Bulpett: Danny Ainge probably not done wheeling and dealing

Bulpett: Danny Ainge probably not done wheeling and dealing

BOSTON HERALD

Steve Bulpett Saturday, July 08, 2017

LAS VEGAS — With yesterday’s trade of Avery Bradley to clear cap space for Gordon Hayward and loosen a logjam at shooting guard, the Celtics have pretty much set their roster.

Or have they?

“No, we’re not comfortable yet,” Danny Ainge told the Herald. “We do like our team, but we’re still going to search things out to see if we can find anything that makes us better this offseason.”

Having acquired Marcus Morris from Detroit for Bradley and a second-round draft pick, the Celts can now at least be more patient with their investigations. They don’t have to make another trade, but with desirable players under good contracts and future draft picks aplenty, Ainge can wait for the right deals to present themselves as he sees over the summer and even into the first few months of the regular season how much he can expect from Jaylen Brown and rookies Jayson Tatum, Ante Zizic and Guerschon Yabusele.

And it would appear that Jae Crowder will be around to provide muscle and leadership. After sources confirmed he was part of sign-and-trade talks with Utah for Hayward that went nowhere, he is going nowhere — barring, of course, an unrefusable offer. Crowder is under contract for the next three years at a total of nearly $22 million, which is bargain-type stuff in today’s market.

“Jae is a big part of what we’re doing,” said Ainge. “I mean, he was our best 3-point shooter last year, and he defends some of the top players in the league. Jae’s a very important player for us going forward.”

The key now will be seeing how the Celts can fit in the various possible combinations. The club would still not seem to have enough minutes for all those it would like to get onto the court, but the hope is that things will shake out early on for Brad Stevens.

“Brad is very much involved in all that we do,” said Ainge. “We talk all the time, so I think we know how we think it will all fit. But obviously you never know for sure. We’re trying to get a team that not only is a group of good players, but also a team that does fit.”

With so much of value in house, the Celtics are bound to be popular here at the largest of the NBA’s three summer leagues over the next several days. It wouldn’t be out of the question at all for the C’s to have the opportunity to make some tweaks to what they have, if not a more significant deal.

Ainge continues to acknowledge that rebounding is still an issue for his club, and he is interested to see if Zizic and/or Yabusele can develop quickly enough to have an impact in that area.

“They’re both young and from foreign countries and don’t even speak the language perfectly,” Ainge said, “but, yeah, I think they have a chance to add to our rebounding.

“But so do I think, Jaylen (Brown) and Jayson Tatum. I think both of those guys are outstanding rebounders. You know, everyone just assumes rebounding is you go get a center who can rebound and then all your problems are solved. That certainly can help, but a lot of times that creates problems on the other end, unless that guy is really, really skilled. Then you have Shaquille O’Neal or Wilt Chamberlain.

“I like what I saw in Jaylen the second half of last year, and I like what I see in Jayson Tatum. I like what I saw of Jayson even in college, how well he rebounds. Same with Jaylen.”

That the Celtics are looking for key contributions from a second-year player and a rookie is indication that a.) both can play, and b.) the C’s are still in developmental mode on a few fronts.

The trading of Bradley will also open the door wider for Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier, the latter of whom was a victim of the numbers last season. He figures to get a better shot now.

“I’m really impressed with Terry,” said Ainge. “He came in and worked out a couple of days in Boston, and he looked really, really good. He looked better than he even did in the playoffs for us. I think Terry has a very bright future. I’m very excited about him.”

Overall, it’s clear the Celtics don’t believe they’re where they need to be to compete exactly eye to eye with the league’s elite. Therefore, between now and next February’s trade deadline, their roster would have to be considered very much a fluid entity.

112288

Hardest thing to do - remain competitive while rebuilding at the same time. Danny has set this team up to be relevant for the next ten years. IF ( and I still say he won't go) LeBron leaves CLE after this year, we will be the clear cut favorites in the East, although WAS, TOR and MIL will all be good, too. PHI may be on the rise, but two of their FEDS have shown nothing except they know how to get hurt.
Eventually, something will happen in GSW. Kerr's health ( God forbid) may force them to bring in another coach....and how will he do?
One of those big personalities will clash with another, or Klay will want to leave.....something will happen within the next 3 years - my guess!!
And when it does, we will be ready to pounce!

dboss wrote:Morris, Crowder and Yabu will be our 4's but we still need more rim protection.  I expect the Celtics to add a vet at low dollars.  They previously had an interest in McGee.

dboss

dboss,

McGee suffers from ADD, something GSW fans in the bay area know, and probably isn't very useful for much more than 15mpg, 20 tops except for isolated games.  I'm happy with that, I'm just trying to establish that he isn't going to come in and give us 30mpg as a starter on a regular basis.  His mind drifts.  That might make him psychologically incompatible with Brad, who is very, very much zeroed in on each and every moment.


bob


.

dboss wrote:

bobheckler wrote:

dboss wrote:Morris, Crowder and Yabu will be our 4's but we still need more rim protection.  I expect the Celtics to add a vet at low dollars.  They previously had an interest in McGee.

dboss

dboss,

McGee suffers from ADD, something GSW fans in the bay area know, and probably isn't very useful for much more than 15mpg, 20 tops except for isolated games.  I'm happy with that, I'm just trying to establish that he isn't going to come in and give us 30mpg as a starter on a regular basis.  His mind drifts.  That might make him psychologically incompatible with Brad, who is very, very much zeroed in on each and every moment.


bob


.

half of America suffers from ADD

dboss,

Half of America doesn't have to maintain razor-edge focus every second of every minute for a couple of hours.


bob


.

red16russ11 wrote:Hardest thing to do - remain competitive while rebuilding at the same time.  Danny has set this team up to be relevant for the next ten years.    IF ( and I still say he won't go) LeBron leaves CLE after this year, we will be the clear cut favorites in the East, although WAS, TOR and MIL will all be good, too.  PHI may be on the rise, but two of their FEDS have shown nothing except they know how to get hurt.
Eventually, something will happen in GSW.  Kerr's health ( God forbid) may force them to bring in another coach....and how will he do?
One of those big personalities will clash with another, or Klay will want to leave.....something will happen within the next 3 years - my guess!!
And when it does, we will be ready to pounce!

When it comes to the other team super free agent market and trading for the elite big buck stars, we are now out of the running until Horfords contract comes off the books. Here's hoping that our recent past and future draft picks along with a re-up'd Thomas pan out - we are now in a wait and see stage - at least that is my opinion.

swish

The X factor is Rozier.

guess I'm the only one who sees a starting lineup of
Horford
Morris
Crowder
Hayward
Thomas

I don't care who you put at what positions (are there even any now).

That leaves
Smart
Jaylen
Rozier
Tatum

as our main bench.

will it be Zizic or someone else in the 10th spot, since Brad routinely goes 10 deep in a game?

dboss wrote:

bobheckler wrote:

dboss wrote:Morris, Crowder and Yabu will be our 4's but we still need more rim protection.  I expect the Celtics to add a vet at low dollars.  They previously had an interest in McGee.

dboss

dboss,

McGee suffers from ADD, something GSW fans in the bay area know, and probably isn't very useful for much more than 15mpg, 20 tops except for isolated games.  I'm happy with that, I'm just trying to establish that he isn't going to come in and give us 30mpg as a starter on a regular basis.  His mind drifts.  That might make him psychologically incompatible with Brad, who is very, very much zeroed in on each and every moment.


bob


.

half of America suffers from ADD

+1

And as a matter of fact, I'm sure one of our resident medical experts can step in and confirm that a great many high performing athletes have been diagnosed with ADD and/or ADHD.

Both are often present in athletes, and, interesting enough, top level professionals in a host of fields.

As someone once said; "you can look it up."

Even after adding Baynes yesterday, I do not think that our roster is completed for this next season.

I have a feeling that there is still at least one more big man joining us, and that Ainge is wearing out his phone trying to find one. Bringing back Zeller does not look to be what he wants to add even at a bargain basement price, and there are still some spots at the bottom of the roster that are not going to contribute to the big club this year.

Could be a trade like maybe Crowder and draft picks for Cauley-Stein, or a sign and trade for a guy like Dedmon using Williamson, Mickey and a draft pick(s). Who knows, but I think that there is at least one more move coming before training camp begins.

The idea of having all of the draft picks he has next year and also in 2019 is still a great way to further add to this year's team as he is not going to be able to get all of those draft picks into Cs uniforms next year just like he was unable to suit them all up last year or will be able to do so this year.

wideclyde wrote:Even after adding Baynes yesterday, I do not think that our roster is completed for this next season.

I have a feeling that there is still at least one more big man joining us, and that Ainge is wearing out his phone trying to find one.  Bringing back Zeller does not look to be what he wants to add even at a bargain basement price, and there are still some spots at the bottom of the roster that are not going to contribute to the big club this year.

Could be a trade like maybe Crowder and draft picks for Cauley-Stein, or a sign and trade for a guy like Dedmon using Williamson, Mickey and a draft pick(s). Who knows, but I think that there is at least one more move coming before training camp begins.

The idea of having all of the draft picks he has next year and also in 2019 is still a great way to further add to this year's team as he is not going to be able to get all of those draft picks into Cs uniforms next year just like he was unable to suit them all up last year or will be able to do so this year.

Wide,

I think you're right, and I would go as far as to say there has to be.

Regards

kdp59 wrote:guess I'm the only one who sees a starting lineup of
Horford
Morris
Crowder
Hayward
Thomas

I don't care who you put at what positions (are there even any now).

That leaves
Smart
Jaylen
Rozier
Tatum

as our main bench.

will it be Zizic or someone else in the 10th spot, since Brad routinely goes 10 deep in a game?

Not at all, kdp59. I think the starting lineup you suggest is very likely. Yabu and Semi might be in there somewhere though, and I wouldn`t be surprised to see Baynes play when big lineups are called for. I`ll miss Avery, but I think there may be more options this year. I expect Stevens to continue playing the matchups, so some guys will have inconsistent minutes . The guys that can handle that will play,which is why I wouldn`t be shocked to see them bring Gerald Green back.

When your flirting with the salary cap trading a high draft pick with its zero dollar value will not bring back matching salary of any significance - and unless you have a player with high dollar value, that you are willing to trade along with the draft pick, the chances of picking up a player of high value are quite remote.

swish

updated roster right now with my projected minutes for the year (barring injuries of course).

Horford- 2400
Morris-2200
Crowder-2200
Hayward-2400
Thomas-2400

Smart-1800
Jaylen- 1800
Tatum-1400
Rozier-1200
Baynes-1000

that leaves about 900 minutes or so divided  up among the  rest of the roster.

Zizic
Theis- did I read his contract was guaranteed?
Semi
Nader- Maybe?
Jackson- maybe?
Yabusele- maybe?

After signing Baynes and adding Morris I am not sure we need anymore big men at this point.

My guess is Morris will see less minutes than that. Quite possibly more of an Amir Johnson role and minutes, 20-25 mpg starting the first and third quarters.

KDP,

Your estimated minutes for Morris averages out to about 26 MPG which is less than he played last year in Detroit (32 MPG, I think).

I believe that he plays more than 26 MPG this season with the roster currently constructed as it is because I think that he will have to play some small ball center when Horford needs a rest.

It appears that the Cs are planning to do a lot more small ball than even last year with only three guys (Horford, Baynes and Morris) really able to play the center and power forward positions if they are not in small ball mode. Of course, Zizic could develop faster than some think, but right now he does not look good enough to be in the rotation. Even if Zizic comes on quickly he would only be the fourth big man on the roster.

Just my guess right now.

I doubt Morris plays much at center (if that's even a position anymore). Horford IS a small ball center to me.

Baynes and Zizic are old school type centers and should get all the minutes that Horford doesn't eat up...again IMO.

to me Morris, Tatum and Theis or Yabusele are what used to be called PF's...I think Brad has used the term "swings" in the past. out of those 4 Theis may be the best suited to fill in at the 5 if needed at some point.

as for Tatum, after watching him in summer league I see him as a proto type "swing" in Brads system. I can see him at 6-8 (maybe 6-9) and at 225 or so in a couple years. Morris is around 6-9, 230 I think.

who knows which players over perform and which may take steps back this year. But I wanted to point out that Danny could very well be done this off-season and we would be in fine shape overall for the roster.

Rmbone wrote:My guess is Morris will see less minutes than that. Quite possibly more of an Amir Johnson role and minutes, 20-25 mpg starting the first and third quarters.

My guess is that sounds about right.  

Depending on development of others, namely Tatum and possibly Brown, and role(s) Tatum is able to work into, I wouldn't be surprised to see those minutes for Morris decline through the season.