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Breaking News: Celtics trade Wallace to GSW for David Lee

Chuck - Red's Army July 7, 2015 Gerald Wallace, Trades 59 Comments

ESPN sources say that the Celtics have agreed to send Gerald Wallace to the Warriors for David Lee

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 7, 2015

Credit to Danny Ainge for getting a player with some value in exchange for Gerald Wallace. As we saw a bit in the Finals vs Cleveland, Lee can still score and rebound. His defense is another story.

Lee is due to make $15 million in the final year of his contract. Wallace’s expiring contract is $10 million.

As for why GS would make this move? Straight money.

With David Lee, Warriors at almost $100M in salaries. Without Lee and stretching Wallace, closer to $86M. Saves about $30-34M in taxes.

— Jacob Rosen (@WFNYJacob) July 7, 2015

Now, Marc Spears reports that GS will keep Gerald Wallace but I’m less concerned about them.

I also don’t want to knock Wallace, he was nothing but a true professional here in Boston. He served as a mentor for many of the young guys.

The Celtics front court is very crowded. Lee joins Zeller, Olynyk, Amir Johnson, Sullinger and Jerebko. Somebody has to go. Not enough minutes to go around.

Fitzy

we should have pursued a draft pick for this trade. Saving Joe Lacob 34M.
- Sean McLaughlin
  
  The talent is totally worth it.
  - Fitzy
    
    I agree, but a title team has little leeway with the cap. If we pushed I’m willing to bet they would have gotten a draft pick. See Philly & Sacto deal. Philly killed that deal and still walked away with unprotected swap rights.
    - Sean McLaughlin
      
      While that’s fair, here’s two ideas… 1. We’re probably not done dealing and 2. Danny may have learned his lesson from the draft about asking for too much. Everyone in the league knows we’ve been DESPERATE to get rid of Wallace’s contract.
      - CallingBatman
        
        What Sean said plus how much would a GSW pick be worth? We have a plethora of picks already and they’re obviously not as valuable as some thought. I like this deal. Nothing but respect for Wallace as a mentor. Richard’s scenario above would be OK with me. Then again, I’m not paying their salaries.
      - Fitzy
        
        A pick’s a pick. A shot at the barrel to find your DeAndre, Manu, etc. I don’t mind it but considering the amount of money we’re saving the warriors a pick would be warranted. They needed this a lot more than we do.
      - P Funk
        
        Or chauncey billups
      - Fitzy
        
        Have we really been desperate? Obviously we don’t have to pay but I believe for the most part we accepted it as a, we’re not moving this contract so let’s let it expire. I don’t think Danny was asking too much for anything I believe the headline was he OFFERED too much. I agree with not done dealing, but assets are assets. It doesn’t take much for a teams fortunes to change (ie: Clippers)
      - Sean McLaughlin
        
        When he found out that the rest of the league didn’t value the late first rounder picks as much as he/we did, that’s when it became asking too much. I wasn’t referring to a certain article. If he wasn’t asking too much, someone would have dealt with us to let us move up in the draft, seeing as he called pretty much all 15 lottery teams twice… (exaggeration, before you correct me….)
      - Fitzy
        
        So what are you complaining about, we took RJ Hunter who is considered to be great value at 28. I consider that great. if you thought someone was trading out of the lottery for 16 and 28 then you’re a fool anyway. It has to be 16 and 21 or something similar.
      - Sean McLaughlin
        
        sigh…
      - Fitzy
        
        sigh at you sir. Chevron doesn’t go well sh*t we have too many damn oil fields. Let’s not acquire anymore.
- Rick Rice
  
  Yeah Fitzy Celts could definitely use more draft picks! Who needs actual quality on court players when you could have more draft picks!
Richard Jensen

Well, Wallace was a *bit* of a crank the first half of the 2013/14 season.

Here’s an amusing scenario:

GSW stretches Wallace, C’s hire him on to work in player development.

Thus, Gerald Wallace gets big $ from GSW, continues to mentor C’s, and the C’s get David Lee out of the deal.
eddysamson

I’ve heard that we will be sending an additional player and I’ve heard its a straight 1 for 1 deal. Who knows. My guess is Pressey or Babb goes as well.
Rick Rice

Quit complaining about crowded this court or that court! A week ago the complaint was CROWDED Back Court now it’ CROWDED Front Court! The team can carry 15 players!! This makes 6 FRONT Court Players and 7 Back Court Players, So how about just saying the Celtics Are Deep in the front court and back court and maybe thin in the mid court(whatever the hell that is) !
- chuckmckenney
  
  Not a complaint, but an observation. With the backcourt, there are young guys than can go to the D-League (Rozier, Hunter). Different situation in the front court. I bet all those guys listed above are expecting minutes.
  - Curt Hays
    
    It’s funny that David Lee is another 6′ 9″, 250 lb guy, but no one is complaining about duplication this time. You mention that we have too many valuable players in the front court (implying that we have enough talent to trade for someone more appropriate), and you get berated with ALL CAPS.
Astarot

So I understand this is another 15 million in cap the next offseason? I hope this is straight deal and no one is included. Pick would always be nice but I guess not worth much especially if you don’t quite know how to use it.
forever_green

Good pickup! I said during Finals this would be a good pickup. Also Lee did show he can play some D. He was all kamikaze in those finals.
- Sean McLaughlin
  
  There’s some positivity! 🙂
  - Fitzy
    
    oh I think it’s a great deal, just don’t think we maximized the return.
Herman Bubbert

Yawn. Reminds me of a deal Pitino would make.
- swissflix
  
  If i remember correctly i felt the same way i do now when Pitino got a washed up K Anderson aboard. Not excited.
MJ

I don’t get how people can complain about this deal (I’m not saying people on reds army but more people on other celtics blogs). We got a productive player for deadweight. Lee’s not the sexiest name out there but he’s only 32 and 2 years ago he was an all star. He was a good soldier in GSW even with the diminished role and he’ll be playing for a new contract. I like the sound of that. Not to mention he’s a Brad Stevens type of player because he has great fundamentals for a big. He’s no defensive stalwart by any means but his play in the finals showed he clearly has some game left. He’s probably not going to be part of the future, but I am excited to see him play with Amir Johnson/Tyler Zeller.

I do wonder how the Celtics are going to work the rotation wit their bigs. Lee, Johnson, Zeller, Sullinger, Olynyk, and Jerebko should all get minutes.
- Curt Hays
  
  I like this perspective. Last year WAS the worst season of his career, but playing at his worst he won a championship. Maybe with him next to Zeller, Mickey, or Amir we might DOMINATE.
  
  Maybe…
forever_green

KG to play two more years? Unlike Paul which has some game left & I am deeply depressed about him being in that Clown uniform next season.. I feel KG just can’t walk away.
Lee in Oregon

Nothing against Wallace. he played hard his whole career, but Lee has more to offer at this point. Good trade.
RedsLoveChild

Danny “Fireworks” Ainge!

Wallace for Lee?
That`s like trading Rebel Wilson for Melissa McCarthy.
- Sean McLaughlin
  
  I think I’m too old for that reference. lol
  - Thatguy
    
    I felt I was too young for it…
    - Sean McLaughlin
      
      Yeah, I just don’t understand if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I’ve at least heard of the latter. No idea who the first one is. lol
      - Thatguy
        
        Oh well. Lets just be happy this trade happened.
      - forever_green
        
        Crazy comparison. But I would say Melissa is Lee..& Rebel is Wallflower Wallace.
      - Sean McLaughlin
        
        Thank you, sir… 😛 So he likes the trade too… lol
      - RedsLoveChild
        
        I hear ya…let`s go with Whoppi Goldberg for Rosie O`Donnell.
        
        They gave up nothing, and got nothing in return.
      - forever_green
        
        Yeah thats more of a wash..& also made my stomach cringe. More effective
      - KGino
        
        The difference is, Lee will get minutes on our team. Crash’s biggest contributions came from the bench.
      - RedsLoveChild
        
        That is definitely true…..but, exactly how does this get us any closer to the 18th banner?
        
        Just another “sideways” move by Ainge, as he tries to create the impression that he`s actually doing something meaningful.
      - Curt Hays
        
        It’s trading a big who’s name you don’t hear for a big who’s name you do hear.
      - Sean McLaughlin
        
        I’m guessing you hear the latter’s name more for a reason then. 😉
      - Curt Hays
        
        Based on my cursory “research” on wikipoo, one is more well-known to us as a result of age. Similar to the Lee/Wallace sitch.
      - Sean McLaughlin
        
        Well, maybe to US, yes, but as far as the league goes I was assuming you meant Lee as the one you hear about more often… #funwithanalogies
      - Curt Hays
        
        Yep.
        
        “Analogies…that’s where they compare things.”
        – Bill Engvall, Blue Collar Comedy Tour
        
        @disqus_KXUUxqnj5U:disqus
      - Sean McLaughlin
        
        here’s your sign….
- Rod Shaftwell
  
  Fat girls need love too
  - RedsLoveChild
    
    LOL!
    
    Ainge has drafted Sully, traded for Big Baby, briefly signed Michael Sweetney….Danny is a bona-fide chubby chaser!
fannak

We should make a deal with Minny Send them K.O. or Sullinger and maybe give them their pick back for Dieng. I really would like to see him in Celtic Green. He scores a little, rebounds, and blocks shots all on a rookie contract. What do you think?
- Stimul8s
  
  he’s also a good passer
fannak

It would get the Celtics a center and make room for the all the forwards. Minny just drafted Dieng’s replacement/upgrade. The pick they sent us is top 12 protected anyway.
- Sean
  
  Dieng might actually be a good fit as a backup
Sean

Great trade. D.A moved deadweight for a true pro who can contribute for only 5 million more. If you look at the big picture of the BKN deal it only looks sweeter bc Wallace was the dead weight the Cs had to take on to make it happen. Plus, Lee can shoot the three on the low. And he’s a Gator. Best move of the offseason.
Frank Aziza

Why isn’t Marcus Smart playing in summer league today? Hope he’s not hurt. He got banged to the floor a lot last night
- art
  
  I think they’re just not playing everybody every game. To divide the minutes as much as possible. Gives everyone a fair share of playing time.
- SNG
  
  Too good for the Summer League
art

I’ve always liked David Lee. Length, inside scoring, and rebounding. A good fit for the Green. We can hope the defensive part of his game is just fine in Brad Stevens’ system.
smsbda

I’ll never forget Wallace with the inbound pass… Master
Luke Walton

Who is sullinger following this week on twitter?
GoKingsGoCeltsGoTigersGoNiners

All the meh comments about Lee are annoying as hell. The dude just won a championship, he had a huge impact in game 3 which set the tone for Cleveland getting dusted. He’s an unselfish all star who can contribute a ton to this team. Plus he did this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOTsbGR9hNs

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