Ford Rumor: Likely keeping the pick/Pierce to be shopped?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Celtics fans, there are some rocky weeks ahead.I spoke with the Celtics' Danny Ainge on Thursday in the wake of agent Andy Miller's statement that Kevin Garnett doesn't want to play in Boston. Ainge said that a trade was never close anyway and that at this point it looks likely that the team will keep the No. 5 pick.For Celtics fans who were hoping the team would move from being in the lottery to contender status, that's not great news.I think Boston's selection in the draft will probably say a lot about the future of the franchise. If they take an upside guy like Yi Jianlian or Corey Brewer, I think there's a good chance the Celtics will turn their focus to trading Paul Pierce. <u>If Ainge selects Jeff Green, the most NBA-ready of the guys on Boston's wish list, that could be a sign that the Celtics will try to work the rookie into the lineup next year and find another veteran or two to help them compete.</u></div>ESPN Insider

 

I think the Celtics should keep all their players on the block except for Rondo. This just opens up everything for them because well, they should be open to nearly anything. Its not like Paul Pierce took a vow of loyalty to this team and I dont think he would mind a trade.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RaptorFan#1 @ Jun 22 2007, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think the Celtics should keep all their players on the block except for Rondo. This just opens up everything for them because well, they should be open to nearly anything. Its not like Paul Pierce took a vow of loyalty to this team and I dont think he would mind a trade.</div>Eh I dunno about that man. Jefferson is a keeper. It's tough to ever find a guy who can score in the low post like him. Rondo is kind of a keeper. Just because we haven't had a PG that stayed here for 2 years honestly that could actually be potentially a top 10-15 PG in the future.I would trade Rondo if the right deal came along and we could grab a good veteran PG that can lead the team.Honestly, I know this may sound kind of dumb but unless we're getting Greg Oden or Lebron James I don't wanna trade Jefferson. He's too valuable to this team's future.And Pierce did kind of make a vow of loyalty to the team when he signed that big extension last summer. It was more of a vow by Ainge to make the team contenders though. Pierce being traded is the worst case scenario here in Boston.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Jun 22 2007, 09:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Eh I dunno about that man. Jefferson is a keeper. It's tough to ever find a guy who can score in the low post like him. Rondo is kind of a keeper. Just because we haven't had a PG that stayed here for 2 years honestly that could actually be potentially a top 10-15 PG in the future.I would trade Rondo if the right deal came along and we could grab a good veteran PG that can lead the team.Honestly, I know this may sound kind of dumb but unless we're getting Greg Oden or Lebron James I don't wanna trade Jefferson. He's too valuable to this team's future.And Pierce did kind of make a vow of loyalty to the team when he signed that big extension last summer. It was more of a vow by Ainge to make the team contenders though. Pierce being traded is the worst case scenario here in Boston.</div>I agree that if you get a good player and keep Jefferson, thats a plus. Jeffersons a big man, theres less of him than Pierce. But Ainge might build in the other direction and keep Pierce. Eithier way, it seems that for you guys to trade your core of Rondo, Pierce, and Jefferson, seems very slim if you want a serious player like KG, Gasol, Bryant, or whatever. If I were Ainge, I wouldve hit the free agent markey immediately as well too, because your going to get a quality player in the draft, but your still missing a couple players in the rotation. I think Boston fans should be optimistic this upcoming offseason because your trade possibilities are endless.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RaptorFan#1 @ Jun 22 2007, 10:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I agree that if you get a good player and keep Jefferson, thats a plus. Jeffersons a big man, theres less of him than Pierce. But Ainge might build in the other direction and keep Pierce. Eithier way, it seems that for you guys to trade your core of Rondo, Pierce, and Jefferson, seems very slim if you want a serious player like KG, Gasol, Bryant, or whatever. If I were Ainge, I wouldve hit the free agent markey immediately as well too, because your going to get a quality player in the draft, but your still missing a couple players in the rotation. I think Boston fans should be optimistic this upcoming offseason because your trade possibilities are endless.</div>That's the thing though. We blow. No free agents want to come here, not even half decent ones. We need to build through the draft and that's what we have been doing. I just don't want us to make a trade to make a trade though. We need to make the right trade(s). Personally I'm fine with not getting a Garnett, Kobe, O'Neal or Gasol. I'm fine with trading the picks for a nice young up and coming star and grabbing some decent veteran role players. Then build around Rondo as your PG/Al as your big man and Pierce as your franchise player. Then groom Jefferson to take over as the man when Pierce can't carry the load anymore.

 

If this is the case passing on Roy will huuuuuuuurt! He would have been the perfect replacement for Pierce.

 

Draft Yi or Green. Trade some wings to open up playing time for Gerald.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (High54Life @ Jun 22 2007, 07:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Trade some wings to open up playing time for Gerald.</div>Like who? I don't think Green should get much more than 20-25 mpg this coming season.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DRob-50-Forever @ Jun 22 2007, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Like who? I don't think Green should get much more than 20-25 mpg this coming season.</div>Don't talk to him about Gerald. He wants to have the guy's children. This team isn't that far away from competing. Sure they'll probably stink next year and be a little over 500 best case scenario, but once Rivers and Ainge get fired and somebody who can actually coach is brought in this team could go far.

 

Like I said back around lottery time, if we can't get Paul Pierce serious help (and no, I don't mean a Chucky Atkins and a Jamaal Magloire, I mean a veteran All-Star), then he needs to go and we need to move on. If we can't get a veteran All-Star this summer, which looks like we won't at this point, then we need to deal Paul and rebuild. Honestly, I don't think it would be a bad idea to at least shop Pierce within the next week just to see what teams are willing to give up for him (obviously if we end up dealing Pierce, now would be a good time to do it considering the depth in this draft).

However, even with that said, I'll say this... If Danny Ainge says he's likely going to keep the pick, that doesn't mean we're going to. I still think there is a 50% change we trade down, up, or out. If we can't get ourselves a star by/on draft night, then I'd like to see if we could trade up and get Horford.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DRob-50-Forever @ Jun 22 2007, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Like who? I don't think Green should get much more than 20-25 mpg this coming season.</div>20-25 mpg is too little for such a great talent.

 

I know trading Paul if we're going long term development is smart on one hand, but you need a verteran precense on the team to lead and show the young players how to carry themselves, go hard in practice effectively and win on the court. It will help the development of the team to move along faster.If we're just a young team, we become the Atlanta Hawks IMO.If Paul is going to have an issue with that (and it looks like he may) then what do you trade him for? Another veteran All-star? what's the point in that?veteran talent and draft picks?This team has tons of medicore talent with a few who have the potential to be more than they currently are (Al already haven taken that step) we don't need 2-3 pieces for Paul, we're deep enough. We need to upgrade the current talent IMO not aquire more of the same.basically this team still needs a leader. IE Paul Pierce.

 

They really do need to trade Pierce IMO. He's being wasted. He's a star player on a rebuilding team. Trade him away and get some solid youth players and picks. It's best for Pierce and best for the organization. Then you can rebuild around Jefferson, Green, and whoever is drafted.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GrizzFanTaylor @ Jun 22 2007, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They really do need to trade Pierce IMO. He's being wasted. He's a star player on a rebuilding team. Trade him away and get some solid youth players and picks. It's best for Pierce and best for the organization. Then you can rebuild around Jefferson, Green, and whoever is drafted.</div>You could easily say the same about Gasol.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Living_Legend33 @ Jun 22 2007, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You could easily say the same about Gasol.</div>
Hell, 6 months ago, Gasol said it himself. However, there is a difference. Pierce is pushing 30 while Gasol is still 26, Pierce has been here for almost 10 years while Gasol is going into his 7th. Gasol has a bigger window, Pierce's clock is ticking.

 

but doesn't anyone think having just young talent is a waste?youth without leadership will be wasted youth IMO.they'll develop bad habits, perhaps get used to the losing (like joining the clippers, Hawks or Bucks)there has to be someone there to show them how to be a professional. It's different in the NBA than college and you learn that with experience.a young team without veteran leadership is rudderless IMO.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticFan @ Jun 22 2007, 07:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>but doesn't anyone think having just young talent is a waste?

youth without leadership will be wasted youth IMO.
they'll develop bad habits, perhaps get used to the losing (like joining the clippers, Hawks or Bucks)

there has to be someone there to show them how to be a professional. It's different in the NBA than college and you learn that with experience.

a young team without veteran leadership is rudderless IMO.</div>
It's not like we mean you can't have any veterans. Having a leader on every team is a must, I agree with that. But I think we could go basically full-youth and still get ourselves a guy with some leadership qualities.

 

sure it's something to comtemplate, I'm just thinking it's gonna take us that much longer to see some success. It'd also be a way for Ainge to have more excuses for patience and keep his job too.The bobcats are going that route and it's long an painful.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticFan @ Jun 22 2007, 10:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>sure it's something to comtemplate, I'm just thinking it's gonna take us that much longer to see some success. It'd also be a way for Ainge to have more excuses for patience and keep his job too.

The bobcats are going that route and it's long an painful.</div>
The Bobcats are going into their 4th year of existence, that is so entirely different. That's obviously what you want to do when you are starting a new franchise, build young so you can have long-term success.

Answer this. What would you rather have happen:
<ul>[*]Danny Ainge makes a "panic move" and throws away our future for 2-3 years of a playoff team that won't win the title, just to make Pierce happy.[*]Deal Pierce and build long-term success, rather than just a couple years.[/list]

 

If they deal Pierce I guess Wally becomes the captain and veteran? Ha. But ya if they can't add an all-star without mortgagin the future I think it's time for Pierce to leave : ( I might cry if it happens but I made it through when Walker left. My only thing is if Pierce leaves it's gonna urk me every time I see Roy in a Portland uni. Hell Roy will probably be an all-start this year. All I know is Ainge better deal Theo for something goooooood or I'm gonna be pissed for 10+ years.