OK, I know I'm gonna catch hell for this but that's what makes messages boards fun. :)

I'm not gonna front; seeing Kevin Garnett in a Celtic jersey makes me physically ill. Not b/c Isiah couldn't get him, mind you, but he's gone to a division rival. And, not counting late injuries, our inability to beat teams in our own division was one of the glaring factors in keeping us out of the big dance.

Danny Ainge (and let's not forget - he's still Danny Ainge) is clearly in win now (*savemyjob*) mode and gutted the C's so they could be carried on the backs of three low-30s, two of which have durability issues - so, while they indeed look scary as hell ON PAPER, you don't win championships much less get into the postseason ON PAPER. Personally, as much as it is a decent meter, ON PAPER is pretty weak as an ultimate one (see 2004 Lakers).

I wouldn't completely mind if the Zekester should just stand pat. Marginal moves to fill needs at most. Now, don't get me wrong, I would not be against Kobe Bryant or even Crazy Ron-Ron in the NYK Orange and Blue come November. Especially Kobe. Anyone that has just Lamar Odom to help him and still manage to get a winning record AND the 7th seed in the West and is that damn good.

You still have to do what you need to do to improve the team and, believe me, I'm tired of all this losing. But, maybe, at this point in time, the best trade is not just not make one. At least not one out of desperation.

Go ahead. Let me have it. :)

isiah likes to make trades. he will continue to do so. and not on a small scale either.

totally random prediction, eddy gets traded after next season.

I would stand pat- I see a celtic twisting an ankle anyway and having a big two and a half anyway. The only trade I want is a fat-trimming trade dumping JJ, JJ2, etc.

Stand pat for now. Not much Isiah can do right now for a star player without overpaying. I say let this season play out and make a move next summer when it'll be more doable. Marb and Rose have expirings next yr and will be easier to move. Artest will be a freeagent and couls be had for free as opposed to giving up Lee for him now.

Well for the past few months I've been hearing that Isiah has committed himself to a youth movement so that we can compete IN THE FUTURE. I am to expect that no major trades will be made. Any major trade(that involved a lot of young players) would just be yet another change in plans. We would be back to "compete now" mode.

I have no problem with a trade being made to compete, but if it decimates our young core than it just proves the "lack of plan" mentality that we have seen for the past 7 years.

The only deal I see out there is for Artest. I don't believe he's gonna let that pass if it's in his power to do. This doesn't mean that we'll end up like Boston, cuz let's remember that Artest isn't exactly old. The idea isn't to only plan for some time in the future. The goal is to win a championship. So if you can get a guy that's not too old and he gives you a chance to compete for a title, then you give up some youth for that.

I don't fully trust Artest, but I don't have a problem with his talent and what he can do for this team if he comes here. None of us should have a problem with Isiah trading some young prospects for a proven player who is still in his prime. I just don't believe that he'll send Lee in that deal. He doesn't have to. He can wait it out if they try to rob us. We're not in a rush right now, since he's done such a good job making this team younger. One more year won't kill us.

Posted by Bippity10:

Well for the past few months I've been hearing that Isiah has committed himself to a youth movement so that we can compete IN THE FUTURE. I am to expect that no major trades will be made. Any major trade(that involved a lot of young players) would just be yet another change in plans. We would be back to "compete now" mode.

I have no problem with a trade being made to compete, but if it decimates our young core than it just proves the "lack of plan" mentality that we have seen for the past 7 years.

Not necessarily true IMO. Isiah can still try to trade for a young stud(i.e. a Kevin Martin, Amare, whoever) and still sell his youth movement. I am not going to say it is going to hapen, but there are moves he can try to make and still sell his youth movement, IMHO.

Posted by djsunyc:

i'm thinking isiah had to do a sell job on dolan to get zach here.
to also bring in artest makes the situation very volatile...one where dolan may say "no".

That could be true. From the way Isiah described his background check, it's likely that he did have to do some serious convincing. Artest is a SUPER HARD sell. The guy broke that MSG camera years ago and i'm sure Dolan hasn't forgotten that. Plus the big fight and his off the court issues. To be honest the guy is pretty predictable in his unpredictable nature.

In a way i'd rather we went with what we have and give these guys a chance to step up and prove if they can perform. At the same time if you get Artest and he comes without giving him an extension, then you aren't taking on too much of a risk.

Isiah already made his move... he got Zach Randolph (yay)... don't expect much better than that because short of Kobe there isn't a player in the NBA that's remotely attainable that will trump what BOS just did by getting KG.

Posted by LBeast:

IT shouldnt make a trade out of desperation, but, I still think this team needs help.

I agree. The plan is to build and develop for the long haul. Stick to it. Make moves that go with that plan.

You make smart moves. If there's a smart move to be made, great. If there's no, don't reach for it.