Celtics Could Have Joe Johnson, But They Rather Have The 5th Pick And Rashard Lewis

[Berry, Mark S]

OK, I'll chime in on all this ... 

First of all, it's probably much ado about nothing. It's a message board
rumor. But let's play along ... 

Rashard Lewis for basically nothing (other than Delonte, but I'm putting
aside my personal feelings for Delonte ... ) ... Well, we're not really
getting him for nothing. Theo's contract has real value in trades, and
Lewis will want a max deal. Are we willing to burn those assets (Theo's
contract, Delonte) and that kind of salary (we'd have $40 million tied
up in Pierce, Wally and Lewis -- who all play the same position) on a
guy who doesn't really fill any need. I'm not entirely opposed to this
move, but we need to have some corresponding moves set up to configure
the team correctly. This one strikes me more as continued "asset
collection" instead of team building. We need to start focusing on team
building.

Joe Johnson and 11 for 5 and Gerald (and Theo presumably) ... This one
is interesting. If we're just planning to take Corey Brewer at 5, then
I'd be very inclined to do this deal. Personally, I'm a Noah guy ... but
it sounds like the Celtics aren't (he's never mentioned in the "six
prospects under consideration" references). This still isn't a perfect
fit -- especially if we do something ridiculous and take Al Thornton at
11. We need a big for that Perk/Gomes spot that's killing us. Joe
Johnson would be a nice 2 to play with Pierce at 3 and Al at 4. That
gives us three legitimate NBA starters. If we can turn 11 and others
into an upgrade at 4/5, I could go for this one. I like Joe Johnson
better than Rashard Lewis for this team.

I'm upset, however, that all of this talk still centers on swingmen.
Enough. Get us some legitimate NBA size. Perk, Gomes, Scalabrine, Powe
... There's a problem there.

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On
Behalf Of Way Of The Ray
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 1:39 PM
To: Celtics Stuff; Celtics Are Idiots List
Subject: Celtics Could Have Joe Johnson,But They Rather Have The 5th
Pick And Rashard Lewis

The always entertaining and interesting Celtic Thug...

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=672681

"I mention yesterday that they top three teams had
contacted the Celtics regarding the #5 pick. Both
Portland and Atlanta wants Mike Conley.

"However Danny Ainge isn't incline to deal with
Portland because he was told by ownership in no case
whatsoever they wanted to deal with Zach Randolph.
They feel that Danny got burned as year by Blazer GM
Kevin Pritchard in trading for Telfair who had turn
out to have issues both on and off the court. Telfair
has even lost support in the locker room. Danny isn't
going to be allowed to make that mistake again. Not
with such a young team.

"As I mention before Atlanta has also contacted Boston
about the #5 pick. Boston and Atlanta has gone as far
as making a tentative agreement. Where Boston would
land Joe Johnson among others for the#5 and Gerald
Green. Atlanta wants Conley Jr. But aren't willing to
take him with the 3rd pick. If they were to land
Boston 5th pick they can get both of there guys. The
only problem now for Atlanta is Boston has better
options too choose from.

"That better option right now is going after Rashard
Lewis in a sign-in-trade deal with the Sonics. They
Sonics aren't looking for much no matter what their
face base say. The Sonics hired a new GM last week.
He's first order of business was to cut salary. Now
some may reason that Rashard Lewis could sign with
another team without doing a sign-in-trade with the
Sonics. This is true but Rashard is looking to get
paid in order to get the max amount of money he has to
do a sign-in-trade.

"People have Rashard going to Houston, Orlando, New
York? Those teams don't have what the Sonics would be
looking for in a sign-in-trade. The Sonics don't want
to add on any long term contracts. I don't they would
be interested in package that would involve Hedo
Turkoglu and Tony Battie, both contract are for 3 more
years and are the only two player who price would
match up to what Rashard Lewis will be looking for.
The best Houston can do without trading either T-Mac
or Yao. Is Juwan Howard with 2 year left and Shane
Battier for 4 years left.

"The team with the best to offer for both Rashard
Lewis and the Sonics is the Celtics. Boston has the
expiring contracts in Theo Ratliff, Ryan Gomes and
Delonte West. They can offer a 1st round draft pick in
08. As a team Rashard can play alongside Paul Pierce,
Al Jefferson and his understudy Gerald Green. The Cs
have the most talent of any of the team other teams
mention to get Rashard. Yes Rashard want to get paid
but he also wants to win. He not going to be able to
do that with the Sonics. Not in the stack Western Conference."


       
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