Tristan Thompson to Boston: 2 years, $19M, player option to re-up with Khloé Kardashian

RG33

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I am excited for this signing. I’ve wanted him on the Celtics for years as well as some others have said.

He is a significant upgrade over Kanter/Poirier, is an elite rebounder who can play legit defense about NBA Bigs when needed, and really solid on the pick and roll. Both of those things were sorely lacking on the Celtics. He fits in nicely with Theis/Grant/TL in the 5-slot in my opinion.

As others have mentioned, I also love the nasty edge he brings. He and Smart in the lineup together at times will not be a welcome site for opposing teams. I think he is worth the MLE and was hoping that he would be the veteran big they brought in.

Less thrilled with Teague, but he is a serviceable, legit NBA PG who can give them 15 min so I will take it.
 

mcpickl

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Thompson was getting full MLE from some team.

Saving a couple of million in salary and ending up with a player far worse but more efficient from a payroll perspective doesn't do it for me. Thompson is getting nowhere near the money of either Hayward or Morris, so your analogy doesn't hold at all.
I don't think he was, at least not for two years.

I don't think he'd choose Boston over other cities he could play in if the money was equal.

2/19 is a lot for a backup center. It just is. If someone else was really going to pay that, great, let them.

There will be a handful of decent backup centers available for less.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Thompson is a very good screen setter. That definitely fits with how the Cs like to run things. He and Theis are both in the top 15 in screen assists. He is much better than Kanter in that regard and will give Stevens a bit more flexibility on nights when Theis has foul trouble. So pretty much every game
 

lexrageorge

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I don't think he was, at least not for two years.

I don't think he'd choose Boston over other cities he could play in if the money was equal.

2/19 is a lot for a backup center. It just is. If someone else was really going to pay that, great, let them.

There will be a handful of decent backup centers available for less.
The bolded makes zero sense.

However, it's clear you view his talents very differently than I do; I think he's a far better player than just a "backup center", but YMMV.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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The bolded makes zero sense.

However, it's clear you view his talents very differently than I do; I think he's a far better player than just a "backup center", but YMMV.
He is the very definition of a backup center on this roster Would you start him over Daniel Theis? If so, what is the basis?
 

Cellar-Door

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I don't think he was, at least not for two years.

I don't think he'd choose Boston over other cities he could play in if the money was equal.

2/19 is a lot for a backup center. It just is. If someone else was really going to pay that, great, let them.

There will be a handful of decent backup centers available for less.
I see two things with this....
1. I don't think it's that much for a top backup C, and Thompson is definitely one of the best backup Cs in the league (especially if you eliminate rookie scale players).
2. I don't think he's a backup C, I think he's at the very least a rotational starter, I would expect him and Theis to split the 5th starter role.

He's going to end up as like the 30th - 37th highest contract at his position depending how you qualify some PF/C hybrids, that's not unreasonable at all for a part-time starter on a playoff team



Edit- also, I think the clearest indicator that this is expected value is that basically every NBA writer on twitter who has been ripping big man contracts all week thinks this is a good addition and contract.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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I see two things with this....
1. I don't think it's that much for a top backup C, and Thompson is definitely one of the best backup Cs in the league (especially if you eliminate rookie scale players).
2. I don't think he's a backup C, I think he's at the very least a rotational starter, I would expect him and Theis to split the 5th starter role.

He's going to end up as like the 30th - 37th highest contract at his position depending how you qualify some PF/C hybrids, that's not unreasonable at all for a part-time starter on a playoff team
Aside from injuries or specific matchups, you really think they will let Thompson start? Every metric worth considering has DT as a far superior player.
 

mcpickl

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The bolded makes zero sense.

However, it's clear you view his talents very differently than I do; I think he's a far better player than just a "backup center", but YMMV.
Why does that make zero sense to you?

I think Thompson would likely prefer, if the money was equal, to be in a city that isn't Boston. I know since most of us are from the Boston area, every athlete must also want to live here, but my guess is he'd prefer to be on the west coast if the money were equal.

And he's surely a "backup center" here.

I see two things with this....
1. I don't think it's that much for a top backup C, and Thompson is definitely one of the best backup Cs in the league (especially if you eliminate rookie scale players).
2. I don't think he's a backup C, I think he's at the very least a rotational starter, I would expect him and Theis to split the 5th starter role.

He's going to end up as like the 30th - 37th highest contract at his position depending how you qualify some PF/C hybrids, that's not unreasonable at all for a part-time starter on a playoff team



Edit- also, I think the clearest indicator that this is expected value is that basically every NBA writer on twitter who has been ripping big man contracts all week thinks this is a good addition and contract.
This is the point for me. If he were a PF/C hybrid, that's the kind of guy I'd have no problem paying fairly big bucks for. But he and Theis, and Rob Williams for that matter, are centers only.

If he could backup the 5, shoot it well enough to play alongside another 5, that would be great.
 

Cellar-Door

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Aside from injuries or specific matchups, you really think they will let Thompson start? Every metric worth considering has DT as a far superior player.
I think it will be matchup based, but between matchups, injuries, etc.... yeah I think he takes a good chunk of the 18-19 Baynes role and starts 30% or more of the games
 

djbayko

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Any big guy they would have grabbed with one more pick wouldn't contribute anything close to what TT will add this season.
Yeah. The contribution Granite made in the playoffs this year (as a role player) was a dream come true. Not all rookies are going to pan out that well. Championship teams need veterans on their roster, where you know what you’re getting.
 

OurF'ingCity

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In today’s NBA talking about whether he is a “starter” seems pointless. Just as was the case with Kanter/Theis, Thompson/Theis will be used situationally based on matchups. If it was just those two, I’d say I expect Thompson to get more minutes than Kanter did, but I also suspect Time Lord will get more minutes so Brad will have to balance playing time for all three.
 

scottyno

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I haven't seen him much lately, but the Thompson of the several series when they played the cavs was able to switch out on guards without being too exposed because of his length. If he can still do that it's really nice for the defense.
 

amarshal2

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I haven't seen him much lately, but the Thompson of the several series when they played the cavs was able to switch out on guards without being too exposed because of his length. If he can still do that it's really nice for the defense.
My Cavs fan friend says he can switch, defend the PnR, and set screens. I remember he was still intense about playing hard last year on a shit team, so the makeup seems good. Those wondering if he can add a 3 are dreaming. He’s an abysmal shooter.

I don’t think he starts but I think it’s closer than some others think come playoffs.
 

scottyno

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My Cavs fan friend says he can switch, defend the PnR, and set screens. I remember he was still intense about playing hard last year on a shit team, so the makeup seems good. Those wondering if he can add a 3 are dreaming. He’s an abysmal shooter.

I don’t think he starts but I think it’s closer than some others think come playoffs.
I remember him switching out and causing IT absolute fits because it was basically impossible for him to get a shot over TT and he couldn't get around him, of course that was also 4 years ago.
 

chilidawg

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I haven't seen him much lately, but the Thompson of the several series when they played the cavs was able to switch out on guards without being too exposed because of his length. If he can still do that it's really nice for the defense.
This is what I recall as well. I also recall that he's a guy who always seemed to step it up in the post season. And he's got legit championship experience, something no one else on the Celtics can say. Or maybe that doesn't matter in todays NBA either.
 

shoelace

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My Cavs fan friend says he can switch, defend the PnR, and set screens. I remember he was still intense about playing hard last year on a shit team, so the makeup seems good. Those wondering if he can add a 3 are dreaming. He’s an abysmal shooter.

I don’t think he starts but I think it’s closer than some others think come playoffs.
Yeah, I feel like the negativity about this signing is misplaced. He's a good defensive player. He has limitations, obviously, but that's true of literally any player signing for the MLE.

I'm also not sure what the definition of bad contract is for some posters. It's a two year contract. Spotrac says that the average Center in the NBA makes $9,600,000. Feels like the discourse on this board about what a bad contract is has become sort of insane post-COVID. Not everything is an albatross. Just say you don't like the player and engage in a meaningful critique of his play.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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I have no view on the valuation of Thompson's contract but given the relatively disperate terms of the deals that have been announced to date, it seems like there is a pretty big market amongst teams about the league's prospects.
 

shoelace

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That may be true, but we saw Christian Wood sign a 3 year, $41,000,000 deal. We saw Jakob Poetl sign for 3 years, $27,000,000 as an RFA. How much do people think Theis will be offered next season? I assume part of the reason the Celtics signed Thompson to a two year deal is that they wanted to have a solid player at the 5 in the event that someone wants to offer Theis a significant raise, which is likely because he is good.

I also think folks are deluding themselves if they believe that there will always be a Theis or a Baynes caliber big willing to play for the Celtics on an extremely cheap, short term commitment. That's not likely to always be the case and I think it has skewed some perspectives here.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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That may be true, but we saw Christian Wood sign a 3 year, $41,000,000 deal. We saw Jakob Poetl sign for 3 years, $27,000,000 as an RFA. How much do people think Theis will be offered next season? I assume part of the reason the Celtics signed Thompson to a two year deal is that they wanted to have a solid player at the 5 in the event that someone wants to offer Theis a significant raise, which is likely because he is good.

I also think folks are deluding themselves if they believe that there will always be a Theis or a Baynes caliber big willing to play for the Celtics on an extremely cheap, short term commitment. That's not likely to always be the case and I think it has skewed some perspectives here.
You make s great point about hedging a Theis departure.

I am not sure the Celtics are worried about finding bigs at all. They have been sourcing skilled ones cheaply via all the usual channels for pretty much the entirety of the Stevens era.
 

Cellar-Door

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You make s great point about hedging a Theis departure.

I am not sure the Celtics are worried about finding bigs at all. They have been sourcing skilled ones cheaply via all the usual channels for pretty much the entirety of the Stevens era.
The key is, what they really do is get a collection with different skills and mix and match. One problem they had is they lucked out a bit with Baynes. He wasn't quite the rebounder they wanted for that role and they struggled for years on the boards, but he did most of the rest and his shot developed a bit unexpectedly. Kanter was too big a downgrade elsewhere to justify the rebounding. Thompson brings Kanter-level or better rebounding, and much of what Baynes did outside the shot.
That makes it easier to fill the other big roles (perhaps with Williams and a shooting big) if Theis moves on.
 

TripleOT

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I would have preferred Ibaka, who signed with the Clips for the same money. I do love the toughness TT will bring the Celtics.
 

lovegtm

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At the end of the day, “decent defensive center who can set screens and rebound” has a ton of value in the Celtics system in particular, because of their reliance on center screens for Kemba and Tatum.

Love the signing: sex comes from letting young guys develop. Vets should fill specific roles as known quantities.
 

nolasoxfan

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At the end of the day, “decent defensive center who can set screens and rebound” has a ton of value in the Celtics system in particular, because of their reliance on center screens for Kemba and Tatum.

Love the signing: sex comes from letting young guys develop. Vets should fill specific roles as known quantities.
Meow... Do tell!
 

ragnarok725

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Given that Ibaka signed the same deal for the LAC, would people have preferred him? I'm not sure Ibaka would cost Boston over LA with the same terms on the table, but interested in whether people think that's a better deal.
 

lovegtm

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Given that Ibaka signed the same deal for the LAC, would people have preferred him? I'm not sure Ibaka would cost Boston over LA with the same terms on the table, but interested in whether people think that's a better deal.
Ibaka's has a player option for the 2nd year, which is a pretty big difference.

I prefer Thompson for the Celtics' specific situation: I'm not high on Ibaka's ability to guard Embiid/Giannis. Thompson can compete there.

I generally also think center 3PT shooting is an overrated skill for the guys who aren't elite at it. It's too easy to snuff it out in the playoffs with harder closeouts, late switches, and daring the guy to shoot in some cases.

Finally, I'm surprised Toronto didn't do a 1-year overpay for Ibaka. They're going to take a step back imo, due to FVV and Siakam not having much development runway left, Lowry aging further and thinness at C.
 

mcpickl

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Yeah, I feel like the negativity about this signing is misplaced. He's a good defensive player. He has limitations, obviously, but that's true of literally any player signing for the MLE.

I'm also not sure what the definition of bad contract is for some posters. It's a two year contract. Spotrac says that the average Center in the NBA makes $9,600,000. Feels like the discourse on this board about what a bad contract is has become sort of insane post-COVID. Not everything is an albatross. Just say you don't like the player and engage in a meaningful critique of his play.
So, it's not OK for me to say I don't mind the player but think he's overpaid by about double what I'd pay in salary, and years?

Why is that not allowed in shoelace world?
 

OurF'ingCity

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So, it's not OK for me to say I don't mind the player but think he's overpaid by about double what I'd pay in salary, and years?

Why is that not allowed in shoelace world?
There’s nothing wrong with saying it, but it’s an academic exercise if you don’t explain (a) what the Celtics should have done with the money instead or (b) how this contract will hurt the team going forward. I don’t see how the contract will hurt the team going forward, and in terms of alternatives the only semi-realistic one was Ibaka and for all we know they did reach out and he wasn’t interested. Unless there is someone else out there you think they should have used the MLE on instead.
 

shoelace

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So, it's not OK for me to say I don't mind the player but think he's overpaid by about double what I'd pay in salary, and years?

Why is that not allowed in shoelace world?
I think you're allowed to say it, but you sort of have to answer the questions OurF'ingCity lays out in the post above. It seems unfair to put this contract alongside Gordon Hayward's 4 year deal or Marcus Morris's deal. What I'm saying is we need more clearly defined terms here, because Thompson's deal isn't anywhere close to those.

And, as I said above, they may have had to give Thompson a few more dollars to secure a commitment from him for a second year to hedge against a Theis departure. Maybe a player you like better or would have found to be a better value would have demanded a player option, like Jamychal Green did, which would put them to in a very vulnerable position next offseason.

Given that, to me any slight overpay falls into the "not my money" category. I don't think Tristan Thompson at $9,000,000 on a one year deal next offseason is an immovable contract if he doesn't work out.

I also need to see who folks are saying they would sign for $5,000,000 this offseason that can play the same role as Thompson. They wanted to use the MLE on a big, who should they have signed instead?
 

benhogan

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I also need to see who folks are saying they would sign for $5,000,000 this offseason that can play the same role as Thompson. They wanted to use the MLE on a big, who should they have signed instead?
I'll stay on brand and say Aron Baynes, but I suspect Ainge contacted AB and was told he's going back to PHO
 

Devizier

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I'll stay on brand and say Aron Baynes, but I suspect Ainge contacted AB and was told he's going back to PHO
Yeah, Baynes was my guy, simply because we know he works well here. But if he wasn't available within the Celtics' budget -- entirely possible -- then I don't see where else you go. If we were assured that last seasons' production would be replicated, I'd take Ibaka, but he's two years older and he had a competing offer from a team probably closer to a title.
 

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It's been mentioned a few times already, but this team has lacked toughness outside of Smart. He's willing, but it's hard to back up the swagger when the target looms 7 inches taller. Thompson will have Smart's back, and should help lessen the chances of cheap shots to the Jays. His finals experience will be very welcome as well and he might be able to settle some of our younger guys when moments get tight. Finally, he has a set of skills that Williams would do well to learn from. I like the multi-tool approach at center - it's built-in insurance and gives us several looks. I suspect coach is fully on board.
 

cardiacs

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One voice from the wilderness here... I like this signing a lot even considering this is a bit of an overpay.
 

mcpickl

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There’s nothing wrong with saying it, but it’s an academic exercise if you don’t explain (a) what the Celtics should have done with the money instead or (b) how this contract will hurt the team going forward. I don’t see how the contract will hurt the team going forward, and in terms of alternatives the only semi-realistic one was Ibaka and for all we know they did reach out and he wasn’t interested. Unless there is someone else out there you think they should have used the MLE on instead.
I've already said in this thread I believe there will be a handful of backup centers available for less.

If you want just a backup 5, I believe there will be fine options like Baynes, Willie Cauley Stein, John Henson, Alex Len, maybe options on the trade market for less than the full MLE.

In general, I would not spend the full MLE on a guy who can only play the 5, when I already have a good starter who can only play the 5, and a prospect who could use some playing time that can only play the 5. And added bonus, the two guys I already have at that spot combined make less than the full MLE.

I would've gladly gone into the season with Theis, Rob Williams and any of the guys I listed above, or even a veteran minimum guy who'll likely be hanging around without a chair when the music stops. And if come the trade deadline my center position isn't working out/healthy at that point, I'll make a trade or pick up a guy who got bought out at that point. Backup centers are readily available.
 

DannyDarwinism

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It's been mentioned a few times already, but this team has lacked toughness outside of Smart. He's willing, but it's hard to back up the swagger when the target looms 7 inches taller. Thompson will have Smart's back, and should help lessen the chances of cheap shots to the Jays. His finals experience will be very welcome as well and he might be able to settle some of our younger guys when moments get tight. Finally, he has a set of skills that Williams would do well to learn from. I like the multi-tool approach at center - it's built-in insurance and gives us several looks. I suspect coach is fully on board.
Yeah, I’m kind of a sucker for rugged bigs like TT, but I also think there’s value in having a guy who’s a competent defender in likely playoff matchups (Philly in particular, but also Miami), even if he’s not particularly helpful in other matchups. He’s also a guy in his prime who’s been languishing on a bad team with terrible guard play, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him rejuvenated by winning and playing smart basketball.
 

NomarsFool

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I feel better about this today than I did yesterday. If you had asked my yesterday how old TT was, I'd have said 33-35 :)

The Athletic had a pretty robust analysis on expected contracts for all the FAs, and they had TT rated as a vet minimum guy (much less than the MLE). So, those who feel this is an overpay are not crazy. I would have rather used the MLE on a wing with the loss of GH - but I don't know who is left. In general, as others have said, spending money on wings is better than spending money on BIGs.
 

Euclis20

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I've already said in this thread I believe there will be a handful of backup centers available for less.

If you want just a backup 5, I believe there will be fine options like Baynes, Willie Cauley Stein, John Henson, Alex Len, maybe options on the trade market for less than the full MLE.

In general, I would not spend the full MLE on a guy who can only play the 5, when I already have a good starter who can only play the 5, and a prospect who could use some playing time that can only play the 5. And added bonus, the two guys I already have at that spot combined make less than the full MLE.

I would've gladly gone into the season with Theis, Rob Williams and any of the guys I listed above, or even a veteran minimum guy who'll likely be hanging around without a chair when the music stops. And if come the trade deadline my center position isn't working out/healthy at that point, I'll make a trade or pick up a guy who got bought out at that point. Backup centers are readily available.
Williams is always hurt (whether he's on the court or not) and he's in year 3. At this point the Celtics cannot rely on him to be the only backup big, and if he wants the playing time, he has to get there on his own. Theis is undersized (making him weak in a few key matchups) and a FA after this year.

It seems like he's been in the league forever, but Thompson is still just 29. Compared to a guy like Baynes (turning 34 in a couple of weeks), this counts for something (not that he has room to improve, more that a decline is less likely). Add in his title experience, rebounding and attitude (things that are not easily found in vet minimum guys, especially mid season), and I'm liking this move, a lot.
 

mcpickl

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Williams is always hurt (whether he's on the court or not) and he's in year 3. At this point the Celtics cannot rely on him to be the only backup big, and if he wants the playing time, he has to get there on his own. Theis is undersized (making him weak in a few key matchups) and a FA after this year.

It seems like he's been in the league forever, but Thompson is still just 29. Compared to a guy like Baynes (turning 34 in a couple of weeks), this counts for something. Add in his title experience, rebounding and attitude (things that are not easily found in vet minimum guys, especially mid season), and I'm liking this move, a lot.
How did you take from my post that Williams would be the only backup big?
 

PedroKsBambino

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I commented in the playoff threads that the Cs need a veteran who has been there and won big games to settle them down and help them get focused. I really feel like that was missing, and contributed to their persistent failings offensively in the last 5 minutes of games.

I do not know what TT's personality is, but he has the gravitas and playoff success to speak to that in a way no one on the roster had last year---much as I love Kemba he has never won anything in NBA, and pretty much neither has Hayward (who also doesn't have that personality).

I also agree with those citing toughness---Miami and Toronto both pushed the Celtics around. I think in next year's playoffs if, say, the equivalent of Jae Crowder cheap-shots Brown that TT is going to take out someone at the other end. I believe that matters, and has been missing.

These things are not sufficient---if he can't play 20-25 quality minutes, provide rebounding and quality switchable defense, and play a role on offense even if mostly screening and rebounding, then they don't matter. But if he is just break-even to what they had last year on those things and adds some toughness and vet gravitas that to me is a real source of value here.
 

Euclis20

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How did you take from my post that Williams would be the only backup big?
I would've gladly gone into the season with Theis, Rob Williams and any of the guys I listed above, or even a veteran minimum guy
Vet minimum guys can't be relied upon for anything. They aren't a plan, they are an emergency solution when everything else has been exhausted. There were plenty of moments last year when Kanter was extremely helpful (not just against Embiid), and Thompson is, in most ways, better than Kanter. Going into a season with literally no one on the active roster taller than 6'8 is insanity, especially when one of your two "bigs" can't stay healthy.
 

mcpickl

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Vet minimum guys can't be relied upon for anything. They aren't a plan, they are an emergency solution when everything else has been exhausted. There were plenty of moments last year when Kanter was extremely helpful (not just against Embiid), and Thompson is, in most ways, better than Kanter. Going into a season with literally no one on the active roster taller than 6'8 is insanity, especially when one of your two "bigs" can't stay healthy.
Well. oddly, you latched on to only the last part of that sentence and ignored the rest of it. Very strange.

Even with that reading comprehension issue, I will bet you any amount of money a useful backup center will sign for the minimum this year.
 

Imbricus

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I like the signing -- I remember those games when he used to give the Celtics fits. And I think the Celts need a big, physical guy for certain matchups. I think this board sometimes undervalues size as an attribute. Yeah, it's great to have a bunch of quick 6-6, 6-7 wings, but you're going to run into matchups where a big guy will eat up your small defenders. I thought Bam's ability to run roughshod over us in the playoffs was a sign of that. While I like Theis, he's the kind of center -- skinny, a bit shorter and less athletic than average -- who gets eaten up by players like Embiid.

And while I love Time Lord, and don't think should we should pass judgment on him for a few years, he's still very much a work in progress.
 

Euclis20

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Well. oddly, you latched on to only the last part of that sentence and ignored the rest of it. Very strange.

Even with that reading comprehension issue, I will bet you any amount of money a useful backup center will sign for the minimum this year.
You said you'd be happy going into the year with Theis, Williams, and one of the guys listed earlier, OR a vet minimum guy. Theis/Williams/vet minimum guy is a weak big man rotation. Considering Theis' foul issues and Williams' injury issues, we already know that the third big will get a ton of minutes, and relying on a minimum guy for that is a bad plan.

Perhaps you meant to write AND instead of OR. That would make more sense.
 

DJnVa

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Don’t the Celtics also need some salaries that are more middle class in case something opens up?
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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All these people concerned about a run on the backup big market - do you have information from a reliable sample size (so no one off contracts) that suggests the league is starting to value these players differently?

Aside from going cheap and getting lucky, there are reasons NBA teams aren't as enthused about paying up for these roles. Its not that they aren't valuable - they are. But teams have become far more efficient at valuing and pursuing the skills that contribute to winning. Rebounds do contribute but apparently less than some believe. I haven't seen regressions or studies on what toughness contributes, if anything at all, but its cool to see.
 
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mcpickl

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Jul 23, 2007
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You said you'd be happy going into the year with Theis, Williams, and one of the guys listed earlier, OR a vet minimum guy. Theis/Williams/vet minimum guy is a weak big man rotation. Considering Theis' foul issues and Williams' injury issues, we already know that the third big will get a ton of minutes, and relying on a minimum guy for that is a bad plan.

Perhaps you meant to write AND instead of OR. That would make more sense.
Correct. And you focused on only the minimum guy part, which was plan F. Skipped right on over A,B,C, D and E(which was the trade market), yeah?

And no, I didn't mean to write AND instead of OR. I'm not looking for a repeat of having a Vincent Poirier fourth center who can't play anywhere but center. Did you enjoy just having Vinny wear a suit all last year?

It's so wild to me that people are so worried about backup center to fire their biggest bullet at, when their current backups at the 2-3-4 spots right now are Romeo Langford coming off another surgery, Grant Williams, Semi Ojeleye and a rookie Aaron Nesmith. Feels to me there is a more critical need to spend up there instead of an upgrade on Robert Williams.

Edit: Huh, whadda you know? There goes Willie Cauley Stein off the board for one year at around 4M with a team option for a second year.
 
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benhogan

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Nov 2, 2007
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Going into a season with literally no one on the active roster taller than 6'8 is insanity, especially when one of your two "bigs" can't stay healthy.
Tacko says hello. I'm half-joking.

I'm a fan of flexibility, especially with so many unknowns this season. Getting a big body is probably the cheapest/easiest thing to attain in season (or was last year). I think we'll see plenty of sellers and if Danny can get a TPE from Charlotte I'll be less happy about paying TT $18MM over 2 seasons.
 

Euclis20

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Aug 3, 2004
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Correct. And you focused on only the minimum guy part, which was plan F. Skipped right on over A,B,C, D and E(which was the trade market), yeah?

And no, I didn't mean to write AND instead of OR. I'm not looking for a repeat of having a Vincent Poirier fourth center who can't play anywhere but center. Did you enjoy just having Vinny wear a suit all last year?

It's so wild to me that people are so worried about backup center to fire their biggest bullet at, when their current backups at the 2-3-4 spots right now are Romeo Langford coming off another surgery, Grant Williams, Semi Ojeleye and a rookie Aaron Nesmith. Feels to me there is a more critical need to spend up there instead of an upgrade on Robert Williams.
No on Poirier for sure, but Thompson isn't replacing Poirier. I'm fine with any replacement level big man occupying that spot on the bench. Kanter played nearly 1000 minutes in the regular season last year, and as Theis/Williams don't appear capable of replacing that, the Celtics need an actual player, preferably one who has skills that Theis/Williams don't (Thompson certainly qualifies). You don't get guys like Thompson on the vet minimum, you get guys like Poirier. No thank you.

I don't necessarily disagree that a backup at the wing spot is more crucial (Tatum/Smart/Brown have missed an average of 32 games combined over the last 3 years, and those games could get ugly this year), but competent wing play is more expensive and more in demand. The Celtics weren't getting a wing on the level of TT at that salary, so I'm happy filling the need when they can.
 

mcpickl

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Jul 23, 2007
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No on Poirier for sure, but Thompson isn't replacing Poirier. I'm fine with any replacement level big man occupying that spot on the bench. Kanter played nearly 1000 minutes in the regular season last year, and as Theis/Williams don't appear capable of replacing that, the Celtics need an actual player, preferably one who has skills that Theis/Williams don't (Thompson certainly qualifies). You don't get guys like Thompson on the vet minimum, you get guys like Poirier. No thank you.

I don't necessarily disagree that a backup at the wing spot is more crucial (Tatum/Smart/Brown have missed an average of 32 games combined over the last 3 years, and those games could get ugly this year), but competent wing play is more expensive and more in demand. The Celtics weren't getting a wing on the level of TT at that salary, so I'm happy filling the need when they can.
So, you could almost say, it may have been a better idea to spend your money on the position that's more in demand.
 

Euclis20

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So, you could almost say, it may have been a better idea to spend your money on the position that's more in demand.
More in demand in general league-wide, not necessarily on the Celtics next year. The money goes farther at Center, because rotation talent is cheaper there than it is at wing.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Apr 17, 2003
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So, you could almost say, it may have been a better idea to spend your money on the position that's more in demand.
I think they tried, but Milsap resigned in Denver and no one else left at a position more in demand was available.