so what can we get for jeff green?
This is another reason Ainge has made a horrid mistake. He has set the market for himself. There is no reason any team should have to offer more than a second rounder and some horrible players for J Green now.
Realistically if you are another GM and you need or want Jeff G why would offer anything similar to a fair deal for him now? Do the Celts give you the impression they won't let go of something for fair value? Do they give you the impression they are trying to improve their team in the near future? Do they give you the impression they value somewhat productive players that aren't on rookie deals?
Or do they give the impression that "everything must go!"
Ainge has given every GM in the league permission to walk up to his yard sale, pick the thing up, shake it, and say ....."Uhhh. I'll give you a dollar for it. I only have a dollar and a half on me and I gotta take the bus back".
I think the rub Ainge has offered us on the Rondo market was that we were going to lose him anyhow and this is the best we could (and it beats getting nothing when he walks as a FA). Green is signed through next year.
Then lose him. Don't take garbage for him. At some point I will likely expand on this, but essentially you have to say to the player "Fine. Go ahead and try to get what you want to be paid from a team that is under the cap that wants you and that you want to play for. Or make more money here. Go ahead. Have fun with that."
and you have to tell teams like the Mavs "oh you want to try to make a deep playoff run? You want to try to win a ring? Ok, well take your crud deal and shove it and try to stand in line and win the Rondo sweepstakes in the offseason. You make him your offer, and we'll offer him more money and we'll see where he goes. I mean I hear you have some rivals that sorta want a pg too and hey we can all give it a shot and see what happens. Personally I like my odds and not yours but we're allowed to have a difference of opinion".
But you sure as heck don't give a guy like Rondo away for some crud players and picks and shrug your shoulders like a loser and say "Hey it was the best I could do".
Settling is something some woman does that just really really wants to get married and is living with her parents and hasn't been asked out in two years. It's not something an NBA GM does.
Ainge waited too long. Rondo wasn't going to re sign with us. Rondo said in his introductory press conference that we wants more rings NOW and a parade. That's what Dallas could bring him. That's what Houston was trying to sell him on. I believe he had every intention to explore Free Agency and was ultimately going leave barring a trade that made Boston contenders. I think Ainge knew that, and believes in Smart so he just settled for the Dallas offer. Not what I expected in return for Rondo either, but that's what happens when 15-20 out of 30 teams have their starting PG and don't want to trade for Rondo. Out of the 10-15 or so teams that need Rondo, only teams like LA, NY (Knicks), Houston, Dallas, and Sacramento thought their team would be good enough to entice Rondo. Rondo would've said he has no interest re signing with the SAC, as well as LA & NY because their teams aren't near contention right now. He would say he's willing to sign an extension with Dallas and possibly Houston. Houston I'm sure wanted to keep their 2015 Pelicans pick and Terrence Jones. What they offered was likely a deal breaker and so Ainge accepted Dallas's offer.
What Ainge needs to do now is
1) Trade Nelson (has to be at the deadline)
2) Trade Bass
3) Try and move Thornton's expiring for at least a 2nd rounder instead of letting him walk (already have Bradley, Smart, Turner, Young that can play SG) or let it expire
4) Make a decision on if he's wants to keep Green long term (likely going to command 12-15 mil on his next contract). Green can opt out at this season's end and walk if he wants to. He could also opt into his final year worth 9.2 million and stay. He needs to see what Jeff's thoughts are on his future as a Celtic and discuss his contract. Either be prepared to pay him in the near future, or trade him at 28 while he's almost averaging 20ppg.
5) Look for any deals that could get us a great player at SG or Center. Trade Bradley if you find an upgrade. If we draft a good Center, package him with Olynyk OR Sully and future picks to get Drummond, that'd be ideal. A lot has to fall in place for that to happen but you see where I'm going. Package young players and assets for definite upgrades (particularly at SG or C).