The Celtics have had a tumultuous start to their offseason, and fans can expect even more changes as the off-season progresses. But their options are limited, writes Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston, and making large changes require creativity and precision. President of basketball operations Brad Stevens, for his part, seems to agree.
“There are some things that we have to navigate from a financial perspective,” Stevens said. “With our limited ability to sign in free agency. We’re gonna have to be creative, we’re gonna have to continue to work, and we’re gonna have to continue to see what’s out there.”
Forsberg goes step-by-step through how the Celtics will likely approach their non-taxpayer mid-level exception, their trade exceptions, and the other tools they have available this offseason as they try to rebuild this team on the fly.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- Following rumors of the Warriors potentially using one or both of their picks along with James Wiseman to add win-now talent, Blake Murphy of The Athletic addresses the notion that the Raptors could move Pascal Siakam in such a deal. It wouldn’t be as simple as it seems, Murphy writes, both from a financial standpoint and from the Raptors’ end, as they would rather not pursue a deal that feels like it’s selling low on their All-NBA talent.
- With two years and $60MM left on his deal, the Cavaliers would surely rather trade Kevin Love than buy him out, but if no trade materializes and they do end up going the buyout rate, keep an eye on the Nets as a landing spot, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “I understand going into my 14th season that being that No. 1 guy, playing 35 minutes, getting 20 touches a game is probably in my rear view,” Love said after practicing with Team USA on Tuesday. “But how I can affect the team, and feeling how I’m feeling now, I know that I can do it at a very high level.”
- The Long Island Nets have named Adam Caporn their head coach, according to a team press release. Caporn comes to Brooklyn’s G League affiliate after seven seasons as head coach of Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, the country’s premier player development program. Caporn is also currently serving as an assistant coach for the Australian national team as they compete for a gold medal in Tokyo.
Everyone knew giving Love that deal was a clown move
It still happened, so not everyone knew.
Shows how bad Altman is as a GM
I truly don’t think that was Altman’s call. Most rookie GMs want to embrace a rebuild and start with a clean slate. I bet Gilbert wanted to keep Love, the last star from the championship team, and make him the face of the franchise and send a albeit deceitful message that the team would attempt to be competitive. He wants to sell tickets and they were devoid of a star at the time. Altman was saddled with an over 30 player in his declining years although he can still contribute when healthy. I just don’t think his personality lends himself to be a mentor.
Yes, Gilbert is probably to blame which is why Altman isnt fired yet
@hiflew LMAO! I guess you’re right!
In hindsight, sure. But if Cleveland didn’t give him that deal another team would have given him one comparable.
Summer of 18 Love was coming off a year where he averaged 17 and 9 on 41% from deep. And the assumption was, sans LeBron, Love would increase those numbers going back to a #1 option
Clearly that wasn’t how it worked out. But that’s the case with so many All-NBA guys who are extension eligible around 30. Someone is going to pay them. And then in 2-3 seasons (or sooner) the contract becomes garbage, because most guys are done by their early to mid 30’s.
It happened with Russell, with Blake, with Wall, it happened to Chris Paul before he revived his career, it may very well happen to Lillard as well.
Edit: Kemba, Horford, the list goes on…
Ytf would warriors trade wiseman for pascal saikam lol. These writers need to stop trying to be gm’s
Because Saikam, at this point in their perspective careers, is the better player and GSW is in win now mode?
Saikam is not going to be ready for the start of the season. His shoulder injury is a big concern. Warriors don’t need another injured player.
How can three people in a row misspell his name?
Autocorrect but my apologies spelling police
Yes, health is huge here. Wiggins has a massive amount of value because he never gets hurt and could probably play 40+ MPG if asked. If GSW is trading players, they gotta be 100% fully healthy.
That said I’d do Wiggins-Turner all day and that twitter buzz about Oubre+picks for LaVine is something I’m all-in on too. Kerr currently coaching LaVine in the Olympics….
These writers would make better GM’s than some of the posters here who act like they are.
The irony of you making that statement…
Someone clearly doesn’t know the meaning of irony. I am the main one here always correcting Sillivan and other wannabe GM’s about the salary cap, traded player exceptions, bird rights, etc. Go ahead and carry that pitchfork proudly if you must.
Dude just lives his Rockets, hes usually pretty reasonable 2ith his other posts.
English please. That mess of letters was just as bad as HardenRussMVPs takes on basketball.
I know there are plenty of Warrior fans who comment here. Who would they rather trade for – Siakam, Myles Turner, Simmons, another realistic option (no suggestions of Beal, etc)?
Trade the #7 or #14
for Thad Young and Markanen
Keep the other pick,
Curry, Klay and Green
are not going to play forever
How about Grant from Pistons for 7, 14 and Wiseman. Averaged over 22 points per game and 35 percent from 3 and plays defense on 1-4
Oubre SNT + picks for LaVine
Wiggins for Turner
Solves every problem and keeps Wiseman on board.
Siakam is a great fit with Warriors. Even if he’ll be out for awhile cause on injuries. If I’m Raptors I do it right away. Wiseman is next great big. You see Ayton , well Wiseman will be better. To me Barnes gives you same results, close to it. And much much cheaper.
Still see Warriors making major move on draft night.
You gotta love Kevin love, dude is making 30 millions a year just sitting on sideline, slapping the ball just to turn it over to opponent, huffing and puffing, complaining about depression!!
I understand why Sexton liked a tweet about his disastrous contract, I’d knock his ass out if I was his teammate!! Dude out of his prime and thinks he should play for contender! This ain’t 2016 scrub!
Are you taking about Kevin Love from the cavs?
Love can help plenty of teams. He should go back to Minny. End it there and get that team right. He can have same effect or close to it Chris had on Suns. Definitely make them a playoff team. And probably get him cheap too.
I was actually considering something like this. They would have to include Beasley for salary, so I think they would want a pick back.
My guess is they’ll be trying to showcase Love to start the year. Otherwise I don’t see anyone ponying up anything of value to pay him 30m per.
Bc I agree he can help a lot of teams. But most of them can’t absorb another 30m contract for what Love has left in the tank.
Kevin Love can have the same effect on a team as Chris Paul??? Lol no. Noooooo nOo NO noooo nooOo. not close.
No, Kevin Love could not have the same effect (or anything close) as Chris Paul has had on the Suns. Last year Chris Paul dragged an OKC team that everyone expected to tank to a 4th seed in the western conference playoffs. This year he has elevated and lead the Suns to the brink of a NBA championship. When has Love done anything remotely close to that? Never. If anything, Love has helped drag his teams down.
Love can certainly help some teams but as no more than a 3rd option with the other 2 being significant stars. It’s not quite a question of his ability as much as it is about his health and availability to stay on the floor. I think he can still give you 18/10 in his sleep.
Agree on 18/10. I think where teams will question his value is: How bad has he got defensively and can we actually play him in the playoffs bc of it?
That’s a hard thing to tell about a 30 something playing on a lottery team.
My guess is for that reason he prob ends up getting bought out.
Wiggins, Wiseman, 7th + 14th 1st rounders for Siakam. Sounds fair to both teams.
Dam someone really thinks the #2 player on a 25 win team is who shoots 25% from 3 is worth all that lol. Rockets didn’t get that for harden and he was a former mvp
I don’t see Golden State surrendering both picks plus Wiseman for Siakam
I think Wiseman, Wiggins and #7 is fair value for Siakam. Maybe Toronto also gets a future 1st rd pick swap. People tend to forget that Wiggins still holds negative value due to his contract which will negate some of the value of Wiseman and #7.
no it does not lmaooo
take Wiseman out or add in the 4 pick to GSW and maybe
There are not too many options for GS this offseason to become a contender.
When LeBron left Love was the best asset the Cavs had left. You can’t let your best asset walk for nothing. Your best hope is to give him a huge contract and hope a contender bites. The NBA not only has a salary cap they also have a minimum. You got to pay somebody.
I don’t think Cleveland is really gonna trade Collin Sexton. He’s their best player, he’s still very young & steadily improving. But if they really are interested in trading him along with obv being extremely interested in trading Love I’m sure the Hawks would be ok with giving up Gallinari, Kris Dunn, #20 pick plus a future 1st for Collin & KLove… Cleveland gets a guy who for the past 2,3yrs has been doing the same things Love does but better than Love & they get to pay him $10M less & he has 1 less yr (guaranteed) left on his contract than Love. They can go ahead & draft Suggs at #3 plus we give them an extra 1st this yr & another extra 1st in a couple yrs
Am I the only one who doesn’t think
siakam is worth James Wiseman straight up?
Yeah tbh Siakam’s value is in the dirt right now. I’d do Wiggins straight up up for him but otherwise, steer clear of the craptors, I’d rather do that Oubre+picks for LaVine and Wiggins for Turner.
He ain’t even worth that. I wouldn’t do more than Wiggins for him. At least Wiggins shoots 35% + from 3. Siakam’s numbers would take a drastic fall playing with warriors. He’d probably have the same production as Wiggins
Wonder if Love on the Celtics would be a good fit