More on the possible Dickau signing

[DERRENMATTS]

Gabe Kahn, who is a local sports writer in the Boston area, who also helps out with Celticsblog, mentions that Bartlestein is in discussions with Ainge right now about a possible sign and trade with New Orleans to get PG Dan Dickau here for 2.5 million over 3 years. Also mentions that Dickau was in Boston yesterday to talk with Ainge and go through a physical.

Ok, so we're looking to do a sign and trade and possibly use part of our trade exemption. Now, we can't use the exemption in combination with a player to make the salaries work. But Bartlestein used creativity to get the Walker deal done, and I'm sure he can get creative with this trade too.

I believe we are going to have to relieve our crowded PG position. I'm leaning toward the idea that Bynum is headed to the NBDL, being that he's got the least value (though that may not be the case in the long run). If New Orlean is going to lose a PG, Im sure they'd want one back in return. He's not guaranteed a future spot on the team, so he's not untouchable. He could be a part of a trade if someone wants him, or if they need to add a small contract to make the salaries work.

Ainge likes tall PG's and has been looking for one since he came aboard. This leads me to think that he will not get rid of Orien Greene without giving him a chance to prove his worth.

I highly doubt Delonte is going to be traded in this deal.

That leaves Banks, who has been on Rivers' good and bad side, and who has been traded once before.

I wonder if we can package multiple players into the mix, including Blount, to get back Dickau and Jamaal Magloire?

[mev17]

I wouldn't mind Magloire at all. I'm a little surprised because if the contract is for $2.5 million, I thought we had enough of our MLE to resign him outright -- unless the trade, as you mention, becomes a multi-player trade to relieve a roster spot and unload a contract (Blount). Also, if we acquire Dickau technically via a trade, then it would still leave us with half the MLE if Ainge wanted to sign someone else.

I'm not sure New Orleans needs another PG, since they have drafted Paul and have Claxton, but a package of players may net Magloire. It will be interesting to see what the next couple of days brings.

[DERRENMATTS]

As of right now, Chris Paul and Speedy Claxton are their only 2 ball handlers. Most teams will not be content with just 2 on the roster because an injury to any one of them will be too taxing on their remaining PG.

And since we have 4 other young PG prospects, this should raise an eye brow on New Orleans behalf.

Also, since our roster is overcrowded, we need to get rid of some players. Cut the fat off and make us leaner.

[esco33]

From New Orleans side they may be content with the point guards they have. Instead of taking on more salary they can probably just sign an undrafted free agent to a one-year deal if they really want a third string point guard.

I think Chris Paul plays 30-35 minutes a game over there and challenges for ROY.

Although if any point guard will be sent to them, it is definitely Banks. (Traded last year for Payton) He is in the last year of his contract, I think, and we are definitely keeping West, so I agree Banks would probably be the one to go.

Magloire would be nice to get but I don't see that happening unless we give them back a decent package of players/picks. Rather give the young guys a bit more time to see if they can develop before giving up on them for Magloire. (Perkins namely) My point is we would have to give up a lot more than Perkins to acquire Magloire.

[BCHISTORIAN]

just checked no board at realgm. some celtics fan asked their fans (could you imagine they exist) about the pros and cons of dickau. basically they said that he's pretty inconsistant, liability on defense and kind of slow for a pg. on the other hand he leaves everything on the floor and is pretty clutch player.
basically everything we knew already or what?

[esco33]

I am in no way an expert on Dickau, but from what I do know about him, he seems to be starting material. He came on last year after B Davis was traded from NO, got the minutes and put up 13 and 5. I think on this squad, points go down, assists go up. He really had nobody to pass the ball to down there. He is a true point guard, can pass the ball, shoot, a team player, not selfish. Defensively, I am not sure, though I hear he is below average.

But I'll take a point guard who may play a little subpar defense on a team with other defensive stoppers, (Banks, Allen, Reed) but can run the break, play up-tempo basketball, and get other guys easy shots. Like I said in a previous post, if given the minutes he could probably average 9-10 points and 7 assists per game on our team. I don't think that is out of the question.

[DERRENMATTS]

Alright, so the deal is done (in principle). Dickau is going to be a Celtic and none of our PG's are going to New Orleans. This most likely means Orien and Bynum are NBDL bound. No use in just having them ride the pine.

Its funny how many people who have seen Dickau play say that he is slow. Coming out of college, I heard that he was a lightning quick guy--those comments are pretty contradictory.

[esco33]

Maybe he is quicker on O then he is on defense, and that is why they say he is slow. He has to have a decent amount of quickness when he has the ball and is creating on offense. I think the people that say he is slow probably mean that on the defensive end he is slower to stop opposing point guards, moving his feet, etc. We would not be getting him to stop opposing point guards anyway. We have guys who can do that. We would be getting him for what he could do for our offense.
So I can live with a little slowness on the defensive end if he helps make the offense run smoother.

[DERRENMATTS]

This leaves us with quite a loaded roster.

Pierce
Raef
Jefferson
Allen
Delonte
Banks
Dickau
Perkins
Blount
Scalabrine
Ricky
Gerald
Orien
Bynum
Gomes
Reed
*Woods
*Borchardt

That's 18 players, including Woods and Borchardt. I really don't think we can hold onto these players. Borchardt has an outside chance if Ainge wants to have depth at the post. But if not, Danny will need to do another trade just to get rid of these players (plus we have 3 exemptions that still need to be used, including one that is 5.5 mil. The other 2 are in the 1.5 - 2 mil range, I believe).

I think now, with Dickau signed, Bynum and Orien go to the NBDL, which would then loosen our roster size to 14, the max amount we can carry.

Anyone think another trade is to be expected to bring down the roster size a bit more? Blount is still on the team.

[esco33]

Well, if the deal does become official, we might still see Banks get moved, possibly with Blount to Memphis maybe? If we keep Banks, I agree, Greene and Bynum are headed to NBDL. Woods might be packaged in that trade to NO, possibly Borchardt, if not, Woods definitely cut. Not sure if they would cut Borchardt unless they really had no choice. He is a good project third-string center.

I thought we could have 15 on a roster though?

[eja117]

If I were the Hornets I'd want Delonte or possibly Banks. If I were the Celts I'd want to gove them Bynum. I think are top 2 pgs are about as good as Dickau give or take and i have a lot of hope for them, whereas i never was too impressed with Dickau.

[DERRENMATTS]

I guess we still have to see who Ainge gives New Orleans in the deal. We're assuming its going to be the exemption, or part of it, but it could turn out to be a player or two.

[BCHISTORIAN]

woods would be my guess...

[eja117]

I'd somewhat surprised if they give away Dickau for nothing like Woods. Maybe at least a 2nd rnder or two. I supose in a way he's worth a 1rst rounder sice that's what we got for Jiri

[DERRENMATTS]

Yeah, I"m hearing its going to be a draft pick or 2. Second rounders, perhaps. Ainge likes 1st rounders and I don't know if he'll give up a 1st rounder for a guy of Dickau's caliber. For Walker, a 1st seemed legit--but not for Dickau. I wouldn't mind giving them 2 second rounders, seeing how this year's draft may not be deep at all, with no player under 20 being allowed in it.