Well, I didn't say that if we don't resign Ray, all our rebuilding problems are magically solved. What I did say is that I feel like we are in a very, very, very good position to rebuild far more easily this time around than we were in the 80's.
1. Ainge is clever, one of the best GM's I've seen. Not without flaws but he is excellent and will be the first GM since Auerback to build two championship teams. I'd put money on that.
2. We have two critical pieces in Perk and Rondo (Rondo arguably could develope into a franchise player )
3. Some nice role players and potentials in Baby, TA, Giddens and Walker. Yes, I do think Giddens may end up suprising us. He is starting to improve; much less frantic, a bit more settled and efficient. Very important development. Now that he's over the shell shock of being in the NBA...let' see if he can play. I think he can.
4. We have three consecutive, expiring maximum contracts beginning this year. I fail to understand how this fact cannot be seen as creating cap flexiblity.
A) We can either resign them for one year terms (I'd give Pierce a two year deal), trade them or simply put good young role players behind them to carry more of the load each year.
If Pierce gets a two year extension, he'll be 35 when that ends. Barring a majore injury he'll be very productive still in 30-32 minutes a night.
B) I might give Ray a one year max deal or a 2-3 year deal at medium money.
C) KG, he'll be fine. He'll probably retire at the end of his string at 35 unless he is 100% healthy and can still tear it up at 35. If that's the case, you don't watn him going anywhere.
Meanwhile, a developed and healthy Bill Walker behind pierce or someone else as a good solid back up, a Raja Bell behind Ray, a growing Baby behind KG....
We'll be just fine for the next 2-3 years as these guys play out the string and will be competing for a ring each of those years. What's wrong with that?
Meanwhile, Perk and Rondo are 27/28 and 25/26. Baby? 27, Walker, what, 24?
As Red would say, "people don't realise we're a move or two away from being right there again...!
Then, when Pierce, Ray and KG are all off the books in three years time..
lots of cap...
maybe a down year or two...
Draft couple nice complimentary players
Use our cap space to sign the Durant or Wade type...
Perk and Rondo around 28 and 29...
Away we go...
The only way Ainge could create a seemless transition is to somehow get one of the big free agents here this summer or next without losing KG, Pierce, Rondo or Perk.
He does that? We're looking at the next 5-10 years of competing for the ring.
Put that guy ( Wade, LeBron or Durant, etc,) between Perk and Rondo...you have no problem enticing other people to come here.
I realise this aspect is an ultra long shot, most likely impossible. But, never say never.
I think we're in great shape now and moving forward, it just depends on a little luck, maybe, maybe 1-2 down years depending on how lucky we get. And we can retire these three and still stay at the top.
I really think that all of these guys, KG, Pierce and Ray, might in fact end up taking less money to stay put and build their legacies here in Boston. If that means taking a bit less money and letting someone else do the heavy lifting while they still a a big part of tryign to raise banners...? Isn't that paradise at the end of a great career?
Call me a glass half full guy but I think that is somethign I could sell. I think Ainge can too.
or is paradise making $15 mil ( when you've already made $100's of millions) by playing in some NBA rat hole, playign out the string? For the Allen Iverson's, perhpas that is paradise. For these guys? I don't think so.
