Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 1, 2018 12:26:15 GMT -5
Ainge made a comment on Toucher and Rich (when asked about re-signing Marcus Smart) that everyone is replaceable. It wasn't a cold hearted statement, but rather the reality that even great players can be replaced if a younger talent is ready to fill his shoes.
That being said, I don't think Ainge is looking to replace certain key players on this team, unless the return is of equal value (and even then, I don't think he'll make a trade). On this very short list of players who I don't think Ainge will trade are:
Kyrie Irving
Gordon Hayward
Jayson Tatum
Ainge knows how hard it is to find scorers who can perform late in crunch time -- players who the industry terms, "closers". Kyrie is one of the best closers in the game today. We certainly could have used a closer in Game 7 against CLE. Kyrie is a championship caliber closer who Ainge knows this team needs.
Ainge loves Brad Stevens, and Brad Stevens loves Gordon Hayward. Trade Hayward, and you will have an unhappy Brad Stevens. I just don't see it happening.
Jayson Tatum is universally regarded as the next young stud. Ben Simmons can't shoot. Joel Embiid talks too much. Karl Anthony Towns doesn't play defense. Andrew Wiggins is soft. John Wall isn't clutch. Jayson Tatum is as complete a player as you will find, and he's only 20!
I think everyone else outside of these 3 is replaceable, though Jaylen Brown is making his case to be in the above list.
That being said, I don't think Ainge is looking to replace certain key players on this team, unless the return is of equal value (and even then, I don't think he'll make a trade). On this very short list of players who I don't think Ainge will trade are:
Kyrie Irving
Gordon Hayward
Jayson Tatum
Ainge knows how hard it is to find scorers who can perform late in crunch time -- players who the industry terms, "closers". Kyrie is one of the best closers in the game today. We certainly could have used a closer in Game 7 against CLE. Kyrie is a championship caliber closer who Ainge knows this team needs.
Ainge loves Brad Stevens, and Brad Stevens loves Gordon Hayward. Trade Hayward, and you will have an unhappy Brad Stevens. I just don't see it happening.
Jayson Tatum is universally regarded as the next young stud. Ben Simmons can't shoot. Joel Embiid talks too much. Karl Anthony Towns doesn't play defense. Andrew Wiggins is soft. John Wall isn't clutch. Jayson Tatum is as complete a player as you will find, and he's only 20!
I think everyone else outside of these 3 is replaceable, though Jaylen Brown is making his case to be in the above list.
