What if Ainge had only offered KG 1 year, take it or leave it for 13 million (say he takes it)? And Ainge lets Green, Allen, Wilcox, and Bass walk. That would have put the C's at about 13 million in cap space, which would have been plenty of room to bid on Brand, Scola, Childress, Haywood. Lets say they get Brand, Childress, and Haywood for a combined 9 million. Boston would still have about 4 million left to start Terry at (a bit less money, but I think he would still sign).
Isn't this team better than the one the Celtics have?
PG - Rondo, Moore
SG - Bradley, Terry, Joseph
SF - Pierce, Childress
PF - Brand, Sullinger, Johnson
C - Garnett, Haywood, Melo
Solid 3 man big guy rotation with Brand, KG, and Haywood (with Sullinger getting time when needed). Childress is a fairly similar player to Green so you still have a similar backup for Pierce. The back court is identical to what the current team has. To me that team is closer to competing.