If Someone comes, who goes?

If the Celtics pick up a buyout candidate at the vet minimum, whom do you cut?

  • Carsen Edwards

    Votes: 42 35.6%
  • Mo Wagner

    Votes: 17 14.4%
  • Luke Kornet

    Votes: 41 34.7%
  • Aaron Nesmith

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Romeo Langford

    Votes: 3 2.5%
  • Grant WIlliams

    Votes: 3 2.5%
  • Semi Ojele

    Votes: 12 10.2%

  • Total voters
    118
  • Poll closed .

Koufax

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Without any knowledge of who that buyout candidate might be, who would be the first player on the chopping block to make room for this guy? Folks figured Luke Kornet would be the first to go, but after the performance against the Thunder, I don't know if that's an easy call. So who get led out to the firing squad if you were the GM? Don't try to predict what Danny would do. What would you do?
 

TripleOT

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Wagner is a live bodied big, but the Celtics already have a better one in TL. They don’t have a big who can shoot like Kornet. Assuming Thompson will be back, I’d cut Wagner.
 

lovegtm

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Tre Waters?
Just since this will come up a lot in this thread: Tacko and Tre are 2-ways.

I'd cut Wagner. If contracts were equal length, I'd cut Edwards, but they're not, and the logjam at small guard is a bit removed, so there's more chance for him to play.
 

BigSoxFan

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Wonder why the Lakers deal isn’t yet done for Drummond. Can’t imagine the $ should take long to figure out.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Wagner is a live bodied big, but the Celtics already have a better one in TL. They don’t have a big who can shoot like Kornet. Assuming Thompson will be back, I’d cut Wagner.
I'm not convinced Kornet can shoot either.


To answer the question, it depends who is brought in.

I think the C's are done but if they get a big body, Kornet is gone. If they somehow get a wing/guard, Edwards is gone.
 

Cesar Crespo

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I think Carson Edwards if he played more could be a decent to very good player. Just a hunch that's all. Loved him in college. I'd keep him.
In the right situation, he could put up numbers and might be a decent microwave. The C's aren't the right situation.
 

teddykgb

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In truth these are deep role players and I think you need to know a lot about locker room fit and reaction when making these decisions but in the abstract I’d probably cut Carsen. I agree with others that there may be an actual NBA player there but for whatever reason we can’t seem to extract it after multiple years. There probably isn’t a big difference with Kornet or Wagner but you have them now and I think it makes sense to see if either of them can flash. Plus I simply don’t trust that Robert Williams won’t end up injured and we may need the depth.
 

NomarsFool

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Most likely one of the new centers goes. I think there is a slim chance that if Semi’s injury is bad enough they could cut him - but that seems unlikely to me.
The first question is whether there is anyone to bring in .
 

Cesar Crespo

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Most likely one of the new centers goes. I think there is a slim chance that if Semi’s injury is bad enough they could cut him - but that seems unlikely to me.
The first question is whether there is anyone to bring in .
He'd have to be out for the year. I'm not a Semi fan but he is an NBA player.
 

reggiecleveland

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Most likely one of the new centers goes. I think there is a slim chance that if Semi’s injury is bad enough they could cut him - but that seems unlikely to me.
The first question is whether there is anyone to bring in .
Maybe, but I think Edwards. Seems a way better chance TT, TL miss time and they need to play one of the new bigs, than the scenario where Edwards is needed. I bet Kornet, Wagner are competeing for one spot and Brad is taking a look atboth. He has had a good look at Edwards and hasn't played him much, Grass is greener, etc.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Maybe, but I think Edwards. Seems a way better chance TT, TL miss time and they need to play one of the new bigs, than the scenario where Edwards is needed. I bet Kornet, Wagner are competeing for one spot and Brad is taking a look atboth. He has had a good look at Edwards and hasn't played him much, Grass is greener, etc.
Edwards is guaranteed for next year, which may or may not impact the decision.
 

NomarsFool

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He'd have to be out for the year. I'm not a Semi fan but he is an NBA player.
Like I said, slim, but if he was going to be out for a substantial portion of the rest of the season there's a chance he could be cut.

But, most likely would be Wagner or Kornet. I'm no Edwards fan, but with a couple years of guaranteed money on the table - I don't think he gets cut.
 

Deathofthebambino

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At what point do we start wondering if TT is ever coming back, or if the rumors about him ignoring COVID protocols are true? He hasn't played in a game since March 14th, so tomorrow would make 15 days. If he didn't get COVID, which hasn't been reported, he'd already be eligible to come back with a negative test, unless I'm mistaken....
 

NomarsFool

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If he's ignoring protocols, I'm not sure how the team would even know. As Brad said "he's not a babysitter". So, the simplest explanation is that he actually had COVID. As for when he returns, a question of how much he was impacted, how long it takes him to get back in playing shape, etc.
 

Cesar Crespo

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At what point do we start wondering if TT is ever coming back, or if the rumors about him ignoring COVID protocols are true? He hasn't played in a game since March 14th, so tomorrow would make 15 days. If he didn't get COVID, which hasn't been reported, he'd already be eligible to come back with a negative test, unless I'm mistaken....
I know it seems like forever, but today is day 14. Good chance he and Langford are back tomorrow.
 

lexrageorge

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I voted Carsen, despite his $1.8M salary next season, but I could just as easily see it being Kornet. I'd be surprised if it was Wagner.

But there's zero chance it's anyone outside those 3. Semi has a role on this team. Even Grant Williams has a role; plus I don't see the team eating the $2.6M it would cost to dump Grant. And the team is not going to dump Langford and Nesmith just yet, given where they were drafted.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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He'd have to be out for the year. I'm not a Semi fan but he is an NBA player.
Can someone explain to me why I dislike Semi so much? Hes up to a 40% 3 point shooter, 45% on 2's - not great but around average, seems to be able to play passable defense and occasionally good defense...so why do I wish he was the guy getting cut?

I just feel like, for a guy seeing 20 MPG, he's so underwhelming. He always seems to defer (4 shots a game), but seemingly as the middle man going around the horn. He can't get to the hoop, doesnt see the court all that well, usually plays well positionally but doesn't seem to do enough to disrupt a play on the defensive end. He's just unnoticable on the court unless it's a negative play. I don't want to hang my perception on eye test and basic stats, but...he's so "meh".

I dunno. I know we need bodies, and he is certainly a cheap NBA body. But unless his raw numbers get a big boost, I can't imagine an offer to bring him back. And it doesn't feel like Semi is the reason we win or lose games this season, especially in the playoffs. So, if he isn't really helping us now (other than filling minutes), and he's a free agent at the end of the season...why not cut him loose and cross your fingers that the other guys in this poll prove their value? We know what Semi is. And its underwhelming.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Can someone explain to me why I dislike Semi so much? Hes up to a 40% 3 point shooter, 45% on 2's - not great but around average, seems to be able to play passable defense and occasionally good defense...so why do I wish he was the guy getting cut?

I just feel like, for a guy seeing 20 MPG, he's so underwhelming. He always seems to defer (4 shots a game), but seemingly as the middle man going around the horn. He can't get to the hoop, doesnt see the court all that well, usually plays well positionally but doesn't seem to do enough to disrupt a play on the defensive end. He's just unnoticable on the court unless it's a negative play. I don't want to hang my perception on eye test and basic stats, but...he's so "meh".

I dunno. I know we need bodies, and he is certainly a cheap NBA body. But unless his raw numbers get a big boost, I can't imagine an offer to bring him back. And it doesn't feel like Semi is the reason we win or lose games this season, especially in the playoffs. So, if he isn't really helping us now (other than filling minutes), and he's a free agent at the end of the season...why not cut him loose and cross your fingers that the other guys in this poll prove their value? We know what Semi is. And its underwhelming.
Because he shouldn't be getting 20 minutes a game or be playing nearly every game. He's a 10-12 who is overexposed. I don't think anyone here likes him and no one will miss him when he's gone. He does have a role in the NBA though.

It really doesn't even matter who we cut because outside of AN and RL, they are all kinda bums. AN and RL may end up being bums too.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Can someone explain to me why I dislike Semi so much? Hes up to a 40% 3 point shooter, 45% on 2's - not great but around average, seems to be able to play passable defense and occasionally good defense...so why do I wish he was the guy getting cut?
Well, Semi was almost cut at the beginning of the year.

I think the reason people have visceral reactions to Semi is because we believe we are watching the best athletes in the world and we think someone should be able to do more than shuffle his feet and shoot 3Ps. Like blocking shots. Like cutting for scores. Like dribbling and passing (though he absolutely has improved his handle and every so often feels confident enough to make forays).

I said it earlier in the year, it will be interesting to see how the league values Semi in the off-season.
 

Koufax

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I've changed my vote more than once but have settled on Semi. He's found his ceiling and it is low. His contract is up at the end of the year. He's easily replaced next year. Meanwhile, his minutes can be distributed among the younger players (AN, RL, CE) to see if any of them are worth keeping around. CE in particular seems like he needs some playing time that he's not getting.
 

Cellar-Door

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Well, Semi was almost cut at the beginning of the year.

I think the reason people have visceral reactions to Semi is because we believe we are watching the best athletes in the world and we think someone should be able to do more than shuffle his feet and shoot 3Ps. Like blocking shots. Like cutting for scores. Like dribbling and passing (though he absolutely has improved his handle and every so often feels confident enough to make forays).

I said it earlier in the year, it will be interesting to see how the league values Semi in the off-season.
I don't think Semi was almost cut. He was clearly ahead of Green, and likely Edwards.

Semi is a guy Brad likes because he plays hard tough defense and takes open 3s. The problem is he's a bit limited outside of certain matchups on D. He's tough on some good players because he's got fairly quick feet for his strength, but smaller guys can cook him. He's a nice option for the pile of mix and match bench guys you use after your top 8. Unfortunately injuries and such had him playing basically 6th man early.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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I don't think Semi was almost cut. He was clearly ahead of Green, and likely Edwards.

Semi is a guy Brad likes because he plays hard tough defense and takes open 3s. The problem is he's a bit limited outside of certain matchups on D. He's tough on some good players because he's got fairly quick feet for his strength, but smaller guys can cook him. He's a nice option for the pile of mix and match bench guys you use after your top 8. Unfortunately injuries and such had him playing basically 6th man early.
I like Semi. His best attribute is his feet - and just responding to KFP's post, I think viscerally we think there should be more than the ability to shuffle his feet.

And pound the weight rack.

At any rate, with regards to Semi getting waived, it was definitely a possibility when the GH thing was going on. https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2020/12/celtics-semi-ojeleye-understands-team-was-waiting-on-gordon-hayward-before-bringing-him-back-its-a-business.html. Green was a non-guaranteed contract so if GH came back, paying Semi $1.75M was a luxury they wouldn't have been able to afford.
 

lexrageorge

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Semi's contract wasn't guaranteed; the team had an option. The Celtics waited until Haywood left to exercise the option; they probably would not have done so had Haywood either re-signed or exercised his option for a 4th year.