredibly complicated.
"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
BBD Can't Be Traded
Per the CBA and Salary Cap Rules, BBD can’t be traded until there is a new CBA. This is from Larry Coon NBA Salary Cap FAQ (see Below). So let’s forget BBD and trade speculation, aint and can’t happen!!!!!!!!!!!!
53. Can existing contracts be renegotiated?
A contract for four or more seasons can be renegotiated after the third anniversary of its signing, extension, or renegotiation that increased any season’s salary by more than 8%. Contracts for fewer than four seasons cannot be renegotiated. A contract cannot be renegotiated between March 1 and June 30 of any year. Only teams under the cap can renegotiate a contract, and the salary in the then-current season can be increased only to the extent that the team has room under the cap. Raises in subsequent years are limited to 10.5% of the salary in the first renegotiated season. The renegotiation may not contain a signing bonus. Contracts cannot be renegotiated downward (players can’t take a “pay cut” in order to create salary cap room for the team) or to contain fewer seasons.
? BBD has no 'existing contract'.
He’s a Bird-rights Free Agent.
If we signed him for purposes of trading him that would not be a renegotiated contract, but rather a completely new one.
Under the just-expired CBA, his Bird-rights allow us to sign him to a market-rate contract despite our being over the cap. But it would still be a new contract independent of his old one.
You are probably right that he may not be tradable until there is a new CBA, but that passage above (sec. 53) is not relevant.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Wrong
BBD is under contract! That contract runs out on 30 June, then he becomes a Bird Right Free Agent. That’s why 30 June is a big date for free agents and for Player Options and Team Options.
Also, the CBA has not expired it also expires on June 30.
So right now he can’t be involved in a S&T it would have to be under the new CBA.
I’m pretty sure he can’t even be traded but can’t find any evidence to support that position, just something I remember from another article or chat. But even so, who would trade for a guy who is going to be a free agent and provide good value in return. I guess a team would for a superstar, but not a role player.
oh - i see what you are saying
this just means he can’t be traded prior to the draft – and this was actually something pointed out in another thread.
A simpler way to put this is : BBD cannot be traded in order to move or gain picks in this draft.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Once again... we need 2 bigs AND Brooks or Jackson
20 – 25 (Trade Bradley or S&T BigBaby) pick Faried / Morris / Brooks
25 pick Jeremy Tyler / Jajuan Johnson / Jackson
Early 2nd round (cash or move up) pick Keith Benson / Tyler / Jajuan Johnson
No chance.
How are you getting that early second round? Teams aren’t just selling off picks for cash, that is pretty rare.
The BBD sign and trade isn’t going to net you a pick, a team can’t just take on his salary without shipping out players (if they’re capped) so you’d need a third team in the deal, as Boston isn’t going to be looking to take contracts back, unless they were expiring. So unless they have trade exceptions, can’t happen. Only a capped team is looking to deal in a sign and trade, any team with cap space would just try to sign the player outright.
Trading Bradley doesn’t make sense right now, you can’t do it on draft night. We don’t know what’s going to happen with West till there’s a new CBA, Bradley is the only back up PG you have signed right now. You can’t deal him and run the risk of not being able to resign Delonte and having to scrap the veteran minimum junk pile for a back up PG. Bradley showed progress last year, and his role should expand. You need to develop him, either to increase his trade value, or to become the reliable back up to Rondo we need, and provide a scoring punch off the bench.
"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
That would make me very happy...
seeing the C’s go after Vucevic as he is the very person I have been hoping and calling for them to draft since the C’s are so thin at center in the short term and need to develop a young future center also.
Vucevic has some good tools for a big man on offense as he can score from both the perimeter and the low post (the post being most important since the C’s lack big men who can score in the paint).
He also is not that bad a rebounder.
His defense could use some work , but I am sure Doc and KG can maybe help him improve this aspect of his game.
I think he would be a great acquisition if Ainge can get him somehow.
I'm a fan of Jeremy Tyler.
But I wouldn’t be upset if they traded up for Vucevic. Tyler might not be there at 25 anyway.
"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
Tyler...
would be a very interesting pick as he has the tools also to develop into a great center.
He has perimeter and low post offensive skills (his power dunks in the paint are fabulous) and can play defense.
He is a nice big frame also and is very athletic (more so then Vucevic) and the best news is he has alot of upside so can develop his game even more to become a even better player down the line.
He would not be a bad plan B if he were to be available and Vucevic was not.
Not surprised. He's big, has some talent...
…and a lot of teams are interested also i’m sure. Who knows if Ainge really likes him enough to trade multiple assets to get him.
The question becomes how high would he have to trade up.
Vucevic has become somewhat of an enigma in this draft. Some were wondering if he’d be drafted at all when things started, but no player has improved his stock more in workouts than him.
He’s went from bubble second rounder, to lottery bubble in the past 6 weeks. Teams are really taking notice, but it’s hard to gauge where someone will reach for him. Two weeks ago it was thought he wouldn’t go higher than low 20s (Ford’s first mock had the Celtics taking him there) but now some are saying he could go as high as 9.
It’s a difficult proposition there, if Danny really wants to get him, he may have to trade into the lottery, or run the risk of someone in the top 15 reaching on him.
"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
If he became a Troy Murphy, that would be great.
Last year notwithstanding, Murphy has had an excellent NBA career.
"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
oh please
Who are we going to trade to move up?
We had a roster loaded with Centers last year (Perkins,Shaq,Jermaine,Semih)
fNow we have Jerminae who needs offseason surgery again and at the end of the season was thinking about retirement. So we have basically no one to man the Center spot.
Combine trading away Perkins. Shaq retiring, Jermaine needing surgery and the loss of Krstic becomes devastating. From the articles I read he was pissed he didnt play more in the playoffs. Doc just kept going back to Glen game after game even when it was obvious to everyone watching Davis was ineffective.
News flash people anyone we draft is (a) going to be buried on the bench because Doc doesnt play rookies. (b) Is not going to have any impact on this coming season at all.
mostly correct
to quote what I posted on another thread:
Folks probably should stop looking at the draft as a source of someone who is going to contribute much this year. It is extremely, extremely rare that any rookie ever contributes to a contending team. That said, who we get out of the draft will still determine a lot about how Danny goes about building this year’s team because it will determine which free agent signings will be one-offs and which will be with an eye to the future.
Example: If Danny gets a center out of the draft, that doesn’t mean that we don’t still need to sign a center as a free agent. However, it would mean we don’t necessarily need a young center as a free agent.
So I totally agree that anyone we draft is not likely to get much run and have much impact on the floor this year. Rookies simply do not contribute on playoff teams (except in extreme rare cases). However, he will still have an ‘impact’ on the year because he’ll affect how Danny goes about filling out the roster.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
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