Celtics 2021 Offseason

I look around the East and frankly I'm shocked that more teams haven't built teams that can play different ways. The Bucks getting another wing so they can go small ball with Giannis. The Sixers just can't with Embiid, yet they doubled down with Drummond. The Nets can't go big as unless their rookie center is money. The Bulls let Lauri Legend go. The Hawks have many options, I'm really liking what they've done. The Knicks in theory can, yet it's crazy extreme and we'll see if that coach can adjust. The Pacers really can't as Sabonis is really just a center to begin with. The Heat have no ability to do anything but Bam. I really like the young guys the Hornets drafted, yet they are likely a few years away and I'm shocked Mason Plumlee was there big target. The Wizard can, yet they lack enough talent to be a true contender.

You really have to love this team if our new coach can get them to gel and can learn how to use the full roster. I have slight worries about Smart, Richardson and Schroder shooting. Pritchard helps offset that somewhat, yet in theory if Nesmith keeps improving that could be a non issue.

Is a Ben Simmons in hand better than a Bradley Beal in the bush?

C's sign Juwan Morgan to an Ex 10 deal (training camp invite). Saw time in Utah's playoff run of 2020 (including 2 starts).

Luke Kornet also signs a camp deal.

During this COVID year, I think you’d prefer the low-ceiling, high-floor guy who can fill in when half the team is in quarantine. Besides, they have enough young developmental players with Langford, Neismith, Fernando, etc. (even Williams and Pritchard to an extent).

www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/warriors-turn-down-lofty-ben-simmons-trade-offer-from-76ers/ar-AAMItJo

Just a reminder how crazy the 76ers demands have been, Wiggins, Wiseman, both lottery picks and two more firsts. I'm assuming the Spurs deal was Murray with 4 firsts and 3 pick swaps. Those were take it or leave it offers, not the start of talks.

Reports saying Minnesota wants to pair Towns, Edwards and Russell with Simmons. So that's Beasley and a ton of picks and swaps. I wouldn't be surprised to see them break records trading draft picks, 5 firsts and 3 pick swaps. Might be the best long-term value, yet Embiid will be the next one asking for a trade.

If I had to bet based on what's best for the 76ers you go get Murray or CJ. Murray is a lesser Simmons, I'm sure you could sell that plus the picks to make a future trade.

This is where you see if Rich Paul has any clue as an agent. He should be forcing Simmons to certain teams because he needs the right mix around him. I can't see why you'd want him in Minnesota, even if on paper it makes sense. Spurs make sense long-term, yet that team isn't good and the picks leaving would slow the rebuild. Portland and Warriors make short-term sense. Shouldn't you want Simmons in Boston? It's a defensive team, with two young All-Star scorers. It makes sense short-term and long-term. It makes horrible sense for the 76ers and if I was GM I wouldn't even discuss it.

At the same time you have to worry Simmons could go the Rondo way if he doesn't figure out his FT issues. Last three playoff years 70.7%, 57.5% and 34.2% in 12 games last year. FG attempts per playoff game 12.5, 9.7 and 7.9, points 16.3, 13.9 and 11.9. It got so bad in the Hawks series he was down to 6.4 FG attempts and 9.9 points. He was turning down easy shots to pass, just like Rondo did with his FT issues. That's a huge worry. You want the 2018 guy, the 2021 guy might do more harm than good. If Simmons won't attack the basket relentlessly his value tanks. I'd certainly build an offer around Smart, yet I wouldn't go crazy. I have big worries if he has the mental toughness he needs. I just can't get the Hawks games out of my head and that his fear of 3 point shooting has now blended into his FT shooting.

I actually like that. If the cost is Sexton, Love and Picks. Solid guy in Garland,  a maybe star in Mobley, the Lauri Legend trade would look a lot better. The Cavs fans likely fully embrace him. You likely have to trade Allen, yet that makes a lot sense for the Cavs and Simmons.

Sexton fits with Embiid, yet talk about one extreme to another. Doc would be great for Sexton, yet this has to feel like a let down.

I think Simmons and Garland would fit very well with each other, they seem to complement each other well

Hauser fits into this category too.

I think Mobley is a star in the making and he's a very advanced ready to play player. He's not a Robert Williams or Jaylen Brown type guy, he's closer to Tatum. I'm playing him 30 plus minutes a night. He's that teams future with or without Simmons.

I say you likely have to trade Allen because I don't see how you can play Allen and Simmons 30 minutes a game together. Sure they can play together for stretches, I just don't see how that works long-term. Allen just signed a massive deal for five years. So unless you think Allen can develop some range, you likely have to trade him. I just don’t see how in today's NBA you can play two guys together big minutes when they both take about 90% of their shots inside ten feet. Remember the 76ers kept moving Embiid to the three point line to give spacing for Simmons.

If you stagger minutes, and they both get 30 a game then theoretically, they only need to play 12 together.

You might do that for a year, yet how many teams do that with two of their better players and two of the guys earning the most money? It's just going to become harder during the playoffs as Simmons gets closer to playing 40 minutes. I see nothing but issues going forward unless Allen can develop range and there is some slight hope there. He's actually willing to take some, so he's already better than Simmons.