Lol, that one dribble inside the line, big step back into the shot was one of the things we saw in his shooting drills videos a month plus ago, in exactly that spot.Who expected Romeo to be breaking out stepback 3s three games into his season?
View: https://twitter.com/CM1661/status/1380185917110038536
Shooting is the easiest skill to improve. Romeo has so many other plus skills he has a chance to surprise a lot of people this year and next (inserting caveat).......if he remains heathy. I think one of the reasons Smart has been mentioned as prime trade bait is due to the team feeling Romeo can slide right into his role.It will likely be a work in progress over a couple years for him to get fully comfortable with it in-game, but Langford's shot looks a lot cleaner now.
That was an extremely fluid play. Very encouraging.Who expected Romeo to be breaking out stepback 3s three games into his season?
View: https://twitter.com/CM1661/status/1380185917110038536
Yeah I don't really care that he hit the shots as much as the fact that he looked very comfortable with the motion of it and confident enough to do it in game.That was an extremely fluid play. Very encouraging.
Yup. If we ever start seeing that from Nesmith, the pants are coming off.Yeah I don't really care that he hit the shots as much as the fact that he looked very comfortable with the motion of it and confident enough to do it in game.
While I think Romeo will do a lot of what Smart does (w/better offense), I'd rather keep both and move on from Kemba this summer. The defense is so much better when it's a "real" switchy defense. Not that crap where every player on the floor is concerned about Kemba guarding anybody inside the 3pt line (not that Kemba adequately guards the 3pt line at all).Shooting is the easiest skill to improve. Romeo has so many other plus skills he has a chance to surprise a lot of people this year and next (inserting caveat).......if he remains heathy. I think one of the reasons Smart has been mentioned as prime trade bait is due to the team feeling Romeo can slide right into his role.
I think we are one year away from realistically being able to move Kemba. Maybe I’m wrong but the number of teams looking for a starting PG this summer are few. The number looking for a declining PG who is damaged goods on a $30m contract are how many? We will be down to a cellar dweller far under the cap to absorb his salary. That could get pricey if that team even exists.While I think Romeo will do a lot of what Smart does (w/better offense), I'd rather keep both and move on from Kemba this summer. The defense is so much better when it's a "real" switchy defense. Not that crap where every player on the floor is concerned about Kemba guarding anybody inside the 3pt line (not that Kemba adequately guards the 3pt line at all).
I'm fine with keeping 1 smurf on this team (Pritchard) but Danny needs to move on from Kemba, Carsen, Waters.
I think someone might make a move, maybe 2 teams just because this year's FA class is pretty weak.I think we are one year away from realistically being able to move Kemba. Maybe I’m wrong but the number of teams looking for a starting PG this summer are few. The number looking for a declining PG who is damaged goods on a $30m contract are how many? We will be down to a cellar dweller far under the cap to absorb his salary. That could get pricey if that team even exists.
Agree with this 100%. It's surprising how comfortable he looks out there all things considered.Yeah I don't really care that he hit the shots as much as the fact that he looked very comfortable with the motion of it and confident enough to do it in game.
Danny got the phone slammed down on him last Fall trying to move Walker, so you may be right. I keep forcing a KW/Horford swap. OKC may want a 22ppg/no D player while unloading Horford's contract. Others have suggested the Knicks as a Kemba destination (don't see them with Rose/Quickley) + Thibs likes defense. Maybe OrlandoI think we are one year away from realistically being able to move Kemba. Maybe I’m wrong but the number of teams looking for a starting PG this summer are few. The number looking for a declining PG who is damaged goods on a $30m contract are how many? We will be down to a cellar dweller far under the cap to absorb his salary. That could get pricey if that team even exists.
I believe the bolded was unconfirmed rumor from somewhat sketchy sources. True or not, this offseason should have a better trade market for Kemba. It's only a 1-2 year commitment, he's shown he can still score, and there will be a lot of trades this offseason.Danny got the phone slammed down on him last Fall trying to move Walker, so you may be right. I keep forcing a KW/Horford swap. OKC may want a 22ppg/no D player while unloading Horford's contract. Others have suggested the Knicks as a Kemba destination (don't see them with Rose/Quickley) + Thibs likes defense. Maybe Orlando
It was nice to see the C's play D last night, and keep a team below 100 (even though the Knicks shot lights out from 3). Need to get back to being physical defensively. Watching other teams ISO Kemba 30 minutes a night, while the 4 other Celtics scramble to cover for him is brutal
Yup, Kemba didn't go 2017-2018 IT this year. His knee still works, he can still shoot, and his deal is a year shorter. He's not KEMBA anymore, but he's not John Wall either.I believe the bolded was unconfirmed rumor from somewhat sketchy sources. True or not, this offseason should have a better trade market for Kemba. It's only a 1-2 year commitment, he's shown he can still score, and there will be a lot of trades this offseason.
I can guarantee you no team is giving a MAX or large multi-year deal to a player worse than Kemba.There are also going to be a lot of guys that get paid unreasonable contracts this off-season, some of whom are worse than Kemba.
Rick Boucher (on the Herd) is flakey, that's fine. But I haven't heard Danny deny itI believe the bolded was unconfirmed rumor from somewhat sketchy sources. True or not, this offseason should have a better trade market for Kemba. It's only a 1-2 year commitment, he's shown he can still score, and there will be a lot of trades this offseason.
I mean, we just saw Westbrook moved twice, albeit once for John Wall (!). The yearly number is manageable if the Celtics don’t assume they can move Kemba into space.I can guarantee you no team is giving a MAX or large multi-year deal to a player worse than Kemba.
It's the yearly amount ($36MM + $37.6MM) that is so tricky to move, who's got that space and wants to use a 1/3 of their cap on Kemba for 2 seasons?
I don't think Danny would deny that he took a bunch of calls on Kemba, but based on other rumors, it sounded more like Kemba's value was low, and Danny was looking for bigger return rather than there being no interest at all.I can guarantee you no team is giving a MAX or large multi-year deal to a player worse than Kemba.
It's the yearly amount ($36MM + $37.6MM) that is so tricky to move, who's got that space and wants to use a 1/3 of their cap on Kemba for 2 seasons? KW opt-out is remote (nothing like GH). The C's will be taking back a large contract
Rick Boucher (on the Herd) is flakey, that's fine. But I haven't heard Danny deny it
Agreed, I think the challenge is they need that slot to get them the player they want back as well. Which could occur two ways:The thing is, would the Celtics benefit from moving Kemba for air? They need to hold above-cap salary somewhere, and although a handful of smaller sized contracts would be more flexible, Kemba is still a better player than many combinations of overpaid mid level guys.
I think at a certain point they need to take that future unprotected 1st risk.Agreed, I think the challenge is they need that slot to get them the player they want back as well. Which could occur two ways:
1. Preserve the slot (a Horford scenario) and trade for the actual player who fills the slot later
2. Trade (most likley in a three way) for the player now
What's hard is that Celts simply don't have a lot of tradeable assets now either. You can staple future 1s to something, and someone may like Romeo/Nesmith a bit, but unless you take on a lot of risk with future unprotected 1s it's hard to get to a real impact asset from what they have to trade.
Yea but Westbrook and Wall weren't paid/signed last off-season. Both were bad legacy deals. I agree that's where the Celtics have been with Kemba since month 4 of this contract. He has no value on the trade market, other than accepting a big/bad contract in return.I mean, we just saw Westbrook moved twice, albeit once for John Wall (!). The yearly number is manageable if the Celtics don’t assume they can move Kemba into space.
The thing is, would the Celtics benefit from moving Kemba for air? They need to hold above-cap salary somewhere, and although a handful of smaller sized contracts would be more flexible, Kemba is still a better player than many combinations of overpaid mid level guys.
There haven't been many unprotected picks traded recently. At least not ones that are a few years out. Seems like everyone is sticking the 1-4 protection on them. Or 1-3 if you are the TimberwolvesI think at a certain point they need to take that future unprotected 1st risk.
I am 99% sure that you’re conflating reports.I can guarantee you no team is giving a MAX or large multi-year deal to a player worse than Kemba.
It's the yearly amount ($36MM + $37.6MM) that is so tricky to move, who's got that space and wants to use a 1/3 of their cap on Kemba for 2 seasons? KW opt-out is remote (nothing like GH). The C's will be taking back a large contract
Rick Boucher (on the Herd) is flakey, that's fine. But I haven't heard Danny deny it
It's disaster insurance.There haven't been many unprotected picks traded recently. At least not ones that are a few years out. Seems like everyone is sticking the 1-4 protection on them. Or 1-3 if you are the Timberwolves
And the idea that Ainge has pissed off every other GM was killed quite quickly by a reporter that actually took the time to interview multiple front offices. We really shouldn't take anything Boucher says seriously; certainly shouldn't take it as "news".I am 99% sure that you’re conflating reports.
A few people have claimed that Danny was offering up Kemba to a few teams before the draft (Zach Harper I think was the first person to tweet about it.)
Bucher took it a step further and implied that Ainge was lying to every team about Kemba’s health and that every other GM was pissed at him and bla bla bla.
And Bucher is more than flakey. He’s a fucking idiot who gets literally everything wrong. It’s amazing that him and Chris Broussard actually get paid to cover a league they know 0 about
If you're going to nitpick, you should at least be factually correct.There haven't been many unprotected picks traded recently. At least not ones that are a few years out. Seems like everyone is sticking the 1-4 protection on them. Or 1-3 if you are the Timberwolves
It sure would help if a star like Bradley Beal forced his way here. The reality is that there aren’t as many ways for the team to improve its roster as there were a few years ago. There are no more high lottery guys on the team to build around and no potential lottery picks fleeced from other teams on the horizon. There is no cap space in sight for a significant free agent signing and no assets on the bench to acquire an impact player via trade. The hopes are:I think at a certain point they need to take that future unprotected 1st risk.
the point is:I am 99% sure that you’re conflating reports.
A few people have claimed that Danny was offering up Kemba to a few teams before the draft (Zach Harper I think was the first person to tweet about it.)
Bucher took it a step further and implied that Ainge was lying to every team about Kemba’s health and that every other GM was pissed at him and bla bla bla.
And Bucher is more than flakey. He’s a fucking idiot who gets literally everything wrong. It’s amazing that him and Chris Broussard actually get paid to cover a league they know 0 about
Agree with all and would addIt sure would help if a star like Bradley Beal forced his way here. The reality is that there aren’t as many ways for the team to improve its roster as there were a few years ago. There are no more high lottery guys on the team to build around and no potential lottery picks fleeced from other teams on the horizon. There is no cap space in sight for a significant free agent signing and no assets on the bench to acquire an impact player via trade. The hopes are:
1) the team looks better when it has its best healthy players getting the minutes (more Tristan Thompson / less Luke Kornet and Mo Wagner)
2) Langford and Nesmith follow the Robert Williams’ path of development
3) Ainge picks off players from other rosters that can be maximized by Brad Stevens (Fournier may fit)
4) the front office finds a way to get more out of the Kemba salary slot, either by letting him walk in two years if it will liberate sufficient cap space to land another max player or by moving him sooner with a slew of unprotected firsts and pick swaps for the disenfranchised star du jour.
Some team will, he just won't be worse than Kemba until after he signs the contract. That's how teams end up with Blake Griffin's and Kemba Walkers.I can guarantee you no team is giving a MAX or large multi-year deal to a player worse than Kemba.
I agree with the flexibility that moving Kemba would give them. They could do more with that spot than what he can give them at that money.the point is:
1. Kemba was on the market
2. no takers
3. Danny recognizes they need to move him
I could care less about Boucher or Broussard semantics, or if Danny was being cunning, not forthright or random tweets...
Kemba needs to be moved
Just means he won't be moved and 21/22 is another Kemba year. Hopefully he plays well and opts out.I agree with the flexibility that moving Kemba would give them. They could do more with that spot than what he can give them at that money.
The bolded is a bit of a stretch though. I doubt that Kemba has no takers. I think that what Danny would be or has been offered was simply unpalatable. If the return is someone else's junk contract or we have to staple an unprotected first, that's probably a bridge too far for our management. That doesn't mean that no opportunity exists to move him.
Doesn't mean that at all.Just means he won't be moved and 21/22 is another Kemba year.
Under his scenario it does. Ainge isn't trading unprotected picks and isn't taking on an even worse contract.Doesn't mean that at all.
This is an honest question and not snark, why?the point is:
1. Kemba was on the market
2. no takers
3. Danny recognizes they need to move him
I could care less about Boucher or Broussard semantics, or if Danny was being cunning, not forthright or random tweets...
Kemba needs to be moved
Circumstances this coming offseason will be different than they were last year. So the trade market for a Kemba could very different.Under his scenario it does. Ainge isn't trading unprotected picks and isn't taking on an even worse contract.
What does that leave?
Kemba isn’t opting out next summer. He/agent would be best served to wait on a trade to tack on his 15% trade kicker.Just means he won't be moved and 21/22 is another Kemba year. Hopefully he plays well and opts out.
The huge difference is Ainge's reluctance to trade future 1st round picks.What is the huge difference between Kemba's remaining 1+1 and the 2.5 years Horford had left when he was traded to OKC? Yes, Kemba makes $10M/year more, but that's not huge given the extra $14M tacked on to the back of Horford's deal, and it's not a huge deal for a rebuilding team.
They're both still contributing players who are slightly washed, and didn't fit right with their old teams.
Given the price Horford moved for, and the fact that OKC clearly didn't care at all about his on-court performance, I don't see why moving Kemba is so impossible.
You can then separate any star deal into 2 pieces: trade Kemba for salary parts or into an exception first, and then execute the other deal without having so many moving parts.
I wonder which teams would take him on. Detroit? Cleveland? New Orleans?What is the huge difference between Kemba's remaining 1+1 and the 2.5 years Horford had left when he was traded to OKC? Yes, Kemba makes $10M/year more, but that's not huge given the extra $14M tacked on to the back of Horford's deal, and it's not a huge deal for a rebuilding team.
They're both still contributing players who are slightly washed, and didn't fit right with their old teams.
Given the price Horford moved for, and the fact that OKC clearly didn't care at all about his on-court performance, I don't see why moving Kemba is so impossible.
You can then separate any star deal into 2 pieces: trade Kemba for salary parts or into an exception first, and then execute the other deal without having so many moving parts.
Ah, ok, I see where you're coming from now. I agree he's been reluctant to this point (and possibly in the Aaron Gordon situation). If he remains reluctant this summer, I think that's fireable.The huge difference is Ainge's reluctance to trade future 1st round picks.
Cleveland won't; too many young guards. Orlando and NO are possibilities, maybe Detroit since they do dumb shit all the time to get talent.I wonder which teams would take him on. Detroit? Cleveland? New Orleans?
Thinking about it, starving Kemba for minutes actually hurts whichever team he is on to the extent that it makes his player option more valuable than hitting the open marking after an opt out. Actually, thinking about it now is there any reasonable scenario where 32 year old bum knee Kemba declines his $37M option? I can't see any team offering 3 years > 12 AAV even if he were playing at all star level Kemba. Shit.Cleveland won't; too many young guards. Orlando and NO are possibilities, maybe Detroit since they do dumb shit all the time to get talent.
The obvious fallback is OKC, sending a protected future 1st for Horford. The difference in money is material, and you can either have Horford replace TT, or use him as salary in the star deal they need to make.
I don't think that's going to be the case though.Under his scenario it does. Ainge isn't trading unprotected picks and isn't taking on an even worse contract.
What does that leave?
If he is playing at an all star level, yeah. Some team would probably offer a 2+1 for 40 (60).Thinking about it, starving Kemba for minutes actually hurts whichever team he is on to the extent that it makes his player option more valuable than hitting the open marking after an opt out. Actually, thinking about it now is there any reasonable scenario where 32 year old bum knee Kemba declines his $37M option? I can't see any team offering 3 years > 12 AAV even if he were playing at all star level Kemba. Shit.
I explicitly said that I'd expect the Celtics to include a protected first in that deal.Horford keeps getting his name thrown around here like OKC will throw us a lifeline. The trade only makes sense (without a heavily protected future first) for OKC if they can flip KW for assets after the year.
As those lusting after Horford show, Horford has more trade value than KW. If this trade was going to get done without further Ainge concessions, it would have been done already.
Why does a 34 year old Al Horford have more trade value than KW? Given their contracts and age, they both have negative trade value around the league and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.As those lusting after Horford show, Horford has more trade value than KW. If this trade was going to get done without further Ainge concessions, it would have been done already.
They do both have negative value. Kemba is owed 20 million extra over the next two years though. Seems like pretty easily calculus that Kemba has more negative value than AlWhy does a 34 year old Al Horford have more trade value than KW? Given their contracts and age, they both have negative trade value around the league and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Hayward was always going to opt-out for a long-term guaranteed deal from Boston or elsewhere. I don’t specifically recall Horfords case off top of my head. Who in there right mind would give 31-yr old Kemba long-term guaranteed money with a degenerative knee condition who can’t play B2B nights? His market by then, likely following a 5th surgery, could easily be Isaiah post-hip surgery......no agent is going to walk away from $37m (or $42m if traded).If he is playing at an all star level, yeah. Some team would probably offer a 2+1 for 40 (60).
Everyone said there was no way Horford or Hayward would opt out either. I know those situations are a little different but guys will always opt out for more guaranteed money.
I wax and wane on whether he opts out. It would require him to be healthy for all of 21/22 and be reasonably consistent.
As is, he looks like maybe he could finish his career as a Lou Williams type off the bench. That player definitely isn't opting out.
What teams need a short, ball dominant scorer on the wrong side of 30 with injury concerns? Do you see a contender trading for Kemba Walker?I don't think that's going to be the case though.
Kemba isn't that bad, in part because some of his issues for us are based on how we play, and that we have 2 young ball dominant wing scorers.
Last offseason there was far more cause for concern about his knee, his play this season should have ameliorated some of that concern.
A team that needs a ball dominant scorer, especially if they have strong rim protection should be looking at him. 2/73 is a lot of money, but it's short years, and if you are dumping a not very good non-max contract in the deal (Bledsoe?, Hield?, Gordon?, Harris) you're basically only increasing your cap hit by 15-20M and Kemba is a better player than most of those.