But like I said earlier the next move doesn't have as big an impact with the team as the first as picks and lower players have a bigger role in it. On ya Danny! 
One Move Away?
AingeDanny Ainge stated on the radio yesterday that he believes the recent trade was a “sideways move†in terms of talent and that he believes Wally Szczerbiack will be a better fit for Paul Pierce than Ricky Davis was. He went on to say that the deal prepares the roster for a future potential moves and he believes this team is only “one move away†from contending with the powers of the Eastern Conference. Does that sound like a man ready to rest on his laurels?
He went on to talk about the core guys and dropped hints that he was having conversations with other teams. It sounded like something could happen as early as the trade deadline or perhaps over the summer. Overall it sounds like he has an idea of what he’s looking to do and has teams willing to talk.
So what could it be? What is that “one move†that could put us back in contention? It sounds like something big and it sounds like Danny is willing to trade draft picks and younger players to get the job done. What he won’t do (by all accounts) is trade Paul Pierce. He has stated on many occasions that nobody is untouchable, but at least at this deadline it sounds like it would take a monumental deal to move Paul or the young core guys he loves. Included in that core group are Delonte West, Al Jefferson, and Kendrick Perkins. All three have shown enough promise this year to hint at greater things in the future.
Notably absent from that list is Gerald Green. Danny heaps praises on him, but never talks about him as a core guy. It would seem that if no good deal comes around, Danny would be content letting him develop over the next 2 to 3 years. However, he might decide that the team (especially Paul Pierce) would be better off getting a good return for him in a trade right now.
Ainge has other chips to offer in trades as well. Namely several first round draft picks over the next 3 years. He also has contracts that he can use to match salaries in a trade. On the low end, there are guys like Brian Scalabrine and Dan Dickau. On the high side, there is Raef LaFrentz’s huge contract. In a one-for-one deal, Danny can use Olowokandi’s $5.9M dollar expiring deal.
So what does that buy this team? Would Gerald Green, a pick or two, and matching salaries snag an all star to put next to Paul and Wally? That is the question that has Celtics fans buzzing this morning.
Fans are dreaming of big ticket names like Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, and rising star Chris Bosh. Personally I think any of those names would be a reach without including Paul Pierce. Even if that isn’t the case, the teams would have to be desperate for a change. Typically changes like that don’t often happen during the season without a Vince Carter type Operation Shutdown.
Still, there are some big ticket names on the market with decreased price tags. Guys like Steve Francis, Kenyon Martin, and Carlos Boozer all have struggled (to different degrees) on their new teams and those names turn people’s heads. You should also consider the next tier down, including players like Al Harrington, Nene, and Andre Miller.
Don’t forget about the “Danny guys†that have been in the league a few years and are just on the verge of breaking out. Ainge has watched the likes of Shaun Livingston, Robert Swift, and Travis Outlaw with great interest over the years.
On the other hand, it could be a player that we haven’t even heard in trade talks yet. I don’t recall hearing Wally’s name in trade banter (this year) until just before the trade went down.
One way or another, it doesn’t sound like Dealer Danny is done making moves. He is going to get criticism for treating this roster like a fantasy team. There is a lot to be said for letting young talent develop and creating a stable environment for the team to gel together. However, when that team is fit badly from the start, as it was early this year, then the only choice is to move the pieces around and make something better.
Celtics fans are ready to start competing again. We realize we are not there yet, and I think most understand that further changes are necessary. Lets just hope that Danny Ainge is right and that we really are “one move away.â€
One Move Away?
AingeDanny Ainge stated on the radio yesterday that he believes the recent trade was a “sideways move†in terms of talent and that he believes Wally Szczerbiack will be a better fit for Paul Pierce than Ricky Davis was. He went on to say that the deal prepares the roster for a future potential moves and he believes this team is only “one move away†from contending with the powers of the Eastern Conference. Does that sound like a man ready to rest on his laurels?
He went on to talk about the core guys and dropped hints that he was having conversations with other teams. It sounded like something could happen as early as the trade deadline or perhaps over the summer. Overall it sounds like he has an idea of what he’s looking to do and has teams willing to talk.
So what could it be? What is that “one move†that could put us back in contention? It sounds like something big and it sounds like Danny is willing to trade draft picks and younger players to get the job done. What he won’t do (by all accounts) is trade Paul Pierce. He has stated on many occasions that nobody is untouchable, but at least at this deadline it sounds like it would take a monumental deal to move Paul or the young core guys he loves. Included in that core group are Delonte West, Al Jefferson, and Kendrick Perkins. All three have shown enough promise this year to hint at greater things in the future.
Notably absent from that list is Gerald Green. Danny heaps praises on him, but never talks about him as a core guy. It would seem that if no good deal comes around, Danny would be content letting him develop over the next 2 to 3 years. However, he might decide that the team (especially Paul Pierce) would be better off getting a good return for him in a trade right now.
Ainge has other chips to offer in trades as well. Namely several first round draft picks over the next 3 years. He also has contracts that he can use to match salaries in a trade. On the low end, there are guys like Brian Scalabrine and Dan Dickau. On the high side, there is Raef LaFrentz’s huge contract. In a one-for-one deal, Danny can use Olowokandi’s $5.9M dollar expiring deal.
So what does that buy this team? Would Gerald Green, a pick or two, and matching salaries snag an all star to put next to Paul and Wally? That is the question that has Celtics fans buzzing this morning.
Fans are dreaming of big ticket names like Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, and rising star Chris Bosh. Personally I think any of those names would be a reach without including Paul Pierce. Even if that isn’t the case, the teams would have to be desperate for a change. Typically changes like that don’t often happen during the season without a Vince Carter type Operation Shutdown.
Still, there are some big ticket names on the market with decreased price tags. Guys like Steve Francis, Kenyon Martin, and Carlos Boozer all have struggled (to different degrees) on their new teams and those names turn people’s heads. You should also consider the next tier down, including players like Al Harrington, Nene, and Andre Miller.
Don’t forget about the “Danny guys†that have been in the league a few years and are just on the verge of breaking out. Ainge has watched the likes of Shaun Livingston, Robert Swift, and Travis Outlaw with great interest over the years.
On the other hand, it could be a player that we haven’t even heard in trade talks yet. I don’t recall hearing Wally’s name in trade banter (this year) until just before the trade went down.
One way or another, it doesn’t sound like Dealer Danny is done making moves. He is going to get criticism for treating this roster like a fantasy team. There is a lot to be said for letting young talent develop and creating a stable environment for the team to gel together. However, when that team is fit badly from the start, as it was early this year, then the only choice is to move the pieces around and make something better.
Celtics fans are ready to start competing again. We realize we are not there yet, and I think most understand that further changes are necessary. Lets just hope that Danny Ainge is right and that we really are “one move away.â€
