I don't think what happens in the playoffs will matter that much.
Here's why: over the last year I've become convinced that "win now vs. draft" is a false choice, and that Danny isn't pursuing either one, and what's more, will not go "all in" on either strategy for the next 2-3 years.
What he is doing, and I've said this before, is build a *winning culture*. He hired a coach for the long term, rather than a short-term guy.
He's worked hard to build a team identity, and passed on guys (like Cousins) who may be poor fits.
He's held on to our draft picks for the most part, assembling a slew of younger guys and lottery picks rather than trading them all for stars.
So, to the frustration of many here, we have a 50-win team with a really bad shot at a championship and maybe 2-3 more years of peak play from its core, as well as some intriguing high picks and prospects (Brown, Smart, BKN, Zizic etc.) who probably won't peak for 3-4 years.
Why? Well, it comes back to culture. Those younger guys are all spending time in the locker room with professional, high-level vets, day in and day out (Crowder, Horford, IT, Bradley). They are playing on the court and learning the game from excellent role models who play the game the right way.
They are getting a taste of the playoffs every year, and seeing what it takes to make a deep run (whether they make it, or just lose to the teams who do it).
And so, in 3-4 years we might have a young core of 4-5 players, two of whom are real stars, and all of whom have developed in a winning, professional, stable system. I think that will help a LOT. Think of Kawhi Leonard's development. Think of how guys blossom in the Patriots system.
And contrast it with Philly. They have young talent that's done little except lose at this level. There are no veteran role models. They won't know what the playoffs are like. I don't think it's a coincidence that many of those guys have failed to live up to their lofty draft projections.
I'm sure I'll be accused of rationalizing what seems to be a frustrating, middle-of-the-road strategy by Ainge. But I see method to it, and I think almost every move he's made over the last 3-4 years fits with that strategy.
So long story short, I don't see the playoff outcome this year mattering too much. We know the limitations of this team and so does Danny. That won't change depending on whether we get hot or go cold for 2-3 games in April or May.