[V]

Pierce is a top 10 swing man in a league stocked with good swingmen. Who is going to offer more than a very solid veteran scorer who plays the same position AND a lottery pick many have compared to Kevin Johnson AND cap relief?

What you mean't to say is that Payton is done as a 35 minute starter. Gary Payton would be outstanding backing up Terry and our point forwards. Don't forget AJ wants JHo to work on his handle and M Daniels has been running point all summer while most players "play up" a spot in Summer Leagues e.g. most threes play the four spot. Besides this trade isn't about Payton. It's for Pierce.

If you don't have a dominant big man you need at least four quality swing players to win in this league. Ricky Davis is a perfect 6th man for Boston so you have one. (There is no way he starts. Celts love history and they have a legacy of top 6th men.) Tony Allen and Ryan Gomes are not starters yet. If you've read the reports from Vegas you will know that Gerald Green is not close to being ready. He does have tremendous explosiveness but he's not ready to play in the NBA. So yes, the Celts need Finley. And they would be happy to pay the price of his contract on the condition they get rid of the Pierce and Blount contracts and also net Devin Harris.

Banks and West are nice players but one is a 40% shooter and the other is a 6'3" two guard. Harris profiles as a franchise point guard.