A year after signing Courtney Lee to a four-year, $48MM contract, the Knicks are “absolutely open” to the idea of dealing him, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, who tweets that the club is “moving in a different direction.” Lee didn’t have a great first season in New York, but he’s still a capable three-point shooter, and his contract isn’t as much of an albatross as some of the other deals signed following 2016’s salary cap spike. He’ll be a player worth keeping an eye on if the Knicks delve into the trade market in the coming weeks.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic division:
- Guerschon Yabusele, who was selected with the No. 16 overall selection in the 2016 draft, appears to be on his way to joining the Celtics, Olivia Healy of WEEI writes. Yabusele will miss this year’s summer league as he recovers from surgery, but Healy believes that the French native could find himself in Boston’s rotation next year due to his size and strength.
- Gary Tanguay of CSNNE.com makes the case for why the Celtics‘ top – and only – target this summer should be Pelicans big man Anthony Davis, and why Danny Ainge should be willing to deal any pick and/or player to make it happen.
- The Raptors find themselves at a crossroads this summer, according to Bobby Marks of The Vertical, who breaks down many of the crucial personnel decisions facing the team, as well as the increasing “cost of being good.”
- Andrew Nicholson was a throw-in when the Nets sent Bojan Bogdanovic to Washington at the trade deadline earlier this year. Since Nicholson remains under contract for a few more seasons, Charles Maniego of Nets Daily explores whether Brooklyn can salvage some value out of the former first-round pick.
Chris Crouse contributed to this post.
I can’t think of a time I’ve ever agreed with Gary Tanguay, but finally some common sense comes out of his mouth. I know it will take a lot but Danny should do anything he can to get Anthony Davis in Beantown.
Exactly! The Brow is exactly what the Celtics need! Not another draft, and stash Guard.
Markelle Fultz is in no way a “draft and stash guard”
A Celtics offer for Davis has to start with the #1 pick this year and the Nets pick next year. Then you have to decide between Smart, Bradley and/or Crowder. I’d have to think New Orleans would give strong consideration if Boston offered the #1 pick this year, the Nets picks in ’18, Boston’s ’18 pick, Crowder, and Smart or Bradley.
From Boston’s side, despite giving up that much, you still have IT, Horford, Brown, Smart or Bradley, and potentially $ for Hayward.
I would be happy to drive Crowder to the airport! After watching his inconsistent play in the playoffs, I would be happy to see the Celtics upgrade the SF position.
I would think the Celts would have a better chance of getting Cousins from the Pelicans. Probably would have to give up less, too.
IT, Smart, crowder and 2 #1 picks for AD. Surround him with the right pieces and the decline of Lebron. The celtics will be contenders in the future.
If IT is included, then this years #1 isn’t included.
Guys like AD don’t get traded, but I posted a scenario recently that might make sense if they could get him.
I don’t think either team would do this, and i havent looked at the Celtics cap to see if it’s possible, but I’m curious to see what people might think. If they have a good idea they can sign Gordon Heyward if they make a big move, like almost guaranteed, I’m curious who’d say no first.
Crowder, Jaylen Brown, Tyler Zeller, Jordan Mickey, 2017 #1 pick, 2018 Nets pick, 2019 Celtics 1st round pick, 2017 Minnesota 2nd round pick for Anthony Davis and 2019 2nd round pick
The Celtics would obviously still have Nader, Yabusele, and Zizic coming over, and could use bird rights to keep Bradley and Smart if they want, and if they’re willing to pay luxury tax. They’d also still have their other draft picks. So obviously a win for them in that scenario.
If New Orleans can keep Jrue Holiday, they’d still be in better position than they were this year, even though they’d unfortunately have to move a potential all time great like Anthony Davis. This would be the best roster Demarcus Cousins would have had around him as well, so they should theoretically compete for the playoffs. Holliday, Moore, Crowder, Solomon Hill, Cousins with Frazier, Jaylen Brown, Markelle Fultz, Cunnigham, Diallo, Crawford, Cook, Asik. That also gives them some cap space when they cut Zeller plus the early 2nd round picks this year. And then they could hope to land Michael Porter in next year’s draft. All of the sudden, they look better than they have in a long time, assuming they can keep Holliday and Cousins in that scenario
Obviously, that’s a lot, but it’s not too much for an all time great, at his age, with 4 years left on his contract. As others mentioned, as did I, players like him don’t get traded. He’s a top 3-4 player in the NBA right now. The Celtics would still have a lot of assets, btw, as I outlined. I did say I don’t think either team would do it, but I personally think the Celtics would if they knew they were also getting Gordon Heyward 100%
Personally, especially since there is so much unknown for them to make a move like this, I’d probably just keep the assets if I’m the Celtics, for the most part, and either try to add a 4 or a 5 without using anything of much importance. Milsap would be a really good fit. There are other options as well. If anything crazy is available though, it definitely has to be a consideration
Don’t think Celtics would give up that much