| Danny Not Done Dealing? Authored by Kevin Davidson - August 4, 2005 - 12:30 am
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First off, I will have to admit that I am one of the few that was completely outraged when Danny Ainge traded away Employee #8 for the second time in three years. I was and am one of Antoine Walker’s biggest supporters and wish him all the success and happiness in sunny Florida alongside the Diesel and Flash.
While the Miami Heat will be playing for an NBA title in 05-06, the Boston Celtics are currently in line for an NCAA championship. After this latest deal by Ainge, there is not a single player on the Celtics roster in his 30’s. The “crafty veterans” have only been around since the 98-99 season in the forms of Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce. Although I am not happy with what Danny Ainge has done, I will continue to support him. So with this in mind, where does Ainge go from here? With 16 players now under contract for 05-06, it seems that at least one more move is necessary. Several things could happen, but here is one opinion on what should...
Cut Raef LaFrentz - The Boston Celtics were given an early Christmas present when the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) implemented the “Allen Houston” rule. The rule, also referred to as the “amnesty clause” is a one-time exception that allows every team in the league to release one player. They have until Aug. 15 to do so, to avoid paying any further luxury tax on the player's contract. With LaFrentz’s mammoth contract, the financially strapped Celtics were unable to target any big-name free agents this off-season. With his bad knees and no “real” inside presence, LaFrentz should be sent packing, besides he’s way too old for the new look Celtics, turning 30 next May. Once released, LaFrentz becomes an unrestricted free agent and cannot resign with the Celtics again for the duration of his contract.
Trade Mark Blount - Was this guy ever that good. To me, this was a classic case of a “contract year” overproduction. Blount is a mediocre player at best, but can be efficient in the right system, clearly not Boston’s up tempo pace. He had one good year, coincidentally his contract year, and was rewarded with a huge contract and some security. Last season he was back to the Mark Blount we all know and love. He does rebound and is great around the basket, but we have much more young talent in that area that needs to develop. Also, he is officially the Celtics oldest member, turning 30 in late November. If Ainge wants the C’s to get younger and better, it may take moving Blount and others to get what he wants. Here are two possible trades that will make the C’s both younger and more talented without hurting our future:
SEATTLE:
Mark Blount, Marcus Banks, and future pick(s)
for
Vladimir Radmonovic and Luke Ridnour
This deal would have to be completed as a sign and trade with Seattle. The Celtics have shown considerable interest in signing Radmonovic as a free agent, but with this deal you can unload Blount’s contract and get back a big man who can rebound and score. In order to make it work the C’s would have to give up either Banks or West to fill Seattle’s hole at the point. Besides a future pick(s), Boston may also need to include their newly acquired trade exception from the Walker deal.
CHICAGO:
Mark Blount, Marcus Banks, and future pick(s)
for
Eddy Curry and Frank Williams
In my opinion, the much better option for the Celtics. Once again, there would need to be a sign and trade in order to get Curry, who is an unrestricted free agent. This deal gets the Celtics younger and instantly better. Although Curry had some health issues last season he is a rare commodity, a true 7 ft. center playing in the East. At only 22, he could team up with Big Al to form a formidable front line for many years to come. Once again either Banks or West could be included to make this deal go through, as well as the inclusion of draft picks and trade exceptions. The only sticking point is whether the Bulls feel they can re-sign both Curry and Tyson Chandler, thus eliminating any trades. The Celtics may need to include a Ricky Davis for Luol Deng swap to make Chicago bite.
Use the NBDL to the Celtics Advantage - The Celtics are young, very young. They are also talented, and full of potential. This is where the new CBA assists the Celtics once again in their hopes of cementing a solid core of young talent. The NBDL, or National Basketball Developmental League was put in place to allow those who have aspirations of making it the NBA a chance to play competitively after college on U.S. turf. Now, with the new CBA in place the NBDL will have even more value. The NBA will institute 15 teams in the new NBDL, each being fed players from two different NBA franchises. These players will be teammates in once sense and rivals in another. This “minor league” approach of sorts will benefit teams like the Celtics immensely who can allow some of their youth to play in the NBDL and still own their contract rights. Players like Orion Greene, Justin Reed, and Qyntel Woods can still be under the front office’s watchful eye, without putting a burden on the C’s to cut players they would like to see develop.
Ideally the Celtics could churn out a roster similar to this for the 05-06 season:
PG- Delonte West, Frank Williams
SG- Tony Allen, Luol Deng, Gerald Green
SF- Paul Pierce, Ryan Gomes, Brian Scalabrine
PF- Al Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins
C- Eddy Curry, Curtis Borchardt
In the end, the Celtics will be able to trim their roster to 12 for opening night in October and accomplish two very important goals. First, remain competitive in 05-06, through the above personnel moves, which is what the fans want to come out and watch. Second, keep the young core together, which is what the front office and coaching staff wants, by use of the NBDL. All in all, the Celtics will be fun to watch this season, and slowly but surely will gain the experience and talent necessary to hoist a 17th banner into the rafters at “The Jungle”.
Questions or Comments: Email me at kdogwalker8@hotmail.com |
