ESPN Insider's 5 Paul Pierce Trade Ideas

by Jeff Clark on Jan 23, 2012 9:42 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

Earlier today ESPN Insider published an article stating that the Celtics need to "blow it up" and referenced some obscure stat that somehow measures athleticism (see a blurb and link to the article here). Whatever. They came to the same conclusion that many have. It may or may not be time to blow it up, but good luck finding a deal that makes sense for everyone.

To that end, they posted a 2nd article with 5 trades for Paul Pierce. So I guess I'll just respond to this rather than run my daily trade ideas. At least this way I don't have to take the blame for bad ideas.

Insider: Blow up C's, Pierce trades - Boston Celtics Blog - ESPN Boston

The five swaps suggested in the Insider article:

1. Atlanta Hawks for PF Josh Smith
2. Memphis Grizzlies for SF Rudy Gay
3. Indiana Pacers for SF Danny Granger
4. Utah Jazz for Paul Millsap and pick, or Enes Kanter and 2012 draft pick
5. Houston Rockets for Kevin Martin and Patrick Patterson/Jordan Hill

We already went over number 2 (Rudy Gay) here. I tend to think that number 1 (Josh Smith) has many of the same risks and potential benefits. Smith is overpaid and isn't a cornerstone type of guy. However, when you are unloading Pierce's contract, you don't have as much to worry about because you still have Ray and KG coming off the books.

Number 3 doesn't really interest me much at all. For whatever reason Granger has regressed a lot this year and I'm worried that he might be falling back to the pack now that he's got teammates that aren't afraid to take some shots now and then.

Number 4 is at least interesting. Milsap is a potential 2nd tier star and is kind of redundant in Utah with Al Jefferson healthy and playing well. They also drafted Kanter and have Derrick Favors waiting in the wings. If they are willing to throw in a first round pick to get it done, even I would be tempted by that. Not sure what I think of Kanter, and it would depend on what other salaries we'd need to take back to make salaries work for that variation.

Number 5 makes little sense to me for Paul Pierce. If you really wanted Kevin Martin, I think you could snag him for Ray Allen and call it a day.

Those are just my quick thoughts though. I guess I gotta at least give them credit for coming up with some ideas. What are your thoughts?

Poll

Which trade idea do you prefer?

Josh Smith

187 votes

Rudy Gay

349 votes

Danny Granger

155 votes

Paul Millsap and pick, or Enes Kanter and 2012 draft pick

199 votes

Kevin Martin and Patrick Patterson/Jordan Hill

67 votes

None of the above

531 votes

1488 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

blasphemy

by The green mamba on Jan 23, 2012 9:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions

LoL

by The green mamba on Jan 23, 2012 9:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

These look like the trades i posted

by CKgreen on Jan 23, 2012 10:09 PM EST reply actions

Gonna hold with the "chips for future deal" theory followed by Ainge

Watch Danny’s history. To get a superstar he needs chips and lots of them. I don’t know if any of these deals gets Danny the chips he needs to get what he wants. None of the players above are franchise players nor do they represent the type who, when combined with other assets, can be moved for the future Celtics game changer.

Look at it the way Danny looks at it..how can he get the guy to build the franchise around?

He rebuilt the Celtics with the draft last time…yes he did…he traded all of the chips he collected in the draft and assembled one of the best teams in NBA history. It’s about currency…can Danny turn PP into currency?

by tstorey1 on Jan 23, 2012 10:17 PM EST reply actions

Sentimentality and the truth mean a lot more to me than any of those players.

by muckduck on Jan 23, 2012 10:20 PM EST reply actions

Paul Pierce

There is no team out there that would want Pierce that has anybody that I’d accept for him.
Pierce should retire a Celtic and as terrible as the team has been they still have a realistic chance to be a playoff team. Perkins never should have been traded and Delonte should still be a Celtic . With those two The Celtics could be competitive with any NBA team.

by BEAR73 on Jan 23, 2012 10:43 PM EST reply actions

Agree but

If PP would agree and wanted to be traded here’s my suggestion:

PP and Dooling to the Clips for Mo Williams, Ryan Gomes, Eric Bledsoe and Minn 2012 1st Rd pick unprotected. I couldn’t make the deal work on Trade Checker because Dooling can’t be traded until Feb 9 (does work with JJ (6002433).

My rational – Clippers get a great go-to scorer, and a leader, Dooling gives them a veteran guard who can play D. We get Mo a decent player for 2 years, Gomes for 2 years, Eric Bledsoe a young PG and Minn 1st rd pick. Bledsoe and the 1st rd pick are good assets. They go along with JJ if not included) 2 first rd picks, and Bradley. On a negative, we do take back salary but only for 2 years.

by badax33 on Jan 23, 2012 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

Not a bad trade

And sends Pierce back to LA, too. He’d probably appreciate that.

by dslack on Jan 24, 2012 12:52 AM EST up reply actions

If pierce isn't on the Celtics I would like him in a Clippers uniform the most but..

There’s nothing the Clippers could give us that is worth Paul Pierce. Come on our captain and is worth A LOT more than a package that revolves around Mo Williams and Eric Bledsoe. And the Clippers trades that draft pick to New Orleans in the Chris Paul deal. I know that was probably one of the most intriguing part of that deal but yeah New Orleans has it… and there’s no way were trading Pierce for 2 players who play the same position as our best player. I haven’t seen that much of Bledsoe but I would take Avery Bradley and that killer defense over a so so young point guard anyday

by OFWG1554 on Jan 24, 2012 1:28 AM EST via mobile up reply actions