Harrison Barnes is continuously being linked to the Boston Celtics as the trade deadline approaches. The Celtics have a well-known traded player exception that Barnes can fit into as long as there is a player returning to Sacramento.
Adam Taylor, who covers the Boston Celtics for Celtics Blog, joins the show to give his perspective on the intriguing assets that the Celtics have and explain the current TPE.
We start the show off by ranking the potential candidates of:
- Aaron Nesmith
- Romeo Langford
- Robert Williams
- Grant Williams
- Payton Pritchard
There is some variance between their on-court value currently, potential ceilings, and how the two different front offices may value these players that we dive into.
Robert Williams, aka Timelord, is a player that should be very intriguing to the Kings at their current stage and lack of center depth. There may be something to be had where Richaun Holmes is included in the deal as well, or maybe Nemanja Bjelca.
Is there the potential for Marcus Smart to be included in the deal?
I also pick Adam’s brain about why this deal would be beneficial for Boston – what their closing lineup would look like if they acquired Barnes.
Of course, we also lay out some final fake trades that we think make sense for both sides. I would not be surprised to see a deal happen between these two teams centered around Harrison Barnes before the trade deadline.
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Separate Trade Offer
This is a good trade for Bagley:
Diallo, Bazley, Jackson(Expiring) and OKC 2021 pick (Top 6 protected)
Great trade if you are the Kings…OKC is going to give up a mid lottery pick for Bagley? PLUS two young pieces? Not a chance.
I can’t even imagine they would give up their pick this year even if it was only 10-13.
Not Crazy. OKC has the youngest roster in the NBA. 10 players 23 or under.
Bagley is an immediate upgrade for
them, and OKC stays youthful.
At some point, you have to develop the talent you have.
Bazley is probably more valuable than Bagley at this point. He’s shown similar rebounding ability, more defensive versatility & ability and more off-the-dribble upside, while being younger, cheaper, and under an extra year of team control.
Diallo has also looked like a better modern prospect this year.
They aren’t likely to give up Bazley for Bagley straight up. Much less, Bazley, Diallo AND a decent 1st.
Living up to your namesake. No, Bazley is not more valuable than Bagley. Yes, they would trade Bazley for Bagley in a heartbeat. Bazley is young and I think that there’s opportunity for him to grow but he puts up worse numbers in more minutes than Bagley. 39% FG%!? Bagley almost shoots that from 3 pt range.
You’re going to have to come with more than FG%. They’re both young, raw players that are mostly upside at this point. Bazley is younger, cheaper, healthier, more versatile, a better defender, a better passer, and has better handles. Bagley is a better scorer. I know you’re working hard to convince people that drafting Bagley wasn’t a huge mistake, but I think most teams would see Bazley as the better investment at this point considering present skills and contract status.
All you have to do is compare their stats to see that it’s more than just FG%….pretty much equal or better in every category but FT% and a slight difference in assists 1.5 vs 1.0. I’ll say it again “worse numbers in more minutes than Bagley”
Which is a roster they entirely created themselves to go into a multi year tank. They picked Poku for goodness sakes and took on Horford’s contract which still has next year and a 14 mill guarantee in 23’…they can’t be planning on making some great push next year.
Also, they have to “develop the talent they have” by taking on another development project in Bagley? Bagley is a finished piece to accelerate the process? Alright…
Fun fact! Horford’s VORP and RAPM would place 2nd on the Kings.
That fun fact was decidedly not fun… and sad ð
I wonder what the trade would’ve looked like if the Kings had acquired Horford from Philly.
Also, I wouldn’t be mad if Mike Muscala ended up in Sac somehow in a trade. He’s a free agent this offseason, but he’s be the type of player that would be nice to keep around for next season on a cheap deal.
Muscala was one of those guys I was thinking the Kings could possibly pick up somewhere near the veteran minimum. He can really shoot it and has some nice intangibles.
I don’t know. If we assuming the same package coming back, maybe Joseph, Bjelica, & James? That’s about the same money and same level of players going back. Or maybe Bjelica, Holmes, Parker? That would up the usefulness to the 76ers.
You wouldn’t even get Bazely straight up for Bagley. I will however say that OKc has several players I wouldn’t mind see in a Kings uniform Maledon, Diallo, Roby, Dort, Bazely
You could easily get Bazely straight up for Bagley. But why? He puts up worse numbers in more minutes.
I watch every OKC game. To me they are one of the most interesting franchises in the NBA right now. I love their roster and they have a bunch of young guys that are intriguing prospects. I can tell you without doubt the Thunder would not trade Bazely for Bagley. I was thinking if the Kings were willing to take on the Horford contract, they might snatch a Roby or Maledon but I’m not even confident about that. They do have a duplication of young talent in spots and 3 first round picks so there might be a deal to be made. I’m not sure what they’re doing with Diallo but I think he would be a nice get at the right price perhaps in free agency. I also like Roby and Maledon who looks like a young Tony Parker to me. You’re hunting in the right area, I just think you need more bait than just Bagley.
Admittedly, I’ve only seen a couple Thunder games this year, and Bazley didn’t grab my attention one way or another. He’s really young so there’s lots of room for improvement but his stat line doesn’t really vibe with what you’re saying about him as a player.
I’m not ready to declare him Chris Bosh but he’s a little younger and cheaper than Bagley and a little ahead of Bagley right now. Not a dramatic difference and it still remains a question on who will ultimately be the better player. Given all that, at this time the Thunder would not trade Bazely for Bagley.
The Thunder could be really interesting to keep an eye on this offseason. They’re going to have a ton of cap space, a crazy amount of picks, and a handful of young players with trade value. If they really wanted to, they have the various assets to add 2-3 elite players this offseason in addition to at least one top 10 draft pick.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’d be really interested to see if I could pick up Roby on the relative cheap.
Totally agree. I like Roby and he’s improving rapidly. I also like Maledon a lot. I think they might let Diallo go although they’ve hung with him for a long time and is just now starting to show he can be an effective NBA player.
I’m not especially high on Diallo, but I’d certainly happily have him on the roster on the cheap.
I could be making the mistake I think some franchises make these days. That is getting over infatuated with length and explosiveness when skill and mentality are the real essentials to being a good player. Diallo is explosive but he still needs to improve his shooting and basketball acumen. He has however made fairly dramatic strides over the past couple of years and yes on the cheap I’d like to have him. I’m looking for guys who are young, possibly or relatively cheap with potentially fairly big upsides. I think Roby, Maledon and Diallo to a lesser extent fit that criteria.
A little older but I’m intrigued by Terance Mann on the Clippers. I like to snatch him for one of our veteran offloads maybe Bjelica.
Yeah, awareness is kind of my personal cost of entry. It’s the main reason I like Roby. He’s a good athlete with great length, but the thing that really sets him apart is his smart passing and positioning. Even at Nebraska you could see that he read the game well. I think banking on a guy like Roby expanding his skillset is a better bet than a guy like Diallo developing awareness.
Obviously, anything can happen. I just think the guys that see the game well are more easier to fit into a successful team concept.
Adam seems like he knows his stuff. His Langford breakdown analysis helped me to understand why Langford is an interesting prospect despite his stats last season. Also, liked his take on R Williams. I definitely think he has some untapped potential as a high post facilitator.
I like Williams. Langford has never especially impressed me. He has defensive upside, but his shot has a long way to go and he’s an a total non-passer.
what were people saying around the draft about why Langford should be a lottery pick?
NBA body & aggression. Good coordination. Slashing & interior finishing ability.
I like Willams but I don’t think he gives us anything we don’t have (Holmes) and I wonder about his upside given he’s undersized and has no perimeter game. Unless someone feels they can expand his game, I’m not sure he’s worth that much. He does play with a lot of heart and the Kings could use some fight and physicality on their roster. Maybe something like Barnes, NB, Guy and Whiteside for Williams, Smart, Pritchard and maybe a first which I think is unlikely.
Holmes is a FA and will cost much more than Williams. Williams is also significantly younger, a better rim-protector and has more passing upside.
Well yes that part is obvious with the exception of the passing upside. The question is if his skill set is worth it for Barnes when you might be able to sign Holmes at a reasonable contract in the offseason. I think because of our history, we are thinking Holmes will command a lot in the offseason. I don’t think so. Undersized bigs who can’t score from the perimeter are not commanding big contracts. I guess, I use my Barnes capital on a draft pick and Pritchard and maybe Langford or Nesmith although I haven’t seen enough of their games. I guess if I can snatch Pritchard and Smart along with Williams I do it but I wouldn’t with Williams being the centerpiece of the trade. If we replace Holmes and Barnes with Williams and lets say Nesmith, yes we’ve gotten younger and cheaper but I don’t think any better.
Presumedly you’re also moving Holmes that scenario so you would also have whatever return you get from him. Regardless, the question to me isn’t if the move makes the Kings better today, but rather if it puts them in position to be better in the future. I’m not completely focused on Rob Williams. I can just see the scenarios that make him a good pick-up for the Kings and enable them to make future moves that improve their situation such as trading Holmes from a place of strength and having another, what, $10MM per year to work with.
good points, tough call. With either Williams or Holmes a cheap veteran big that can shoot would be a needed compliment. Muscala for around the minimum wouldn’t be earth shattering but a good complimentary bench piece. Pritchard, Williams and the first round pick for Barnes may be asking too much but anything less may not be worth it.
this is exactly how I look when I pull up from midrange:
https://twitter.com/ZagMBB/status/1369496431233556483?s=20
Already posing for when the Kings erect a Suggs statue outside Golden One in 2042.
Good lord that form is obnoxiously good
I think kings settle for Nesmith, g Williams and a first which is a solid get for us.
I’d love to swap holmes for r Williams but i don’t think Bos bites on that addition because of holmes contact situation unless he gives them some assurance to re-sign
Why do we have to “settle” for anything? Crazy! How about we settle for Danny Ainge taking a long walk off a short pier, that is what I am willing to settle for.
Unless Nesmith as star potential (doubtful), and definite starter potential and the ability to play 20-30 MPG now, I have no interest in him.
And I am less interested in a wing that has shaky handles. We need guys who are comfortable with the rock, not Buddy-esque.
I like that you put the settle in quotes because I agree, it’s not really a settle but pretty dang equal value
Seems to me that Boston might be needing to make a move as there time to compete for a title is sooner than later and that the worlds greatest GM Danny Ainge might actually need to make a deal to go for a title now. As such maybe Boston might need to offer more?
Please no Langford ! Is a bust and was terrible in the G League ! His stats for the Maine Red Claws was almost as bad as his Celtics stats !
We aren’t trading Barnes or Buddy. I would be shocked. Bagley is on the table, just as I ascended him to the top of my potential trade list before the news broke last week the GM was “putting out feelers”, allegedly.
Are these “young prospects” on the Cs potential stars or the next Justin Jackson? Because of you are getting the latter then why bother and, guess what, potential stars tend to force their way into the rotation even as rookies, just like Haliburton did.
Unless our GM has labeled Nesmith as a star in the mold of Haliburton and had him in the same draft tier, we are not interested. Screw off Ainge, go try to fleece someone else!
A few to many Kings fans are shining up turds like Nesmith and Langford and pretending they are diamonds! When we already have a valuable priceless “jewel” in HB!
I disagree with James Ham on a lot, a homer and mouthpiece for the organization who “still doesn’t know if Walton is a good coach…” (his words), but he was right on Barnes.
Robert Williams is just as about as good (or slightly better) than Metu as a prospect, so fans should NOT be salivating to get Metu 2.0!
Fans are just passing the time with the team in the tank I get that, but if anything goes down it will be Bagley Bye-Bye not Barnes or Buddy, mark my words I (almost) always right 🙂
Hali had to out play buddy, nesmith has to out play Jason tatum or jaylon brown, I’d say that’s a bit different of a battle to earn the starting spot.
Williams the same upside as Metu? Lol bro
I’ve always been a fan of Robert Williams’ game. I believe he has (or had) the highest block rate per 30m in the league. Young, super nice guy too. Does a straight-up swap (with possibly an expiring contract) work? I’d be down but not sure how much Boston is willing to give up for Barnes, maybe we could get more
If we do snag that Boston pick I’d like to target Day’Ron Sharpe with the pick (assuming we go with any of the other top 5 picks besides Mobley.
I think he could finally be that massive presence down low that would fit well with our super team just young roster.
Fox
Hali or Suggs with Hali at the 3
Cade/Jalen G/Kuminga/Jalen J
Bags
Sharpe
That would surround him with 4 guys that can hit the 3 at a respectable level
Day’Ron is an interesting option. Especially since he also shows some flashes of passing ability. He probably wouldn’t be my top choice in that range, but he’s certainly on the list.
Yeah his passing is such a plus for his size and skill set in the low post
There’s obviously always a danger of wanting to comp players to current success stories, but IF there is an Adebayo in this draft, Sharpe is probably the most likely.
And that comp would go really good in that group of young guys now that bags three ball is dropping, at least offensively it would be a real nice group
Are we going to make a move or what?
I feel like I’m at a used car dealership.
Some interesting trade ideas thrown about, with a number of them seeming both possible and reasonable.
Tough time hearing the Scot, but seemed like he had pretty good takes on what could happen. One of the slimmer possibilities, involving Smart to Sacramento, isn’t completely inconceivable. Smart is a guy I’d love to have in-house, and would definitely provide a lot of what Barnes does on the court and in the locker room. I don’t know if Barnes & Holmes would be enough for Ainge to consider it, although it seems like it would be good return for Boston, especially since McNair likely asks for a pick and a prospect.
I have a feeling that Ainge is coming to terms with the idea that Barnes is his best option to push Boston farther into the playoffs, and may soften his usual intractable stance on trade proposals.
Brandon, I’m glad you’re not the Kings GM. Romeo Langford? You know that Justin James outplayed him last year. Adam Taylor, despite his English accent, sounds like a typical Boston sports fan. Every league owes the Boston team a championship. It’s got to be burning their hearts out that Tom Brady won the Super Bowl while the Patriots sucked.
Why make a trade to make the team worse?
Badge Legend