I do believe JB and Brad had an agreement, he would be a Celtic, until he didn't want to be , and that time has come. I'm torn on Giannis, but think we can't have two guys making $50M-$70M a year and both with injury history. The bucks are trading Giannis partially due to the Lillard trade debacle, and the C's can't take that risk. So the options are keeping him or moving him for more cap flexibility. Hoping Brad is talking to ATL, NOLA , Phoenix and Utah about deals for JB . I think they have the pieces that could build our depth and address the weaknesses the Jay's cant. How about Brad lands Trey Murphy or Payton Watson via the exception, then gets Jalen Johnson Rissacher, Okongwu pick 8, or 23 swap , or Jalen Green, Dillon brooks, Oso Ighodaro, Mark Williams, or Poole, Murphy, Missi, Bey. utah, Jazz Markkanen, Bailey George or #2 pick, Any of these add depth and cap flexibility and work. C's would add Hauser, Queta, Walsh to make things work. if Ime wants him will cost him Sengun, Amen, Sheppard or Eason. Could also then flip White , but not sure we can get equal value unless Watson or Murphy. We have seen when Brad feels he isn't getting the value for the contract, he moves out quickly. Jaylen like $20M more a year then Brunson
I don't think you trade JB for "pieces." Imo, you trade him for a clear-cut upgrade or not at all. You can't realistically expect to accumulate draft picks in this draft, and then be a contender the next year. I know the Spurs did so within two seasons, but Wemby is a special case due to how he bends and elevates defenses.
I get where your head is at, and it's a logical pathway. They get younger, more dynamic, more explosive, and have a system built around Tatum. I'm just not sure you can get there in one season, especially when asking teams to blow things up in order to land JB.
That's why this Giannis deal would make sense, because the moving parts need to fit Milwaukee's needs, not Boston's. Only Giannis needs to fit Boston.
Can easily upgrade this year, but it takes two to tango. ATL, NOLA, Utah and Houston have the pieces. If wanting JB, they aren't getting him for bench players. multiple pieces upgrade the depth and give the C's much greater cap flexibility. Giannis is Lillard 2.0 waiting to happen IMO, too risky. If Ime wants JB, he has to give up Sengun, Thompson and picks. KD only has a few left?? Danny, Markannen, Bailey, George. He likely will take Peterson. Could he move Markannen bailey and George or # 2 for Brown?
That's totally fair! This whole situation appears to be super divisive. A lot comes down to what you value in team building, and there's no right or wrong approach to that answer.
I'm a fan of JB. However, I do think there's a (short) list of players I would trade him for, and Giannis is on that list. I know there's a large group of people who won't agree with me there, though.
Agree with pretty much everything you said. Look, Brown played better than I ever dreamed possible this past season. The Celtics had some of the most fun wins of this entire multi year run. I'd love to see JT and JB win another title together. But they've had 5 shots since 2022 and came up empty 4 times...including the last two. (Tatum tore achilles last season, but they were trailing series already.) I don't think these two hate each other. But maybe we're back to the idea that they are just too similar. Either skill-wise or personality wise. Both have had some great playoff moments, but to use a phrase I kinda hate...they play with their food a lot. Or FAFO.
Yes there are questions about JT and GA being 1A vs 1B. Yes there are questions about injury. (Though I think we all agree the Bucks held him out more than necessary. And GA may have held himself out too.)
Something has to change. And yes, Giannis is a much better player than Brown. I can't remember the last time Boston had someone who could attack the rim like that. I don't know if it would bring them a title, but it's worth rolling the dice.
If Celtics management sees the locker room and Giannis' medical records, and is comfortable with a trade, I trust their judgement.
For what it's worth, I don't like the idea of trying to keep Tatum, Brown and Giannis. Because having three 20-pt scorers is incredibly rare and there's no sense paying Brown $60M to be unhappy as an 18-ppg guy getting fewer touches. Injury insurance isnt enough reason to go down that road. You're either all-in on GA or not. Maybe other moves are made involving White, TPE, etc.
I'll start with your point about a potential Big 3 -- I'm 100000% with you. I'm not a fan of that approach in the modern NBA. Sure, it looks great on paper, but as you said, the CBA essentially crushes teams for trying it, and there simply aren't enough touches to go around. I'd assume Brad Stevens is of a similar train of thought - or at least hope he is.
I'm also with you on rolling the dice. Brown's trade value will never be higher. If the Celtics are going to try something new, now is the summer to make those moves - especially because if Brown signs an extension, he will be borderline untradable.
You can never be 100% sure a trade is going to play out the way you want it, but Giannis is a genuine superstar, pairing him with Tatum raises the floor and the ceiling, and for me, that's a gamble worth taking.
https://netwins.substack.com/p/giannis-antetokounmpo-what-the-numbers?r=1n0tzv&utm_medium=ios
I'll have to give this a read. I haven't come across this substack before, so thank you for sharing!
I do believe JB and Brad had an agreement, he would be a Celtic, until he didn't want to be , and that time has come. I'm torn on Giannis, but think we can't have two guys making $50M-$70M a year and both with injury history. The bucks are trading Giannis partially due to the Lillard trade debacle, and the C's can't take that risk. So the options are keeping him or moving him for more cap flexibility. Hoping Brad is talking to ATL, NOLA , Phoenix and Utah about deals for JB . I think they have the pieces that could build our depth and address the weaknesses the Jay's cant. How about Brad lands Trey Murphy or Payton Watson via the exception, then gets Jalen Johnson Rissacher, Okongwu pick 8, or 23 swap , or Jalen Green, Dillon brooks, Oso Ighodaro, Mark Williams, or Poole, Murphy, Missi, Bey. utah, Jazz Markkanen, Bailey George or #2 pick, Any of these add depth and cap flexibility and work. C's would add Hauser, Queta, Walsh to make things work. if Ime wants him will cost him Sengun, Amen, Sheppard or Eason. Could also then flip White , but not sure we can get equal value unless Watson or Murphy. We have seen when Brad feels he isn't getting the value for the contract, he moves out quickly. Jaylen like $20M more a year then Brunson
I don't think you trade JB for "pieces." Imo, you trade him for a clear-cut upgrade or not at all. You can't realistically expect to accumulate draft picks in this draft, and then be a contender the next year. I know the Spurs did so within two seasons, but Wemby is a special case due to how he bends and elevates defenses.
I get where your head is at, and it's a logical pathway. They get younger, more dynamic, more explosive, and have a system built around Tatum. I'm just not sure you can get there in one season, especially when asking teams to blow things up in order to land JB.
That's why this Giannis deal would make sense, because the moving parts need to fit Milwaukee's needs, not Boston's. Only Giannis needs to fit Boston.
Can easily upgrade this year, but it takes two to tango. ATL, NOLA, Utah and Houston have the pieces. If wanting JB, they aren't getting him for bench players. multiple pieces upgrade the depth and give the C's much greater cap flexibility. Giannis is Lillard 2.0 waiting to happen IMO, too risky. If Ime wants JB, he has to give up Sengun, Thompson and picks. KD only has a few left?? Danny, Markannen, Bailey, George. He likely will take Peterson. Could he move Markannen bailey and George or # 2 for Brown?
Sorry Adam, I am not convinced. That is in large part my heart and gut talking, and it says JB should remain a Celtic.
That's totally fair! This whole situation appears to be super divisive. A lot comes down to what you value in team building, and there's no right or wrong approach to that answer.
I'm a fan of JB. However, I do think there's a (short) list of players I would trade him for, and Giannis is on that list. I know there's a large group of people who won't agree with me there, though.
Agree with pretty much everything you said. Look, Brown played better than I ever dreamed possible this past season. The Celtics had some of the most fun wins of this entire multi year run. I'd love to see JT and JB win another title together. But they've had 5 shots since 2022 and came up empty 4 times...including the last two. (Tatum tore achilles last season, but they were trailing series already.) I don't think these two hate each other. But maybe we're back to the idea that they are just too similar. Either skill-wise or personality wise. Both have had some great playoff moments, but to use a phrase I kinda hate...they play with their food a lot. Or FAFO.
Yes there are questions about JT and GA being 1A vs 1B. Yes there are questions about injury. (Though I think we all agree the Bucks held him out more than necessary. And GA may have held himself out too.)
Something has to change. And yes, Giannis is a much better player than Brown. I can't remember the last time Boston had someone who could attack the rim like that. I don't know if it would bring them a title, but it's worth rolling the dice.
If Celtics management sees the locker room and Giannis' medical records, and is comfortable with a trade, I trust their judgement.
For what it's worth, I don't like the idea of trying to keep Tatum, Brown and Giannis. Because having three 20-pt scorers is incredibly rare and there's no sense paying Brown $60M to be unhappy as an 18-ppg guy getting fewer touches. Injury insurance isnt enough reason to go down that road. You're either all-in on GA or not. Maybe other moves are made involving White, TPE, etc.
I'll start with your point about a potential Big 3 -- I'm 100000% with you. I'm not a fan of that approach in the modern NBA. Sure, it looks great on paper, but as you said, the CBA essentially crushes teams for trying it, and there simply aren't enough touches to go around. I'd assume Brad Stevens is of a similar train of thought - or at least hope he is.
I'm also with you on rolling the dice. Brown's trade value will never be higher. If the Celtics are going to try something new, now is the summer to make those moves - especially because if Brown signs an extension, he will be borderline untradable.
You can never be 100% sure a trade is going to play out the way you want it, but Giannis is a genuine superstar, pairing him with Tatum raises the floor and the ceiling, and for me, that's a gamble worth taking.