The Celtics Will Add A Veteran, And 4 Other Things That Will Happen Before The Deadline
Paul Pierce, Dime #5
With the NBA All-Star Weekend around the corner, and the NBA Trade Deadline right after that, there’s definitely going to be some things happening in the League. With that in mind, check out five major story lines that the NBA will see heading into the All-Star Break…
1. Celtics add a veteran for the second half of the season and playoffs
Since assembling the Big Three before the 2007-2008 season, the Celtics have made it a trend to sign veteran free agents at the veteran’s minimum for the second half of the season and the playoffs. During the 2008 championship run, the Celtics signed P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell in February and March, respectively, and both proved to be instant contributors to the Celtics’ success. Last season, the Celtics signed Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury in late February hoping to win a second straight title, but both failed to make their marks as the Celtics bowed out in the second round. The options aren’t as attractive this time around, but here are a couple of guys still looking for a team: Von Wafer, Jacque Vaughn, Wally Szczerbiak, Shavlik Randolph, Chris Mihm and Tryonn Lue.
2. Cavs keep up effort to retain LeBron
LeBron James was fined $25,000 yesterday for kicking a water bottle during the first quarter of Wednesday night’s win over the Wolves. This paradox, LeBron being frustrated despite enjoying the best record in the League, is what have the Cavs scrambling to find more players to keep LeBron content. Mo Williams, Shaq, and the ever-improving Anderson Varejao, are doing their part, but regular season success hasn’t translated well for the Cavs the past two seasons. The latest rumors have the Cavs pursuing Antawn Jamison, Troy Murphy and Andre Iguodala, who has four years and $56 million remaining on his contract. GM Danny Ferry has not been shy pulling the trigger, but he better act fast and act smart if he wants any chance to keep LeBron around. Before Anthony Randoloph’s injury, Ferry should have made more of an effort to trade J.J. Hickson and an expiring contract to obtain him. Iguodala or Jamison would be a nice complement to LeBron, but even if the Cavs manage to acquire a big name and win this year, it still may not be enough.
3. Stan Van Gundy reshuffles lineup to give his team the best chance to win
This past offseason, the Magic made it very clear that they are determined to be the perennial Eastern Conference representative in the Finals. They surprisingly matched the Mavs’ five-year $35 million offer sheet to the Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat, and also signed Brandon Bass – only to keep both of them riding the bench for the first half of the season. They also snagged Matt Barnes, who never manages to find a team or a long-term deal in the offseason, but then contributes to the team in big ways. In 23 games as a starter, Barnes has averaged 11.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.2 STL, in 31 minutes, filling in for and complementing an injured and slumping Vince Carter. Vince, of course, was the Magic’s biggest offseason acquisition, and the Nets wouldn’t be 4-40 if he were still there. He hasn’t lived up to expectations thus far, but more importantly, the Magic are still finding ways to incorporate him into their offense effectively without ruining Rashard Lewis’ and Dwight Howard’s rhythm. The Magic are in fourth place in the East and tied with Atlanta for first in the Southeast division, but they have not looked nearly as fluid as last season and are having trouble against teams above .500. Part of the problem has been their inability to get Dwight the ball in the post (where he needs it), and this is also to the credit of teams figuring out how to fluster Howard in denying him the ball and double-teaming him once he gets it. Besides this, Stan Van Gundy is still trying to determine the best rotation, and he has been ignoring many good options in deference to Vince. Ryan Anderson, acquired in the Vince trade, has proved to be a good, consistent, player when given the opportunity. Van Gundy better figure this out or the Magic won’t return to the Finals.
4. Portland makes moves for a big man
It is no secret that Portland needs a big man. Badly. With Greg Oden recently appearing to be more fit for a career as a different type of professional and Joel Pryzibilla out for the remainder of the season, the Blazers need a force in the post to pair with LaMarcus Aldridge if they want to have any chance of making a serious playoff run. Juwan Howard has been putting in admirable effort since the injuries, playing nearly 35 minutes a game and grabbing loose balls, but he has had noticeable difficulty handling the league’s bigger big-men and faster 4’s and 5’s. One rumor that has surfaced is the Blazers’ pursuit of the Wizards’ Brendan Haywood. This move would help the Blazers tremendously, but the Wizards have asked for Nicolas Batum and Rudy Fernandez in return. GM Kevin Pritchard is going to have some tough decisions to make approaching the trade deadline, but it seems unlikely that he trades a combination of valuable pieces of his young core in order to make a short-lived playoff run this year unless he can pair them with Andre Miller and his regrettable contract.
5. Salary Dumping
‘Tis the season for creating cap relief. Seemingly every team is trying to create cap space for LeBron, D-Wade, Amar’e, Joe Johnson, etc. but teams are also taking the 2011 free agent batch into consideration and the imminent $5-$10 million cap reduction that David Stern will set after this season. Every trade we see before the deadline, and there will surely not be a shortage of them, will involve terms like “and a second round draft pick,” “cash considerations,” and “Tracy McGrady’s washed up body.”
What do you think will be the big story lines heading into All-Star break?
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January 29th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
sans says:
Magic are in 2nd place–a 3 way tie…there is no fourth place in the east right meow.
January 29th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Heckler says:
who the hell is Adam Flomenbaum??
January 29th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Aron Phillips says:
@sans
In terms of playoffs seeding, they’re fourth:
http://www.nba.com/standings/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Cnf.html
January 29th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Guitar Hero says:
Wally Szczczczzk is so Boston.
January 29th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Mike Honcho says:
I see….rather, I hope….my Sixers make a move before the deadline, basically if they lose to the Nets next week, I see something happen.
I doubt Amare gets moved and if there is any action over the next few weeks, it’ll probably be small non-impact players.
Too many teams are in the playoff hunt to make any major decisions this year
January 29th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Shakers says:
Wally World doesn’t fit in with the Celtics style of play anymore. Ty Lue is already an assistant who practices with the team; seems pretty likely that they will try to suit him up after the AS Break to see if he can provide a spark. They seem to need one right now. I haven’t seen them play well for a complete game since before Christmas.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
meredith says:
Right on Adam! I’m a big Celtic Fan and your comments seem right on the money
January 29th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Adam Flomenbaum says:
@ Mike: The Amare trade rumors are heating up because I think more than Bosh or any other marquee 2010 free agent, Kerr knows there’s little chance of resigning him – especially after dangling him for three straight years now.
@Shakers: The Celtics style of play has certainly changed with some of the guys they’ve brought in and let go, but not much. Rasheed definitely offers them something they haven’t had before off the bench, and the development of Rondo and Perkins has also forced this change. Still, Wally could provide Posey-like offensive numbers minus the intangibles and defense, because Tony Allen is definitely not their ideal choice to be getting big bench minutes. Lue has the playoff and Finals experience at the point that the Celtics like, and though he would probably not be as effective as Cassell when he came and provided vocal leadership and solid play, I agree that they’ll try to convince him to suit up.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
In-N-Out Lucas says:
Woah, really like Brendan Haywood for Fernandez! What can’t Martell Webster do that Fernandez can?
January 30th, 2010 at 2:15 am
momo says:
Hmm I have to respectfully disagree with you on the Andre Miller issue…I don’t see portland wanting to cut him loose unless they get really good talent in exchange. Dudes been a crucial part of thier success (and Phillys downfall)
January 30th, 2010 at 2:42 am
ProphetGK says:
Von Wafer would be perfect on the Celtics. KG will take him right under his wing and teach him the ways of the Mothaf**** mentality. He’s already got the swagger so he’s one step ahead…
January 30th, 2010 at 4:47 am
stephen says:
Welcome to China Stephon Marbury!!!
January 30th, 2010 at 6:04 am
shiptar says:
few days ago you said andre miller is untouchable, today you say if someone si willing to take him and his regrettable contract.
Come on Dime,decide!!
January 30th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Adam Flomenbaum says:
@shiptar: Kevin Pritchard keeps going back and forth about his stance on Andre Miller, but it is hard to believe that he wouldn’t trade Andre Miller if he could. 3 years, $21 million, was way too much for him, and they only spent that after losing out on Milsap and Hedo. So even if he says that Andre’s untouchable, I wouldn’t take his word for it for a second.
January 30th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Diego says:
Rasheed is so washed up, it’s just not funny. Celtics are toast. Rebuilding time is coming much sooner than they think!
January 30th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
jvedo says:
#1 kg is done [did you see r lewis go by him llike he was not evan there his knee is gone.#2ty lue has not played a productive minute in atleast 3 years celtics cant get by atlanta anyway if im danny ainge im thinkin about dumpin salary and rebuilding htis team can noy win a ring as constucted!!!
January 30th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
FK says:
Dime – can you fix the formatting for blackberry and iphone? the grey bars go over your text, its brutal.
January 31st, 2010 at 12:34 am
QQ says:
‘He hasn’t lived up to expectations thus far, but more importantly, the Magic are still finding ways to incorporate him into their offense effectively without ruining Rashard Lewis’ and Dwight Howard’s rhythm.’
Vince Cancer has ALREADY ruined his teammates rhythm, so that’s one off the checklist now.
The recent win against the Celts gives an indication that SVG is now listening to everyone to give Dwight the ball every time down. That’s a good sign.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:44 am
ab_40 says:
andre miller 52 points
nicolas batum makes dirk miss his last four shots…
I rest my case
February 1st, 2010 at 12:09 am
Forester C.K. Jones III says:
I like the points you make with Van Gundy and Lebron, but i really don’t think that Lebron will be willing to stay with the Cavs after this because even if he gets a championship ring right now, it won’t be enough for him, and i think the Cavs should realize this and not try to get people like Shaq who, despite his beastiness, and dominance with kobe, shouldn’t be all that appealing, since he’s costing them 21 mill and is 37, way past his prime, and soon to retire. The Cavs need to be looking towards the furture because, one, thats where Lebron is looking for, he wants good players for future seasons too, and two, because chances are Lebrons not even going to be with them much longer.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:46 am
chief youngblood says:
cp3 out for knee surgery
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:55 am
@sofakingcool says:
Wally World will not be joining the Celts.
KG got him shipped out of Minny because they clashed, and would not agree to sign an extension/be traded to the Celts when Wally was still with them, so they shipped him to the Sonics (getting Ray also helped).