| Paul Pierce Trade Checker Destinations Authored by Ryan Bennett - June 25, 2005 - 3:40 pm
In a Boston Globe article (25-06-05) by Shira Springer, Danny Ainge is quoted as saying, “Paul’s a terrific player and he’s 27 and he’s just reaching his prime. I think his next few years can be the best years of his career. So, if Paul were frustrated right now because we are a younger team, that would certainly be understandable to me.”
Sounds like trade talk to me. I find this pretty exciting, my favourite team possibly putting their franchise player on the trading block. It is inevitable that Pierce gets traded, especially after his prima donna playoff performance against the Pacers. Here are the offers that the Celtics are likely to get. This does not mean that this will be accepted; it is the opinion of this author and his trusty sidekick, RealGM’s trade checker. Lets get it underway! After each trade, I have rated the likelihood of the trade occurring, according to both team’s wishes.
Dallas
- Jerry Stackhouse, Jason Terry
- Pierce
Dallas are not going to give Boston the world for Paul Pierce, admittedly Pierce isn’t that big of an upgrade over Stackhouse (except for his defense and passing) and has some of the same mental errors as Terry. No draft picks from Dallas though, so Dallas might need to sweeten the deal by swapping Mark Blount with Devin Harris also. 7/10
Denver
- Nene, Voshon Lenard, Pick 22. (Absorb the rest of Pierce’s contract w/ cap space)
- Pierce
Nene is taking a while to develop (especially on defense and rebounding), but Boston could really use him as a low post scorer to team with Jefferson. The Celtics get an extra draft pick, and an expirer. This deal seems pretty weak though. Ainge would need to be high on Nene to do it. 6/10
Detroit
- Richard Hamilton, Carlos Arroyo
- Pierce
Detroit lost in game 7 of the NBA Finals, so I will undoubtedly gain some flak for this proposal. The rest of the Eastern Conference seems to be getting better and better, especially Indiana and Miami, they are both going to be much improved forces next year. Pierce is a large upgrade over Hamilton; he brings consistent offense, post up ability, better defense, and is an added rebounding presence. The Celtics get two young guards, which could probably start for them. The Pistons could push themselves over the top with this trade. Pierce is a definite go-to-guy for the Pistons. 8/10
Indiana
- Ron Artest, Jonathan Bender
- Pierce
A lot of Internet message board posters believe that this is a likely trade, that is the only reason I have suggested this. I personally don’t see it as that likely, because Pierce isn’t really an upgrade over Artest. The Pacers get a little improvement on offense, drop a little on defense and have to commit to Pierce’s contract for a year longer than what they would have to commit to Artest and Bender. 5/10
LA Clippers
- Corey Maggette, Chris Wilcox
- Pierce
This trade is one of the reoccurring trade themes across the Internet, and sports media in general. I like it for both teams, and it seems like one of the most likely homes for Pierce. Maggette is a younger version of Pierce, without the ball handling and passing abilities. He does however have the defensive potential to be Ron Artest. Wilcox is another young physical specimen for the Celtics. Pierce also goes home to LA in this scenario, a big boost for Clippers fans. Sterling would love to generate some buzz, and get some more fans in the seats. 9/10
Minnesota
- Sam Cassell, Michael Olowokandi, Pick 14
- Pierce
This is purely a trade to get some cap space. If the Celtics don’t bring back Antoine Walker, a trade like this could happen. Pierce would be a great sidekick for KG, but the Celtics get robbed. 4/10
Orlando
- Steve Francis, Pick 44
- Pierce
All-star for All-star. Orlando are trying to turn Francis into a shooting guard to pair with Jameer Nelson, an undersized backcourt. Pierce would be a great addition at shooting guard for the Magic. The question is: How welcome would Franchise be in Boston? 6/10
Portland
- Nick Van Exel, Pick 3
- Pierce
Chad Ford’s rumoured trade. I like this a lot for Boston because they need a point guard. They get the third pick, which should be Chris Paul. Van Exel would be waived no doubt, because he wouldn’t report anyway. Expect him to try and get on the Rockets if this trade goes through. Pierce is a good addition to Portland’s core, and I would expect a playoff birth with Pierce captaining the Portland ship. 8/10
Sacramento
- Peja Stoakovic, Corliss Williamson
- Pierce
A Sacramento trade seems to have been rumoured before the trade deadline this season past. Subtract Williamson for Bobby Jackson and you have the pre-rumoured trade. Jackson is a free agent and injury prone, so I don’t want to include him in any deal. With the post up option in Pierce gone, Williamson is a nice replacement for that job, and he can do it off the bench. 8/10
Seattle
- Ray Allen (Sign and trade)
- Pierce
I have heard rumours of this trade all last season, especially when Allen’s negotiations went sour. I don’t like this trade one bit for the Celtics. Allen is likely to get a 5-year deal at least. Pierce only has 3 years left on his deal, and I feel he brings more to the team than Allen. 3/10
Utah
- Mehmet Okur, Gordon Giricek, Pick 6
- Pierce
This is a pretty good deal for the Celtics. They get Raef LaFrentz version two, Mehmet Okur, and they get an outside shooter in Giricek. The 6th pick could be very valuable to the Celtics, and they could easily find a replacement for Pierce, especially if Granger is still on the board. Utah would be a serious threat in the West with Pierce on the wing, teaming with Boozer and Kirilenko. 8/10
Contact Ryan at: ryanwbennett@gmail.com |
