This move means that New Orleans is throwing in the towel, closing up shop and kissing any and all of their title hopes goodbye for this year. Chandler was the Hornets' only 7-footer as well as their best rebounder and interior defender. He was also one of Chris Paul's favorite targets for jaw-dropping alley-oops, and is currently only 26 years old, meaning that he is in his peak years currently (NBA players usually peak between ages 25-30, give or take a little bit). Chandler was a force in the paint on defense, and despite his struggles with injury this year is still too valuable (in my humble opinion) to be dumped for two solid contributors at mid season. This move is a straight salary dump, and now the Hornets will have to try and make do with new players who are unfamiliar with their system (always be ready for a pass from Chris Paul!) and without the necessary size and interior toughness to seriously compete in the Western Conference. Because Chandler has three years left on his deal at approximately $11 million per, he (along with the title hopes for New Orleans) are now gone. So it goes.
What does this have to do with the Celtics? A deal like this shows that this year's market for NBA players is a buyer's market, meaning that teams trading away important pieces are likely to get little in return. This is wonderful for the Celtics, who not only need to make an addition to keep pace with Cleveland and LA, but have bupkis to offer in return. Earlier today, the Celtics sent Sam "the Crystal Skull" Cassell to Sacramento for the right to swap second round draft picks in 2015, clearing a little bit of salary for us while also opening up a roster spot on the defending champions' bench. With a spot now open, the Celtics could add a piece through free agency (I can still hope for PJ Brown, right?), drawing on a talent pool that is likely to increase in the coming day when some veteran players are likely to get bought out of their remaining contracts by their cellar-dwelling teams (this is how Sam came to the Celtics last year).
While waiting around for a good piece to get bought out is not a bad strategy (adding a piece like Jerry Stackhouse or *gulp* Stephon Marbury wouldn't hurt), I feel that given the current economy and market for NBA talent that the Celtics could be slightly more proactive in their search for the missing piece that can help them repeat as champions this year. And since New Orleans has now waved the white flag of "salary dump" high so that everyone can see it, I have a business proposition for the Hornets...
Trade James Posey back to the Celtics for either Brian Scalabrine and Tony Allen or for Scal, JR Giddens and Patrick O'Bryant. Both of these trades work in ESPN's NBA trade machine and could be mutually beneficial for both sides. For New Orleans, they'd be shedding $24 million dollars over the next four years in the form of James Posey's contract while taking on a few modest salaries that are off the books after next season. The Celtics could also offer a pick or some kind of monetary compensation to entice the Hornets a bit more, too. Additionally, New Orleans would be getting at least something back in return in the form of Scal and whomever else is included in the deal. If New Orleans takes Giddens and O'Bryant, then they're getting two dirt cheap fliers on some young and undeveloped talent, as well as Scal's presence in the locker room and his intangible contributions on the court.
The appeal for Boston is obvious. As a team contending for a title with a nucleus of aging superstars, it is in the Celtics' best interest to win right now, regardless of the economic climate of the league and the nation. It's not like the Celtics are losing or will lose money in the city of Boston if they field a competitive squad with realistic title hopes. In a city of sports nuts who have been conditioned to pay out the ass for the Red Sox and Patriots, the financial reserves will always be there for the Celtics, so adding some salary shouldn't be a problem for Danny Ainge. Doing this deal moves pieces that didn't exactly fit in the first place and gives the Celtics exactly what they've been missing this year: James Posey.
I may be beating a dead horse here, but it remains true: the Celtics need hep this year if they want to have a shot at repeating as NBA champions in June. Posey was vital to Boston's success last year as a versatile swing man who could defend the other team's best player, rebound and stretch the floor with his outside shooting. Additionally, he was a great chemistry guy who helped keep the Celtics together in the locker room and on the court, always leading by example with his hustle and effort. He was a huge factor in the Celtics' title run last year, and he's been sorely missed ever since he signed with New Orleans in the off-season. Doing this deal would put the universe back in order and would (albeit in a rather convoluted way) atone for Boston's choice of saving $6 million over strengthening the team for years to come.
I've since reviewed every game of the Finals from last year as well as the seventh game of the Conference semi-finals against Cleveland (thanks to my collector's edition DVD set), and I can say with confidence that Boston wouldn't have won without James Posey. He shut down Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as well as anyone has ever done, hit big shots, created possessions for the Celtics with his defense and rebounding and gave Boston much more versatility with their personnel and consistency with the second unit. Despite similar records at the All-Star break (41-9 with Posey, 44-11 without), this team doesn't just need somebody like James Posey, they need the real deal.
He already knows the system, and we already know that he fits in well with the players on the roster. We also know that the Celtics desperately need help (why else would Stephon Marbury's name keep popping up?) despite their NBA best record. Adding Posey to a Celtics team that has seen improvements form its role players thus far would put Boston over the top for a title this year. Despite losing their best role player, the Celtics have kept pace with the NBA's best teams, all of which improved over the off-season. Add Posey back into the mix and the Celtics jump way ahead, with more solid defense and better production off the bench, which has been the Celtics' biggest Achilles heel this year. The stars seem to be aligned for a coup like this, now if you'll excuse me I'm going to make an animal sacrifice to the NBA gods to try and push this deal through.
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