Rumor: Paul Pierce to Cavs

[TwoPistols]

I thought we agreed to ignore The Bullshit Whisperer until anything he says is confirmed by someone who actually has connections

 

[Triplethreat]

Celtics fans are slowly coming to grips with what it feels like to rebuild after a long, sustained run at the top. This rumor was started on Bill Simmons podcast. Simmons is connected, but he is primarily a Celtics fan. The reality of Boston basketball is that they are about 4 million over the luxury tax right now, not including the draft picks to come. Paul Pierce is going to make about 15 million if he is on the roster after June 30th, but they will probably cut him and pay the guaranteed 5 million. Pierce leads the Celtics in many career categories, so while that would be the financially responsible thing to do they don't want to do it.

So, Celtics fans are praying that they can trade Fall Fierce for some kind of asset, but more importantly, to save face. Cleveland knows that a rebuild is long and sometimes painful. Boston hasn't figured that out yet.

Ours wasn't long, but it was painful. :chuckles:

 

[wuck]

This thread should probably be deleted since it's about a rumor that the source couldn't even say had been confirmed. But I'll move it here for now if you want to bash it around a bit.

 

[AZCavs]

Lets be real here. Paul Pierce would retire before putting on a Cavs jersey.

 

[Stark]

Lets be real here. Paul Pierce would retire before putting on a Cavs jersey.

Not sure. He's still only 35 and would be playing for his final contract. I bet he'd stick it out and pray that we trade him to a contender at the deadline or just skip town after the season. Besides, if Pierce comes here and we have a healthy season, we're a playoff team. The way Boston is looking lately, they may not be in the playoffs next season.

 

[CavsRules]

Don't see it happening, really.

Pierce would want to go to a contender, or retire in Beantown.

If Boston wants to make a deal, though, I'd love Rondo and Irving in the back court.

 

[Triplethreat]

Don't see it happening, really.

Pierce would want to go to a contender, or retire in Beantown.

If Boston wants to make a deal, though, I'd love Rondo and Irving in the back court.

I'd definitely trade for Rondo and move Irving to the two. Offensively that would be awesome. Defensively, it would probably not work too well. Would be tough for Irving to guard 2 guards for majority of games...

 

[AZCavs]

No.

 

[CavsRules]

I'd definitely trade for Rondo and move Irving to the two. Offensively that would be awesome. Defensively, it would probably not work too well. Would be tough for Irving to guard 2 guards for majority of games...

I think Irving will improve defensively this year, especially under Brown.

Rondo and Irving could switch all the time in terms of who guards who, but Rondo and Irving offensively would just be insane. I don't see many teams being able to contain the dribble drives and kick outs. Rondo's ability to attack and create for others would make Irving an even more deadly scorer.

Thought of it makes me want to play my 2k franchise now. :chuckles:

 

[CornerThree]

He can come over, but only if he wears 23, since he owns that number in a Cavs Jersey.

 

[Adam]

He can come over, but only if he wears 23, since he owns that number in a Cavs Jersey.

That would be a great idea! i would probably buy one and they should use the LBJ eraas a throwback uni for the season as well

 

[Randolphkeys]

Ours wasn't long, but it was painful. :chuckles:

I think there are different steps to a rebuild. The first step is to fix a team's overhead and get rid of the old regime. Older players with longer contracts need to be traded. Players who have shorter contracts who might be a cancer in the locker room need to be discretely traded. The Cavs moved Jamario Moon and J.J. Hickson and didn't get much in return, but they weren't going to help the rebuild. Mo Williams of course did bring Kyrie to the franchise, but that trade was just as much about moving a player who didn't want to be in Cleveland as it was the first round pick. Parker and Boobie were veterans who wanted to stick around, so they were kept. The Cavaliers had one whole season just getting step one of the rebuild completed.

Detroit tried to keep their veterans around for the rebuild and look what happened: They poisoned the well. Now Boston is trying to jump right into the rebuild, getting as many first round picks as they can in the next week. Meanwhile they owe Doc Rivers 3 more years of a contract, but he was publicly negotiating a move to another franchise. Now that's toxic.

Good luck, Boston. I have a feeling this is going to be a long year.

 

[Chris]

Quote from the comment section in that article above:



And we think we're the only ones who overvalue players. I mean, is this person serious?

Holy shit. Is that real life?

 

[Pyro]

Thanks for linking me to another SB*Nation blog. Going to try and make some friends there.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Mo Williams of course did bring Kyrie to the franchise, but that trade was just as much about moving a player who didn't want to be in Cleveland as it was the first round pick.

That brings us to another important factor of rebuilding an NBA team, particularly for a small market: luck. Scouting, coaching, management...all important. But it sure helps a helluva lot if you can luck into a Kyrie Irving, a Kevin Durant, a Tim Duncant, etc.