It seems like Boston is in the news every day now with a new trade. Boston is trying to gather as many draft picks as they can, focusing on the future rather than the present. We have seen the Celtics trade away their two best players, Rondo and Green. We have even seen them trade away players they had just traded for, Brandan Wright and now Austin Rivers and Jameer Nelson. The Celtics have made it clear that they want expiring contracts and aren't afraid to buy out player's contracts, as what will likely happen to Tayshaun Prince. The Celtics made two more trades the past couple of days sending newly acquired point guard Jameer Nelson to Denver in return for guard Nate Robinson. They also are planning on sending guard Austin Rivers to the Clippers for a second round pick, but the deal may change.
Jameer Nelson signed with Dallas this past off-season hoping to win a title. He didn't live up to expectations as he only averaged 7.3 PPG and 4.1 APG in 23 starts with Dallas. They quickly jumped at the opportunity to add a star point guard in Rajon Rondo, sending Nelson to Boston to be a backup. There is no doubt Nelson was not happy with the deal as he just left a rebuilding team, Orlando, to sign with a contender, hoping to win a championship. He only played in six games with Boston, starting one, and his stats just got worst. Nelson has never been one of the top point guard in the league, but I have always thought he was solid. There is no doubt that he isn't a starter on a championship team, however, I do think he is a very liable backup. Nelson is making just $2.7 million this year, with a player option of $2.8 million next year. That's not a lot of money but the Celtics are getting rid of anyone they don't see in their future plans. They acquired Nate Robinson in return as he returns to Boston after playing two seasons with them earlier in his career. The homecoming won't last long however as Boston is expected to buy out Nate Robinson's contract, leaving him to be able to sign with a contender. Buying out his contract will allow them to trade Rivers as they need to clear up two roster spots. Robinson is having one of the worst years of his career after tearing his ACL last season with Denver. He is averaging the least amount of PPG in his career at 5.8 PPG on 34.8% shooting. Robinson can't do much at 5'9" but the one thing he can do is score. He is a very good scorer and has proved it throughout his career. His one downfall, other than his height, is that he can sometimes get careless with the ball and takes questionable shots. He has gotten better though as his career was revitalized after a season under Tom Thibodeau in Chicago where he averaged 13.1 PPG, while being a key factor to the Bulls' success that year. There is no doubt that many contending teams would like to have Robinson, despite coming off ACL surgery. The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers seem to be the front runners to land Robinson. I think he will eventually go to Cleveland to try and help the struggling Cavs. Nelson will backup Ty Lawson in Denver, it will be interesting to see if he stays in Denver next year or opts out and tries to be a backup on a contending team, which is what I think he will do. There is no doubt Robinson is a spark off the bench who can give you 10-15 points any night, I expect him to be a factor come playoff time.
Austin Rivers has been a member of the Boston Celtics since Monday but now is about to pack his bags once again and head to Los Angeles to join his dad on the Clippers. This is yet another example of what the Celtics are trying to do. The Celtics received both Rivers and Prince, along with a first round pick, in the Jeff Green deal and both are not going to last past this week it seems like. Prince will most likely have his contract be bought out, meaning he can sign with any team, as he and Robinson leaving will let the Celtics trade Rivers. There was a lot of speculation that the 22 year old guard would be traded to Los Angeles, and those reports seem to be correct. It looks like Rivers will be traded for just a second round pick as he will join his dad, Doc Rivers, in Los Angeles. Boston has yet another draft pick, it seems like they will soon own every draft pick in the coming years. The Celtics plan is to try and get as many draft picks as possible and have a small salary. I like this trade for Boston as I don't think much of Rivers and don't think he would be a fit for their future plans. I think Rivers has reached his full potential and won't get much better. River is averaging 6.8 PPG, 2.5 APG and 1.9 RPG in 22.1 MPG this year with the Pelicans. I think Rivers will always be a player that plays average defense and will give you 6-7 points off the bench, but will need 15-20 minutes. Austin will join his dad, Doc, even though when Austin got drafted Doc said he didn't want to coach his son. Doc has recently said that he thinks his team can now handle it and is glad that Rivers will most likely be heading to Los Angeles. This is an interesting trade and a good one for both sides. I think Rivers has reached his full potential, but maybe his dad can bring out more. Plus, the Clippers are one of the top teams in the West so a second round pick isn't much use to them. On the other side of the deal, Boston gets another pick and trade away a guard they didn't see helping them in the future.
Jameer Nelson signed with Dallas this past off-season hoping to win a title. He didn't live up to expectations as he only averaged 7.3 PPG and 4.1 APG in 23 starts with Dallas. They quickly jumped at the opportunity to add a star point guard in Rajon Rondo, sending Nelson to Boston to be a backup. There is no doubt Nelson was not happy with the deal as he just left a rebuilding team, Orlando, to sign with a contender, hoping to win a championship. He only played in six games with Boston, starting one, and his stats just got worst. Nelson has never been one of the top point guard in the league, but I have always thought he was solid. There is no doubt that he isn't a starter on a championship team, however, I do think he is a very liable backup. Nelson is making just $2.7 million this year, with a player option of $2.8 million next year. That's not a lot of money but the Celtics are getting rid of anyone they don't see in their future plans. They acquired Nate Robinson in return as he returns to Boston after playing two seasons with them earlier in his career. The homecoming won't last long however as Boston is expected to buy out Nate Robinson's contract, leaving him to be able to sign with a contender. Buying out his contract will allow them to trade Rivers as they need to clear up two roster spots. Robinson is having one of the worst years of his career after tearing his ACL last season with Denver. He is averaging the least amount of PPG in his career at 5.8 PPG on 34.8% shooting. Robinson can't do much at 5'9" but the one thing he can do is score. He is a very good scorer and has proved it throughout his career. His one downfall, other than his height, is that he can sometimes get careless with the ball and takes questionable shots. He has gotten better though as his career was revitalized after a season under Tom Thibodeau in Chicago where he averaged 13.1 PPG, while being a key factor to the Bulls' success that year. There is no doubt that many contending teams would like to have Robinson, despite coming off ACL surgery. The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers seem to be the front runners to land Robinson. I think he will eventually go to Cleveland to try and help the struggling Cavs. Nelson will backup Ty Lawson in Denver, it will be interesting to see if he stays in Denver next year or opts out and tries to be a backup on a contending team, which is what I think he will do. There is no doubt Robinson is a spark off the bench who can give you 10-15 points any night, I expect him to be a factor come playoff time.
Austin Rivers has been a member of the Boston Celtics since Monday but now is about to pack his bags once again and head to Los Angeles to join his dad on the Clippers. This is yet another example of what the Celtics are trying to do. The Celtics received both Rivers and Prince, along with a first round pick, in the Jeff Green deal and both are not going to last past this week it seems like. Prince will most likely have his contract be bought out, meaning he can sign with any team, as he and Robinson leaving will let the Celtics trade Rivers. There was a lot of speculation that the 22 year old guard would be traded to Los Angeles, and those reports seem to be correct. It looks like Rivers will be traded for just a second round pick as he will join his dad, Doc Rivers, in Los Angeles. Boston has yet another draft pick, it seems like they will soon own every draft pick in the coming years. The Celtics plan is to try and get as many draft picks as possible and have a small salary. I like this trade for Boston as I don't think much of Rivers and don't think he would be a fit for their future plans. I think Rivers has reached his full potential and won't get much better. River is averaging 6.8 PPG, 2.5 APG and 1.9 RPG in 22.1 MPG this year with the Pelicans. I think Rivers will always be a player that plays average defense and will give you 6-7 points off the bench, but will need 15-20 minutes. Austin will join his dad, Doc, even though when Austin got drafted Doc said he didn't want to coach his son. Doc has recently said that he thinks his team can now handle it and is glad that Rivers will most likely be heading to Los Angeles. This is an interesting trade and a good one for both sides. I think Rivers has reached his full potential, but maybe his dad can bring out more. Plus, the Clippers are one of the top teams in the West so a second round pick isn't much use to them. On the other side of the deal, Boston gets another pick and trade away a guard they didn't see helping them in the future.
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