Celtics / Suns trade that makes too much sense for both sides

[slamtheking]

not enough of a return for what we're sending out.   

[danglertx]

I know cap space only means something if it's actually used to sign a FA,.

That isn't how I see it.  Cap space means more in facilitating trades and taking back salary than in signing free agents for most teams.  You can absolutely steal players and draft picks just by having room under the cap during the season.

[nostar]

I think this trade is super lopsided for the Celtics which is to say it makes little to no sense for the Suns. Here are some reasons:

Okafor is a partially paid expiring, considered valuable.
The Minnesota pick might be in the lottery, also valuable.
AB is up for a pay day.
Bass plays a position PHX is 4 deep at
Bass makes more than all 4 of PHX's PFs.

Basically we'd be asking for PHX to give up the most valuable expiring in the league along with a projected lottery pick in a very deep draft for the privilege of paying AB in the off-season and taking on Bass's contract. This make zero sense for PHX.

[AidaCelt]

I know cap space only means something if it's actually used to sign a FA,.

That isn't how I see it.  Cap space means more in facilitating trades and taking back salary than in signing free agents for most teams.  You can absolutely steal players and draft picks just by having room under the cap during the season.

Excellent point that we often (myself included) overlook. There are not many teams in this position each season and generally it's teams at the bottom with cap space. Not where we want to be long term but I agree for a year or 2 having the cap space can help facilitate a trade for a high end player.

[Depalma2002]

The Minnesota pick might be in the lottery, also valuable.

Yes, to MINNESOTA.

The only way this pick is conveyed AND in the lottery is if it is #14.

And there is also a decent chance that a first rounder is never conveyed and becomes two second rounders.