"If" we move Green, what about this?

[Depalma2002]

Figure out a way to make the numbers work.

Easier said than done.

There is no way with that deal to get the numbers to work. Add in that OKC has always resisted going over the tax threshold and the numbers are even harder to make work.

Also, the deadline for Jackson to receive a rookie contract scale extension passed October 31st. However, that's not an issue since the Celtics would get the right to match any offer sheet he signs.

[Depalma2002]

With the new Cap increases they can probably afford to pay Jackson or Green but it would make more sense for that cash to go to Green...

The big cap jump is going to be the following year.

Why would it make more sense to pay the money to Green?

1. Jackson is younger.
2. Jackson is going to be a restricted free agent which usually keeps teams from overpaying, while Green is an unrestricted free agent and you may be forced into overbidding or losing him for nothing.
3. Jackson backs up a player that has lost major time due to injuries each of the past three seasons including one year in the playoffs whereas Green backs up the Durant who has only had this one major injury thus far.
4. OKC has no quality PG depth after Jackson while without Green, they still have PJIII.

If they are going to pay one, IMHO it's Jackson and I don't think it's even close.

However, they are not even going to pay one. Either one will put them over the tax threshold and if you wouldn't go over that threshold for James Harden, you certainly aren't doing it for Jackson or Green.

[Depalma2002]

If the numbers work, why not.

Big question would Reggie Jackson want to stay in Boston?

For one season, at least he would have no choice. If he really didn't want to be here, he would have to sign the 1-year qualifying offer and leave money on the table to buy his unrestricted free agency the following year.

Jackson wants to start and like most guys coming off the rookie scale contract, he's looking for his first big contract that. There are not a lot of contending teams that are looking for a starting PG right now and when you eliminate teams that won't have the cap space and Jackson's market if he is looking to start (which is a desire he has stated numerous times) is limited to lottery teams.

So is he going to leave money on the table and play on a 1-year QO to play for a team that is currently no better off than the C's (and proably has lesser long-term prospects because at least Boston has an asset stash and GM that has one successful rebuild on his resume)?

Signing an offer sheet elsewhere is not an issue. He signs an offer sheet, the decision on whether he wants to play in Boston is out of his hands and into Ainge's hands.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth #20]

What about if Jeff Green doesn't play like a zombie? What about if Jeff Green gets traded? It does not matter because the Celtics are terrible and will be terrible for a very long time. Is it not extremely apparent that the Celtics will be very bad at basketball for a very long time no matter what trades they make?

[Depalma2002]

OKC would do that trade in a second

I disagree.

First, let's disregard the fact that the trade couldn't be made because the salaries don't match.

1. This trade puts them way over the luxury tax threshold.

2. They swap out all of their C depth for Brandan Wright but at least they are still covered there, but they leave themselves exposed at PG behind the notoriously brittle Westbrook to reinforce behind KD who up until this season was always in the lineup. I don't think this makes them better this year.

3. With Green and Wright being UFA (unless Green opts-in which is unlikely), they are certain to be moving on after this season especially since this trade also put them over the tax threshold for one season, they definitely don't want to go over it again. This trade puts them on the fast track to the hefty repeater tax penalites.

4. After this season, the trade from an OKC perspective comes down to an overpaid Avery Bradley for a young big man and whatever they could get in a sign and trade by using their rights to match on Jackson as leverage. I think they could find someone better and cheaper than Bradley using the mid-level exception and would have the room to do so, if they don't make this trade.