I'm sorry but I like the team as currently constructed without trading away any of these pieces. We have two young studs completely cost controlled. In my opinion, because of the fact we have JT and JB cost controlled for the next 3-4 years, and as a result of the enormous promise they've both shown, there might be only one player I trade them for (and not both in the same package any longer). Anthony Davis. And I'm even second guessing doing that to be honest.
I know everyone wants stats out of Horford but he has never been that guy. He sets our offense up and plays solid fundamental basketball. Because Ainge hit on two young rookies, having Al on an expensive contract works. It won't work forever but it works for the foreseeable future.
Yep.
Coaches will have nightmares before a matchup against Irving-Hayward-Brown-Tatum-Horford.
Think of the relief they will feel when Terry "I might make four 3s in 8 minutes" Rozier comes in the game for Irving. Or when Marcus "I will ruin your entire offensive set" Smart subs in for Brown. Or when Marcus "I am the best player on the court in any game" Morris subs in for Tatum. Or when Greg "I can't believe this NBA era has made a guy of my talents a bench player" Morris subs in for Horford.
Seriously, what mismatch do you attack against that team? Maybe Monroe in the pick-and-roll? Maybe Kyrie Irving? Seriously, who do you stick your worst defender on? 40% from 3 Al Horford? Jaylen Brown who is almost 40% from three and can bully small defenders?
If you go big, the Celtics will abuse you bigs on the perimeter. If you go small, the Cs will stick Hayward, Brown, Tatum, or Horford in the post (whoever has the best matchup).
Your defense doesn't have to matchup with one shot creator, 3 shooters, and a roll man. Your defense has to matchup with 5 shot creators who can all shoot, drive, and pass.
I like Leonard and Davis and other upper tier guys, but I'm confident that this team could beat anyone in a 7 game series. You don't mess with that.
Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make.