Right but it's not that simple. They'd have to package the top pick and probably others and get a sign and trade deal done for either of those two guys to guarantee they stay long term. Then obviously the money has to work out. I could literally potentially see them trading the pick for a couple others. I just don't know what you do with IT if you're the Celtics. Nice player for sure- but you're not winning a chip with him. If he's your 2nd or 3rd best guy then absolutely. How well would him and PG mesh? Same with Hayward. But then you have two "#2" guys instead of having a 1. You need a 1- the warriors have two of them, cavs you know have the perfect 1-2. I can't even figure out what I'd do as I'm typing this post.
I think removing the player cap would help. If Lebron is underpaid, you can afford to surround him with other stars. If the Knicks offered Kyrie 50M a year he would almost certainly leave Cleveland. But the player caps keep the top stars underpaid - so you can afford multiple top stars.
I'm don't see how the Suns are a basketball wasteland. Remember they had Barkley, Dan Majerle, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill! Not too long ago they were always in the playoffs, often beating Kobe's Lakers but losing to the Spurs. This past season they had the youngest starting lineup in NBA history, I believe. And Devin Booker (that soulless looking guy from Kentucky) scored 70 points in a game. Although this season they were dead last in the NBA – LOL – it doesn't take much to turn things around, especially when the roster is young.
They didn't trade for George or Butler because of the demands of both the Bulls and Pacers. If it was within reason, Boston would have traded for one of those two at the deadline. If Chicago comes down off of its 2 first round Brooklyn picks and 3 core player, then maybe Boston might entertain them in regards to Butler.
If you could draft fultz, trade IT for George and keep Bradley, would you take that deal? I'd have to say as a non Celtics fan (indifferent) I'd take that 10 out of 10 times, what say you. Assuming PG (or Butler) sign long term.
That makes a lot of sense. I'd probably do it. Thomas is kind of a hero up here though, so it would be with a heavy heart for sure. I'd like to see Butler though. Really good contract and pretty much equal production. George isn't going to sign until he year's the waters.
Crowder has 3 more years and Bradley 2. Not as pressing with those two. Marcus Smart and Thomas are the year after. I'm really not sure what happens. Lol. Bradley, Smart and Crowder wet all focal points of trade talk at the deadline.
If they keep everyone and sign Hayward then they are pretty maxed out with salary. I think they are looking at around $26 million open which is about exactly what Hayward will cost. Olynyk can be signed over the cap because of bird rights but they may not want to cover what another team offers.
