OFFICIAL AROUND THE NBA THREAD - June 2021

Bigger question about the Celtics trade to me is this: How do you make that deal when you don't even know who your coach is going to be?

Of course, Stevens apparently didn't want Walker and felt Ainge forced him on him. Now he's doing the same thing to whoever the next coach is, forcing a roster on him without input.

 

Moses Brown has a 4 year deal that is <2M guaranteed each year. Such a good deal and I can't believe Boston was able to sneak him into the deal. Don't understand why OKC was willing to move that deal.

Also Boston has multiple centers ahead of Brown in the pecking order, so he's purely a depth piece for them. I think he could be moved later, but he has some good trade value.

 

they extracted another first rounder, and will probably rehab Kemba's value to get another pick.

 

well, Stevens is in the unique position of coming directly from 8 years of NBA head coach experience. He knows current NBA players. He also spent 2 years coaching Walker and 3 years coaching Horford, so he's really familiar with the players being moved to and from the roster. Further, this trade appears to be more about managing the cap than the rotation, so a new coach wouldn't have much, if any, input on that

besides that, for all we know, he may already have agreement in principle with a new head coach and did consult him

 

I get what they’re trying to do, it’s just weird that Boston asked for Brown even though they have a glut of centers, and OKC was willing instead of trying to find some other asset. I think brown has the value of a late first at least, so it’s not necessarily just getting a first in value.

 

The Hunt brothers tried to corner the silver market in the 1980's. Looks kike Presti is trying to corner the draft pick market in the 2020's. I mean, what the actual fuck is he planning? I've been expecting him to start consolidating picks for a couple of years now but he keeps adding more

 

Plus Kemba wanted out of Boston probably another reason they traded him and definitely hurt there leverage that probably the reason they had give up a 1st.

 

On the clock to actually do something with the picks, otherwise it's going to end up like what happened with Boston and their glut of picks. No way they can cycle in 2-4 rookies each year.

 

Maybe they already know who they want as coach and behind the scenes they talk or they ask each candidate in there interview about situation who they thought about players on the team.

 

Maybe Stevens has other moves he going try to do.

 

All those picks for OKC look purdy, and maybe, just maybe, they hit paydirt with a few. But this ain't the 80's & 90's, when it was easier to get refined talent in the draft. Maybe Presti's biggest asset in having those five thousand picks, might be to trade multiple ones for actual proven talent. Because most of these drafts have been full of fool's gold.

 

I was chatting with a friend this morning who is a die-hard Celtics fan. He played college ball back in the day and is extremely knowledgeable. He has been complaining about their centers all year. Not sure that Brown will be too far down the depth chart.

Also has been bitching about Kemba all year long. He is extremely happy to get rid of his contract.

 

I think OKC is now the official Betty Ford of the NBA:

 

there is a feeling of diminishing returns with this many picks, tbh.

 

OKC should start scouting AAU Teams.

 

Dirk is going to pick the new coach basically. Good possibility Stotts is their guy if that’s the case.

 

Boston basically did what we might have to do with CJ to get out of that contract.

 

No. This is Presti's biggest asset.

 

Yeah, don't love this deal for either team ...

Boston - Sells extremely low on Kemba, gives up a near Lottery Pick, and adds ... more (?!) depth at center with Brown and Horford. I get wanting to get off of Walker's contract, but this feels very panick-y from the first-time GM, Brad Stevens.

OKC - As a stand alone, it makes sense. You take on extra salary (no one is signing in OKC right now anyhow) and receive a nice pick in return. The problem is, this isn't a stand alone trade and now OKC has, crazy to say this out loud, too many picks in the upcoming seasons. Also, if I'm SGA, I'm pissed. He's probably thinking, 'When are they going to get some damn talent on this team instead of more picks?' Not only do they have too many picks, but there's not enough roster space, or time on the court, to properly develop these players. Sooner or later you need to add in some vets to stabilize this youth movement.

 

OKC played decently with Horford. They benched him to tank.