Celtics Trade Value Power Rankings: The Untradables?
BOSTON (CBS) -- With 16 players on the roster signed to guaranteed contracts, the Celtics will need to make a move before the start of the regular season to trim the team down to 15 players. To do this, Danny Ainge has a wide variety of options. He could simply cut a player outright, or he could free up a roster spot via a minor trade. There is also the possibility of doing something big, as Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald mentioned that Ainge might be considering last week.
If Ainge is going to make a big move, it's important to consider some pivotal questions: Which players are most attractive to other teams? What guys might the Celtics have difficulty trading if they elect to do so? And who is most likely to go?
To sort through it all, let's take a closer look at the team's setup in our first edition of the Celtics trade value power rankings. We'll count down the list in the next few weeks, starting with the players with the least value (No. 16) and working up to most value (No. 1).
Criteria: This isn't simply ranking the best-to-worst players on the roster. There is significantly more that goes into a player's trade value around the league than just talent (although that's important). A player's age, contract situation and injury history are all vital factors considered in these rankings.
It's an imperfect list, simply because there is so much overlapping talent levels for various parts of the Celtics' roster. Valid cases can and will be made that certain names should be higher and/or lower. Debate is welcomed here.
With that said, let's get to the list:
16. Perry Jones
Age: 23
Experience: 3 years
Contract situation: $2.038 million for one year, restricted free agent in 2016
2014-15 stats: 4.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 0.4apg, 14.7mpg
The newest member of the Celtics takes the honor here as the guy with the least trade value on the Boston roster, taking that title from the recently departed Gerald Wallace. Danny Ainge acquired a second-round pick and enough money to cover Jones' salary from the Thunder in July, as GM Sam Presti attempted to reduce his team's luxury tax number for next season.
The Thunder's cost-cutting makes Jones' value look worse than it is, but in terms of trade value, the former Baylor star really doesn't have much, despite his age and athleticism. Flashes of potential have popped up during his first three NBA seasons, but Jones isn't even a sure thing to make the Celtics roster. That fact alone keeps his value down.
15. David Lee
Age: 32
Experience: 10 years
Contract situation: $15.5 million for one year, unrestricted free agent in 2016
2014-15 stats: 7.9 ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.7apg, 18.3mpg
Five years ago, Lee signed a max deal. This summer, he was traded for arguably the worst contract in the league (Gerald Wallace). That's life in the NBA for an aging veteran on a hefty salary. This low ranking is merely a reflection of Lee's salary, not his abilities. The 6-9 power forward, who lost much of his playing time to Draymond Green last year, could very well be a top-5 player on the Celtics roster next season if he regains his double-double form from just a couple of years ago.
Until that happens though, Lee's an overpaid veteran big man with a history of injuries over the last two years. That isn't going to fetch the Celtics much in a trade, and his only true value on that front would be as salary filler in a potential blockbuster deal for Ainge. In the meantime, Lee is much more value to Boston as a consistent scorer and rebounder than as a potential trade chip.
14. Evan Turner
Age: 26
Experience: 6 years
Contract situation: $3.2 million for one year, UFA in 2016
2014-15 stats: 9.5ppg, 5.1rpg, 5.5apg, 27.6 mpg
The Celtics signed Turner for a portion of the mid-level exemption in the summer of 2014 in hopes of building up his trade value. Despite a solid campaign last season, Turner's flaws and contract situation limit his appeal around the league.
Read: What Should Celtics Do With Evan Turner?
He's not making much compared to most NBA players, but his lack of outside shooting ability is troublesome for a player who shoots as much as he does. Additionally, his defensive warts limit his appeal and his age shows there may not be much untapped potential there.
The next installment of the rankings will be released later this week.
Brian Robb covers the Celtics for CBS Boston and contributes to NBA.com, among other media outlets. You can follow him on Twitter @CelticsHub.
