Use It or Lose It - Clock ticking on Celtics' Disabled Player Exception

I think it's in Hayward's best interest that he does not return this season.

Also, no Celtic player is getting more than 32 minutes per game.
That means Brad Stevens is making sure the players will not get burned out when the playoffs start.

I don't think Hayward should return this season. It's not wise to risk his long-term viability for perceived short-term gains.



KJ

What if he's ready? What if the injury has healed? Then just play him, but keep an eye on it. PJ Brown never seemed to play more than 15 minutes and was a huge factor.

If he's cleared, he's cleared? He wants to be a part of the team. Worcester is a doctor? I know what you guys are saying, but broken bones heal and there should be enough time for that. I agree don't play him if there is a risk. I was too young, but all indications are that Willis Reed gave the Knicks a lift to win a title.

If you guys have medical info I don't, then I concede the point.

Phil Pressey wrote:What if he's ready? What if the injury has healed? Then just play him, but keep an eye on it. PJ Brown never seemed to play more than 15 minutes and was a huge factor.

If he's cleared, he's cleared? He wants to be a part of the team. Worcester is a doctor? I know what you guys are saying, but broken bones heal and there should be enough time for that. I agree don't play him if there is a risk. I was too young, but all indications are that Willis Reed gave the Knicks a lift to win a title.

If you guys have medical info I don't, then I concede the point.

We are half-way through the regular season and he just recently got his boot off. But he still has a noticeable limp. The injury itself has healed, but there is more to it than that. The rehabbing process is going to take months. Not only that but it's a lot to expect him to come in and produce after being inactive for so long.


KJ

k_j_88 wrote:

Phil Pressey wrote:What if he's ready? What if the injury has healed? Then just play him, but keep an eye on it. PJ Brown never seemed to play more than 15 minutes and was a huge factor.

If he's cleared, he's cleared? He wants to be a part of the team. Worcester is a doctor? I know what you guys are saying, but broken bones heal and there should be enough time for that. I agree don't play him if there is a risk. I was too young, but all indications are that Willis Reed gave the Knicks a lift to win a title.

If you guys have medical info I don't, then I concede the point.

We are half-way through the regular season and he just recently got his boot off. But he still has a noticeable limp. The injury itself has healed, but there is more to it than that. The rehabbing process is going to take months. Not only that but it's a lot to expect him to come in and produce after being inactive for so long.


KJ

He might hit a game winner. He'd be part of the bench mob. The playoffs don't start for another 3.5 months.

Yeah, don't do it if he could crumple up like Shaq did in just five minutes.

I'm just speculating on it similar to the Lakers' pick. There seems to be a chance both will pan out.

Okay, I see Gordon Hayward ruled out returning on November 1, but then on December 16, he said he's not ruling it out.

Gordon Hayward watches Celtics host Jazz, holds out hope for return this season

Dec 16, 2017
Chris Forsberg
ESPN Staff Writer

BOSTON -- Celtics forward Gordon Hayward visited TD Garden on Friday night to watch his former team play his current one, and he reaffirmed that a return this season is possible.

The Celtics will not bring back Hayward this season unless there are multiple medical opinions that he wont do damage - if we see him this year, it will be because he is medically ready.

As for the DPE - I agree with Clyde, that Danny will wait until players become available in February. There is no need to give up any draft picks or current roster players for a rental.

mrkleen09 wrote:The Celtics will not bring back Hayward this season unless there are multiple medical opinions that he wont do damage - if we see him this year, it will be because he is medically ready.

As for the DPE - I agree with Clyde, that Danny will wait until players become available in February.  There is no need to give up any draft picks or current roster players for a rental.

+1

Celts can give up a protected pick for a rental.

fierce wrote:Celts can give up a protected pick for a rental.

I do not see Boston giving up anything other than money.

I think the best course is to wait for the trading deadline where teams will be ready to move players. Many of those players will be free agents this summer and their respective teams may not be interested in resigning them. Some players are going to get cut.

The DPE should be used to acquire a player that will help Boston go deeper into the playoffs. Danny will be looking for a short term rental with maximum amenities. The player should be a guy who's contract expires this year. Giving up a protected pick for a rental is not a good idea IMHO. Why buy the cow when you get to drink the milk for free.

dboss

https://nesn.com/2018/01/nba-rumors-celtics-definitely-will-use-8-4m-disabled-player-exception/




NBA Rumors: Celtics Definitely Will Use $8.4M Disabled Player Exception 






by Ricky Doyle on Thu, Jan 4, 2018 at 5:40PM








Photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images 






Danny Ainge has an interesting chip in his pocket beyond the collection of draft picks the Boston Celtics still hold. 




The Celtics were granted an $8.4 million Disabled Player Exception by the NBA back in October after Gordon Hayward suffered a serious leg injury in Boston’s season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Basically, the Celtics can use the exception to sign, claim or trade for a player on the last year of his contract, so long as they have an open roster spot. 




Ainge has been in no rush to use the exception, which expires March 10, but that doesn’t mean the Celtics president of basketball operations has no intention of using it to bolster Boston’s roster at some point this season. In fact, Chris Mannix of Yahoo! Sports said Thursday on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher and Rich” that Boston undoubtedly will use the exception. 




“Based on my conversations with people in the front office, if they have to, they’re going to like find the best Boston rec league player and throw the $8 million exception at him to get somebody to take that money at the end of it,” Mannix said. “They’re going to get somebody with that exception.” 




One scenario for the Celtics is to wait and see which players are bought out of their contracts around the Feb. 8 trade deadline, at which point they’ll be available for Boston to sign. Some possibilities, according to Mannix: Lou Williams, Tyreke Evans, Nerlens Noel and Greg Monroe. 




Of course, a lot can change between now and then, meaning there’s no guarantee any of those candidates gets bought out. The Celtics even could swing a trade in the meantime. It sure sounds like the Celtics will add a piece somewhere down the road, though, and it’s important to note that using the exception wouldn’t preclude Hayward from returning this season if that eventually becomes an option. 




“Somebody’s going to come in and join that rotation,” Mannix said. “And when they do, I think they’re going to be given a boost against Cleveland.”



bob



.

not sure is this story was posted here , but would go in this thread for sure:


http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2017/12/30/sunhoop/XjpGbBoHMRONxkUIqv8c5M/story.html


Which players might be available to the Celtics?


By Gary WashburnGLOBE STAFF

DECEMBER 30, 2017

The Celtics are entering the new year with the best record in the Eastern Conference and a real opportunity to reach the NBA Finals.

That wasn’t expected after Gordon Hayward broke his tibia and dislocated his left ankle five minutes into the season-opening game.

Because of Hayward’s injury, which is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the season, the Celtics received an $8.4 million disabled player exception they could use to bolster the roster.

The disabled player exception is not just a salary slot that allows the Celtics to acquire any player they’d prefer. That slot can only be used on players with expiring contracts and it can’t be split, meaning the Celtics could not use the $8.4 million on two players.


They can, however, use it in a deal to acquire a player on an expiring deal. So what do the Celtics exactly need to help compete with the likes of the Cavaliers and Raptors? They need a shooter, and there are some players who could be on the market that should draw their attention in the coming weeks.


Lou Williams, Clippers — Williams can score in bunches off the bench. This is exactly what the Celtics need. Williams is averaging 20.8 points and shooting 40 percent from the 3-point line. Now, the Clippers would have to become sellers for the Celtics to have an opportunity, and they likely would ask for a first-round pick knowing how valuable Williams is. Williams, 31, is on an expiring deal at $7 million per season, so the Celtics have the salary slot to accommodate him without sacrificing a player.


Tyreke Evans, Grizzlies — Evans is having his best year since being named Rookie of the Year in 2010. He has been a prolific scorer for the Grizzlies, who are headed for the draft lottery and have little reason to hold onto the combo guard. There could be two ways of acquiring Evans — a trade, or hope Memphis buys out his contract. The Grizzlies are likely going to offer Evans to a contending team for a first-round pick in hopes of rebuilding their roster.


Nerlens Noel, Mavericks — The Everett native is recovering from thumb surgery but he’s an impending free agent with little future with the Mavericks. Dallas wants draft picks, so acquiring Noel would likely require a first-rounder because of his age (23) and defensive potential. Noel can be a difference-maker for the Celtics in the paint.


Greg Monroe, Suns — Monroe is an unrestricted free agent and is an above-average post player. Monroe may not play the up-tempo style the Celtics prefer, but he would give them a polished post scorer who would likely relish the opportunity to play for a title. Monroe chose to sign with the improving Bucks but they traded him to Phoenix to get Eric Bledsoe, leaving Monroe in a tough situation.


Jared Sullinger, China — This may be a bit far-fetched considering his departure from the Celtics, but Sullinger will be available after the Chinese Basketball Association season is over in March, and the Celtics do need rebounding. Sullinger had his contract rescinded by the Celtics in 2016 when they were pursuing Al Horford. Sullinger’s lone year in Toronto was filled with injuries and he was traded to Phoenix for P.J. Tucker and the Suns then waived him. Sullinger has been trying to get back into the league and accepted a Chinese offer to boost his marketability.

He is averaging 32.2 points and 17.3 rebounds for the Shenzhen Leopards. Of course, CBA numbers are often inflated but those are impressive nonetheless.


Marco Belinelli, Hawks — The Celtics need a shooter and Belinelli is one of the better perimeter shooters in the NBA. He was traded to Atlanta in the Dwight Howard deal and the rebuilding Hawks really have no use for a 31-year-old impending free agent. Belinelli likely wouldn’t be worth a first-round pick, but perhaps a pair of second-rounders. It would not be a major transaction, but acquiring a player who can stretch the floor with the second unit could help Boston in its quest to overcome Cleveland.

Of course, Ainge should use the DPE at some time this year, and I am sure that he will. Using the DPE is an advantage that is well earned after losing Hayward so early in the season.

The key for Ainge will be how much he has to give up for whatever player he decides to add with the DPE.
I think that he will wait till the very last second before the trade deadline, and might even wait for the buyouts to take place after the trade deadline. He has some very nice looking first round picks coming up in the next couple of drafts that I bet that he would like to keep. His own picks may be the least valuable of the six first round picks in the next three drafts, in fact.

Right now he does not have a glaring weakness as both Smart and Rozier are scoring well off the bench and the entire team is rebounding pretty well even though depth at the center spot could easily become an issue if an injury occurs.

Belinelli is my choice because right now Smart and Rozier are playing well.
No need for more guards.

Theis and Baynes are also playing well.
So Celts have enough bigs.

I think the most urgent need is an upgrade over Ojeleye.
Ojeleye will no doubt become a better player in the near future, but right now the Celts need another shooter for the playoffs.

If you bring in Belinelli or Lou Williams, do you stunt the growth of and the ability to resign players like Terry Rozier?

What what I have seen over the past couple of weeks - Terry is a much better player than Marco Belinelli, and his defense and athletic ability far surpasses Williams. I would rather see him get those shots.

I'm not certain there is any urgency on this one right now. We have 2 or 3 needs, but I'm not sure there is going to be much in the way of significant help available yet.

Playoffs usually translate into short(er) rotations. If Boston's looks something like Horford, Irving, Tatum, Brown, Baynes, Smart, Rozier and Morris, you might arguably want another shooter or a big. Maybe someone worthwhile becomes available closer to the trade deadline as teams make moves.

Speculating; I wonder if the Smart situation is what prompts some kind of a move rather than just filling Hayward's seat with the DPE. I don't know if there have been any kind of talks with him or his agent behind the scenes, but I doubt they want to let him slip away with little or nothing in return. He's become awfully valuable. Maybe the plan will be to just pay him.

NYCelt wrote:I'm not certain there is any urgency on this one right now. We have 2 or 3 needs, but I'm not sure there is going to be much in the way of significant help available yet.

Playoffs usually translate into short(er) rotations. If Boston's looks something like Horford, Irving, Tatum, Brown, Baynes, Smart, Rozier and Morris, you might arguably want another shooter or a big. Maybe someone worthwhile becomes available closer to the trade deadline as teams make moves.

Speculating; I wonder if the Smart situation is what prompts some kind of a move rather than just filling Hayward's seat with the DPE. I don't know if there have been any kind of talks with him or his agent behind the scenes, but I doubt they want to let him slip away with little or nothing in return. He's become awfully valuable. Maybe the plan will be to just pay him.

I agree there's no urgency. Morris is back. As you said, the C's just beat Houston and Cleveland, albeit they were home games.

Smart's contract is the elephant in the room, and to a lesser extent Baynes because he is also only signed for this year.

I am starting to think Marcus is going nowhere, but it's like the Lakers' pick. Who knows?

The unrestricted part of his contract begs the question: Is it better to let him possibly walk like Sully, Turner and Olynyk, trade him now or match all offers no matter what? I have come to the conclusion Smart is too valuable to let him go for nothing. He is also an integral part of the team. I think whatever he is offered, it'll be matched even if that means luxury tax. Maybe he'd be traded at a later point or Rozier if they keep making leaps, as long-term Danny might only be able to afford one of them. Kyrie will get the big money soon enough. Hopefully Ainge does a better job this time than what happened after winning it all in 2008.

Maybe whomever is the salary cap expert on the board can explain. I'm keeping an eye on Golden State to see how they navigate their own money issues. Brown and Tatum look like shoo-ins for all-star status by the time they will need new contracts.

All I can wrap my head around is that Marcus Smart is too valuable a player to let walk for nothing.

I am not sure how many needs there are. Another big would be nice, but Morris, Theis and Baynes might be enough. Yabs is definitely weak for the fifth big. The team is also set at positions 1-3, although yet again they are weak at the deep bench part with Ojeleye only serving an important but limited role. He seems to be a five minute defensive weapon to throw at all-stars.

All contenders like to get a boost. I agree with NYCelt that rotations are shortened for playoffs, but it never hurts to have just a little more depth. Then Brad wouldn't have to rely on Theis or Baynes if the matchups get awkward.

Okay- Smart, Rozier, Kyrie and Jaylen with Larkin as deep bench is good enough for guards. Tatum and Brown can handle the small forward role. It is position-less basketball now? I think with Tatum playing a lot at power forward and Brown at shooting guard, maybe the team could use another small forward and I think one more big. Or else we will be dependent on Ojeleye and Yabusele or running players into the ground.

I'm feeling optimistic. But if anyone in the rotation gets hurt, the team is just not that great anymore. So one or two more seasoned additions to the rotation while putting raw players on pause is what I want for a better playoff run.

Sully knows Brad's system. He does not look overweight. And his butt still rivals that of Kim Kardashian which is good for rebounding. Yeah Danny, make a move or two. With all the talk of previous players, it is getting nostalgic. It doesn't have to be Sully, but I miss the big lug. I wouldn't mind more recent highlights from China. He looked good late October/November 1st.

O'Quinn may be at the top of that list , even as we speak.

The Knicks know they need to do something at the trade deadline and prefer to move O’Quinn, who is expected to opt out of his contract at season’s end. Sources said a couple of playoff-bound teams have asked about O’Quinn as a rental. – via New York Post
Top Rumors, Trade, Kyle O'Quinn, New York Knicks

kdp59 wrote:O'Quinn may be at the top of that list , even as we speak.

The Knicks know they need to do something at the trade deadline and prefer to move O’Quinn, who is expected to opt out of his contract at season’s end. Sources said a couple of playoff-bound teams have asked about O’Quinn as a rental. – via New York Post
Top Rumors, Trade, Kyle O'Quinn, New York Knicks

If we could only have one, who would you take;

O'quinn or Marcus Morris?

they do different things.

O'Quinn is like another Baynes.

in fact IF Danny would get him, he likely would take minutes from Baynes and Theiss (maybe Semi).

rental player likely unless he really shows a lot and moves up higher than 9 or 10 in the rotation.

Likely rotation IF O'Quinn were brought in (Based on Minutes per game)

Irving (32 Min)
Horford (30)
Brown (30)
Tatum (30)
Smart (30)
Morris (24)
Rozier (20)
Baynes (18)
O'Quinn (16)
Semi/Larkin (10)

When healthy (being the relevant qualifier)

When healthy, Marcus Morris is a much more talented player than O'Quinn.

I like O'Quinn but if, indeed, that he would have to opt out of a contract, he could not be traded for with the DPE due to the rules of DPE use as he technically has two years left on his current contract.

It's not a written in stone given that Danny will use the DPE. It makes sense to use it but only if Danny finds a player that moves the needle.A lot of the names being mentioned don't really do that.

The current trend is that Theis is getting more minutes because he is producing. He has flattened his curve and he is getting rewarded with more minutes and responsibility. Horford, Baynes and Theis make for a solid big rotation The question mark has been the health of Morris. When he is healthy he can be a difference maker because he can flat out get his own shot in the iso game. There is a need for a fifth big. Bear has not played well enuf in very limited opportunity, to be trusted with that role I'm sorry to say.

The guard situation has definitely improved of late especially with improved offensive production from Smart and TRo. But I don't trust it yet. I think the overall improvement is still marginal. That may be all it takes to go to the next level but just as easily it may not.

More and more I'm thinking Danny will wait until after the trade deadline and will pick up someone who gets released. The only clear reason that I can come up with as to why Danny hasn't made a move yet is that he hasn't seen a deal to his liking. He was probably finished this summer until the possibility of acquiring Kyrie came along. He couldn't pass up that opportunity and made the most of it, IMO. He's not going to make a move just to avoid criticism for not making one or for not utilizing the DPE. Danny is one tuff minded hombre.

There are a few good options right now but there will be many more a month from now. Patience is a virtue that Danny can afford because he has done his due diligence in putting a solid roster together after decimating last season's EC regular season champion.

Make a move or not, Danny has positioned this team to compete once again for the ECF and an opportunity to mebbe win the last game of the year, the only game that really matters.

Patience is a virtue that Danny can afford because he has done his due diligence in putting a solid roster together after decimating last season's EC regular season champion.


I would agree with that 100%