|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 21, 2019 20:48:00 GMT -5
No one, not even Danny, has a clear vision of what this team is going to look like when opening night comes. At this very moment, we are looking for who will be our starting Center.
How would you like Ainge to go forward building up this team? Would you like for him to go the homegrown path, by drafting and developing players until we have a team we hope can contend? Or the quick sprouting method, of mostly signing and trading for players to become contenders?
I really like the core we have right now -- I have a very good vibe with this group of guys
Hayward Smart Tatum Jaylen
Semi Yabusele Robert Romeo Grant Carsen Tremont
This is a group of players who are talented, hard working, and coachable. Only problem is, they're not competing for a title.
The last thing I want to do is force the issue by bringing in big time players who take away the organic chemistry of this team. Selfish, ball dominant and egotistical players are no longer welcomed on Brad's team.
It is a very delicate time for the Celtics organization. We just experienced what it is like for a dysfunctional team to implode on itself. We have to be careful how we build back a team.
|
|
|
Post by jmost on Jun 21, 2019 20:57:43 GMT -5
I like a blend of youth and experience. Too many young guys thinking about their next contract can cause the type of dysfunction we had last year. Sign Vucevic, yet another guy who can pass, and then figure out the PF situation.
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 21, 2019 21:19:27 GMT -5
I like a blend of youth and experience. Too many young guys thinking about their next contract can cause the type of dysfunction we had last year. Sign Vucevic, yet another guy who can pass, and then figure out the PF situation. Clint Capela vs. Nikola Vucevic I've been going back and forth on this since there are pros and cons for both of them. Clint Capela isn't a free agent, meaning we're going to have to trade away players and draft picks for him, but he's a better shot blocker than Vucevic. Nikola Vucevic is a free agent, meaning we're going to have to pay big money for him (I think it'll cost us at least 20 mil a year for him), but he's a much greater scorer, passer -- much more versatile. Which is better to do -- trade Jaylen, or Smart, plus a draft pick or two for a 25 year old Capela, or use a huge chunk of our open salary for a 29 year old Vucevic?
|
|
|
Post by jmost on Jun 21, 2019 21:28:13 GMT -5
I think we're going after Vucevic, and it seems to be between us and the Lakers. If we don't get him then Danny will look elsewhere.
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 21, 2019 21:55:25 GMT -5
I think we're going after Vucevic, and it seems to be between us and the Lakers. If we don't get him then Danny will look elsewhere. I think if he's ring chasing, he'd prefer the Lakers. But putting that aside, if we have a legit shot at him, if we can get him for no more than 20 mil and 4 years at the most, I'd take him. He could be a future trade bait for a big time player if someone notable becomes available in 2 - 3 years (that's why I don't mind giving him 20 mil). I like Vucevic because we can use him at the high post like we did with Horford. He's also a highly versatile offensive player, including from outside (Clint hasn't attempted a 3 in years). He averages double digit rebounds, and is even an underrated defensive player (his defensive win share is similar, if not a bit higher, than Capela's).
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 24, 2019 1:00:04 GMT -5
I really don't know which direction I'd prefer Ainge to take. Grabbing Kemba Walker and Clint Capela or Nikola Vucevic will not make us contenders.
We could be a top 4 team in the East, maybe higher (if Philly loses Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler, and if Milwaukee loses a combination of Kris Middleton, Malcom Brogdon, Brooke Lopez and Nikola Mirotic, and if Kawhi decides to leave TOR).
I'm not opposed to letting this be a developmental year -- let Tatum, Brown and Smart stretch their wings and see how high they fly and carry the team. Let Hayward use this year to build up his value again. Give court time to Romeo, Semi, RWill, GWill and Carsen.
|
|
|
Post by afceltic on Jun 24, 2019 7:35:09 GMT -5
I wonder how much Vuevic is demanding on the market. If the Fakers are in it then it can't be much as they don't have much to offer because their front office !!!GREENIAC!!! up the trade for AD and cost them 9M in cap space due to the date it will get completed. If it isn't much then that allows us to go after two guys like a Kemba who has already said that he would take less. The trade for Capela is easy to match, it just matters on what Houston wants other than Smart to finish matching his contract. As you know we only need to get within 70% of his 18M salary and subtracts 5.4M off of that and Smart does that almost by himself.
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Jun 24, 2019 9:48:25 GMT -5
I agree with what you said Derren. I like this core and the last thing I want is another diva to come in and want to be a leader only to destroy team chemistry. Another center possibility is Vincent Poirier from France that the Celtics have been rumored to be interested in. Whether they compete for a title this year or not, this team will be way more fun to watch than last years. Watching paint dry would probably be more fun than watching last year's team.
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 24, 2019 11:43:31 GMT -5
Yeah, I think I can get behind a team centered around Hayward-Tatum-Jaylen-Smart and let they play with a chip on their shoulders. These guys will he carrying huge chips on their shoulders, and sometimes that’s the best motivation to exceed.
|
|
|
Post by Roadrunner on Jun 25, 2019 18:58:35 GMT -5
I do not think that any FA available (sans Kawhi) is worth tying up 4-years of a max contract. With the CBA, a max contract has to be worth a max contract, or you can not fill the roster properly.
|
|
|
Post by DERRENMATTS on Jun 25, 2019 19:28:44 GMT -5
I kinda agree with you, RR. Unless it’s for Kawhi, AD, Durant etc., I’m hesitant to give anyone else 30+ mill a year.
But it is what it is, and if Danny and Brad feel Kemba is worth it, and he’s a piece we can contend with, then I’ll make not complaint.
|
|
|
Post by jmost on Jun 25, 2019 21:14:57 GMT -5
It's funny though - it's like you HAVE to spend money if you have some. It's gotta be hard to do nothing and save your money for a player (who may or may not ever become available, and may or may not want to play in Boston) who you think IS worth the max. Most fans and media members want to field the best possible team RIGHT NOW, even if that cripples you down the road. IMO the only reason to pay someone the max right now is if it makes you a legit contender. I have no interest in putting ourselves in cap hell just to finish 4th in the East and lose in the second round.
|
|
|
Post by runrondo on Jun 26, 2019 7:55:36 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by jmost on Jun 26, 2019 8:49:52 GMT -5
Watch Danny bring in some guy(s) none of us has ever heard of (like Theis, Wanamaker) to fill out the roster, while waiting for something to turn up. No one in Boston, or wherever Celtic fans live, wants to get ourselves stuck in mediocrity. Danny has been very good about avoiding giving out terrible contracts. I would expect him to continue this, even if it means fewer wins this year.
At this point the best plan might be to build from within while waiting to see three things:
1) How much do JB and JT grow? Also the rookies. 2) Does GH return to all-star form? 3) Does the Memphis pick become a gem?
|
|
|
Post by runrondo on Jun 26, 2019 9:16:05 GMT -5
That's most likely what will happen. I don't recall rumors really ever predicting Danny's moves outside of FA signings which is a little more predictable in understanding who met with who. It seems like writers now know they have an unlimited supply of darts and just write whatever scenario is technically possible with hopes that the dart hits the target as no one looks at the wall with marks from all the misses.
|
|