Breaking News: Celtics fans will love Pierce’s take on possible Free Agency, Should Celtics Fear Heat With Star?

July 16, 2023 admin Boston celtics 0

 

On Arbella Early Edition, Chris Forsberg breaks down why the Celtics should not go all in on Damian Lillard

The team that just toppled the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals appears poised to acquire a seven-

time All-Star.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To which Paul Pierce would reply, so what?

The Miami Heat reportedly are the frontrunners to land Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard via trade, a

move that seemingly would keep them in the title conversation after their run to the NBA Finals last season.

Yet Pierce isn’t buying that the Heat would be any better if they brought in Lillard. In fact, the former Celtics star

believes a Dame-led Heat squad would be done playing by late April.

“You put (Lillard, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo) together, they won’t make it out of the first round,” Pierce

told Showtime’s Rachel Nichols and former NBA star Tracy McGrady on Thursday.

Pierce’s hot take shocked Nichols, but The Truth had an explanation ready.

“You’ve got to understand how they got to the championship this year,” Pierce said. “A lot of this had to do with

their depth and guys playing way above their pay grade. Caleb (Martin), (Gabe Vincent), these guys were

averaging 20 points on Boston. We ain’t never seen that from them. Then you had Duncan Robinson.

“So if you get Dame, they’re gone. They’re already gone, and then you have to give up another 18-to-20 point

scorer (in Tyler Herro). … You’re gonna have to gut that team out.”

The Blazers reportedly are seeking four first-round picks and one or two quality players in return for Lillard, so

Miami would have to give up at least Herro and potentially Robinson. Both Vincent and Max Strus signed

elsewhere in free agency, so Pierce is right in that the Heat would be much thinner if they swung a Lillard trade.

(Vincent, Robinson and Strus combined to average 36.6 points per game against the Celtics in the Eastern

Conference Finals.)

Then again, an All-Star trio of Lillard, Butler and Adebayo has plenty of potential, and we wouldn’t be surprised

if head coach Erik Spoelstra gets production out of other unheralded role players such as Haywood Highsmith

and Nikola Jovic this season.

The bottom line is that Miami seems like a complete wild card if it lands Lillard. Spoelstra’s group could flame

out in the first round or return to the NBA Finals, and we wouldn’t be surprised either way. But the Celtics have the superior team on paper regardless, and they should be the favorites to come out of the East in 2024.

Knicks Mock Blockbuster: Acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Celtics

The NBA is a league replete with surprises and blockbuster moves. This off-season, a big splash from the New

York Knicks certainly wouldn’t be unprecedented. Among the myriad of stars, they’re reportedly interested in,

including Paul George and Joel Embiid, a less highlighted yet intriguing name is the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown.

Jaylen Brown: A Desirable Addition to the Knicks

Brown stands out as one of the league’s top offensive players, boasting elite defense skills to boot. The 26-year-

old is at the peak of his career and justifies a significant extension, having averaged 26.6 points per game last

season with a .491 field goal average, .335 from three-point range, and a .550 effective field goal rate,

complemented by 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

The Knicks, with their need for a high-volume scorer like Brown, could benefit significantly from his versatility as

a shooting guard and small forward.

The Cost of Acquiring Jaylen Brown

Securing Brown, however, likely requires a multi-team trade, involving the departure of several highly valued

Knicks’ assets. This strategy could be essential for the Knicks in leveraging their championship window with a

star-studded roster.

Zach Buckley of B/R suggests the Knicks could pursue Jaylen Brown to add a third star:

 

In this proposed blockbuster deal, the Knicks would send RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Jericho Sims, and two

first-round picks (2026 and 2028) on their way.

A Potential Lucrative Deal for Brown

Such a trade would be a significant sacrifice, and the Knicks would then have to offer Brown a lucrative deal.

Reports suggest that Brown could command one of the highest contracts in NBA history, potentially reaching

$304 million in total.

Accommodating such a contract could be challenging, but trading Barrett could alleviate some financial pressure,

freeing up about $23.8 million for the upcoming season, with an annual increase of approximately $2 million

until 2026.

The Implication for the Knicks

Swapping Barrett for Brown could represent a significant upgrade. Donte DiVincenzo could step in for Grimes,

perhaps even more effectively. If President Leon Rose could secure such a deal, the decision to extend Brown,

one of the NBA’s top players, on a long-term max contract would be an easy “yes.”

Yet, these are only hypothetical scenarios that may never materialize. Nevertheless, the Knicks are aware that a

significant move could boost their championship chances. The question remains: which teams are willing to part

with their valuable stars?

 

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