With the season in the dumps and the much anticipated trade deadline passed without a sound. I am left to enjoy the growth of Sully and KO, while thinking to a future that they are likely not part of.
I think its safe to say that if DA has his way the celtics are going to parley their stockpile of assets into another Star for this roster. The likely target at this point is pretty obviously Kevin Love. Now I know I am making alot of assumptions but I do not think any are fare fetched.
Assumptions,
1. If Minn struggles the rest of the season and misses out on the playoffs. Love makes it privatly known that he eoes not plan to resign.
2. Celtics don't luck out in lottery and miss the top 4 land pick 5 in lottery and 18 from ATL/NETS.
3. Cs and Minn make a blockbuster draft day deal.
Minn gets Sully #5 and either #18 (or 2015 top 5 protected), the rights to swap 2017 with nets, Bass, Bogans and Anthony (all expiring). The celtics get Love and either Budinger or Brewer.
With all that said the Cs are left with a cap of roughly 43 mill without resigning AB or factoring in 18th pick.
With AB being injured again I see his open market value dropping from a few months ago. Cs sign him for 6mill a year and the pick for around 1.5. Leaving the Cs cap at 50.5mill, 7.5 mill short of the cap.
At this point the roster would be + #18 pick
PG Rondo, Pressey
SG Avery, Johnson
SF Green, Budinger, Wallace
PF Love, Olynyk
C Faverani
At this point the make up of the team has come together. I titled this post flawed stars because both Rondo and Love have holes in major parts of there games. Love's is defence and Rondo's is outside shooting. This teams over all shooting ability will greatly mask Rondo's weakness but the lack of rim protection will make Love's weakness glaring.
The remaining 7.5 mill would have to be used to try to fill the hole at center. Some FA options would be Gasol,Gortat,Okafor (if healthy), Varejao,Dalembert, and Kaman. Gasol will likely command to much $$. Gortat may also be to much though his current deal is around 7.7mill. If healthy Okafor is a great fit and his health concerns should keep him relatively cheap. Maybe around dalemberts current 3.7 mill. I will say Okafor passes physical and signs for 2yr 4.5 mill. Leaving the Cs with 3mill.
At this point the roster would be + #18 pick
PG Rondo, Pressey
SG Avery, Johnson
SF Green, Budinger, Wallace
PF Love, Olynyk
C Okafor, Faverani
With the final 3mill + the 2.5 I believe is available with the Mid level exception (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_salary_cap ). I would expect DA to look for an additional big and a 1/2 combo guard. At combo guard I would look at bringing Bayless back or maybe taking a shot at Jimmer. For the bigs I would look at Udoh, L Allen, Steimsma or E Brand in that order. That leaves 14 players on the roster. DA could also opt to bring Colton Iverson from overseas to fill the 15th spot.
2015 Roster + #18 pick
PG Rondo, Fredette,Pressey
SG Avery, Johnson
SF Green, Budinger, Wallace
PF Love, Olynyk, L Allen
C Okafor, Faverani, Iverson
Like I said alot of assumptions but I think they are all conceivable. This teams weakness would still be the center position. The team would still have the rights to multiple 1st and could likely turn them into an upgrade at the 5 if needed.
I have likely made some errors in my knowledge of the CBA but who really has time to learn all that....
The final question can this team win a championship? How do they stack up with Miami (if still together) and the Pacers in the East?