Good post - TP.
Some thoughts:
1. One of the things I've not liked about the Ainge Era, is the constant trade deadline additions of players expected to produce in the playoffs and the occasional big mid season trades. I think they sometimes have a tendency to disrupt things more than help as you are 1-2 months away from making a playoff run.
2. Therefore, I'm generally more inclined to like putting the team together once, at the start of the year and then just letting them gel and ride it out. Minor adidtions are Ok. I think one of the main reasons the '08 and '10 teams did so well is because for the most part, they were in tact from day one of the season - there were only minor additions at the trade deadline.
3. I think we absolutely must wait for Bradley to come back and see how his perimeter D, paired with Rondo, will affect our overall defense. I think Avery's intensity really raises everyone's defensive intensity and passion. I would like to see where our D goes once Avery is back for 4-6 weeks before considering any major trades this year.
4. If the player we trade for in a hypothetical "big mid season trade" is a legit superstar or "proven and substantial player", like a Josh Smith, Jefferson or Milsap level guy, I think it becomes easier for that level of a player to fit in quicker simply because they are just that good. I think where it gets difficult is to bring in a guy who has not "fully arrived" yet, or who has not "fully established" their identity in the league. I think this was the case for Jeff Green, and still is the case for him. I think he will either establish himself as an above average player with the Celtics or remain a career journeyman if he doesn't - and "in time" I think it will be for former and not the latter.
5. If we pulled off something like Lee, Sully and 1st round picks for Josh Smith, I think that group would immediately gel big time...
KG
Smith
Pierce
Bradley
Rondo
That would be sick defensively -
With Rondo, Bradley and Smith in the house, if Melo panned out within a year or two as a legit defensive center, you are a young, sharp shooting small forward away from being a "very good" team for years to come.