Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Report: Brandon Bass drawing trade interest from Suns, Warriors, Bobcats

Brandon Bass may be the most wanted player on the Celtics roster.

Throughout the season, Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green have been the most talked about Celtics players in trade discussions but with the trade deadline less than two weeks away, reports say Danny Ainge has been receiving calls about Bass more than any other player.


Bass’ manageable contract and ability to chip in for a contender makes him the most likely Celtic to be shipped out by next Thursday, and the group of teams that has expressed interest in Bass is, “a pretty wide range,” according to a league source.

According to Sporting News' Sean Deveney, Celtics have received calls from Phoenix, Golden State and Charlotte about trading for Bass. The NBA trade deadline is less than two weeks away and as of right now Bass's contract makes him the most likely Celtic to be dealt.
“He is a good fit in a lot of places,” one league executive said. “He can start, he can come off the bench, he can make shots, he can play center against small lineups. A lot of teams need a guy like that.” [Sporting News] 
"But Bass’ manageable contract and ability to chip in for a contender makes him the most likely Celtic to be shipped out by next Thursday, and the group of teams that has expressed interest in Bass is, “a pretty wide range,” according to a league source. [Sporting News]  
His $6.9 million contract for next season is reasonable. Teams like Phoenix and Charotte wouldn't break the bank to bring him in but who would the Celtics receive in return?

If Golden State were to acquire Bass, Marreese Speights would have to be included in order for the Warriors to avoid a luxury tax. But Golden State may be willing to take the hit for a fitting player like Bass.

However the Warriors won't send someone to Boston who is better than Speights. They are contenders who have hopes of making it to the NBA Finals and wouldn't send any other rotation player in exchange for Bass. Warriors also don't have any picks in the upcoming draft (Danny Ainge's favorite asset).

Speights is averaging 6.1 points, 3.7 rebounds per game this season.

Charlotte and Phoenix both have draft picks in the upcoming draft, making them the two most likely candidates (from this report) to acquire Bass.

But shouldn't the Celtics look to acquire a solid player in return for Bass? Celtics aren't going to get a first round pick in the upcoming draft for Bass. Celtics may get a late first rounder but it's doubtful.

Speights isn't a bad replacement for Bass. He's only owed $3.6 million next season and even though he hasn't played his best this year, he has proved that he can perform well in the Eastern Conference. He averaged 10.2 points and five rebounds last season with Cleveland.

(Speights also scored 32 points last night against the 76ers)

No one knows if we'll see Ainge offer one of his second round picks in the upcoming seasons along with Bass for another rotation player but we'll find out soon. Either way there's a high demand for him and chances are he will be dealt sometime before the trading deadline.

Rondo isn't going anywhere anytime soon, making Bass the most valuable trading chip besides Jeff Green. But Danny Ainge may just pull the trigger on a Bass deal for second round picks and any young player who's going to shred cap space.

Earlier this season, Bass was nearly dealt to Houston in exchange for Omer Asik but the deal fell through after the Celtics weren't willing to send over a first round pick along with Courtney Lee.


Josue Pavon

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