The "worst case scenario" is AD traded to the Lakers, Kyrie signs with the Knicks, Horford opts out and signs with a contender, and the Celts go super young.
Even in that scenario, they still have Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, three 1st round picks in this draft, the Memphis pick, Robert Williams, a good coach, Marcus Smart, and Gordon Hayward.
It could be muuuch worse.
Actually I think the "worst" case scenario is Kyrie re-signs but only for a year or two guaranteed, the Celts trade all their good stuff for AD, next year is rocky from the start, AD or Kyrie or both end up hurt by playoff time, and then AD leaves in free agency. That's the complete disaster scenario.
Even if both Kyrie and Durant sign with the Knicks and the Lakers are able to trade for AD, I'd still rather be where the Celts are in terms of assets, roster, coach, and management than either of those moribund franchises.
How about the middle road? What if Kyrie leaves and AD isn't coming, but Horford re-signs for 3-4 years at a reasonable figure, and then Danny trades Hayward plus one or two of the 1st rounders in this weak draft for Mike Conley?
Tell me you wouldn't be happy to watch Conley - Smart - Brown - Tatum - Horford next year. Sure, they'll be an underdog to make the ECF, let alone the Finals, but I wouldn't put it past that group plus Stevens to find a way.
There are lots of good possibilities for this team that don't involve Anthony Davis. There are also a few awful ones that do involve him.