The Celtics have a $28.5MM trade exception but in order to acquire an impact player, they’ll also likely have to part with draft picks, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe opines. Boston GM Danny Ainge has admitted he doesn’t feel the team as presently constituted is championship-caliber, and potential trade partners will demand multiple picks to part with a player that the Celtics covet.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- The Cavaliers are paying the price for injuries and other issues, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. They’re on a 10-game losing streak with Andre Drummond in limbo and three other frontcourt players — Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr. and Taurean Prince — out with injuries. Their reserve corps has been rendered ineffective. “Nobody is coming to bail us out. Nobody is coming to rescue us,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.
- Knicks executive Scott Perry has played an underrated role in building a more competitive team, Steve Popper of Newsday points out. He was instrumental in bringing in Julius Randle and some other veterans that have put them in playoff contention. The front office now has the assets to make a major deal, Popper adds.
- It’s possible that Otto Porter Jr. (back) and Lauri Markkanen (right shoulder sprain) could return from their injuries prior to the All-Star break, but Bulls coach Billy Donovan doesn’t sound overly optimistic, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. “I think as this week unfolds and we get closer to the All-Star break, we’ll certainly have to look at OP because he hasn’t been able to do a lot of cardio stuff,’’ Donovan said. “I don’t know if either of those guys will be back before the All-Star Break or not. … I’d imagine both of those guys have been really, really diligent about working out and trying to take care of themselves, and doing what they can to keep their conditioning up.’’
No kidding the Celtics will have to part with draft picks to acquire players they want with their TPE… its not an asset that you trade that has all that much value. I mean sure I suppose the other team gets the benefit of saving the $ on whoever they send out… and could also possibly create their own TPE depending on the situation… but it shouldn’t really be “news” that the Celtics would also have to offer a legitimate asset (draft picks etc.) to acquire a good player… I feel like that was a given.
I don’t see why people go crazy when people say they have to add draft picks if your a team that’s always in contention then those picks are late in the first round so not a real lose especially with Danny’s draft history
Horford or Aldridge shouldn’t take much. They fit in TE
Agree. Probably would just cost a Romeo Langford or someone like that.
Yeah, they have used up all of those extra 1sts they had, now just an assortment of 2nds remaining
They still have all of their own firsts as well
You can’t add players or multiple TPE in trades for a player
In other words they can add all their TPE’s together in one trade
They also can’t add a player with tpe trade to make it so salary match the most they can do is add Draft picks no players
“Nobody is coming to bail us out. Nobody is coming to rescue us,”
There COULD be someone if you would just play Drummond. It is ridiculous that these guys are being held out waiting for trades that may or may not ever happen. Or they could hurry up and trade Drummond and the people in return could help rescue them.
Holding out players to trade them is just a disguise for tanking. Cavs are 3rd Pick as it stands rn. Houston 4th. Houston’s pick is Top-4 protected.
The Rockets aren’t tanking. In their 18 losses this season they were missing a total of 43 of their rotation players in those games. Namely Christian Wood (in 9 of their losses), John Wall (in 7 losses), Danuel House (in 7 losses), Oladipo (in 6 losses), and Eric Gordon (in 5 losses).
Yes, that’s the rotation of a serious contender right there…
It’s a rotation of guys with history of missing gms. So really what do you expect. Nothing wrong with being in lottery this yr.
Ainge needs to stop hoarding draft picks. The C’s don’t have room for any more rookies anyway. Need a veteran big man that’s going to put them over the edge
Whats wrong with Williams/Theiss?
Wish my team had even half of what Boston has
Theis is not good. Robert Williams is probably better but Stevens for some reason always has to play a mediocre vet over a young guy.
Theis is actually a pretty good player. Problem with him is size.. Same with Williams.. they are both 6’8″ 245/250ish… They do well until they run into someone much bigger, like a Jokic or Embiid. Theis and Williams just can’t bang in the paint. But both of them, specially Theis, are great at setting screens, protecting the paint (Williams is special at this) and passing… Heck Theis is hitting something like 38% from deep.
Boston’s issues this year are due to long defensive lapses, stretches of “hero ball”(no ball movement) and an inexperienced bench/lack of depth.
Nailed it CF78
How could the team with the greatest collection of draft picks over past decade have a bad bench?
I think those days are over. Believe all those picks have conveyed by now no?
How effective Boston has been with then I a separate question…
Especially with Ainge’s history of drafting. He sucks unless its the top 10.
Danny Drafted Terry Rozier after 10. Robert Williams has earned his sport. He is top 10 in drafting. Fab Melo and JJJ were busts but second round Picks Moore and Nader are still around. Bradley and KO have had good cares. Romeo has shown flashes when not hurt. Nesmith and Pritchard have played well.
Thank you. People get a song stuck in their head and don’t let it go. Celtics have such a rich history of winning (albeit somewhat ancient history at this point…) that every season without a title is a disappointment. And yes, it’s good to hold your team accountable. But expecting a team to draft a superstar every year is not realistic if not impossible. What team is picking perfectly every single year? It’s a tired argument. And I’m tired of it!
If Drummond goes to the Nets. If no Trade is found. The Celtics unless they get A top 10 player will not beat them in the ECF. Celtics need to let the rooks last years 3 and Willams Mature. I see Philly making a move too. Hopefully Kemba will be Kemba again unless that happens the Celtics have his salary as baggage. We shall see.
Kind of optimistic assuming the Celtics will make the ECF. They may not make it out of the first round if they don’t make some moves.
Possibly Early yet the Celtics will gel. Walker will rebound
Can’t wait to have Otto Porter back out there mailing it in every night…
Porter has looked good this year when on the court, which, as usual, has been less than half of the games. He is a good player with poor conditioning.
I think missing Walker is biggest adjustment for Celtics. He’s part of that core. Yes they could use a rim protector. But Theis, Williams, Thompson, Tacko can do it by committee. Walker has to consistently play for them to be at their best. With Walker playing well and consistently. Their depth now looks better. And they are true contenders.
Jeff Green was signed by Celtics and was suppose to be a star there. Health issues got in the way of that. He had serious ailment. Well, this is feel good story about it. He’s playing well as a rotation guy now.
link to nypost.com
Re the Boston CELTICS…I have been a fan since 1949… I believe the Celtics should bring back Isiah Thomas…low cost, potential high reward to back up Walker, trade Thompson and Teague and reunite with Horford. Win/Win potential very high!
Horford is a great mix with those guys. People just seem to forget that. He might be overpaid. But he fits this team like a glove, a real big.