Realistic team for next year.

[Tone]

i think KG might retire and Ray moves on

[Surferdad]

Best Scenario:
pg- Rondo/ Keyon Dooling
sg- Eric Gordon (sign through free agency)/ Etwaun Moore
sf- Paul Pierce/ Quincy Miller or Michael Gilchrist (draft)
pf- Brandon Bass/ JaJuan Johnson
c- Javale McGee (sign through free agency)/ Steisma
6th man- Jeff Green

Lesser Scenario:
pg- Rondo/ Keyon Dooling
sg- Nick Young or OJ Mayo/ Austin Rivers (draft) or
sf- Paul Pierce/ Terrence Jones (draft)
pf- Brandon Bass/ JaJuan Johnson
c- Javale McGee/ Steisma
6th man- Jeff Green

This is realistic to me at least. I am assuming we will trade up in the draft. I would be completely floured with the first scenario and very satisfied with the second.

Sorry to say, but none of the proposed rosters will enable us to even get a sniff of the 2nd round of the playoffs
(nevermind a championship.)

Furthermore, I would hope with all this talked about cap-space going into the 2012 summer, that we'd put a better lineup on the court than one with Rondo, Pierce, a few rooks, Javale McGee and Brandon Bass 

Yup, that's what I mean about aiming higher.  none of these proposed rosters gets you deep into the playoffs.  I just can't see Ainge settling.  He knows he needs high impact players (have to compete with MIA, NYK, CHI, LAL, OKC, DAL folks).

Beyond that, I'm not seeing McGee tonight as that kind of impact player.

[Chief]

I think RA and KG should sign for the veteran minimum, they they can still contribute much for this team.

I would like Big Al ,Ainge should try his return.

If KG or Ray see an opportunity for one last good payday, they will take it. At the end of the day, it's a business. And if Danny trades Ray or KG before the end of the season, well same thing.

I think both would stay regardless of a chance for a good payday (unless there's some absurd difference). KG has always been loyal to a fault, and Ray has ties in the North East, plus he's a family man and doesn't want to move the family around. I think all these things will make Boston by far their preferred choice.

If the money is close, I agree they stay. But vet minimums won't happen. I think both players, if healthy, could get $8 million (1 year deals) from teams.

[LooseCannon]

I honestly think there is a chance that the Celtics' best path may end up being signing KG and Ray Allen to a contract similar to Ray's current deal.  He signed a two-year, $20 million contract, with the second year as a player option.  I could see either guy possibly performing well enough that it would be reasonable to sign them to a similar contract for less money.  KG or RA on a two-year $16 (or 14 or 18, depending on how he plays) million contract with a player option for a second year that he can easily walk away from makes sense to me if the Celtics can't acquire a big money player.  Then, if the Celtics can get a top player in 2013, those veterans can decline the option and resign for a smaller amount that gives Boston enough cap space to make moves.  (Of course, you can just sign them to one-year deals and not bother with the option year funny business.)

[slamtheking]

The problem with next year Free agents is that the good ones are Restricted.
Would love Eric Gordon, but NOLA would def match any offer on him. Roy Hibbert is also someone i dont see leaving Pacers. McGee would be a good target. Nick Young can definitely also come cheap (6-7 million?).
PG: Rondo/Keyon
SG: O.J Mayo/ Ray Allen/William Bufford (Draft)/EtWaun/Avery
SF: Paul Pierce/Jeff Green/Terrence Jones (Draft)
PF: Brandon Bass/Kevin Garnett(If he doesnt Retire)/JaJuan
C: JaVale McGee (If we cant get Howard)/Ryan Hollins or Stiemsma
Im just saying that we shouldnt expect a whole lot next year.

that's the point I made in a different thread.  IMO, Dwight is the only max free agent next year.  if Danny gets him, great.  If not, I think he should just cobble a team together the best he can while leaving cap room for the following year when there's a more robust crop of FA's, particularly restricted ones.  Blake and Harden are RFAs that year.  the Clips and OKC will be in a very tight financial situation at that point with the other big contracts they've signed.  There are some other very good FAs that year that would be pretty decent 'plan B' options.

If they can get Dwight, they should keep Bass and Green.  Steimsma's looking like a nice backup.  Ray off the bench would be good if they can get Mayo for now.  (I'd prefer Harden the following year but if they get Dwight they need to stock the team asap so Mayo becomes a viable option)