Boston Celtics Danny Ainge Has One More Spot: Rudy Fernandez Or Larry Hughes?
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“We’re just continuing to explore available players and trade possibilities and see what sort of options are there,’’ said the Celtics president. “There are some trade discussions that we’re having. I don’t know the likelihood of those happening, but we’ll continue to not rush into something unless it’s something that we’re really excited about.’’
Danny Ainge on possible roster moves.
Danny Ainge’s comments confirm a couple of undeniable facts. The Rudy Fernandez trade talks seem to be on again. Reports are everywhere that Boson and Portland are in discussions again. Fernandez wants no part of Portland. This means he will be dealt. The statement also says the Celtics are looking at free agents in the wing positions. Larry Hughes is the only real player with any talent to remotely help this team. This also tells me if he’s commenting on the last roster spot that he has a plan and that spot will be filled by training camp. It is most likely to be Hughes or Fernandez. Which player is the better fit for the Boston Celtics?
Danny’s plan seems simple. Fernandez is his top choice. He will wait out Portland until they decide they need to trade him. The fact that Rudy has a tirade every week makes this closer and closer to happening. If he loses out Hughes is the backup plan. Comments like this show Ainge is playing the game. He is letting Portland know I will deal on my terms or not at all.
Fernandez is a solid shooter in the NBA. The man can stretch the defenses of the second unit. When you shoot 38 percent from three point land, you command attention. He would be a great guy to have because he has enough size to come in and play small forward and enough shooting strength to be a tall two guard. He is only 25 and just begun to scratch the surface of his shooting potential. His youth also would bring some more energy off the bench. He has averaged 10 points a game off the bench his rookie year and 8 last year.
The dip in scoring is part of the reason that he wants out of Portland. He feels that he is not being used right and deserves a larger role. This worries me a bit. The Celtics role for Rudy would be pretty much the same as he had in Portland. He would be asked to come off the bench in a supporting role. His defense is also troubling because a little of his issues with Portland Coach Nate McMillen are the fact his effort defensively is nonexistent at times. However, if he was a perfect player, he would be starting and making more than the 1,246,680 that he is due this year. That would put him out of Boston’s reach.
Another problem is that Boston must trade for him. The team already offered a first round pick and got no dice. Portland has other suitors, but none are enamored with Rudy to sweeten the deal to leap ahead of Boston. The Celtics also are not enamored enough to sweeten the deal to get it done. How long can Ainge hold out and wait to fill this spot? Wait too long and other potential players are gone. Wait too long and an injury happens and Danny loses leverage in trying to swing a deal.
The other possibility is one Larry Hughes. Hughes is an intriguing possibility. Hughes is only 31 with 12 years in the league. During those 12 years, he has been a double digit scorer. He struggled shooting from beyond the three point line in New York last year, but rebounded in his 14 games in Charlotte after a trade. The spacing a talented team like Boston could provide him would help any shooting woes he had last year. Hughes is also a solid defender. He knows how to play defense and generally tries on the defensive end. Hughes does come with some knocks. He has played selfish at times and can be a disruptive force in a locker room if unhappy. However, a shot at an elusive ring and knowing it is his best shot would surely put Mr. Hughes in good behavior mode.
The better fit game wise is Hughes. He is a veteran that would be coming here looking for a ring and knowing his role. He also plays better defense than Rudy. However, this team could use some youth. The team would benefit from an energy guy off the bench that could shoot. In Boston guys like KG and Doc Rivers would hold him accountable defensively. At only 25, who knows how good Fernandez could be? Rudy has more upside and youth and can shoot a little better. This makes Fernandez the choice. However, either would fill this role better than Michael Finley last year. Ainge has a plan and it will be executed soon. This means Pierce’s one player is on the way.
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