Sullinger will not be moved. This prediction of mine has gained a bit of momentum as I've made it a couple of times now, but I think unless Simmons falls into Boston's lap, Danny will do what he can to secure Jaylen Brown or Skal Labissiere. If he secures the former, he'll go after guys like Hassan Whiteside in free agency or Nerlens Noel through trade. If he secures the latter, he'll go after guys like Nic Batum in free agency or Harrison Barnes through trade. Sullinger's success at center gives Danny another full plate of options.
IT/Rozier
Smart/Bradley
Jaylen Brown/Crowder/Hunter
Nerlens Noel/Olynyk/Mickey
Sullinger/[Olynyk]
IT/Rozier
Smart/Bradley/Hunter
Batum/Crowder
Labissiere/Olynyk/Mickey
Sullinger/[Olynyk]
Rozier and Hunter could become good problems if they continue their emergence as legitimate players midseason. Could give us unmatchable managerial versatility in the DeMarcus Cousins race. If we offer:
Amir (non-guaranteed)
Rozier or Hunter
Jerebko (non-guaranteed)
2016 BKN 1
less favorable of BOS/MIN/DAL 2016 1sts
for
Cousins
unwanted salary (could be up to about $4m, off the top of my head)
Then sign Batum, Barnes (would absolutely have to be a S&T; percentage of him coming here? about 2%), or dare I say... Durant?
IT/Rozier (if Hunter is traded)
Smart/Bradley
Batum/Crowder
Cousins/Olynyk/Jordan Mickey
Sullinger/[Olynyk]
or...
IT/[Smart]
Smart/Bradley/Hunter (if Rozier is traded)
Durant/Crowder
Cousins/Olynyk/Jordan Mickey
Sullinger/[Olynyk]
plus still tons of picks to round out the roster, and James Young is still a thing too. I'm starting to feel bad for Evan Turner. He's doing everything in his power to remain a Celtic. It is not enough to match the power of the dollar and the power of the market.
Lastly, just a random thought... last year we wanted Cousins without Smart. Now we have been lucky enough to watch the implosion of the Brooklyn Nets and whine that we want to keep Smart and the 2016 Brooklyn 1st. What are we, Laker fans, accustomed to trading a single Olynyk or Terry Rozier for a legit superstar and then evading karma on our way to multiple championships? If we want a player like Cousins, we'll have to pony up. I think we'll only have to give up one of our two golden assets. Also consider that the future Brooklyn picks could also become golden assets. The Celtics future is bright, even though we'll lose a few of our favorite toys along the way.