Trade or No trade

If there is one thing that we have learned about DA it is that he will pull the trigger on a trade if he feels it will improve the team.

It is possible that he will do nothing after surveying the roster and the pros and cons of trading one or more players.

The argument for doing nothing assumes that enough players will be healthy come playoff time and with that in mind Boston would still put an experienced and very deep team on the floor. But that is a big if. It is unlikely that Jon will be a big contributor but perhaps we just need one or two good games out of him to support '18'. Boston is in a similar situation with Shaq. His presence on the court really gives Boston an edge upfront but he too is injured and no one can know what his status will be like when the playoffs begin. Semi has experienced some shoulder problems but he too is an important piece that could impact the rotation if the Oneals are sidelined.

And then we have what has become the biggest issue with the freak injury to Daniels. Who plays BU SF or who can we get to fill that void. I am of the opinion that we do not need to do anything about the BU small forward spot. Daniels has logged 19 MPG playing all 3 positions at times. That was because West was injured also we needed to use Daniels at the poiint and SG position from time to time. But he is a natural three and with the return of Delonte, the entire rotation will be impacted.

I read all the names of guys that may or maynot be expendable and there are a few palyers that could be moved.

Nat Robinson's name is on the list but his effectiveness will definitely be impacted by West coming back. We have all learned that Nat cannot run an offense and is a trick or treat shooter that has struggled all year from the field. He plays hard but he really has not been the offensive spark that was anticipated. However, West could bring a lot of stability to the backcourt and Nat is the one who would benefit the most. West makes Nat great but also expendable.

Avery Bradley, does not have the handle to play point guard. Therefore he has no future on the team so I would definitley move him if the opportunity was available. Harangoody is one of our blue collar workers that every team needs however he basically is in competition with baby for minutes. If DA plans on resigning Baby then Harangoody becomes expendable. Semi is a center that has a nice upside so there is no way I would move him. Wafer has been a big surprise. He is athletic, passes the ball, takes the shot and gets to the rim and by the way his defense is not half bad either. Basically I do not see any noticeable drop off with him getting Daniels' minutes.

But no sense in falling in love with any of these rotation players. If I had to make a move it would be for a big and not a SF becasue of the uncertainty of the Oneals. I am pretty much convinced that Wafer can give the team enough at the BU SF spot to stabilize the loss ofr Daniels.

I guess in few days we will see what DA decides to do.

dboss

Dboss,

It's a tough one. Would Danny go for loading the roster with six centers (including Davis, who is likely to play the position in crunch time regardless of anyone else they might get)? He'd almost certainly have to get rid of one of the existing ones in order to do so, and Semih is the most logical because of the two-year contracts of Shaq and JO.)

Unless they get a power forward in a trade involving Luke, I wouldn't trade Luke away. Someone has to fill the bench PF position if Davis is pressed into service as the starting center for any reason.

Nate is inconsistent (at best), whichever position he plays. So I believe the bench should include: West at PG, Wafer at SG, a new guy at SF, Davis at PF, and Shaq/Semih/JO (whoever can remain upright in any given game) at C, with Harangody bumping Davis up to bench center if the others are all injured. If Quis can come back, we'd be that much deeper at the wing positions.

I'd like to see Bradley released to make room for a SF who is bought out and signed for the vet minimum. A trade of Nate, Bradley and a #2 for a SF wouldn't bother me either, although I have no idea what team would be willing to trade for that combination.

It looks as though Danny will wait as long as he can to make any move, so they can get the best possible read on Marquis' situation. He might wait until after the trade deadline, which would limit the possibility pretty much to "renting" a bought out player.

Sam

Hi,
I think the situation with MD is clear: it's a gamble for DA and Doc. A few more days won't solve it. Hopefully they'll make the right choice. Also, there's a good possibility that they know already what to do with him.
As for VW, I'm concerned about the chemistry. If nobody added and MD doesn't come back he, VW, will be one of the main guys on the second unit which means he'll play a lot with DW. How will these two go along?
As for the 5 position, if DA makes a move for a big it'll be a clear indication that both O'Neals are done for this season.
Well, 4 more days...

AK

Sinus,

It wasn't just Delonte whom Wafer did not get along with. Word was that several of the veterans didn't take to him early in the season. Since that time, he seems to have been a very good soldier, making no waves, and playing the game both well and unselfishly at each end of the floor. Odds are that fences have been mended and Delonte and Wafer will continue in that vein while forming at least a workable relationship.

IF Danny is going for a big man (which I personally doubt), it'll almost certainly have to be by trade during the next four days. If he's going for a "3" (much more likely in my book), my guess is that it will be for a player who has been bought out; and that could come either before or after the trade deadline.

Always an exciting time of the season.

Sam