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There are two scenarios for the Clippers to complete this move, one is if they do it before July 1 and the other is if they do it after July 1.
Let’s start with before July 1, which matters under the new CBA. According to Coon, if a team has $0-$9.6 million outgoing, it can take back 150 percent. If it’s $9.6-$19.2 million it’s the outgoing plus $5 million. If it’s over $19.2 million, it’s 125 percent.
So if the Clippers wanted to trade for Garnett and Pierce, who make $28,356,610, in one big mega-trade before July 1, they would need to send out at least $22,605,288. Let’s start with DeAndre Jordan, who makes $10,532,977, and Caron Butler, who makes $8,000,000. Those two add up to $18,532,977. The Clippers would still need another $4,072,311 under this scenario, which would not be met even if they included Eric Bledsoe and Willie Green, who combine to make less than that. They could make it work if they included Jamal Crawford, but sources say Crawford would not be included in the deal.
That means the Clippers would go to the second option, which would be doing two separate trades. In this scenario, according to Coon, they get 150 percent or $5 million rather than just the 125 percent they get by acquiring them together. So they could trade Jordan and Bledsoe for Pierce and then Butler for Garnett. These two separate but parallel trades would work from a numbers standpoint.
If they wait until after July 1, they need to send out $22,133,656 if they wanted to trade for both together. Jordan and Butler add up to $18,986,550, so they’d need another $3,147,106. Bledsoe and Green would add up to enough.
Separately they’d need to send out $7,433,735 for Garnett, and Butler is still enough there, and they’d need to send out $10,155,556 for Pierce, and Jordan is enough but the Clippers would likely be forced to add Bledsoe as well.
ESPN Los Angeles – How the Clippers/Celtics trade could happen
Did your head explode after reading those paragraphs?
In summary, the rumored deal would net the Celtics DeAndre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler in exchange for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
Not enough of a haul for my tastes.
DeAndre Jordan is a 6-11 athletic freak, but the guy has yet to average a double-double in a season. And I’m warning you to look away from his free throw shooting percentage.
Where does Eric Bledsoe fit on this team? The Celtics already have two jump-shot challenged guards in Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley. If the Celtics acquire him in a deal, I believe there’s a waiting period before they can move him again. Ainge would have to wrangle a third team. And there’s always a log jam at guard (Lee, Terry).
Aside from his expiring contract, I don’t like Caron Butler. I suppose he would provide depth behind Jeff Green at small forward.
As far as Doc Rivers, most believe 2 1st round draft picks will be needed as compensation. The Celtics cannot take a player back in exchange for Rivers (CBS’ Ken Berger expounds).
Shoot for the moon, Danny. Demand Blake Griffin and filler. Make the deal more enticing by letting Doc Rivers go for less than market value.
How do the Clippers handle Chris Paul and his desire to play with Dwight Howard? Does LA focus on Howard or the Celtics.
So many moving parts.
My head hurts. Pass the ibuprofen.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Anosike offers workout glimpse | Herald – Terry believes in Celtics | LA Times – Rivers high on Clippers list, but roadblock remains | CSNNE – Clippers reporter says Doc #1 candidate if available |
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