I think we can all agree that Danny Ainge is not done dealing this offseason, and he will probably be dealing soon, as his over $5 million trade exception will be expiring on the 12th of this month. What direction will Ainge be heading in? Will he be looking to clear cap space by dealing Blount and LaFrentz? Will he be looking to get older and wiser at the point guard position? Or will be looking to shore up the front court? Possibly trading for a young, talented center? All in all, we know the moves aren't done yet this season, so who comes next? Lastly, if you were in Ainge's shoes, where would you be taking the team before opening day?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">Where did you hear that that trade exception expires on the 12th? I thought it was good for a year.</div> Actually, I read about it on ESPN.com, I was hoping it wasn't true, but I figured they were a reputable source. Let me see if I can find the source again and I'll post it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The final calculations have been done, and the trade exception received by the Celtics from the Antoine Walker trade is $4,914,007, to which $100,000 can be added. What's the big deal? Assuming we're dealing with teams over the salary cap, until Aug. 2, 2006, the Celts will be able to take back a player (or players) with salary up to $5,014,007 without sending similar salaries in return. (For example, the Nets used a trade exception to get Shareef Abdur-Rahim from Portland for a first-round pick.) </div> http://celtics.bostonherald.com/celtics/vi...538&format=text It's good until August 2nd of next year, but that doesn't change the fact that more moves will be made. ______________________________________________ What direction will Ainge be heading in? - Next year you'll see even more minutes for the young guns. The focus for the year will be development. Will he be looking to clear cap space by dealing Blount and LaFrentz? - If possible, yes. Ainge is reportedly shopping a Blount/Banks package as we speak. Hopefully he can get something good in return. Will he be looking to get older and wiser at the point guard position? - That's another thing Danny's rumored to be looking for. I, personally, want to see West be our starting PG. I really like what I see in him. Or will be looking to shore up the front court? Possibly trading for a young, talented center? - Doubt it. We'll be looking, but we won't get anything decent unless we trade away something we don't want to lose (ie. Davis, Allen). All in all, we know the moves aren't done yet this season, so who comes next? - My guess is that a veteran PG will be brought in next. It's such an important position that Danny probably feels as if he has to bring in a vet just in case Delonte can't get it done.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post"> It's good until August 2nd of next year, but that doesn't change the fact that more moves will be made.</div> Thanks for the correction, I must have been reading about someone dealing last year's exception for someone this year. Appreciate that. While Danny may not be able to get anyone good up front, I think we can all agree, it would be a nice thing to have. I'm really quite tired of seeing guys who have no place logging minutes in this league starting for us year in and year out. I love Perk, and think he isn't done growing, but there's just no way he's a starter on this team, or any other. Blount's your other alternative, and I'm just beating a dead horse with that topic. I don't like to see Danny shopping Banks, but oh well, you have to do what you have to do, and Banks just can't seem to stop fouling or start shooting. Even after working with GP so much, he still can't grasp the most basic defensive sets or transitions. Angles seem to elude him in half court traps, too, and that's a scary sign for a player that's been playing at this level for this long. I just hope some lottery contender doesn't pick him up with delusions of grandeur, because he'll just be miserable until he leaves there too. Also, I want to correct myself on one of the things I said about Banks, I said he was destined for an NBDL stint, but unfortunately, only players up to their sophomore year in the league can do that, and he's already too old. Oh well.
