Paul Pierce: Top 5 Reasons the Boston Celtics Should Hang on to the Truth
The Boston Celtics are done licking their wounds from a relatively embarrassing series loss to the Knicks that practically produced a role reversal of the 2011 sweep. Now, Danny Ainge is forced to contemplate whether or not to put the franchise into the hands of Jeff Green, who saved the team time and time again this past season while putting up 20.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in the playoffs.
If so, Paul Pierce would find himself in another team’s jersey for the first time since joining the Celtics in 1998, back when “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” was considered a hot new single.
A lot has happened since then for Pierce, including a NBA Finals MVP in 2008 when the Celtics raised banner No. 17 after picking up Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
Of course, a lot has happened since then, too.
The Celtics are coming off their worst season since 2007, as they conceded the Atlantic Division to the Knicks and got knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
Where they spend their money next year will be important, and many are convinced Pierce will not be worth $15.3 million next season.
Here’s why they’re wrong.
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Celtics’ Terrence Williams arrested on gun accusation
Terrence Williams was accused of brandishing a gun at the mother of his son.
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Boston Celtics Shoudn’t Bring Al Jefferson Back to Beantown
There are not many knocks that can be made against the Boston Celtics as a franchise, but the one criticism that holds true over history is that the team has rarely, if ever, been a major player in free agency.
The C’s have had more than their share of great players, but the vast majority of them have either come through the draft (Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, John Havlicek, the immortal Fab Melo) or a trade (Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett).
After finishing the 2012-13 season with a disheartening first-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks, it is evident that if Boston wants to contend again, it is going to need more talent than it had this past season.
That makes the fact that free-agent center Al Jefferson is open to a return to Boston (per CSN New England) an exciting prospect.
Jefferson, who was drafted 15th overall out of high school by the Celts in 2004 and spent three seasons with the club, has emerged as one of the best scoring big men in the league today. He was dealt by Boston to Minnesota in the blockbuster trade for Kevin Garnett and quickly emerged as a first-rate offensive player, averaging 23.1 points in his 2008-09 campaign with the Timberwolves.
Over the 2012-13 season, Big Al averaged an impressive 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 49.4 percent shooting from the floor while leading the Utah Jazz in minutes per game at 33.1.
There is no denying Jefferson’s talents. He is a nightly 20-10 threat, a true post-up presence with a reliable mid-range jump shot and one of the few elite centers left in the NBA.
With Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter waiting in the wings, it would be incredibly surprising if Utah decided to bring Jefferson back to Salt Lake City on a long-term deal.
All of that being said, Jefferson simply is not the player Boston should be targeting during the 2013 offseason.
For all of his offensive talent, Jefferson has always been a world-class defensive liability. Though he does block the occasional shot thanks to his size and length, he does not protect the rim consistently, struggles at times to rotate properly and is a poor low-post defender.
He has difficulty covering the league’s more physical centers, but is not quick-footed enough to cover the game’s more athletic power forwards or guard out on the perimeter.
Doc Rivers’ Celtics teams have always been defense-first and featured the likes of Kendrick Perkins and Garnett serving as defensive anchors during their most successful years.
For all of Jefferson’s offensive ability, he will never be the kind of defensive paint presence that this team has thrived with during the Big Three era.
At 28 years old, Jefferson is in the midst of his prime, but is unlikely to make any dramatic improvements. Big Al has proven fairly durable over his career, but is still a nine-year veteran with plenty of mileage on his legs and a surgically repaired ACL from a knee injury sustained in 2009.
Unlike fellow free-agent big man Josh Smith, Jefferson is really only capable of making an impact on one end of the floor and cannot log much time at power forward. He has improved as a passer, but is not an elite passing big man like a Pau Gasol or Blake Griffin.
Jefferson is a capable pick-and-roll center thanks to his shooting touch, but Boston’s offense—particularly with Rondo—has never been as pick-and-roll-oriented as other offenses around the league.
Though not entirely his fault, Jefferson has little postseason experience or success. He has appeared in the playoffs just twice, once as a bench player with Boston in 2005 and once with Utah in 2012. He averaged 18.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on 52.9 percent shooting, but his Jazz team was swept by San Antonio.
His 2012-13 Jazz were in good position to make the playoffs before a slump in March that included two four-game losing streaks cost them their postseason spot to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Beyond just Big Al’s fit in Boston as a player, there is the significant matter of how much it would cost to bring him back to Beantown. Jefferson just finished the final year of a five-year, $65 million contract and, as one of the few top-shelf free agents available in the 2013 offseason, is sure to earn a max or near-max deal.
With Paul Pierce’s contract and the non-guaranteed deals for Shavlik Randolph, Terrence Williams and D.J. White, the Celtics have over $76 million on the books for 2013-14 (per Spotrac.com).
This means that, in order to sign Jefferson, they would need likely to get rid of both Pierce and Garnett.
Pierce is a free agent after the 2013-14 season while Garnett is under contract until the end of the 2014-15 season, but could possibly retire earlier, meaning that neither player is locked in long-term.
While Jefferson is a special talent, his production alone does not replace the value of having both Pierce and Garnett back in green for one more season. One option for the Celtics is to give Pierce and Garnett one more title run with a healthy Rondo and a resurgent Jeff Green before opting for a complete and total rebuild.
The 2014 free-agent class boasts plenty of intriguing talent, including Eric Bledsoe, Luol Deng, Pau Gasol, Marcin Gortat, DeMarcus Cousins and Andrew Bogut.
The Celtics are not expected to be major players for marquee stars like Chris Paul or Dwight Howard, making it a serious gamble for Boston to risk blowing up its roster this offseason and landing nothing more than Jefferson to build around.
The team also needs to preserve some cap room for when Avery Bradley and Rondo come off the books, as both will likely fetch plenty of interest on the open market.
Even among the free agents available in the 2013 offseason, there are pieces who would fit the team better than Jefferson.
Josh Smith is a versatile talent who can play multiple positions, has a close relationship with Rondo and would give the team another young athlete who can run the floor along with Green in transition.
Jefferson’s Utah teammate, Paul Millsap, is capable of playing both forward spots and is both a good rebounder and a solid defender who will not be as costly in free agency as Big Al.
If the C’s do choose to rebuild sooner rather than later, they could also target younger players like Tyreke Evans (23), O.J. Mayo (25) or J.J. Hickson (24), all of whom would fill needs on Boston’s roster and have yet to reach their respective ceilings as players.
Jefferson is by no means a bad player; he is an efficient scorer and a strong offensive rebounder who could immediately jump into a starting role for the Celtics.
However, given the cost of bringing him in, the style of basketball Boston plays and the other free agents available in both 2013 and 2014, it simply does not make sense for the C’s to bring Jefferson back to town this offseason.
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Can Boston Celtics Build Legitimate Future Around Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green?
Regardless of whether or not Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce return next year, it’s obvious that the two key pieces of the Boston Celtics‘ future are Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green.
Rondo, 27, will be the clear-cut best player on the team once Garnett and Pierce leave. It’s no secret that a Celtics rebuild hinges on his ability to teach a group of youngsters and lead by example, and some wonder if Rondo has it in him to do that.
Green, 26, demonstrated his ability throughout the 2012-13 campaign. We saw him erupt for 43 points against the Miami Heat and then average 20.3 points per game in the playoffs. The question with Green is not if he can do it; it’s if he will do it consistently.
Let me preface all of what I am about to say by stating this: Boston needs more than just Rondo and Green.
In this day and age, teams absolutely need a reliable third piece in the NBA. Unless they have a Shaq and Kobe-type of duo (and I don’t see anything currently in this league that even begins to resemble that), the teams must have at least three dependable scorers to have a shot at a title.
Now, taking that into consideration, the answer to the original question is a reluctant yes.
I say the word “reluctant” because it is strongly predicated on the C’s finding that third wheel. Maybe that third wheel is already on the team. Perhaps it is Jared Sullinger, who also figures to be a significant part of a Celtics rebuild. No matter who it is, Rondo and Green need some support, preferably being in the form of a big man.
That being said, having Rondo and Green is undoubtedly a nice start.
Rondo is unquestionably one of the best point guards in the game, possessing otherworldly floor vision and a tenacity that few players in the league actually have. He is also incredibly unpredictable, making him all of the more dangerous, especially out in the open court.
Green is a Swiss army knife.
He can shoot from the perimeter, put the ball on the floor, explode to the rim and post up. He is also a fine defender, displaying solid shot-blocking prowess this past season and a knack for playing tough, physical defense on opposing small forwards. Green’s versatility allows him to man both forward positions, creating mismatches at both spots.
What Celtics fans must understand is that this is going to be a rather difficult transition.
No matter how effective Rondo and Green are, they are not going to be as dominant as the combination of Garnett and Pierce (not to mention Ray Allen) was when the Big Three first formed in Boston back in 2007. That was essentially a once-in-a-lifetime type of team that we’ll be lucky to witness again in the near future.
So, Rondo and Green will be good. Just not that good.
Then again, who knows? As has been said ad nauseam, if the C’s can add another star to the club while also filling out the rest of the roster, Rondo and Green can do special things. After all, we already know that Rondo and Green will likely comprise a great tandem, given Rondo’s affinity for getting out on the break and Green’s propensity to run the floor like a gazelle and throw down monster slams.
Rondo also has a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
He definitely heard all of the chatter about the Celtics being better without him this year. People said that Boston’s offense actually ran more smoothly sans No. 9, stating that Doc Rivers’ squad shared the ball more and ran quicker, crisper sets.
Of course, that talk was thoroughly disproved in the playoffs, as the C’s’ offense came to a grinding halt without their floor general. Don’t think that means Rondo has forgotten all of the criticisms that were thrown his way, however.
The ACL tear could serve as sort of an awakening for Rondo. When tragedy strikes, you really stop and put things into perspective, and we can only assume that the point guard did that and more while watching his brothers go into battle without him from Jan. 27 through the rest of the season.
Green has that chip, too.
The four-year contract he was given by the Celtics last summer was chastised by many, especially by former ESPN writer John Hollinger. Hollinger, who is now the vice president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies, called the deal (ESPN Insider required) “without a doubt, the worst contract of the summer.”
How about a personal apology to Jeff, John?
While Green does not have the type of stubborn personality of Rondo, you can bet that he has taken Hollinger‘s words—as well as the comments of everyone else who doubted him—to heart.
It’s not just about playing with extra motivation, though. It’s also about utilizing your talents to the fullest, and in the right situation, Rondo and Green are both perfectly capable of doing just that.
In the end, there is a large faction of individuals who consider Rondo to be a top-two or top-three point guard in the NBA. There is also the ever-growing Green bandwagon that feels as if we are watching the birth of a new star.
I think I’ll take a top-flight point guard and a potential star forward as building blocks for a successful future.
Wouldn’t you?
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Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce’s Potential Departure Means Jeff Green Is ‘The Guy’
With the pending departure of Celtics captain Paul Pierce on the horizon, many fans will be looking to Jeff Green to fill the sneakers of the Boston mainstay for at least the near future and hopefully the long term as well.
Pierce’s shoes are certainly big ones to fill.
There is no doubt that his No. 34 will one day hang in the rafters amongst all of the Green Team’s legends, which is the biggest honor that can bestowed upon a Celtics player.
And for Pierce, it is well-deserved. He owns a myriad of team records and is the franchise’s second all-time leading scorer behind John Havilcek. He is also second to Larry Bird in Celtics career scoring average.
Any time you can be mentioned in the same sentence as Hondo and Larry Legend, you know you’ve had a great career. Throw in the fact that Pierce is a 10-time All-Star, an NBA Finals MVP and a bona fide Hall of Famer and it will certainly not be the easiest transition for the young Georgetown alum.
Jeff Green’s talent and potential are undeniable. We saw glimpses this season of just how dominant he can be on any given night.
The performance that obviously sticks out is his national breakout show in March against the Miami Heat. Green scored 43 points and went toe-to-toe against the world’s best player in LeBron James.
James would ultimately score 37 of his own, including the go-ahead basket at the end of regulation to seal the deal for the Heat, but fans walked away from that game knowing that the Celts have a legitimate budding superstar on the roster.
The problem for Green has been consistency. Couple that with the fact that some of his best games during the regular season came while Kevin Garnett was out due to injury and it was hard to gain a complete understanding of how he could ultimately fit into the lineup.
He definitely seemed to thrive as a starter and, should Danny Ainge make the move to trade The Truth, will be thrust into Pierce’s spot.
Many analysts have also questioned if Green has the same natural killer instinct that Pierce has exhibited throughout his Celtics career.
At times this season, it seemed as though head coach Doc Rivers was desperately trying to pull that side out of him. Yet there were other times when Green showed his merciless side, knocking down big shots in pressure situations—particularly in Game 5 of the playoffs against the Knicks.
Green has not yet been given the opportunity during his NBA career to be “the guy.” If Pierce is ultimately traded, then he will certainly be pushed into that role.
Even though it may not be the flawless transition fans are hoping for, Green Teamers should take solace in the fact that Green has the potential to be the best player on the court on any given night.
It’s certainly sad to see Pierce go, but it will be exciting to see what Green can ultimately do for this team. His inconsistencies this year will certainly lead many to question whether or not he can be that type of franchise player.
It must be remembered, though, that Green was coming off of major heart surgery and missed an entire season. Not only did he have to adapt to a new team essentially, he also had acclimate himself to simply playing the game of basketball again.
As the season went on, fans got to see Green gain confidence with each game back and having a more solidly defined role this upcoming season will only help his progress.
Many have speculated on Rivers’ role in a possible rebuilding stage for this team. Ainge recently stated (via The Boston Globe‘s Gary Washburn) that the Celtics coach would be coming back next season, quashing any rumors that had been floating around previously.
One theory for him staying may be that he knows he has something here with the young combination of Green and Rajon Rondo. Garnett has previously said that he believes Green will ultimately be one of the best players to ever play the game.
Could that be Doc’s feeling as well?
Amid the doom and gloom that have been thrown out there regarding this team’s future, Green should be looked at as a bright spot. Will he have the same impact that Pierce had on this organization over the past 14 years? It’s way too early to tell.
One thing is for certain, though. He has the potential to be everything Pierce was and then some.
Potential, however, will only get you so far. It’s up to Green whether or not he wants his number hanging in the rafters next to the captain’s.
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Why Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce Decision Will Define the Next Decade
Paul Pierce is the Boston Celtics.
At least that’s been the case for the last decade and a half. Envisioning a Celtics squad without The Truth is almost unimaginable.
However, it just might be the reality facing Boston fans as soon as next season.
While Pierce is set to enter the final year of his contract, only $5 million of his $15.3 million salary is guaranteed. The team has until July 1 to make a decision on the matter.
Could we have witnessed Pierce’s last game in a Celtics uniform? According to Boston sideline reporter Greg Dickerson, that’s a very real possibility.
It would mark an unfortunate close to an era for one of the greatest players in the Celtics’ illustrious history.
Since being drafted 10th overall by the team in 1998, Pierce has led Boston in scoring for 13 of his 14 seasons. He also holds various franchise records, as well as earning several NBA awards and honors over his career. But most importantly, the 35-year-old played a vital role in delivering the Celtics their league-leading 17th NBA title in 2008—Pierce was named Finals MVP for his efforts.
But all good things must eventually come to an end.
Although Pierce put together a rather successful 2012-13 season—18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game—he’s shown signs of breaking down. He only shot 43.6 percent from the field.
With Jeff Green primed to step into Pierce’s shoes, can the team really afford paying an aging veteran $15 million?
Boston finds itself at a fork in the road, with three different options spread out in front of them.
Option 1: Trade Him
This is an option GM Danny Ainge has already considered.
With the Celtics flailing, paired with the loss of Rajon Rondo, the team sought out interest in Pierce during the NBA trade deadline back in February. Several options popped up, but none were good enough for Ainge to pull the trigger.
As summer’s free agency quickly approaches, don’t be surprised if Boston tests the market for Pierce once again.
Sure, it’s hard to imagine seeing the Celtics send off their captain to another team. But at the same time, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense.
With a trade, Boston could get a little cap relief, while bringing in some players who could address some of the roster issues. On the other hand, another team would receive an experienced veteran who could help push an “on the verge” team into a contender. Plus, Pierce has shown that he can still pour it in—he averaged 19.2 points per game over six contests against the New York Knicks during this year’s first-round series.
But every positive usually comes along with its negatives.
In this particular case that arises with the team needing to keep Pierce past the July 1 deadline. That would require the Celtics to guarantee the full amount of his contract. It’s a tough situation, especially with the team not sure just how much it can get in return for Pierce.
Then there’s the whole ordeal regarding Kevin Garnett.
Basically, if Boston trades Pierce, the team should prepare to part ways with Garnett as well. That’s because back in February, the 36-year-old reportedly said that he would waive his no-trade clause if Pierce was traded. (via Sports on Earth’s Shaun Powell)
Depending on the trade, this move would likely put the Celtics into rebuilding mode for at least a season or two.
Option 2: Waive Him
Sometimes, just cutting your losses is the best route to take.
If Ainge chooses this option, Boston would be able to release Pierce before the July 1 deadline. This would also ensure that the team only pays the $5 million of the salary that is guaranteed, leaving them with a little more than $10 million to play around with over the summer. As far as free agency goes, the Celtics would have their full mid-level exception ($5.15 million) and the bi-annual exception ($2.02 million).
While it would be nice to open up these exceptions, it doesn’t always guarantee that the team will get a good return. One only has to look at Boston’s offseason pickups last season as an example.
So is it really worth the risk to dump off a veteran scorer who is a guaranteed 16-5-4 guy just for the chance that there might be a free agent who could make a difference?
To make matters worse, as stated earlier, this would also likely result in Garnett walking away. This could be via retirement or by waiving his no-trade clause and requesting a trade.
Garnett will be 37 next season. At this point in his career, he would only come back if he felt like he was playing for a team that could contend. Without Pierce, Boston is not that team.
Option 3: Keep Him
Finally, there’s always the option of keeping Pierce.
He has proven that he can still produce and his loyalty should grant him the opportunity to finish out his career as a Celtic. No one can argue that Pierce doesn’t deserve it.
However, at the same time, keeping Pierce would give Boston little to no room to do anything else. The team would most likely have to shed a player or two just to accommodate signing a draft pick.
Is the same roster that put together a 41-40 regular-season record, claimed the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and made a first-round exit worth keeping together?
Surprisingly, yes.
That’s because what the Celtics did this year was admirable. Battling through several key injuries, the team still rebounding and fought till the very end.
One can only imagine what this roster will be like with another year of experience and the healthy returns of both Rondo and Jared Sullinger.
In this scenario, Garnett would possibly make a return to have one more go at the ultimate prize. If he doesn’t, Boston will have around $10 million free to add to their already depleted depth at center.
The only pitfall here is whether or not Pierce would be OK with a lesser role on the team.
But hey, he did it once when Garnett and Ray Allen arrived in 2007. Who says he wouldn’t do it again?
Summing It All Up
Regardless of whether Pierce stays, is released or traded, it’s no surprise that the decision will significantly alter the face of the franchise.
For 14 years the Celtics have relied on him to get them through the ups and downs. Without him, the team wouldn’t be in the place it is right now.
The work ethic, dedication and talent that Pierce brought to Boston is a trait all other 29 teams in the league would die for. It’s something the team and its fans will never forget.
But in the end, the NBA is a business.
In the end, it’s all about doing what’s best for your team. Pierce knows that too.
If he leaves, be thankful for everything he’s done for the Celtics during his career. If he doesn’t, let’s hope Pierce can give himself the opportunity to ride off into the sunset.
There’s not another player in the NBA who deserves it more.
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Doc Rivers Will Return as Boston Celtics’ Head Coach
Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers will return to the team next season, which general manager Danny Ainge confirmed on Thursday.
Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe broke the news:
Rivers has overseen the Celtics since the 2004-05 season, and has served as the stabilizing force at the core of Boston’s success in recent years.
The Big Three of longtime franchise cornerstone Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen keyed the Celtics to an NBA Finals triumph in six games over the Los Angeles Lakers following the 2007-08 campaign; Rivers guided his Celtics squad to a magnificent 66-16 record during that regular season.
Pierce has a player option in his contract and could become a free agent this offseason (h/t spotrac.com), while Garnett is undecided on retirement after the Celtics’ season ended in the first round. The New York Knicks defeated them four games to two.
This is a big first step taken by Rivers, though, as he’s committing to at least one more year to the organization. It may be enough to keep Pierce and Garnett around.
Plus, the absence of injured star point guard Rajon Rondo beginning in late January harmed Boston’s bid to make a legitimate postseason run. Rondo’s return is sure to help the team next season.
Rivers was a former NBA point guard himself, and has been key in developing Rondo into a premier player. With all those All-Star egos to juggle in the locker room, the job Rivers has done with the talent at his disposal has been remarkable.
Both Pierce and Garnett are aging, and it’s unclear if the current team nucleus can make another push for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
In any event, the news of the Celtics retaining Rivers has to have Boston fans thrilled. Rivers will be the anchor and likely keep the franchise competitive as it enters an inevitable transitional phase in the coming years.
Flux is imminent for the Celtics, but they can take solace in the fact that Rivers will remain in the fold.
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Exploring the Celtics Trade Options for Paul Pierce
The ESPN Trade Machine is a fun way to waste a Wednesday night. Danny Ainge has a multi-tiered mission ahead of him this offseason as he looks to either retool a contender on its (last) (double last) triple last leg or cash in on the reduced yet still prominent value of Paul Pierce’s in flux contract. Let’s play some trade machine and see if there’s a mutually attractive deal out there for Danny to lose a few weeks’ sleep over. Ainge has 6.5 weeks to establish Pierce’s trade market and pull something off. On June 30th, he either buys Pierce out for $5m or keeps him at $15.3m. Ben Watanabe from NESN.com and Brian Robb from Celtics Hub already wrote great breakdowns of Pierce’s contract mechanics and trade mechanics, so they deserve your full read. We’ll just take a look at Pierce’s trade market. First, let’s lay out the five key points for this exercise: 1. Pierce cannot resign with the Celtics if they buy him out. The NBA has a one-year ban on players re-signing with teams that wa…
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Comparing Mock Drafts for Boston Celtics from Around the Web
With the Boston Celtics‘ postseason behind us and the hope for new beginnings afresh, the clear horizon entails mock draft scenarios. Everyone has an idea of who president of basketball operations Danny Ainge might target, but nobody knows for sure.
Analysts around the country have stockpiled research and team needs to compose their prognostications for the entire NBA Draft. None of them have ever been completely accurate.
For that reason, it’s important to pick apart their individual mock drafts and pinpoint which areas of each prediction are faulty and which might be foolproof.
NBADraft.net: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia
This particular website has Dario Saric, an athletic star in the making from Croatia, going to the Celtics at pick No. 16. At 6’10″, 223 pounds, Saric has the body and talent to be a significant long-term option at small forward for the Celtics.
He goes all-out on both sides of the floor, delivering a type of athleticism that just screams Boston Celtics basketball. And he has scoring capabilities off the dribble as well as off the jumper. Coach Doc Rivers would love to have a hard-working and constantly evolving player like Saric.
The teenager has shown positive signs with his playmaking, including strong passing and impressive offensive boards. He has a great motor and would certainly improve a transition offense led by Rajon Rondo.
His fatal flaw seems to be his pure shooting percentage, which needs improvement. His medium- to long-range percentage failed to exceed 40 percent the past two years.
But Saric offers unlimited potential as far as intelligence and hustle are concerned, and he exhibits confidence when the ball finds him. He could end up a more agile Hedo Turkoglu—in time.
As Shakespeare would say, “Aye, there’s the rub.” Unless Saric gets targeted as a lottery pick, he will apparently not make himself available until 2014. If Ainge buys out Paul Pierce’s contract for $5 million out of the $15 million the captain would be paid next season, it doesn’t look like an option for Boston.
DraftExpress.com: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany
Draft Express, which has Saric going 23rd, believes the Celtics will take point guard Dennis Schroeder with their 16th pick. Also an international talent, Schroeder hails from Braunshweig, Germany, where he has impressed with exceptional ball-handling and penetration.
This kid is an absolute freak. He stands 6’2” and weighs 170 pounds soaking wet, but he can move up the court with Leandro Barbosa-type speed. Beyond that, his wingspan reaches nearly 6’7”, making him a viable threat on the dribble-drive.
Schroeder has good vision for a 19-year-old, in the open court as well as the drive. With some guidance from Rondo, he could become the best young point guard in the NBA.
Alongside young talents like power forward Jared Sullinger and slashing small forward Jeff Green, Schroeder would certainly benefit. And if Garnett stays aboard for another year, the half-court offense stands to improve with such a quick penetrator with handle.
Of course, a player at his size worries GMs like Ainge based solely on size, considering he might not be able to handle the wear and tear of professional ball. Many analysts have also pointed out his issues with passing instincts, indicating that his score-first mentality overseas might blind some prognosticators who have him going mid-round.
While it’s imperative that the Celtics address their issue at the backup point guard position, it seems hasty to spend a 16th draft pick on such a wild card. Expect Schroeder to go later in the first, if not the second round.
Chad Ford, ESPN.com (subscription required): Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse
Perhaps the most respected NBA Draft analyst, Chad Ford sees Syracuse’s big point guard Michael Carter-Williams as a potential steal for the Celtics. With the mentality that Rondo’s future in Boston remains “up in the air,” Ford says this would be the best available option based on length and athleticism.
If Carter-Williams somehow stays on the board into the middle of the first round, Ford could be right. Not many teams stand to benefit from grabbing floor generals in the lottery besides the New Orleans Hornets—and Michigan’s Player of the Year Trey Burke has clearly surpassed his counterparts as the top option. So why not?
At 6’5”, 175 pounds, Carter-Williams offers size, ball-handling and NBA-ready scoring ability. He keeps his head up at all times and looks for the open teammate despite the fact that he flashes a Derrick Rose-type first step.
He also maintains solid skills on man-to-man defense, something that would clearly stick out in Ainge and Rivers’ minds. He can disrupt an offense with his quick hands and ability to move his feet on the fly.
His jumper could use some improvement, but what Boston Celtics fan isn’t used to a point guard who struggles to shoot? This guy could really lead an offense for years to come, so it seems natural for Ainge to grab him if he stays out there at No. 16. That just remains a big “if.”
CBSSports.com: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville
Interestingly, CBS Sports has Carter-Williams going sixth, Saric going 22nd and Schroeder going 23rd. They see the Celtics pinpointing a much-needed position at center with Louisville big man Gorgui Dieng.
Yours truly has been on this guy’s radar for a long time. If he continues to evolve, he could end up a Dikembe Mutombo with a jumper and some advanced low-post scoring. As it stands, he has the talent on both ends to be the next Serge Ibaka.
Regardless, the Celtics would take the 23-year-old’s size and wingspan in a heartbeat if better options did not remain.
Dieng dazzled audiences with his emerging talent during the NCAA Tournament, asserting himself with his shot-blocking skills on one end and showing soft touch on offense. He also grabbed boards and provided something Boston never sees: second-chance opportunities.
Dieng finished the NCAA season with six rebounds per contest, 3.4 of which came on the offensive end. He harassed opposing players in the Big Dance and showed that he has no fear regardless of who comes near the hoop.
His wingspan alone makes him a formidable talent on the professional level. He could easily end up getting picked earlier by the Utah Jazz, who probably won’t be able to hold onto free-agent center Al Jefferson. The young, small Milwaukee Bucks roster would also love to add his size and talent.
But if Dieng is still available at No. 16, expect Ainge to finally consider adding a promising center out of the draft. To me, it seems the most logical choice.
HoopsWorld.com: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga
Like CBS Sports, HoopsWorld has the Celtics addressing the Celtics’ center position, thinking Ainge will target Gonzaga standout Kelly Olynyk. But like CBS Sports, as well as Ford, Draft Express and Draft Net, I believe Olynyk will be off the board by pick No. 16.
Those guys think he’ll be grabbed by the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, or Oklahoma City Thunder (from the Toronto Raptors). I think he’ll be taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
And if not, I still think Ainge should pass on the big Bulldog. Despite the fact Olynyk averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 turnovers per game in his junior year, the 7’0″, 238-pound center still leaves a lot to be desired.
Many scouts and analysts liken him to a Pau Gasol, but he runs the risk of becoming a poor man’s Raef Lafrentz in the NBA. He has the frame and shooting touch, but lacks the toughness, athleticism and defensive prowess to make it big.
My Pick: A Center!
Hopefully Ainge decides to confront the Celtics’ perennial issues down low and grabs a formidable center. Dieng would provide help on both ends of the floor and could eventually flourish into an All-Star with a batch of rising young talent around him.
It would also seem worth Ainge‘s while to bring in 7’1″ French standout Rudy Gobert and 7’0″ Brazilian Lucas Nogueira for workouts. Both players have been targeted by mid-round drafters, and both provide spectacular upside (not to mention humongous wingspans).
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Paul Pierce’s career with the Celtics might be over
For the past 15 years, Paul Pierce has been a Celtic. He’s been the face of the franchise for over a decade, and the leader for a Celtics team that has been a title contender ever since the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in 2007.
His final game this year was a rough one, an 88-80 series clinching loss to the Knicks in which Pierce scored only 14 points on an abysmal shooting performance, going 4-18 from the floor and 1-9 from three point range.
That might be Pierce’s final game in a Celtics uniform, depending on how GM Danny Ainge decides to move forward.
Pierce has said that he would prefer to stay with the Celtics under his current contract, which would pay him approximately $15M next year.
Ainge, on the other hand, is reportedly considering releasing Pierce and using the amnesty clause, or possibly trading him. That’s what Pierce thinks will happen, regardless of what he actually wants.
This could create a domino effect of sorts, as Kevin Garnet…
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