|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 13, 2016 15:08:13 GMT -5
First it was Okafor, then Cousins, then Griffin.
Today, its Russell Westbrook. And I can see the rationale why people would think we are an option to make a run at him.
Now that Durant left OKC, leaving them with absolutely nothing in return for this superstar, they must be sweating at the possibility of losing yet another superstar and getting nothing in return. I highly doubt OKC, minus Durant, will reach the conference finals this year, or anytime in the near future, which makes it very possible that Westbrook will look for greener pastures elsewhere.
OKC would want to rebuild, get draft picks and young players if they're losing Russ. Well, that's where we look appealing -- we've got tons of draft picks (high lottery picks at that), and we've got young players on bargain contracts to boot. Heck, we've even got serviceable veterans who are on good contracts as well.
No other team in the NBA can match, pound for pound, what we can offer -- ok, maybe Philly can.
So here we are, discussing the possibility of chasing after another star, and weighing the cost benefits to see if it makes sense.
For sure, we'd have to give up a LOT for Westbrook. We're talking about Brooklyn's draft picks most likely, even our own, as well as most of our core players and collection of young promising players. What we'll have left over will be sparse. Basically, we're banking on Westbrook and Horford, and maybe IT (if he's not sent in the trade package to OKC), and not much else, to lead us to the promised land.
What do y'all think?
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 13, 2016 15:21:47 GMT -5
I just don't think that Danny would give up a lot for a one year rental of Westbrook. He has said in the past that he wanted to test the FA market. I can see Westbrook wanting to go to a place like LA or NY with his love of the fashion world. The only way I see Danny trading for him would be if he would guarantee an extension.
Danny is building for the future, not just this season. The Celtics, even with Westbrook wouldn't win a championship this season. It's GSW and Cavs again with any other team being a longshot if either of those falters. So, unless the trade makes sense for years to come, I just don't buy it. Unless Danny can get RW without giving up much and with a promise to sign an extension, I don't see it happening.
Just wait for next off season and RW plus lots more will be free agents and the draft is going to be a good one. I'd rather some patience.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 13, 2016 20:18:47 GMT -5
I just wonder how much of these tidbits are legit?
Conflicting info are out there. One says that a trade for Westbrook is in place, and we are trying to settle on which players we will send back (the Brooklyn 2018, not the 2017, pick will go to OKC).
Then Steve Bulpett says there were conversations some time ago, but nothing recently. Nothing in the works, from the sound of it.
Ok, so I guess the truth lies somewhere in between?
|
|
|
|
Post by freshnthehouse on Jul 13, 2016 21:10:16 GMT -5
Out of the 3 big names mentioned lately, Westbrook is the one that I want. IMO he's the best of the three (and a top 5 player in the league right now), and since he's gonna be a free agent next year(and is almost certainly going to leave OKC), he'll come the cheapest. Sacto has Cousins locked up for a few years, so they have no reason not to trade him unless they get top dollar for him. It's a gamble to trade for a guy with only one year left on his deal, but Russ is worth it IMO. And I think we could get him without giving up the OKC picks. I'd offer IT4/Amir and 2 non-Brooklyn future 1st rounders. Throw in a 3rd if need be.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 13, 2016 21:37:47 GMT -5
Yeah, and I bet Russ is going to be traded this summer.
No way a team trades for him at the deadline for a 3 month rental.
Fresh, you think Russell can fit in with what Brad is building here? I know the corporate answer is, Brad is a coach who adjusts to the players he has.
|
|
|
|
Post by freshnthehouse on Jul 13, 2016 21:41:37 GMT -5
I think Brad is smart enough to adapt his style to an incredible talent like Russell. He'd take a page out of Pop's book. those early Spurs teams were big, slow, methodical and grinded out wins with rebounding and incredible defense. Those later Spurs teams played up tempo and shot the lights out. Pop new he had to change his style to match the talent on his team.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 14, 2016 4:36:20 GMT -5
I think Brad is smart enough to adapt his style to an incredible talent like Russell. He'd take a page out of Pop's book. those early Spurs teams were big, slow, methodical and grinded out wins with rebounding and incredible defense. Those later Spurs teams played up tempo and shot the lights out. Pop new he had to change his style to match the talent on his team. Touche'. In ways, Westbrook is like Tony Parker in his prime. Pop got Tony to harness his game and learn to pass the ball out when he had no play. Russ needs to make the same adjustment. He doesn't need to create something on every possession. What it boils doen to is, it is harder to land a superstar on your team than it is to find a system and players to complement that superstar player. |
|
|
|
Post by afceltic on Jul 14, 2016 5:40:17 GMT -5
Out of the 3 big names mentioned lately, Westbrook is the one that I want. IMO he's the best of the three (and a top 5 player in the league right now), and since he's gonna be a free agent next year(and is almost certainly going to leave OKC), he'll come the cheapest. Sacto has Cousins locked up for a few years, so they have no reason not to trade him unless they get top dollar for him. It's a gamble to trade for a guy with only one year left on his deal, but Russ is worth it IMO. And I think we could get him without giving up the OKC picks. I'd offer IT4/Amir and 2 non-Brooklyn future 1st rounders. Throw in a 3rd if need be. FYI Cousins is in the last year of his contract too. If Westbrook isn't willing to sign an extension of any kind, then I wouldn't trade for him unless we have to give little or nothing to get him and that would defeat the purpose of OKC trading him in the first place. I don't like trading IT for him because although I know it is a business, you have to show a little loyalty to the guy who has been recruiting his butt off. Not to mention he is supposedly one of our building blocks and if we make this trade and Westbrook goes to the Fakers like he is rumored to want to do, then what will Horford think after Westbrook leaves next year and all we have is him and nobody else? You see how fast our great situation can go downhill if we make a trade for Westbrook without the guarantee of an extension? IMO if I am Danny it is that simple, no extension, no trade. I am ok with winning 50+ games next year and making it to the second round while having the Nets two picks and enough cap space to sign two max contract free agents. Not to mention next year may be the only year of that team due to them not having enough cap space to sign everyone plus a team to put around them. Cleveland will be a year older and they aren't unbeatable but let them have the East for one more year. Then go after them by signing and drafting guys to make us contenders for the foreseeable future. |
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 14, 2016 11:18:26 GMT -5
I keep thinking that Danny has to be smart enough not to give up too much for a one year rental. As far as all the rumors out there, I always have the feeling that somebody just makes up something that he thinks sounds good and posts it and someone else picks it up and before you know it, it's an impending deal. I'll go with Bulpett saying that nothing is on the table. I think most of the rumors are about someone trying to get attention.
Personally I'd wait until next season. Keep our very affordable core together and keep the cap room and lottery pick and go for one of the MANY free agents that will be available then. We won't be contenders this season, but then again neither will anyone else. So, why not keep a very likeable team together, give the young guys another year experience. Weed out the ones who don't improve and go from there. This team will be fun to watch and should beat a lot of other teams and then see what happens. I think patience is the way to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 14, 2016 17:24:39 GMT -5
Even if we don't go after Westbrook, Cousins or Griffin, we still need to cut down our roster. There's still a very good chance we make a trade, maybe several smaller trades just to open up some wiggle room on our roster.
|
|
