I like Asik too, good call. But I think the entire offseason plan will hinge on what they get in the draft. While I'd love to get a center, I think the Celtics need to take the best players available, regardless of position. (I would count out a point guard with their first round picks, but there's not a lot of point guard talent in this draft, so those guys will probably go higher than they should, meaning it is highly unlikely a point guard will be the best player available.) If they end up picking a small forward, they have to look at different options for Green - his problem in his career has been when people try to use him at power forward. He's a wing player. So if you have Pierce and a rookie there, they may have to look at a sign and trade of Green to get some sort of assets back. If they pick a power forward who can't play center, they have to look at letting Bass walk, a sign and trade, or working out a trade if he takes his $4.25 mil player option (a possibility). I also don't see bringing back both Bass and Wilcox. I'm not sure, but by waiving Wilcox, haven't they lost the right to bring him back for up to $3.135 million without using cap space? I just don't think they can have two non-starting caliber power forwards on the roster who struggle with rebounding, at least not while there are still so many holes in the starting lineup.
The one free agent I definitely want to see them keep is KG. Garnett is still playing at an incredibly high level and is an all time player. Personally, I'd love to see him retire a Celtic, but that's not guiding my decision. I think he also serves an incredibly valuable mentoring role. Look at what he has done in the last 5 years with Perk, Baby, even Stiemsma and Bass, who has been a way better defender than at any other time in his career. Playing with KG does that for you. I want him here particularly if the Celtics pick a big in the draft.
My other thing - I like Avery Bradley but I don't know about putting him as a starting two on this team. He could absolutely be a starting caliber two guard in the not too distant future, but I worry about him next to a 6'1" point guard who can't shoot. Bradley's shot is improving but it's far from "good." I think Bradley has a nice career ahead of him as a perimeter defender off the bench but due to his size and okay but not great shot, I think he needs to improve his ballhandling drastically to become an impact player, the kind you can put in the starting lineup. Of course, if he does become an efficient shooter with three point range, the equation changes.
I'm pretty indifferent between Pietrus or Ray to start at the two next year. Pietrus is younger with better defense. Ray has a shot that can't be matched, and you don't have to use cap space or an exception to sign him, as you do for Pietrus. And if they don't get a player in the draft who can give you 15-plus minutes a night at center, I think they need that cap space or the exception to go after a free agent who can - Asik would be ideal since Chicago may not match a four year, $22 million offer - more if you're letting other guys walk, or maybe a veteran like Nazr Mohammed on a short term, lower money deal. Frankly, I'd like to see Pierce drop about 10-15 pounds to play the 2 for the next 2 years, and put Green at the 3. But I don't think that's realistic.
So I think it comes down in the end to what we draft, and to whether Doc thinks as of late June that Johnson has any role in the rotation next season and/or that Bradley can start at the 2. That guides your decisions on Ray, Pietrus, Bass and Green.
Topic: The Transition (Read 1725 times)