NBA GMs vote on Big Three trade value
NBA.com’s David Aldridge conducted an informal survey to determine which member of Boston’s Big Three has the highest trade value.
An informal survey Sunday of 15 league personnel men asked the question: if salaries were not an issue, which of the Big Three still has the most value?
Seven thought Pierce had the most gas left in the tank, five chose Allen, and three went for Garnett — with two KG supporters citing his length and defensive savvy. But, of course, salaries are an issue, with Garnett and Allen each in the final year of their respective contracts, and Pierce with two years and $32 million left on his extension. Ainge doesn’t even have to make a trade; he could just let everyone’s deals expire, let Garnett, Allen and Jermaine O’Neal — along with vets like (newly acquired) Mickael Pietrus, Keyon Dooling, Marquis Daniels and Sasha Pavlovic, all on one-year deals — walk next summer, and try to convince prospective free agents to play with Rondo and Pierce.
Of course, salaries are an issue in reality. Pierce has two years and $32 million left after this season. Allen and Garnett both have expiring contracts.
It’s still unlikely any of the Big Three get traded. It’s difficult to find a trading partner that makes sense, and Ainge can just wait for the contracts to expire before rebuilding this offseason.
P.S. — If two KG supporters cited his length and defensive savvy, what did the other cite? His ability to chew through concrete blocks with a single bite?
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Celtics Blog | Tommy King | January 23, 2012
January 25th may give us more insight as to how Danny could approach trading one or more of the Big 3 before the deadline. That’s the day GM’s must sign players who enter restricted status in the off season.
We already know NJ has declined to qualify Lopez due to the injury. The Wolves may not reach a long term agreement with K.Love. Denver is grappling over Gallo. Indy doesn’t appear anxious to wrap up Hibbert. True, the teams holding the contract have the edge and can match, but the point is cap space may be at a premium no matter what happens with the two biggest UR prizes (D.Will/DH).
That’s why it’s hard to imagine Danny do a repeat of an incoming Vin Baker type contract even if retaining that bad contract gets you a #1. So Ray Allen to Utah for their 10m t/e is a possibility or Pierce to Utah for Milsap/#1 may suffice. Not endorsing those moves — just giving an example. Stock piling #1′s and cap space are the primary concerns. I’m sure competing GM’s are praying the drought continues thereby low balling Danny before the trade deadline. But no matter how bad things appear to be I would expect him to stick to the prime directive. If he can’t come close to getting fair value then the team blows up organically once the season ends.
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