The Celtics have talked to the Magic about a potential deal involving Nikola Vucevic, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE reports. Boston GM Danny Ainge is looking for big men who can score and rebound, Blakely writes, which would make Vucevic an ideal fit.
Currently in the second year of a four-year, $53MM contract, Vucevic was connected to the Heat last week in a potential deal involving Goran Dragic. Now 26 years old, Vucevic is averaging 13.8 points with 9.8 rebounds through 44 games in 2016/17. The big man sat out three games in December due to a back injury, but has otherwise returned to form after a slow start to his season, scoring 16.7 points over his last seven games.
Vucevic would be an immediate upgrade in Boston’s frontcourt. Coach Brad Stevens is currently using Al Horford at center and a mix of Jonas Jerebko, Kelly Olynyk, and Amir Johnson at the four. Vucevic, who has been subject to trade rumors throughout much of his six-year career, explained his approach to CSNNE as the trade deadline approaches.
“There’s been a lot (of rumors) about me this season. I haven’t paid attention to it. I don’t read that much. It’s all rumors; you can’t control them. At the end of the day, what happens, happens.”
Ainge will screw this up too. Boston is destined to continue in mediocrity until they get a GM who can pull the trigger on a trade while some of their best assets have a high value.
Ummmm, did you only start watching basketball?? Or did you forget that this is the same Gm who traded for kg and ray Allen to bring a championship banner back in 08!!
Yes, I remember it. You obviously don’t. It’s the exception that proves the rule. In short, he was ordered by management (to keep Pierce) to stop collecting pieces and get some win now players. He was conveniently offered the Garnett trade 3 times by McHale who wanted to trade him to Boston (vs Garnett’s other preferred spots). Ainge still screwed it up twice, where even McHale had to turn him down. He was about to be fired over it and that’s when he did the Allen deal for draft pick to show enough to keep Pierce from leaving and his job. Still he’d have been fired if his friend McHale didn’t give him one last chance to make the deal. That’s what it took. If his job weren’t in danger, he wouldn’t have made those deals.
Garnett was refusing to go to Boston in a trade until Allen arrived. Your memory is a little skewed as well.
No. It wasn’t Allen, it was some assurances that he was not just going to baby sit Ainge’s young piece. The point is that Ainge was an impediment to both trades. He wanted the players, but was continuously low balling to the point where teams pulled from the table. Allen deal didn’t get done until draft night. He’s lucky Garnett wasn’t dealt elsewhere prior to that. A LOT was luck, combination of relationships, and a desire to accomodate the player.
You are also forgetting that he picked IT4, one of the best scoring guards in the NBA. I think he sent the suns a couple Gatorade coolers, some new netting for their hoops, and the assistant equipment manager for him. He definetly has no clue when to pull he trigger
Yes, that’s a Ainge type deal. Collecting pieces.
DXC I think you are a little confused about how it went down. Garnett had a no trade clause and refused the trade until Celtics traded away Jeff Green for Ray Allen and other pieces. Ainge attempted multiple times to trade for Garnett but he blocked all attempts and did not promise to resign with the Celtics. Ainge pulled the trigger when Garnett finally agreed to resign two days after we for Allen. Ainge nickname Danny Deals also is not given to him for his lack of trades
No, I’m not. Garnett would have waived if he knew Ainge was committed to getting other vets and keeping Pierce. Pierce wouldn’t commit until he saw Ainge was going to change his piece collecting ways.
Cite sources of Ainge’s job being on the line for these trade offers
Ainge sucks?? This IS the same guy who dealt a pair of aged almost former super stars for like the next decade worth of Brooklyn #1 picks! You go ahead and chew on your ignorance while we welcome Markelle Fultz in June 2017
Ya just what they need anther guard in Fultz they need some proven players I love the sanders idea all you lose there is young and if they were going to trade for Vucevic it with coast the smart I believe
Cost
Hmm yes, another rookie/young player. What are those players going to do to contribute in a year or two from now that will help them seriously compete for a title? And how does Boston plan on keeping their main guys signed? Jaylen Brown, next year’s pick, Crowder, and Al Horford are locked up, but the team still has to save money/reallocate money to sign Thomas/AB/Smart. That situation is further complicated if the Celtics go out and sign/trade for a star/superstar who will further clog cap space and block playing time for the younger guys still around that Ainge was so desperate to hold on to.
No one said he sucks. But I understand that low IQ types might take it that way. He’s a good talent evaluator and piece collector (like lots of NBA GMs, he does well when he’s on the side of dumping vets for rebuilding assets). Great ones know how and when to consolidate those pieces into a championship contender. He’s been GM for quite awhile and had one special circumstance in 2008 when he made deals trading multiple rebuilding assets for stars.
Boston really need a big man who rebound and protect the praint. Vucevic is good but not a vey good defender at the rim.
I guess he a big who brad Stevens can utilized in his system. Especially with his ability to get back to the basket and rebound while brad can put al Harford the power forward which is his most suitable position.
If he were a rim protector in addition to his other skills, he wouldn’t be available. Not for all the picks Boston can trade.
He’s also a pretty decent passer, so there’s that, but I still don’t really like the fit for him. I’d assume he’d come off the bench if they get him, but I wouldn’t give up real assets for him if I’m Boston, as he doesn’t protect the rim or play defense very well
vucevic would be tight, but i like that sanders rumor better
Not sure what type of package it takes to land the big guy, but he could be a nice addition. Keep those draft picks in Ainge’s pocket for another move or ride it out and draft no. 1 overall.
If Olynyk and a non-Nets No. 1 gets it done, the Celtics should pull the trigger immediately.
A lineup of:
Thomas
Bradley
Horford
Vucevic
Crowder
would be enough to make the Raptors and Cavs uncomfortable.
Vucevic will hardly make those two teams uncomfortable. If anything, that would just further expose the Celtics’ defensive issues.
Not likely. Olynyk is a RFA at the end of year and thus has little value to a rebuilding team (unless they plan to match some potentially ridiculous offer sheet). NV is signed for below market the next 2 years and a much better player. Other picks aren’t worth much looking at likely scenarios.
I like the Sanders move better. Seems like a better fit for what they need at a MUCH lower cost. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, they really haven’t lost anything and can move on.
Vucevic would be nice but I agree that ainge wouldn’t pull the trigger unless it helped the Celtics in the present and future
I’d be happy with either him or Larry. Vuc may be better, but I’m not sure I like allocating long term cap space to him. We still have to re-up Thomas.
Being a Celtics fan, this may be a hard trade to justify doing. It really depends not what the price is. Vucevic is good, but is the piece to put the team over the top? I’m not so sure. Plus, he becomes very expensive. Even moving higher salary players (I.E. Zeller or Johnson) poses a problem because of his long term contract. If the price is right, I would not hate it, but I don’t know if it is absolutely a must for the Celtics.