Here's some interesting stats:
Pre-AD trade demand the Celtics were 31-19. Including being 21-9 after the 10-10 start.
Post-AD trade demand the Celtics are at 12-12.
I guess after all the trials and tribulations they experienced early in the season with Hayward being force fed minutes and the young guys being told to take lesser roles, they had somehow managed to overcome that and go 21-9. Then AD made his trade demand and it looks like it was the tipping point for the team's chemistry to totally crumble.
I'm beginning to think there isn't even a point in trading for AD. For one, he's a rental so there's already that risk. But second, are we really sure a trade for AD is getting us to the Finals? There unfortunately seems to be more problems with this team as it seems and it doesn't look like before where you could say we're a great team, just 1 Anthony Davis away.
If we trade for AD, I think you would need to look at it almost like it's a completely new team.
I'm assuming that if a trade for AD goes down, that means Kyrie stays.
I don't know who would end up being in the trade, but it seems likely that the package would be Tatum, Smart, and some collection of other assets e.g. RWlliams and various picks.
My feeling is that if the Celts trade for AD and keep Kyrie, they need to clear the roster of as many of the young players as possible, perhaps with the exception of Brown if he isn't included in the trade, and fill out the back end of the roster with veterans.
Kyrie + AD with a supporting cast featuring Horford, Hayward, Brown, and a bunch of veterans could perhaps be the formula for a contender. A lot would depend on the chemistry mix, which would be determined by the cadre of veterans the team brought in to fill out the remaining 2/3 of the roster.
It's clear from this year that if the chemistry isn't right and the team doesn't play like a cohesive unit, they are not "just 1 Anthony Davis away," as you say.