I may be in the minority, but I continue to be flummoxed by the notion that the Celtics relying on an opened maximum salary slot, is a smart or recommended plan, given what recent history has demonstrated.
Just looking at the next two free agent classes, it’s rather obvious the Celtics are only targeting Bradley Beal, which in itself is crazy, but look at how other teams (including major markets) have fared after ‘opening up max cap space’.
The Knicks, Lakers, Mavericks and even Miami have all been stung long term by their failure to get their target(s). Not only is it foolish to plan for an uncontrollable scenario, but when you fail, you get bitten harder because you have to use that space on either overpaying your own free agents that you’ve neglected or a much less qualified free agent who doesn’t fit your team.
The serious question has to be asked, why would the Wizards allow Beal to enter free agency if they had even the slightest inclination he was going to leave? Simply if the team struggles early, why wouldn’t they make him available for trades? Not even on the trade block, just listening. This would immediately rule us out of the running.
What if Wizards say to Beal we will give you a sign and trade in the off-season, allowing you to get the most available years and money, this would also rule the Celtics out.
The Warriors have Wiggins’ salary which ends in 2023, Wiseman, Moody, Kuminga & future picks which will be valuable given their cores advanced age.
The Celtics are just holding on with hope that GSW aren’t interested in Beal because if they are, the Celtics will continue in NBA purgatory for the foreseeable future.