The Sharks are Circling

Will Garnett and Pierce be moved?

So, word has it with Rajon Rondo's recent ACL injury that has him out for the rest of the season, the Celtics are receiving tons of phone calls inquiring about the availability of veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Many are assuming now that the floor general for the Celtics is out, (Rondo was averaging 14pts/11ast a game) the Celtics should blow up the team and start the rebuilding process---as opposed to making a move for a stop-gap PG that will help the current 8th seed team limp into the playoffs.

Currently Pierce, 35 and Garnett, 36, are being sought after by playoff contenders that could possibly use one of the the veterans to catapult them to a championship. Of the two, Pierce is the most movable, only owed $4mil for this season---but is under contract for 2013-14 at $17mill, and a player option in 2014-15 for $15mill (Garnett is owed $18mill, but contract is expiring)

Pierce and Garnett are pretty much the only valuable trade chips the Celtics have at the moment; Avery Bradley's stock is wayyyy down after a pretty lousy season thus far. The only obstacle standing in the Celtics way is pride and loyalty, with the latter being directed at longtime Celtic, Pierce. It's hard to see the Celtics part with Pierce unless Pierce openly asks for one. Garnett doesn't hold the same title in Boston, but his departure would mean the Celtics would most likely miss out of any deep playoff run possibilities this season. Coach Doc Rivers has already said: 

"You can go ahead, but I'm not. We won tonight and so, the way I look at it is, we're going to stay in there. In my opinion, we're going nowhere."

Pride may keep the Celtics from trading Garnett (or Pierce) and giving up on the season. 

Personally, I don't think the Celtics are good enough to reach the Championship this year or next year with their current roster. I think it is in the best interest of the team to trade one of them, if not both, for whatever young talent and draft picks they can get.

Ainge has to do whats best for the team.

However, I'm a big fan of franchise players. I love seeing a player stay with a team his whole career. It would be awfully sad to see Pierce leave the Celtics. Danny Ainge and the Celtics organization are walking a fine line with how they handle Pierce; I think they should ask Pierce whether or not he wants traded---a move that could be beneficial to both Pierce and the Celtics: Pierce could pursue 1-2 more rings with another team and the Celtics could start the rebuilding process

As far as Garnett goes, I think he should be traded for sure...if they can find the right deal.

The only problem I have with all this trade talks is finding a suitable trade partner. I can't see the Celtics trading either veteran player to a team not already poised for a deep playoff run. I mean, why would the Celtics ship off Pierce or Garnett (or Terry) to any other team? It wouldn't be right.

Only 2 teams come to mind as possible suitors:

Memphis Grizzlies
- Grizzlies have been in trade rumors all season, specifically with SF Rudy Gay. The Grizz are playoff contenders. Rudy Gay would be a great rebuilding piece for BOS.

Maybe Rudy Gay for Paul Pierce and Garnett straight up? I'm not sure if the contacts add up, but it has to be close. Probably the best case scenario for the Celtics.

Gay would be best-case scenario for Celtics

Philadelphia 76'ers
- The 76'ers may try to trade Andrew Bynum, rather than resigning him or letting him walk this summer. Bynum has been injured all season so far and hasn't been a part of the teams success this year. They could move him and not risk hurting the team. The addition of Garnett and Pierce could catapult them too title contenders (especially with Jrue Holiday plating at an All-Star level) Andrew Bynum could be healthy when Rondo returns next season. Bynum is young and talented, despite injury concerns. They could take the chance. The fact that this would be a trade within the Eastern Conference may hinder trade possibilities, however.

Bynum would be a high-risk, high reward move

The lack of suitable trade partners (that are good fits for Garnett and Pierce, as well as the Celtics) may mean that the Celtics don't make a move before the Feb. 21st trade deadline. They may just play the rest of the season and let Garnett walk this summer and retain Pierce til his retires...or they blow the team up like everyone is speculating.

Who knows.

NBA 2k13: Association Check In

I just finished my second season of my association mode. I went 21-8. (26-3 in my first season) I repeated as NBA champions with League MVP, Most Improved player, and Final MVP, James Harden (27.8ppg/6.0apg/5rpg) Last season, league MVP/Finals MVP was Derrick Rose.

Starting 5

 Derrick Rose               James Harden                   Rudy Gay                 Carl Landry             Andre Drummond

Season 3 (Current)
PG Derrick Rose, 98    $18mil
SG James Harden, 90   $15mil
SF Rudy Gay, 93      $18mil
PF Carl Landry, 80        $7.5mil
C Andre Drummond, 69       $2.6mil

Bench
PG Eric Maynor, 72      $2.5mil
SG Jeremy Lamb, 80        $2.5mil
SG Corey Brewer, 74      $1.5mil

PG Josh Selby, 65             $884K
SF Adam Morrison, 58      $494K
PF Fab Melo, 61               $494K
C Joel Pryzbilla, 58           $490K

Season 2
PG Derrick Rose, 96    $18mil
SG James Harden, 86   $14mil
SF Paul George, 84      $12mil
PF Josh Smith, 88         $12mil
C Chris Kaman, 75       $3mil
Bench
PG Austin Rivers, 72       $2mil
SG Jeremy Lamb, 75        $2mil
SF Kenneth Faried, 77      $1.5mil
PF Fab Melo, 59               $494K
C Joel Pryzbilla, 60           $490K
PG Josh Selby, 63             $884K
PF Brian Scalbrine, 44      $494K

In the original fantasy draft (season 1):
Rd. 1 Derrick Rose
Rd. 2 Roy Hibbert
Rd. 3 Paul George
Rd. 4 Kenneth Faried
Rd. 5 Jeremy Lamb
Rd. 6 Courtney Lee
Rd. 7 Austin Rivers
Rd. 8 Yi Jianlian
Rd. 9 Josh Hamilton
Rd. 10 Robin Lopez
Rd. 11 Josh Selby
Rd. 12 Brian Scalabrine
I immediately made a move to secure me a #2 player, James Harden. I traded Roy Hibbert and draft picks.
To fill the hole I created at Center, I moved Courtney Lee and draft picks for Chris Kaman.

So, just finished my second season in association mode. As I mentioned last check-in, I increased the difficulty to Superstar, and as such found myself in much lower scoring games. The games have been much tighter. I relied much on the passing game, making Josh Smith and James Harden my go-to scorers (Harden 28ppg/Smith 22ppg) while Derrick Rose drastically dropped to 14ppg, but increased in assists (9 to 13apg)

While my team has been very well-rounded and has won back-to-back championships, I find the lineup getting stale. I've gotten kind of bored playing games, so I thought I would shake up the roster.

In the offseason, I made a few big moves, with the biggest being the trade of Paul George and Josh Smith for Rudy Gay and Carl Landry.

Under normal circumstances, I would never in my life make that trade. I love Prince George and Josh Smith way too much. But, in the NBA finals the last two seasons, I faced the 76er's and their franchise guy was Rudy Gay. He would tear me up left and right; his inside game is disgusting and he can hit the 3 pointer need be. I thought it would be fun to nab him in exchange for 2 cornerstones of my team. I like to think I created some elaborate storyline in this alternate NBA universe.

New franchise player. Part of my new big 3 along with Rose and Harden

While Gay was the focus point of the trade, Landry was almost as important. He had a very cap-friendly contract for his rating (80) and he had the player skills/inside game that would still give me a scoring presence inside, with Smith gone (Hibbert was my guy in season 1.) I may move Landry for draft picks for cap relief, though. With 3 large contracts in Rose, Harden, an Gay, I'm strapped for cap room.

For my next move, I traded Kenneth Faried for Andre Drummond and a 1st Rd. Pick. 

Faried's morale has been quite low all season, with many minutes going to Jeremy Lamb. At one point, I was going to trade him, but as HUGE Kenneth Faried fan, I couldn't pull the trigger. Well, I finally did after it seemed he was inconsolable. The move didn't do much for improving my team, but it did create a challenge for me:

New project. Code-named Operation Big man, bigger stick.

Andre Drummond was the 9th overall pick (in real life) by the Pistons this past year and while he is raw and has tons of upside, his 2k13 rating is piss-poor. (59) He possesses the 'Eraser' player skill and has a very high dunk rating (87) and solid rebounding. I thought it would be a real challenge to take the 19yr. old, 6'10" C and make him great. He has a decent potential (B) and I increased it in camp with the 'Unlock Potential.' The move saves me lots of money (signed him to a 5 year deal, 2mil/yr,) too.

I also let Chris Kaman and Austin Rivers walk because of cap reasons. Very, very sad to part with Rivers.

Brian Scalabrine retired and I brought in Adam Morrison (Just need someone who won't be angry sitting on the bench.) I picked up Corey Brewer and Eric Maynor is Free agency. The latter was a pick made before the Gay trade to replace Rivers and save 1mil/year. His 2.5mil cap hit is a bit too much for me. I may trade him and bump Selby to backup PG.

I am currently under the cap $875k

While the roster shakeups weren't necessary, it keeps it fresh. It's fun to explore more players. The only mainstay will be Derrick Rose. That guy isn't leaving my team ever! Cheers fellow 2Kballers!