Jayson Tatum

[nets on nets on nets]

Would a trade of someone like Marc Gasol or Anthony Davis to Boston to go along with the core already in place change that in your view? I actually think Boston getting Hayward closes the gap a good deal. He is a legit threat every night. Boston had one legit offensive threat every night last year and Cleveland took full advantage of that for sure.

To each his own, but I tend to believe Hayward makes a very small difference in what I believe is a very large gap between Cleveland and Boston. I'll be interested to see how Hayward does since he will no longer be flying under the radar: he is now expected to be an annual all-star, expected to tighten the gap between Boston and Cleveland etc.

I do believe it has been smart of Boston to not go "all in" with George or Butler. Sure, it would have increased their odds in the East, but still wouldn't put them on the same planet as the Warriors. Seems like Boston is doing the smart thing- staying relevant now while still keeping all there future assets to pounce once Lebron gets old/ the Warriors slow down.

To answer your original question, Marc Gasol does nothing to get the Celtics closer to the Cavs in a shooting league IMO (he also couldn't be on the floor with Al Horford IMO, too slow) Anthony Davis makes all the difference in the world but I'd assume that means Boston mortgaged their whole future to get him.

 

[DukeDenver]

To each his own, but I tend to believe Hayward makes a very small difference in what I believe is a very large gap between Cleveland and Boston. I'll be interested to see how Hayward does since he will no longer be flying under the radar, he is now expected to be an annual all-star, expected to tighten the gap between Boston and Cleveland etc.

I do believe it has been smart of Boston to not go "all in" with George or Butler. Sure, it would have increased their odds in the East, but still wouldn't put them on the same planet as the Warriors. Seems like Boston is doing the smart thing- staying relevant now while still keeping all there future assets to pounce once Lebron gets old/ the Warriors slow down.

To answer your original question, Marc Gasol does nothing to get the Celtics closer to the Cavs in a shooting league IMO (he also couldn't be on the floor with Al Horford IMO, too slow) Anthony Davis makes all the difference in the world but I'd assume that means Boston mortgaged their whole future to get him.

I predict Hayward to be efficient offensively, but to be a non factor in crunch time against playoff defense.

 

[Tim1515]

I think many basketball fans see Hayward the white shooter stereotype and therefore I where near the talent of George or Butler.

I believe he is better then many think...but they still aren't beating Cleveland and will need to fight to beat the Wizards, Raptors or Bucks should they see them in the playoffs. The talent gap just isn't that great for them.

They are in a great position to strike should LeBron struggle with his health and this could be the season he fades some as he looks towards his future in LA.

The Cavs are a 5-seed in the East without James.

 

[dukehokie]

I just do not see top a 20 player in Otto Porter. Beal and Wall are a problem for everyone though. That is a good team IMO. I dislike them for obvious reasons but have nothing but respect for them.

I don't either, but with a 1st round pick and the salary Porter is about to receive, they may be able to parlay that into a superstar type of player, but the big question is who. I did hear an interesting stat today on Porter that apparently since they've kept metrics stats, he is the 19th most efficient offensive player. Maybe more touches is all he needs.

I do think the Wiz are stuck right now and unless Beal becomes more assertive and healthy or like I mentioned Porter gets better (which we agree probably doesn't happen), then the Wiz are in limbo.

 

[dukedevilz]

Anthony Davis makes all the difference in the world but I'd assume that means Boston mortgaged their whole future to get him.

Not exactly. Boston is stacked with the rights to young players and seemingly limitless picks. Idk exactly what the asking price for Davis would be, but they could easily absorb the loss of 3 quality players (Horford, Smart, Jaylen Brown maybe?) and 2 first round picks. The picks from Brooklyn and LA could be very, very valuable. I mean, Boston could potentially go 1-2 in the 2018 draft. The Nets and Lakers had the worst and 3rd worst records from 2017, for reference. I don't think the Celtics would throw 3 starters and two top-5 picks at the Pelicans, but they certainly have a lot of options for making an appealing offer. Here's a look at some of Boston's assets.

8-10 players worthy of 30+ minutes on a team with 50+ wins
Isaiah Thomas
Marcus Smart
Avery Bradley
Gordon Hayward
Jae Crowder
Jaylen Brown
Jayson Tatum
Al Horford
2018 Nets 1st Rounder (unprotected)
2018 Lakers 1st Rounder (protected if 1 or 6-30; receives the more favorable 1st rd pick between Sacramento or Philadelphia in 2019 if Sixers retain the 2018 Lakers pick - protected only for 1st overall in 2019)

other assets:
Terry Rozier, 23
Demetrius Jackson, 22 (2016 2nd Rd pick)
Abel Nader, 23 (2016 2nd Rd pick/NBDL Rookie of the Year)
Jordan Mickey, 22 (2016 2nd Rd pick)
Ante Zizic, 20 (#23 pick in 2016 draft)
Guerschon Yabusele, 21 (#16 pick in 2016 draft)
Semi Ojeleye, 22 (2017 2nd Rounder)
Jabari Bird, 23 (2017 2nd Rounder)
Kadeem Allen, 24 (2017 2nd Rounder)

Additional Future 1st Rounders (Brooklyn 2018 is already included)
2018 Celtics 1st Rounder
2019 Clippers 1st Rounder (protected 1-14 in 2019 and 2020)
2019 Grizzlies 1st Rounder (protected 1-8 in 2019 and 1-6 in 2020)
2019 Celtics 1st Rounder

The young players in the other asset section is mostly comprised of guys that fill out your roster. But I think a few of them could be quality bench players down the road - Guerschon Yabusele, Terry Rozier, and Abel Nader look fairly promising. And I gotta believe Semi can be a solid role player, too.

I don't think the Pelicans are going to look at any trade offers for Davis anytime soon, though. Maybe around the trade deadline if the Davis/Cousins duo doesn't produce somewhat promising results. At that time, Boston will have a better idea of how valuable their 2018 picks are.

 

[dukedevilz]

Ugh! Danny, no! Celtics have reportedly traded Avery Bradley to the Pistons for Marcus Morris and a 2nd rd pick. What a terrible, terrible trade. Avery Bradley is a much better player than Morris. Heck, he's even a better rebounder - and he's 7 inches shorter! I'm worried the Celtics are going to get crushed on the boards.

Edit: I guess it was either Jae Crowder or Avery Bradley. But since Crowder has great value in his contract at 6.7 mil and Bradley is likely to command 20+ mil, the Celts parted ways with the pricier player. Bummer. I really liked Bradley.

 

[denniden]

I don't either, but with a 1st round pick and the salary Porter is about to receive, they may be able to parlay that into a superstar type of player, but the big question is who. I did hear an interesting stat today on Porter that apparently since they've kept metrics stats, he is the 19th most efficient offensive player. Maybe more touches is all he needs.

I do think the Wiz are stuck right now and unless Beal becomes more assertive and healthy or like I mentioned Porter gets better (which we agree probably doesn't happen), then the Wiz are in limbo.

Could be with Porter but maybe it goes the other way with more touches. Maybe he is efficient the way he is because he doesn't touch the ball as much. He is not a very good ball handler, so I am not sure Washington wants him trying to create too much. With the contract Porter is getting it will be tough to get another team to take on that contract. Though in order to trade many times in the NBA the numbers need to align. Just taking the devils advocate approach...I think Porter is really good.

I wonder what will go down now with one of the Morris bothers going to Boston? 'Keiff and the Celtics have history.

 

[denniden]

Ugh! Danny, no! Celtics have reportedly traded Avery Bradley to the Pistons for Marcus Morris and a 2nd rd pick. What a terrible, terrible trade. Avery Bradley is a much better player than Morris. Heck, he's even a better rebounder - and he's 7 inches shorter! I'm worried the Celtics are going to get crushed on the boards.

Edit: I guess it was either Jae Crowder or Avery Bradley. But since Crowder has great value in his contract at 6.7 mil and Bradley is likely to command 20+ mil, the Celts parted ways with the pricier player. Bummer. I really liked Bradley.

Not a bad trade at all. IMO. I love Bradley and he is one of the really good people in the NBA but like you said, Boston was not going to give him $20 per after this year. So why not go out and get a very friendly contract in Morris who also helps fill some up front depth? Morris has two years left at 5 million per, or close to that. Rebounding? Heck, Boston was getting killed on the boards all the way to the eastern conference finals.

I loved Bradley and enjoyed watching him grow as a player but Boston had to do this deal. It also allows them to keep Jae Crowder and his extreme bargain contract.

 

[MyDudeG_rivals]

Agreed that trading Bradley was the right move. Crowder and Bradley have similar strengths and Crowder will have the much more team friendly contract in the near future. It creates some position overlap with Crowder, Brown, and Tatum on the roster, but Boston plays positionless basketball regardless.

(Completely disregard all of this if Crowder gets traded in a sign and deal for Hayward like some rumors say will happen.) haha

 

[dukedevilz]

I thought I read somewhere that they have enough cap space to now sign Hayward without going over the cap. So yes, keeping Crowder over Bradley certainly makes sense. Just hate to see Bradley go... Celts should be able to sign one player to the mid-level exception, as well. I'm thinking a quality big man off the bench is needed.

 

[Tim1515]

I watched a bit of celtics summer league and specifically Tatum. Obviously there is a lot to like...although...I'm not sure the environment is great for Tatums first year.

They are running everything through him when he is in...and he's not looking to pass unless he is stuck or a real obvious option is open. He is just doing a lot of 1v1.

He will get minutes during the year but the volume of opportunities won't be there and the Celtics want to move the ball and shoot threes...skills he is not excelling at.

 

[dukehokie]

I watched a bit of celtics summer league and specifically Tatum. Obviously there is a lot to like...although...I'm not sure the environment is great for Tatums first year.

They are running everything through him when he is in...and he's not looking to pass unless he is stuck or a real obvious option is open. He is just doing a lot of 1v1.

He will get minutes during the year but the volume of opportunities won't be there and the Celtics want to move the ball and shoot threes...skills he is not excelling at.

I'm sure he was directed to showcase during Summer League. You're right, in season, his passing skills better be on display. But we know he can pass, he's willing to pass and he's a efficienct enough to not need the ball 40 times to get 20. He'll be fine and the Celtics probably have the closest system to Duke that he could have gotten. The Celts also get a capable one on one player other than Isaiah, which they needed.

At least he doesn't have to play in the Triangle.

Brandon Ingram is also showing some nice takeover skill with the Lake Show.

 

[SWEc/o95]

Why isn't Frank playing?

 

[pisgah101]

Why isn't Frank playing?

Stress fracture surgery in May I think

 

[dukiejay]

I agree with you. If I'm Kennard, I'm stoked that JJ just got the money he did. At the same age, Kennard is much more versatile than JJ, so hopefully he's hungry to prove he's as good or better than him. If Luke works hard, he could have at least the career JJ has had, no disrespect to JJ though

I think that's more than fair. J.J. was going to be a good NBA player, IMO, but I didn't expect him to be as good as he has been. The only reservation I have about Luke is can he work as hard as J.J., or maybe a better way to put it, can he come close. J.J. is one of the hardest working players I've ever watched. He redefined who he was at Duke and in the NBA. Sure, he's a great shooter. But he's also become a good scorer (there's a difference) and an adequate defender. Luke is never going to be the shooter that J.J. is, IMO, but his offensive repertoire is better today than J.J.'s....and he's only 21 years old.

 

[dukiejay]

I really love Jayson's game and I haven't been afraid to say that the last eight months.....much to the chagrin of some here. That said, he's still got to become better. In the games I watched him play in summer league I still saw instances of being a ball-stopper. He'll become better at it, but it's an obvious improvement he must make to take the leap to becoming a really good NBA player. If he doesn't do that, I'm afraid he could become one of those players who is really good for 15 years on below-average teams.

 

[timo0402]

I really love Jayson's game and I haven't been afraid to say that the last eight months.....much to the chagrin of some here. That said, he's still got to become better. In the games I watched him play in summer league I still saw instances of being a ball-stopper. He'll become better at it, but it's an obvious improvement he must make to take the leap to becoming a really good NBA player. If he doesn't do that, I'm afraid he could become one of those players who is really good for 15 years on below-average teams.

There's no question he needs to improve in that area. At 19 we need to give him more than the benefit of the doubt, not to mention we both saw strides in that area as the year went on, and that coaching staff in Boston is top notch. He couldn't have ended up in a better situation.

 

[denniden]

I agree Tatum will need to work on the passing, but what has he not improved upon when asked to do so in his short basketball life? Two things Boston will need out of him this year are as follows; 1. Scoring off the bench. Not passing off the bench. He could be relied on heavily to add offense to the second unit depending on how things shake out. Boston is not running the same offense they normally run in the summer league either. Things will change during training camp. 2. Rebounding from the forward position. Which we know he is solid at.

If Tatum does those two things this coming year...he will play a lot and be a major factor. Could he use less bounce/ball stopping,? Yup. Fortunately he is going to a team of guys that have had success in the NBA and he will be taught. Brad Stevens is a pretty fair coach as well.