If the Grizzlies commit to rebuilding, the Celtics could wind up with a valuable trade asset, writes Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. The Celtics are owed a future first-round pick from Memphis that will have declining protections over the next three seasons.
The selection, which was acquired in a three-team deal in 2015 that also involved the Pelicans, is top-eight protected this season, top-six protected in 2020 and completely unprotected in 2021. Memphis got off to a 12-5 start this year, but is just 7-23 since November 21 and has fallen to sixth in our latest Reverse Standings.
A report out of Memphis this week indicates that the organization is listening to trade offers involving veteran stars Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. If the Grizzlies launch a youth movement, the Celtics could end up with an asset similar to the 2018 Nets pick that they sent to Cleveland as part of the Kyrie Irving deal. It could give Boston an edge in the pursuit of Anthony Davis or any other elite player who might become available.
There’s more out of Boston:
- Several of Irving’s former teammates in Cleveland talked to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com about whether he might go back on his verbal commitment to re-sign with the Celtics this summer and if he might consider teaming up with LeBron James again as a Laker. “Anything is possible,” said Tristan Thompson. “One day he could wake up and think about it. Just the possibility for y’all to think about it. There’s a method to the madness.” However, a league sources tells Vardon that an L.A. reunion is unlikely because Irving hasn’t changed in his desire to be “the man” wherever he plays.
- Jay King of The Athletic examines the Celtics’ options at the trade deadline and how they could be impacted by free agency. Marcus Morris will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, Al Horford and Aron Baynes both have player options and Terry Rozier and Daniel Theis will be restricted. King states that management may check into offers for Rozier and Theis, but believes they will keep both as insurance in case someone gets hurt during the playoffs.
- King also considers whether the Celtics might try to get underneath the luxury tax this season, considering the sizable payments looming in the future. With the team projected to be about $3MM over the tax line, that would mean sending out Rozier’s contract in a salary dump, which King doesn’t expect to happen.
- Marcus Smart was fined $35K for charging after the Hawks’ DeAndre’ Bembry in an altercation in Saturday’s game, the league office announced.
They could move Rozier for a 2020 or 2021 pick just to punt on the asset if they’re serious about making a run for Davis in the next year or two. I’d prefer to keep him and resign him, but if they make a real offer for Davis I’d trade Rozier Noel
Now
They could sign and trade rozier as part of an Anthony Davis deal. Rozier will be a restricted free agent…
That’s right I forgot he was restricted. That makes far more sense because it’s much easier to match salaries that way.
Imagine a starring 5 of Davis, Tatum, Hayward, Smart, Kyrie and the celtics have Morris, Ojeleye, Theis, Williams, enter an experienced cheap back up big, enter a second string ball hander, enter a combo guard, enter shooter, enter shooter
And that is with a sign and trade involving Rozier, Horford’s option is exercised, Brown, and draft picks for Davis.
If Boston thought Kyrie would go back on his word they would trade him for Anthony Davis. Kyrie and Anthony are close friends, they want them playing together. Boston won’t trade anyone they consider the Pelicans would want in a trade. Since Rozier is restricted and Celts can match any offer, he could be included in an AD trade as a sign and trade player. Jayson Tatum is the reason they are favored.
Kyrie and Tatum are the only 2 players i don’t think the celtics would include for Davis
They have already said they would include Tatum to get Davis.
“They” didn’t say anything of the sort. That’d be tampering. Tatum, however, said he’d trade himself for AD. “They” did not
You can’t tamper with trades I don’t think
Yes, tampering with trades exists
I didn’t say that tampering doesn’t exist. I simply said that “they“ didn’t say what the original poster said that “They “sad. If “they” had said it, then the Celtics tampering would be all over the news and they would have been fine for it.
Might as well go to LA. That way he can give Khloe her money faster everytime he has a transgression.
You know what would help every professional sports salary cap? When xyz player gets fined or suspended without pay those numbers are eliminated from the cap space as well. If this is actually the case I apologize Iv worked far to many hours this week to research my statement before posting. Friends tell me am I right or wrong?
Never heard that rule, doubt it exists. It might actually reduce suspensions, by making them more complicated to execute– Neither owners nor the union would like it.
I disagree. The team should bear some responsibility, and therefore also bear some penalty, for their employees on-the-job behavior.