Offseason Thread - Betty when you call me, you can call me Al

[Average Game James]

This is like a last-place team asking "who will be our closer?"

I think the goal is to get the right set of core guys, then you hunt for a center---which in their system and with TL in place is a 20 minute a game role, less some nights. There'll be min FAs you can use for that, they might draft someone, and they might just gut it out with a bad min FA for a while until they figure out if they are any good next year.

That's all to say that there's no games tomorrow...

Yes, I get that, but right now they have literally nothing beyond TL at the 4/5, and while the team won’t be competing for a championship next year, I think Danny/ownership at least expect to be in the bottom half of the playoff bracket. Clearly there’s some type of plan in place, but absent trading for Capela, nothing obvious jumps out at me. They aren’t going into the season with TL + rookie + vet min guy filling the bulk of the big minutes, which is more than “20 minutes a night” as they need to replace Horford’s minutes as well.

 

[benhogan]

Yeah, Porter is off my board entirely. He's a headcase who reminds me of Nick Young in so many ways and I feel he could bounce around the league for awhile but he isn't the type of player I want if I'm looking to build a team. I also am biased in the "he's a poor mans -insert star-" hype from MarShon Brook's draft class complete with side-by-side video clips of him and Kobe. Sure, Porter has the same step back as Harden.......with an awful shot selection, terrible attitude, off court issues, and a shot that is released beneath his chin.

Good luck to whoever drafts Porter as I have him lined up next to Bol Bol's team in that good luck camp.

Hallelujah...someone agrees with me on KPJ...stay away!

KPJ never scored more than 17pts in a game this season vs. a sub-par schedule. How the heck does he get the label of "elite scorer potential"? His 25pt average in high school when he was the 40th ranked recruit, where he never was highly thought of...he went to a big time HS? that means next to nothing

He wasn't mocked to start the college season as a top 30 draft pick, what did he do, on an average USC team as a non-starter, his freshman year to make him this high ceiling prospect?

Mix in the other half dozen issues HRB listed and you can easily find 24 better "high ceiling" prospects.

 

[DJnVa]

Jeff Goodman reporting that the Wizards have no plans to trade Beal.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1141705740782133250

 

[benhogan]

I was shocked that Baynes opted-in to this contract while putting himself in this position. He went from having control of his destination and (likely) a second guaranteed year to being a pawn liable to be playing in Bolivia this year. We are used to seeing young players entering the league receive bad advice but what is the excuse for Baynes representation to allow this to happen? How does a veteran like Baynes sign on with a guy with so little experience/success as an NBA agent? This is such an underreported and bizarre story.
https://basketball.realgm.com/info/agent-client-list/Daniel-Moldovan/148


I call bullshit on this. It doesn't pass the smell test. If Baynes was unsure of the direction of the Celtics then guess what.........you're a FA and have leverage! You don't have to now be held hostage as to your next destination without any future security. The old adage is that "rumors" are either leaked from a team or from an agent, whichever benefits the most. This sounds like an agent leaking info with the hopes it cleans off some of the egg from his face.

why are you confused? This seems pretty simple/straight forward.

Aron Baynes is the ultimate team guy. He gave the Celtics a below-market deal last season. Baynes wanted to chase a ring with the Celtics, and is willing to get paid less to play for a contender. He opted into a below-market deal last week. The Celtics, in the last few days, have gone into a different direction, its a rebuild.

Some players don't sign deals to extract the most money.

Both he and Danny agreed that it would be best if Aron could be dealt to a contender...

 

[DJnVa]

Lots of twitter chatter that Windhorst is reporting that the Warriors have discussed the potential of a sign and trade with Kevin Durant.

https://twitter.com/RedsArmy_John/status/1141711470901772288

 

[lexrageorge]

Regarding Baynes: I think the point is that if Danny did go into GFIN mode and traded for Davis, resigned Kyrie and Horford, etc., then Baynes could have re-signed with the Celtics for a raise over his $5.4M, as I believe the C's would have had early Bird rights (up to ~$9.4M). And Baynes would have had the flexibility to shop for better offers elsewhere as well.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

why are you confused? This seems pretty simple/straight forward.

Aron Baynes is the ultimate team guy. He gave the Celtics a below-market deal last season. Baynes wanted to chase a ring with the Celtics, and is willing to get paid less to play for a contender. He opted into a below-market deal last week. The Celtics, in the last few days, have gone into a different direction, its a rebuild.

Some players don't sign deals to extract the most money.

Both he and Danny agreed that it would be best if Aron could be dealt to a contender...

Hence my post on being given awful advice. He's being a sucker unless for some reason smarter people than me believe the market wasn't there for him this summer.

 

[Jimbodandy]

I can’t get behind selling low on Jaylen in the ways that are being proposed upthread. His progress from the draft to the end of year 2 on both ends was incredibly rapid given how raw he was.

Yeah, he stalled a bit last year, but a) that team was a toxic trash fire b) young players rarely progress completely linearly and c) as constructed, that team didn’t let him work on the main piece he needs to add: offensive creation.

His contract situation is less important than his age imo. If he makes the leap this year, you gladly pay him the max. If he doesn’t, his contract is still moveable because of his age and already established skills (he’s better at a younger age and similar salary range than Oladipo was when he was traded to Indy).

You don’t trade young guys with upside to move up in a bad draft. You give them a chance to develop and then go get a similar pick in a betterment draft by tanking if they and the guys around them fail to develop.

For a guy whose posts I generally agree with, this particular post stands above all others.

There are good reasons to move a guy like Brown. The #4 pick in this draft sure as fuck isn't one of them.

 

[HowBoutDemSox]

Lots of twitter chatter that Windhorst is reporting that the Warriors have discussed the potential of a sign and trade with Kevin Durant.

https://twitter.com/RedsArmy_John/status/1141711470901772288

Here’s more summary/quotes from this, which quite frankly sounds rather absurd (and since when is Windhorst tapped into anything other than LeBron?):

But Windhorst said Thursday that the Warriors, possibly out of guilt, could offer Durant a five-year deal, let him rehab next season, then trade him in the offseason.
“So, the Durant situation is still in flux,” Windhorst said. “One of the things that is being discussed right now is that the Golden State Warriors would offer Kevin Durant a five-year contract, $57 million extra than he can get signing elsewhere, let him rehab and then work with him to be traded, potentially to New York, potentially to somewhere else. It would be their way to sort of take care of him monetarily after what he just went through and also protect the franchise to some assets. If that happens, the Knicks would be in tremendous position to get back into it because they’re going to have some of these young assets plus cap space.
Windhorst later added: “For the lack of a better term, it would be a delayed sign-and-trade, because this is the only way Durant can get five years and play elsewhere. And I’ll just be honest with you, the Warriors going to this is a bit of a last-ditch effort to not lose Kevin Durant for nothing. And what he would get out of it would be an extra 57 million coming off of a devastating injury. He would be protected and get all of his money. Now, you have to trust the Warriors that they’d actually work with you in a trade, but it’s something that’s at least been discussed as an option.”

https://nesn.com/2019/06/nba-rumors-warriors-have-discussed-this-wild-kevin-durant-sign-and-trade/

 

[Jeff Van GULLY]

why are you confused? This seems pretty simple/straight forward.

Aron Baynes is the ultimate team guy. He gave the Celtics a below-market deal last season. Baynes wanted to chase a ring with the Celtics, and is willing to get paid less to play for a contender. He opted into a below-market deal last week. The Celtics, in the last few days, have gone into a different direction, its a rebuild.

Some players don't sign deals to extract the most money.

Both he and Danny agreed that it would be best if Aron could be dealt to a contender...

Baynes wanting to leave makes sense but I don't understand why the Celtics would look to send out without adding $$ back. If they are trading Baynes they are admitting they aren't seriously contending this year. Maxing out their cap space to try to bring in a star, who presumably will want to compete for a chip immediately then goes against why they would have just traded Baynes. Maxing out cap space this year doesn't matter if they are developing/tanking.

Baynes is an expiring and they could just as easily trade for another expiring and maintain cap flexibility for next offseason.

Other thought is they want to take on a very large salary dump and get some really good assets to go along with it and need more space to do so.

 

[benhogan]

Hence my post on being given awful advice. He's being a sucker unless for some reason smarter people than me believe the market wasn't there for him this summer.

agreed
"Nice guys finish last" could be applied here.

Aron was clearly 'all in' on the Celtics contending next season, others are not.

If Lopez gets expensive for the Bucks, or Utah, or other smart, contending teams will want Baynes.

 

[Devizier]

Seems like the Celtics could finagle a late first round pick for Baynes, which is remarkable.

 

[benhogan]

Baynes wanting to leave makes sense but I don't understand why the Celtics would look to send out without adding $$ back. If they are trading Baynes they are admitting they aren't seriously contending this year. Maxing out their cap space to try to bring in a star, who presumably will want to compete for a chip immediately then goes against why they would have just traded Baynes. Maxing out cap space this year doesn't matter if they are developing/tanking.

Baynes is an expiring and they could just as easily trade for another expiring and maintain cap flexibility for next offseason.

Other thought is they want to take on a very large salary dump and get some really good assets to go along with it and need more space to do so.

Its wait and see with what Danny/Celtics do going forward...

my Celtic crystal ball is really hazy these days, feels like just about anything could happen

 

[lovegtm]

agreed
"Nice guys finish last" could be applied here.

Aron was clearly 'all in' on the Celtics contending next season, others are not.

If Lopez gets expensive for the Bucks, or Utah, or other smart, contending teams will want Baynes.

I think the problem HRB was getting at was that EVEN THOUGH Baynes loves the Celtics and is a team player, it made little sense for him to not opt out and then sign a new deal
with the Cs after seeing how the summer shook out.

Agents get paid to look out for their clients’ best interests in all senses, not just monetary, and it appears that Aron’s really did an awful job here.

 

[benhogan]

Seems like the Celtics could finagle a late first round pick for Baynes, which is remarkable.

a top 20 protected future 2020 or 2021 pick from the Bucks works for me

 

[lovegtm]

If the Celtics effectively turn Horford into Capela, this offseason is off to a decent start. Horford is a superior player, but this team is on a new timeline now, and Capela fits it way better. There are very few teams that can run him off the floor the way GSW did, and we may not see a team like that again for awhile.

 

[benhogan]

I think the problem HRB was getting at was that EVEN THOUGH Baynes loves the Celtics and is a team player, it made little sense for him to not opt out and then sign a new deal
with the Cs after seeing how the summer shook out.

Agents get paid to look out for their clients’ best interests in all senses, not just monetary, and it appears that Aron’s really did an awful job here.

yep, it was not a shrewd decision by his agent.

Aron helps the Celtics again. On and off the court.

This guys commitment to the Celtics was so obvious, it's one of the many reasons I loved the big lunk.

Baynes will be "the gift that keeps on giving" if he secures any kind of future draft pick.

 

[Gash Prex]

I really don't see this as a "rebuild" in the traditional sense ((ie, tank to gain assets and draft). They already have the type of young players that you rebuild around going forward. Clear to me they don't want the same culture around the young players moving forward.

Appears to me they are pursuing 2 options:

1) Shed Baynes etc.... and build with the young guys (Tatum/Brown/Williams) combined with strong leaders like Smart/Hayward.

2) Shed Baynes etc.... and find (sign or trade) for a max player that will fit the young guys.

I think they love Horford and what he brings - but not at 100 + million.

 

[jsinger121]

If the Celtics effectively turn Horford into Capela, this offseason is off to a decent start. Horford is a superior player, but this team is on a new timeline now, and Capela fits it way better. There are very few teams that can run him off the floor the way GSW did, and we may not see a team like that again for awhile.

In name only he is. Capela is the better player going forward and its not even close. Capela average 16.6 PPG and 12.7 rebounds vs. 13.6 PPG and 6.7 rebounds for Horford. Add in the fact Horford is 8 years older as well and will cost more for some team that signs him. Literally the only thing that Horford does better at Capela at this point is free throw shooting. If the Celtics turn letting Horford walk and trading Baynes into somehow getting Capela, Celtics fans should do cart wheels.

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

In name only he is. Capela is the better player going forward and its not even close. Capela average 16.6 PPG and 12.7 rebounds vs. 13.6 PPG and 6.7 rebounds for Horford. Add in the fact Horford is 8 years older as well and will cost more for some team that signs him. Literally the only thing that Horford does better at Capela at this point is free throw shooting. If the Celtics turn letting Horford walk and trading Baynes into somehow getting Capela, Celtics fans should do cart wheels.

And creating for others and stretching the floor.

 

[lovegtm]

In name only he is. Capela is the better player going forward and its not even close. Capela average 16.6 PPG and 12.7 rebounds vs. 13.6 PPG and 6.7 rebounds for Horford. Add in the fact Horford is 8 years older as well and will cost more for some team that signs him. Literally the only thing that Horford does better at Capela at this point is free throw shooting. If the Celtics turn letting Horford walk and trading Baynes into somehow getting Capela, Celtics fans should do cart wheels.

You’re not tall enough for this ride.

 

[DJnVa]

I know this isn't what we were thinking would happen, but I have to admit, part of me is fascinated at all of this. Maybe it's from years of playing fantasy sports or GM modes on video games, but essentially watching Ainge have to figure this out--with some really good young talent, some potential cap room, 3 draft picks, and potentially a nice future pick from another team is really interesting.

 

[cheech13]

I’m surprised the Bucks were able to move Snell so easily. $15m for two years of Snell seems like a hefty price to pay for the 30th pick.

But the difference in salaries between Snell and Leuer is negligible next season (~$2MM), so it's really only one year extra that they're eating. A late first round pick seems like an okay return for taking on one year of a bad contract. Plus Snell is at least playable; he'll be a rotation guy for Detroit.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

You’re not tall enough for this ride.

Yeah, I gotta say, looking at the simplest of box-score stats and drawing a conclusion on Al Horford REALLY misses what we're aiming for.

to me, on the fiarly long list of things Al Horford is superior to Capela, FT% is not among the five most impactful
....

 

[HomeRunBaker]

agreed
"Nice guys finish last" could be applied here.

Aron was clearly 'all in' on the Celtics contending next season, others are not.

If Lopez gets expensive for the Bucks, or Utah, or other smart, contending teams will want Baynes.

The Bucks should be in good shape to bring Lopez back now that they dumped Snell's deal saving $4m this season and $12m next.

But the difference in salaries between Snell and Leuer is negligible next season (~$2MM), so it's really only one year extra that they're eating. A late first round pick seems like an okay return for taking on one year of a bad contract. Plus Snell is at least playable; he'll be a rotation guy for Detroit.

That's $4m with tax included on top of dumping Illyasova who will soon save them another $7m in salary ($14m with tax)……..or they will find a way to shed Lauer's expiring contract which shouldn't be that difficult. This deal positioned the Bucks really well to retain Middleton, Brogdon, and Lopez.

 

[luckiestman]

I think Capela vs Al going forward is close. Al is slowing down.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

I think Capela vs Al going forward is close. Al is slowing down.

Totally fair---I think there's a bunch of advantages in each direction and I can understand either preference. Given the other changes, I personally would lean Capela going forward. But that's because of age, potential upside, etc.....Horford has a ton of advantages (playmaking, versatility, shooting, leadership, defense....) too and for a cotending team, I think he's the better choice.

 

[Devizier]

And creating for others and stretching the floor.

Court vision, passing, team defense

 

[Captaincoop]

Court vision, passing, team defense

Creating for others, court vision, and passing...those are "three" things he's better at?

 

[Devizier]

Creating for others, court vision, and passing...those are "three" things he's better at?

Vision and passing aren’t the same although they are related

 

[E5 Yaz]

Jeff Goodman reporting that the Wizards have no plans to trade Beal.

https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1141705740782133250

As Amy Poehler once put it ... No one has plans to do porn.

But, you know, circumstances changes

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Creating for others, court vision, and passing...those are "three" things he's better at?

The problem is that with the ball almost exclusively in Harden's hands and when it isn't it will be in Paul's (assuming he isn't moved) these skills won't be fully utilized. I don't like the fit with Horford on the Rockets at all......but then again, that isn't our problem lol. This is Morey who thought that only one ball for Harden and Paul wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Captaincoop]

Vision and passing aren’t the same although they are related

I guess the smiley face emoji I added didn't show up on the new site.

I'll give you maybe 1.5 total things between passing court vision, and creating for others.

 

[Jimbodandy]

In name only he is. Capela is the better player going forward and its not even close. Capela average 16.6 PPG and 12.7 rebounds vs. 13.6 PPG and 6.7 rebounds for Horford. Add in the fact Horford is 8 years older as well and will cost more for some team that signs him. Literally the only thing that Horford does better at Capela at this point is free throw shooting. If the Celtics turn letting Horford walk and trading Baynes into somehow getting Capela, Celtics fans should do cart wheels.

We really need to do a better job getting past box score numbers around here.

The defense and offense both work about 1200x better with Horford on the floor. He's a savant and team player on both ends. Advanced metrics tell a much better story.

I'm fine with Horford leaving, given his age and salary expectations and our new timeline. And Capela is a fine replacement, considering our predicament. But anyone arguing for the latter as a superior player needs to do better than PPG and RPG imo.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I think Capela vs Al going forward is close. Al is slowing down.

Capela is a nice player who can defend capably at his position and is great in PnRs where he can dive to the rim given the space. Horford is entirely different kind of player - a plus defender who can stretch the floor and act as a primary facilitator. They really aren't comparable as players inmho.

As HRB notes, Houston has a specific style of play which is conducive to Capela doing well and doesn't utilize Horford's strengths quite as much. Conversely, Capela will likely show some regression in a system that denies him the space he needs to work. Harden, Paul and Gordon give him room to roam and its going to be hard to find that same set-up anywhere else, let alone a depleted Celtics roster.

 

[Captaincoop]

Which advanced metric indicates that Horford is "1200x" better? He should make sure his agent shops that to teams.

I'd say this:

Horford: experience, on-ball defense, passing, 3 point shooting

Capela: rebounding, finishing, cost, age

 

[DannyDarwinism]

Which advanced metric indicates that Horford is "1200x" better? He should make sure his agent shops that to teams.

I'd say this:

Horford: experience, on-ball defense, passing, 3 point shooting

Capela: rebounding, finishing, cost, age

They’re close in PIPM, Horford at 3.2 and Capela at 3.0, with Al having the edge on O and Capela on D. Major difference to me is that Al’s value goes up in the playoffs due to smarts, perimeter D and spacing, whereas Capela can get played off the court, although he has made strides on the perimeter defense front.

https://www.bball-index.com/player/clint-capela/
https://www.bball-index.com/player/al-horford/

 

[bsj]

My gut says that Danny is trying to maneuver for something significant to try to wipe the stench off the last week or so, but I dont know that he's gonna be able to get there without a massive overpay.

I think the Beal news today is just a negotiating tactic. But I also think its effective. I feel like our needs at 5 and 1 outweigh the benefits of bringing in Beal.

Could we trade for Capela and then use that new $ to sign Russell? They clearly have SOMETHING in mind for that money.

Other option could be Vucevic....Rozier/Smart, Tatum, Brown, Hayward, Vucevic could be solid although feel like i'd rather have either a true 4 OR a better PG...

 

[Nick Kaufman]

Since if you keep Brown and Tatum, both of them are going to get paid big in a couple of years suffocating any cap space you may have, it seems to me that it makes sense to sign any big free agent you can get now. That or you may want to cultivate assets to trade for a free agent, but that's also highly uncertain and contingent. So it makes sense to me for Danny to clear as much cap space as he can in order to sign a major free agent.

 

[HowBoutDemSox]

My gut says that Danny is trying to maneuver for something significant to try to wipe the stench off the last week or so, but I dont know that he's gonna be able to get there without a massive overpay.

I dunno, Danny never really seems like the type to care about winning the headlines, nor does he really overpay on deals. I’m quite glad right now that we have a stable organization, ownership and front office, so that Danny doesn’t feel he needs to do something crazy to keep his job, even with recent events.

 

[Ale Xander]

Since if you keep Brown and Tatum, both of them are going to get paid big in a couple of years suffocating any cap space you may have, it seems to me that it makes sense to sign any big free agent you can get now. That or you may want to cultivate assets to trade for a free agent, but that's also highly uncertain and contingent. So it makes sense to me for Danny to clear as much cap space as he can in order to sign a major free agent.

I totally agree with this methodology. I'm hearing Baynes, at a modest salary, is on the block. Has to be for something big, no?
What could they get if they, say, package Baynes, Hayward, #14, either 20 or 22, and a future own pick(not Memphis)? Can they get a max player not too old, that would be compatible with Brown and Tatum, and you build around those 3, Memphis pick, TL, and Smart?

To me, you kind of have to give a good contract (Baynes) in order to trade Hayward and create flexibility, especially in the 20-21 offseason.

 

[benhogan]

I totally agree with this methodology. I'm hearing Baynes, at a modest salary, is on the block. Has to be for something big, no?
What could they get if they, say, package Baynes, Hayward, #14, either 20 or 22, and a future own pick(not Memphis)? Can they get a max player not too old, that would be compatible with Brown and Tatum, and you build around those 3, Memphis pick, TL, and Smart?

To me, you kind of have to give a good contract (Baynes) in order to trade Hayward and create flexibility, especially in the 20-21 offseason.

I'd call Indiana and try to see what would work for Sabonis. Hayward may interest them, they desperately need wings.

Here is one Capela rumor from Bleacher Report:
Celtics Receive: C Clint Capela
Rockets Receive: C Aron Baynes, C Robert Williams, Nos. 20 and 22 picks
With Al Horford becoming an unrestricted free agent and unexpected to re-sign with the Boston Celtics, the Shamrocks are suddenly in need of a center.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, "Boston and Houston had checked in recently about a potential trade involving Clint Capela."
While Capela isn't as good of an all-around player as Horford, he's a 25-year-old rim-runner who averaged a career-high 16.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game last season.
Houston should start any talks by asking for Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. If Boston balks on both, the Rockets should demand two of the Celtics' three first-round picks to use as trade assets.
Baynes would give the Rockets a center capable of holding down the starting job, while Williams is a big-time shot-blocker who can develop into a Capela-esque player.
Boston would fill a position of need while the Rockets clear some cap space and load up on assets for a future deal.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2841735-realistic-trades-we-could-see-on-nba-draft-night#slide5

 

[E5 Yaz]

I'd call Indiana and try to see what would work for Sabonis. Hayward may interest them, they desperately need wings.

Here is one Capela rumor from Bleacher Report:
Celtics Receive: C Clint Capela
Rockets Receive: C Aron Baynes, C Robert Williams, Nos. 20 and 22 picks
With Al Horford becoming an unrestricted free agent and unexpected to re-sign with the Boston Celtics, the Shamrocks are suddenly in need of a center.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, "Boston and Houston had checked in recently about a potential trade involving Clint Capela."
While Capela isn't as good of an all-around player as Horford, he's a 25-year-old rim-runner who averaged a career-high 16.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game last season.
Houston should start any talks by asking for Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. If Boston balks on both, the Rockets should demand two of the Celtics' three first-round picks to use as trade assets.
Baynes would give the Rockets a center capable of holding down the starting job, while Williams is a big-time shot-blocker who can develop into a Capela-esque player.
Boston would fill a position of need while the Rockets clear some cap space and load up on assets for a future deal.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2841735-realistic-trades-we-could-see-on-nba-draft-night#slide5

Pedant warning: That's not a rumor. It's a writer taking a piece of information -- there have been talks -- and putting the pieces together on his/her own. Basically, a better-paid, more connected version of what posters do here

 

[benhogan]

Pedant warning: That's not a rumor. It's a writer taking a piece of information -- there have been talks -- and putting the pieces together on his/her own. Basically, a better-paid, more connected version of what posters do here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumours_(album)#/media/File:FMacRumours.PNG
does this suffice?

 

[Nick Kaufman]

When two major fleecers like Ainge and Morley meet, seems to me impossible for a trade to be consummated as its tough for one to outfleece the other.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

If Horford got the nickname "Average Al" for not scoring at volume on a max contract, I can only imagine what Capela will hear when he isn't getting as many lobs in a non-Rockets system. I don't think some people understand what is actual skill set is but I could easily be incorrect. He is such a weird fit for this team unless Ainge gets a bunch of floor spacing to go with him.

 

[benhogan]

If Horford got the nickname "Average Al" for not scoring at volume on a max contract, I can only imagine what Capela will hear when he isn't getting as many lobs in a non-Rockets system. I don't think some people understand what is actual skill set is but I could easily be incorrect. He is such a weird fit for this team unless Ainge gets a bunch of floor spacing to go with him.

Capela will rim protect on defense. Set screens, pick n roll on offense...BUT you're correct they'd also need a real 4 (NOT MaMo!) that can shoot (and play defense).

Any thoughts on Capela's perimeter defense?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-DwiM2dY-U

 

[HomeRunBaker]

If Horford got the nickname "Average Al" for not scoring at volume on a max contract, I can only imagine what Capela will hear when he isn't getting as many lobs in a non-Rockets system. I don't think some people understand what is actual skill set is but I could easily be incorrect. He is such a weird fit for this team unless Ainge gets a bunch of floor spacing to go with him.

I couldn't agree with this more. As bad a fit Horford's skillset would be with Houston you have Capela's being just as bad in ours. I suppose if it is say Baynes and a couple low picks you could do worse but like I felt with Hayward (even without the injury) he's going to appear as a disappointment based on expectations from his role on his previous team.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Capela will rim protect on defense. Set screens, pick n roll on offense...BUT you're correct they'd also need a real 4 (NOT MaMo!) that can shoot (and play defense).

Any thoughts on Capela's perimeter defense?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-DwiM2dY-U

Again, I wouldn't call Capela a "rim protector" or at least not a top one. His BPG (not block rate) was slightly higher than Horford's last season. As for his perimeter defense, he is passable but not as good as Horford despite being ~ eight years younger. Now some of his defense attributes may also be a function of the Rockets system so its not beyond the pale that he looks significantly better defensively on another team.

Again, I may be wrong but it feels like some folks are just looking at Capela's numbers without considering context. Houston/D'Antoni's style of play isn't necessarily unique but the personnel they have is so its important consider what a guy looks like when he doesn't have James Harden initiating an action that starts as soon as he crosses mid-court with the ball.

 

[benhogan]

Again, I wouldn't call Capela a "rim protector" or at least not a top one. His BPG (not block rate) was slightly higher than Horford's last season. As for his perimeter defense, he is passable but not as good as Horford despite being ~ eight years younger. Now some of his defense attributes may also be a function of the Rockets system so its not beyond the pale that he looks significantly better defensively on another team.

Again, I may be wrong but it feels like some folks are just looking at Capela's numbers without considering context. Houston/D'Antoni's style of play isn't necessarily unique but the personnel they have is so its important consider what a guy looks like when he doesn't have James Harden initiating an action that starts as soon as he crosses mid-court with the ball.

Capela would be the 5th option on offense. You're right, playing with Harden definitely boosted Clint's ppg. Then again, CC's defense may be better than advertised since he's been busy covering up for Harden's lack of effort on that side of the ball.

I don't have a strong opinion on Capela either way, I'm just keeping an open mind at this point, and trusting Danny/Brad & Co.