Re: Free Agency 2023

by **worcester** Wed Jul 05, 2023 1:40 pm

Rosalie...your idea is the only way I would want to trade for Dame now. I don't even want to lose 1st round picks. We can win as currently constructed. Why get greedy?

by **bobheckler** Wed Jul 05, 2023 1:56 pm

worcester wrote:Rosalie...your idea is the only way I would want to trade for Dame now. I don't even want to lose 1st round picks. We can win as currently constructed. Why get greedy?

worcester,

Bob

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by **worcester** Wed Jul 05, 2023 9:01 pm

Gordon Gecko was brilliantly portrayed by one of my favorite actors, Michael Douglas, but I think in the long term the Celts are better off without 55 game Dame. He is tremendous, but I doubt he'll hold up for a few more seasons.

by **RosalieTCeltics** Wed Jul 05, 2023 9:06 pm

Well, the shoe fell, Grant is gone to Dallas,

by **gyso** Thu Jul 06, 2023 10:20 pm

Boston bringing in Alize Johnson for a workout

https://www.celticsblog.com/2023/7/6/23786087/boston-celtics-bringing-in-alize-johnson-for-a-workout

If the 6’9” forward is able to find himself a roster spot with the Celtics, it would continue Boston’s trend of targeting size and length.

By JaredZero_NBA@JaredZero_NBA Jul 6, 2023, 4:53pm EDT

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com, the Boston Celtics are working out forward Alize Johnson this week.

The 27-year old vet has spent significant time in both the G-League and NBA. Last season, Johnson averaged 16.5 ppg, 14 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in 11 games for the Wisconsin Herd. While his 3-pt shot was an abysmal 28.6%, he logged 65.3% shooting from the field.

If the 6’9” forward is able to find himself a roster spot with the Celtics, it would continue Boston’s trend of targeting size and length. Johnson will be able to provide solid rebounding deeper into the bench, which is something the Celtics have struggled with in recent years.

The departure of Marcus Smart and Grant Williams leaves the Celtics without many, if any, high energy players. That is another area that Johnson can address on the Celtics’ bench, a high-energy player that can give the team a spark with his hustle plays.

Boston still has a handful of roster spots left to fill, while they try to navigate the new CBA in hopes of improving their roster with little to no wiggle room with the second apron looming.

by **bobheckler** Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:50 am

Dejounte Murray finalizing a 4 year deal to stay in Atlanta.

Bob

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by **bobheckler** Fri Jul 07, 2023 1:39 pm

Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
about 6 minutes ago
The @HoustonRockets had interest in reuniting with James Harden, but sources say new coach Ime Udoka stepped in and altered the club's course. Some pros and cons on Harden, but NBA execs see FA signee Fred VanVleet as better fit.

Bob

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by **bobheckler** Sun Jul 09, 2023 1:43 pm

MY NOTE: I don't know where else to put this, so this is as good a place as any...

https://heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/tacko-fall-summer-league-bucks/

With Tacko-Mania Summer League Behind Him, Ex-Celtic ‘Got to Keep Going’

By Steve Bulpett
Updated Jul 8, 2023 at 4:41pm

LAS VEGAS — Four years after there was a line around the Thomas & Mack Center concourse to get the autograph and snap a picture with undrafted free agent Tacko Fall, he’s still turning heads at the NBA‘s Summer League here.

Having spent two years with the Celtics and one with the Cavaliers amid his G-League stints, the 7-6 native of Senegal moved on to the Chinese Basketball Association last year. His desire for another shot at the NBA has landed him with Milwaukee’s entry. And while the chances he’ll stick with the club into the season appear remote (“There’s 29 other teams here that are watching,” said one source), Tacko is appreciative of the stage.

“I’m doing pretty good,” he told Heavy Sports. “This is a good opportunity for me to come and play.”

Tacko Fall Is Still 27

Though it’d likely be a little better if the officiating hopefuls working these games had more experience dealing with the size and speed of some of these players. Tacko wasn’t credited with a field goal attempt in the Bucks’ 92-85 Friday win over Denver, but that may be because he was called for a rather questionable travel after collecting a rebound and easily jamming it home. He finished with four points (4-for-6 from the free-throw line), six rebounds and an assist in 16 minutes.

There was no category on the stat sheet for resolve, but Fall maintains an ample supply when it comes to his basketball future. He wants to keep pursuing his hoop dream. Definitely.

“Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah,” he said. “When you know what you’re capable of, you’ve just got to keep going until you hit it, and that’s pretty much what I’m doing right now.”

Anyone who knows Tacko Fall or has even been around him a few minutes knows someone with is intellect and charisma will be making an impact long after he stops playing the game. But he’d rather keep his head in one place and not consider such possibilities at this time.

“Not right now,” he said. “I’m still 27 years old, so of course down the line I’ll think of those things, but right now I’m solely focusing on making it happen on the court.”

‘Boston Will Always Be My Home’

Between trips to G-League Maine, Fall got in 26 games for the Celtics over two seasons. It was more than enough for him to achieve cult hero status in Boston and beyond, but after a pair of two-way contracts, he signed a similar deal with Cleveland, where he got in 11 games in 2021-22 when he wasn’t with the Cavs’ G-League Charge.

With no great NBA job prospects this past season, Tacko trekked to China and averaged 13.8 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks a game for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

“It’s always a good experience for growth,” he said. “I think last year I took full advantage of it and I grew a lot, and that’s why I came back to try to showcase my growth this year.”

Tacko smiled when it was noted that a selection of Celtic fans still bring up his name whenever the club has a roster opening.

He and his family reside in Chicago now, “But,” he said, “I mean, Boston will always be my home, so I’m very grateful for that.”

Bob

.

by **RosalieTCeltics** Sun Jul 09, 2023 2:00 pm

I was always impressed by his intelligence and the way he just loved the game. He took it all in stride, and worked hard. I still feel there is a place for Tacko, but not on the basketball court. With the NBA's interest in expanding to Africa at some point, I feel you will see him as a representative of the NBA and land a position with the league working in some capacity. He was a good kid, wow, 27, time flies!!

by **bobheckler** Sun Jul 09, 2023 2:28 pm

Pop just signed a 5 year $80M contract. The man is 74 years old.

Somewhere Hubie Brown is knocking the dust off his spurs for one more rodeo.

Bob

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by **RosalieTCeltics** Sun Jul 09, 2023 2:35 pm

Everytime I look at Pop I think "this will be his last year, he looks old"!!! So much for me, what a contract, and really, when was the last time he won??? This is one big vote of confidence. Doc Rivers must be lacing up his sneakers and making his phone calls, although, he can take some time off, Philly still has to pay him. Don't know what he made, but rest assured, it was a good amount of money.

by **sinus007** Mon Jul 10, 2023 8:33 am

Hi,
John Wall in green?
"...Speaking of the Wiz, the Celtics might have their eye on a former point guard that called D.C. his home for the majority of his career. Per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, members of the front office attended a private workout for John Wall in Vegas on Sunday. Wall was seen sitting with the team at Game 4 against the 76ers back in May...."

AK

by **Ktron** Mon Jul 10, 2023 10:39 am

A Coach with Pop’s cache’ doesn't need or warrant a vote of confidence.

That would be an insult. 5 banners and he still hasn't lost his mind so there shouldn’t be any questions.

Pop should work as long as he can be effective and then it will be his decision. He earned it.

No. He hasn't won much lately but no team can continue to win without eventually having to rebuild.

Not even Red’s Celtics, the greatest team evah.
Eventually they had to start anew. It was coming. Red just quit while he was ahead.

by **bobheckler** Mon Jul 10, 2023 1:38 pm

https://us.yahoo.com/sports/nba-rumors-blazers-high-asking-160431891.html

NBA rumors: Blazers' high asking price for a Damian Lillard trade revealed

Nick Goss
Mon, July 10, 2023 at 9:25 AM PDT

Damian Lillard's future with the Portland Trail Blazers is going to dominate NBA storylines throughout the summer.

The superstar point guard requested a trade more than a week ago but no deal has been made yet. The Miami Heat reportedly are his preferred destination, but they don't have as many appealing trade assets as lots of other teams do.

What exactly are the Blazers looking to acquire in a Lillard trade? Quite a bit, as you might imagine.

Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian reported last Friday that the Blazers "are seeking in the neighborhood of four first-round picks and two quality players. But accomplishing that could require adding a third team to the equation."

There's really no incentive for the Heat to offer this kind of package if Lillard only has interest in playing for Miami. Why bid against yourself? So, the Blazers are going to have to accept a lesser package to send Lillard to the Heat or find another team interested in Lillard that is also confident he'll be fine playing there.

Lillard will soon turn 33 (July 15 is his birthday), so he's not exactly a young player. That said, he's still one of the best scorers in the league and should remain in that tier for a few more years. Lillard averaged a career-high 32.2 points over 58 games last season, which ranked third in the league. He has averaged 25.2 points per game in his career, along with 37.2 percent shooting from 3-point range. He has two years and around $93 million left on his contract.

Aside from the Heat, which other teams could be in the mix for Lillard?

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have been speculated as potential landing spots for Lillard. The Sixers reportedly aren't willing to include Tyrese Maxey in any deal, and it seems unlikely that the C's would dangle All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown. However, Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix told 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Toucher & Rich" show last week that there could be a way for the Celtics to acquire Lillard without giving up Brown.

"I think you can get Lillard without Jaylen Brown," Mannix said. "There’s a version of this story where Lillard could wind up in Boston and the Celtics wouldn’t have to give up Jaylen Brown. I mean, they’d have to give up basically everything else, whether it’s Robert Williams, Derrick White (and) every draft pick they’ve got over the next six years."

It's going to be an interesting summer for the Blazers. Lillard has been a great face of the franchise, so if a trade can be worked out with his preferred team (the Heat), that would be a nice way to say thanks for his contributions to Portland. But at the same time, the Blazers cannot afford to take a bad deal. This trade could make or break the Blazers' rebuild, and if one team offers a lot more than the Heat, Portland should strongly consider taking it, even if that makes Lillard unhappy.

Bob
MY NOTE: I love Dame, I really do, but that price is nucking futs. As the article says he's going to be 33 this Saturday. He's owed $45.6M this year and $48.8M next year (it's a Player Option and he's exercised it, so he's "in"). Last season he played 2107 minutes in 58 games. Both of those numbers are the 2nd lowest of his career. His lowest numbers were the previous year, 2021-2022, when he played only 1056 minutes in 29 games. Portland's just going to have to eat his salary, his disgruntlement and their mediocrity (at best) coming year.

.

by **RosalieTCeltics** Mon Jul 10, 2023 2:07 pm

My guess is that this will either be a long drawn out procedure, or, someone from out of the blue will offer what they want or close to it and bang, it is over. How does Riley feel about this demand??? Herro, Robinson and 4 first round picks??????? what is left of their team??? Greed is a wonderful thing, he made the big mistake of waiting too long to demand a trade

by **RosalieTCeltics** Mon Jul 10, 2023 2:07 pm

My guess is that this will either be a long drawn out procedure, or, someone from out of the blue will offer what they want or close to it and bang, it is over. How does Riley feel about this demand??? Herro, Robinson and 4 first round picks??????? what is left of their team??? Greed is a wonderful thing, he made the big mistake of waiting too long to demand a trade

by **gyso** Mon Jul 10, 2023 2:15 pm

Before we "traded" Grant, we could have added his $12M - $15M to Brogdon, plus change (Pritchard?) and traded for Dame. That would have been okay, seeing that Grant did end up leaving (sent packing? LOL) and we already tried to trade Malcolm.

I'd call the Blazers and offer Malcolm, Sham-penny, Pritchard and 5 2nd round picks, and then hang up.

by **gyso** Mon Jul 10, 2023 2:23 pm

John Wall at vet min?

Does he have anything to offer off the bench?

by **NYCelt** Mon Jul 10, 2023 2:42 pm

gyso wrote:Before we "traded" Grant, we could have added his $12M - $15M to Brogdon, plus change (Pritchard?) and traded for Dame. That would have been okay, seeing that Grant did end up leaving (sent packing? LOL) and we already tried to trade Malcolm.

I'd call the Blazers and offer Malcolm, Sham-penny, Pritchard and 5 2nd round picks, and then hang up.

The current-day equivalent of calling the corner store and asking if they have Prince Albert in a can?

by **Shamrock1000** Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:40 pm

RosalieTCeltics wrote:I was always impressed by his intelligence and the way he just loved the game. He took it all in stride, and worked hard. I still feel there is a place for Tacko, but not on the basketball court. With the NBA's interest in expanding to Africa at some point, I feel you will see him as a representative of the NBA and land a position with the league working in some capacity. He was a good kid, wow, 27, time flies!!

I like this idea - makes a lot of sense

by **Shamrock1000** Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:44 pm

bobheckler wrote:https://us.yahoo.com/sports/nba-rumors-blazers-high-asking-160431891.html

NBA rumors: Blazers' high asking price for a Damian Lillard trade revealed

Nick Goss
Mon, July 10, 2023 at 9:25 AM PDT

Damian Lillard's future with the Portland Trail Blazers is going to dominate NBA storylines throughout the summer.

The superstar point guard requested a trade more than a week ago but no deal has been made yet. The Miami Heat reportedly are his preferred destination, but they don't have as many appealing trade assets as lots of other teams do.

What exactly are the Blazers looking to acquire in a Lillard trade? Quite a bit, as you might imagine.

Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian reported last Friday that the Blazers "are seeking in the neighborhood of four first-round picks and two quality players. But accomplishing that could require adding a third team to the equation."

There's really no incentive for the Heat to offer this kind of package if Lillard only has interest in playing for Miami. Why bid against yourself? So, the Blazers are going to have to accept a lesser package to send Lillard to the Heat or find another team interested in Lillard that is also confident he'll be fine playing there.

Lillard will soon turn 33 (July 15 is his birthday), so he's not exactly a young player. That said, he's still one of the best scorers in the league and should remain in that tier for a few more years. Lillard averaged a career-high 32.2 points over 58 games last season, which ranked third in the league. He has averaged 25.2 points per game in his career, along with 37.2 percent shooting from 3-point range. He has two years and around $93 million left on his contract.

Aside from the Heat, which other teams could be in the mix for Lillard?

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have been speculated as potential landing spots for Lillard. The Sixers reportedly aren't willing to include Tyrese Maxey in any deal, and it seems unlikely that the C's would dangle All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown. However, Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix told 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Toucher & Rich" show last week that there could be a way for the Celtics to acquire Lillard without giving up Brown.

"I think you can get Lillard without Jaylen Brown," Mannix said. "There’s a version of this story where Lillard could wind up in Boston and the Celtics wouldn’t have to give up Jaylen Brown. I mean, they’d have to give up basically everything else, whether it’s Robert Williams, Derrick White (and) every draft pick they’ve got over the next six years."

It's going to be an interesting summer for the Blazers. Lillard has been a great face of the franchise, so if a trade can be worked out with his preferred team (the Heat), that would be a nice way to say thanks for his contributions to Portland. But at the same time, the Blazers cannot afford to take a bad deal. This trade could make or break the Blazers' rebuild, and if one team offers a lot more than the Heat, Portland should strongly consider taking it, even if that makes Lillard unhappy.

Bob
MY NOTE: I love Dame, I really do, but that price is nucking futs. As the article says he's going to be 33 this Saturday. He's owed $45.6M this year and $48.8M next year (it's a Player Option and he's exercised it, so he's "in"). Last season he played 2107 minutes in 58 games. Both of those numbers are the 2nd lowest of his career. His lowest numbers were the previous year, 2021-2022, when he played only 1056 minutes in 29 games. Portland's just going to have to eat his salary, his disgruntlement and their mediocrity (at best) coming year.

.

No on Dame. I don't see how he'd unlock the talent we already have. Teams that win Championships are crafted more carefully than just throwing stars together. Even the 2008 team - those 3 stars complemented each other and made each other better.

by **dboss** Mon Jul 10, 2023 8:59 pm

I think this is going to be a long protracted situation.

The Heat simply do not have the assets. Portland has no use for herro. Dame will have to expand his acceptable destination if he really wants out of Portland. His timing is bad. I hope Boston will never be on his good list.

I would not have a problem signing Wall to a one year deal as long as it does not push us past the 2nd apron. If the Celtics are not willing to spend to keep Grant why should they do it for a BU, BU injury prone PG.

by **worcester** Mon Jul 10, 2023 9:09 pm

"There's something about a man that doesn't
love a wall."

---Amherst College Professor and Poet Laureate Robert Frost

by **jrleftfoot** Mon Jul 10, 2023 10:00 pm

Dame aint coming and I don't care----to the tune of Jimmy Crack Corn

by **bobheckler** Mon Jul 10, 2023 11:50 pm

Isaiah "Beef" Stew(art) just signed a 4 year, $64M extension with Detroit, per Woj.

Bob

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