Possible scenario for next season...

[CFAN38]

The following scenario features a lot of what ifs and my intent is not to debate Irving's free agency, Al taking his player option, what Rozier is worth as a FA, or potential draft picks.

The question is how would you feel about this roster for next season and the future.


Starters

Smart
Brown
Tatum
Hayward
Horford

Key bench players

Rozier
MLE FA
Semi
Williams

This roster would likely be a gut punch for the fans who have visions of an Irving / AD future.

My thoughts are that while this team will clearly feel the loss of Irving's talent and missing out on AD will be a major blow we still could be left with a good on court product. I suspect this team would have good chemistry given that each player would have a clear defined role.

Starters

Tatum would obviously have to carry a much greater role on offense and I suspect this leads to his first all star season and a 20+ ppg scoring average. Hayward would be asked to play a much more prominent role. This coupled with anther year removed from his injury would hopefully give the Cs a player that better resemble UTAH Hayward. Brown is likely the greatest benefactor as he would become the clear 3rd option and I suspect we see the 2017/18 playoff Jaylen reemerge. Smart and Horford wouldn't likely see little change in terms or their roles.

Bench

If Rozier is retained for a reasonable contract and given a clear 25+ mpg 6th man role I would expect a player much closer to last years playoffs then his current production. Semi player a greater role and Williams earning a role would help revive the Cs identity as a tough defensive team.

Depending on how Free Agency effects the east I would still suspect this lineup to be a top 4-5 team in the east capable of playing with anyone on any given night. 

[CptZoogs]

Don't forget that in this scenario we may be looking at 2-3 first rounders to round out the bench.  That said, I am not too psyched.  I don't believe in the Brown-Tatum-Hayward trio moving forward.  All should be starter quality in theory, but together they leave us lacking in size for defense and rebounding.  I believe Ainge needs to pick two and move forward.  Also, the bench looks really thin and I am down on Rozier as a backup. 

[Monkhouse]

Seeing Rozier as our backup, and Smart as our PG makes me slightly perturbed lol.

[KGs Knee]

I don't want Rozier in Boston next year, regardless of the circumstances.

He'll probably be fine as a starter if he ends up in such a role somewhere next year, but I'm just tired of him.

[PhoSita]

I don't want Rozier in Boston next year, regardless of the circumstances.

Agreed.  I also want to see Ainge add some skilled size to put next to Horford.

Can't go into next year with another 3 wing lineup plus Horford.  That may work in the playoffs but during the regular season you need big men to do dirty work.

[gouki88]

I don't want Rozier to don a Celtic uniform ever again

[NKY fan]

I don't want Rozier in Boston next year, regardless of the circumstances.

Agreed.  I also want to see Ainge add some skilled size to put next to Horford.

Can't go into next year with another 3 wing lineup plus Horford.  That may work in the playoffs but during the regular season you need big men to do dirty work.

I think Favors might be had for the full MLE if Utah doesn稚 pick up his option... another big I知 hoping on is Toronto to blow it up and trade us Siakam for 4-5 first round picks

[gouki88]

I don't want Rozier in Boston next year, regardless of the circumstances.

Agreed.  I also want to see Ainge add some skilled size to put next to Horford.

Can't go into next year with another 3 wing lineup plus Horford.  That may work in the playoffs but during the regular season you need big men to do dirty work.

I think Favors might be had for the full MLE if Utah doesn稚 pick up his option... another big I知 hoping on is Toronto to blow it up and trade us Siakam for 4-5 first round picks

Why would they do that? He's a young piece of theirs

[hodgy03038]

I thought subject of this thread was POSITIVE scenario for next year

[CelticsCeltics]

Yeah the scenario I知 most expecting is Kyrie leaving, Al opting in and us  picking 13,18, and 23.

[tazzmaniac]

Per tankathon, the Pacers have the 4th hardest remaining schedule and the Sixers have the 21st.  We're 12th.  So the Sixers likely end up 3rd.

[RPGenerate]

This lineup is good for people that never want to win a ring.

[SHAQATTACK]

subtract rozier from team

equals positive effect

[gouki88]

This lineup is good for people that never want to win a ring.

Bingo!

[gpap]

Yeah, even though Ainge could keep Rozier in Boston, I echo others in saying I don't want him on the team anymore.

But, Ainge is the boss and he's always seemed high on Rozier which is possibly why he didn't trade him at the deadline.

Hard to say.....