Could not be more proud of this team

[danglertx]

What if Ainge makes this team a fringe contender for the next couple years, the Nets bottom out, and we get to be a super team by picking three high lottery picks while still being a good team anyway?

[BballTim]

  I would argue that a team that makes the conference finals more than once is a fringe contender. But you're bringing up a couple of fairly doable moves and it's possible that other players (say Asik or DeRozan) could also be available. You'd have a good team full of young(ish) players and some time for Danny to pull off a big move.

Yeah, look, if this season continues this way, and it looks like the Celtics are headed for a middle of the road finish, I'd be okay if Danny looked at acquiring a couple of players like Monroe and Afflalo as a Plan B.

As I said in another thread in the trade forum, you'd be exchanging the potential highs of drafting a really great player for the comparative security of having a starting lineup of well established yet reasonably young players.  Maybe you get lucky and one of them breaks out, or a true superstar becomes available and you can make a move.

  We aren't making any such exchange because we aren't in possession of a top draft pick. We never have been. A lot of posters thought that we were a lock for a high draft pick because there was no real way the Celts could be as good as the teams below them in the standings. That's not the same thing.

I wouldn't necessarily consider a team that occasionally makes it past the first round a fringe contender, but if, within a season or two after trading Pierce and KG, Ainge gets the opportunity to put together a core that could win 45-55 games a year for a handful of seasons, that could be worth it, provided the price is right.

  You said " Might even make it past the second round once or twice", which is fairly reasonable. A lineup of Rondo/Afflalo/Green/Sully/Monroe would be one of the better teams in the conference even in a good year. So, fringe contender.

[Jailan34]

Just upset this team has to completely rely on a trade to get back into contention. I was looking forward to having some real high potential young talent to watch develop. Hope Danny finds this trade everyone seems to be talking about. I just don't see the plan for the future of this team, any other year in the nba and this is a bottom of the barrel team. They could be worse next year than they are this year.

  Clearly you were counting on a top draft pick this year, but this isn't the end of the world. I guess you could root for injuries or a strong resurgence from the rest of the bad teams though.

I'd never root for any players on the Celtic's or any other team for that matter to get injured, that's ridiculous. I was in favor of a high pick because it leaves us two avenues to a successful rebuild while now we only have one, which is a trade. I never mind beating any team from new york though.

[BballTim]

Just upset this team has to completely rely on a trade to get back into contention. I was looking forward to having some real high potential young talent to watch develop. Hope Danny finds this trade everyone seems to be talking about. I just don't see the plan for the future of this team, any other year in the nba and this is a bottom of the barrel team. They could be worse next year than they are this year.

  Clearly you were counting on a top draft pick this year, but this isn't the end of the world. I guess you could root for injuries or a strong resurgence from the rest of the bad teams though.

I'd never root for any players on the Celtic's or any other team for that matter to get injured, that's ridiculous. I was in favor of a high pick because it leaves us two avenues to a successful rebuild while now we only have one, which is a trade. I never mind beating any team from new york though.

  Trades, free agents and the draft, just like any other team.

  I've got to be honest, it never bothers me when Wade's injured.

[Jailan34]

Just upset this team has to completely rely on a trade to get back into contention. I was looking forward to having some real high potential young talent to watch develop. Hope Danny finds this trade everyone seems to be talking about. I just don't see the plan for the future of this team, any other year in the nba and this is a bottom of the barrel team. They could be worse next year than they are this year.

  Clearly you were counting on a top draft pick this year, but this isn't the end of the world. I guess you could root for injuries or a strong resurgence from the rest of the bad teams though.

I'd never root for any players on the Celtic's or any other team for that matter to get injured, that's ridiculous. I was in favor of a high pick because it leaves us two avenues to a successful rebuild while now we only have one, which is a trade. I never mind beating any team from new york though.

  Trades, free agents and the draft, just like any other team.

  I've got to be honest, it never bothers me when Wade's injured.

Right but free agency won't net us anything substantial, like an all star (based on the celtics history in free agency), I'm not even sure what the upcoming free agency class looks like. Also, our picks are looking like 15 and lower the longer the season goes along, not exactly high value assets. I'm looking for our next star, and it seems we'll only get one through a trade now. We overflowing with complementary players, we need a star.

[BballTim]

Just upset this team has to completely rely on a trade to get back into contention. I was looking forward to having some real high potential young talent to watch develop. Hope Danny finds this trade everyone seems to be talking about. I just don't see the plan for the future of this team, any other year in the nba and this is a bottom of the barrel team. They could be worse next year than they are this year.

  Clearly you were counting on a top draft pick this year, but this isn't the end of the world. I guess you could root for injuries or a strong resurgence from the rest of the bad teams though.

I'd never root for any players on the Celtic's or any other team for that matter to get injured, that's ridiculous. I was in favor of a high pick because it leaves us two avenues to a successful rebuild while now we only have one, which is a trade. I never mind beating any team from new york though.

  Trades, free agents and the draft, just like any other team.

  I've got to be honest, it never bothers me when Wade's injured.

Right but free agency won't net us anything substantial, like an all star (based on the celtics history in free agency), I'm not even sure what the upcoming free agency class looks like. Also, our picks are looking like 15 and lower the longer the season goes along, not exactly high value assets. I'm looking for our next star, and it seems we'll only get one through a trade now. We overflowing with complementary players, we need a star.

  Maybe we'll get lucky with a draft pick and don't forget that we'll have many draft picks in other years as well. And what exactly is the Celtics history in free agency? When's the last time we had a ton of cap space?

[Jailan34]

Just upset this team has to completely rely on a trade to get back into contention. I was looking forward to having some real high potential young talent to watch develop. Hope Danny finds this trade everyone seems to be talking about. I just don't see the plan for the future of this team, any other year in the nba and this is a bottom of the barrel team. They could be worse next year than they are this year.

  Clearly you were counting on a top draft pick this year, but this isn't the end of the world. I guess you could root for injuries or a strong resurgence from the rest of the bad teams though.

I'd never root for any players on the Celtic's or any other team for that matter to get injured, that's ridiculous. I was in favor of a high pick because it leaves us two avenues to a successful rebuild while now we only have one, which is a trade. I never mind beating any team from new york though.

  Trades, free agents and the draft, just like any other team.

  I've got to be honest, it never bothers me when Wade's injured.

Right but free agency won't net us anything substantial, like an all star (based on the celtics history in free agency), I'm not even sure what the upcoming free agency class looks like. Also, our picks are looking like 15 and lower the longer the season goes along, not exactly high value assets. I'm looking for our next star, and it seems we'll only get one through a trade now. We overflowing with complementary players, we need a star.

  Maybe we'll get lucky with a draft pick and don't forget that we'll have many draft picks in other years as well. And what exactly is the Celtics history in free agency? When's the last time we had a ton of cap space?

A few years ago when KG re signed I remember the owners on the radio bragging about how they had enough cap space for a max free agent or two. Also this year we don't get Brooklyn's pick like everyone knows we get Atlanta's.

I don't anticipate Brooklyn repeating this season, if they lose Pierce and KG retires they will have some space, and the owner is willing to do whatever it takes to win. I just don't see those picks being lottery picks.

I know it feels nice to win this season, but I honestly believe its just a product of the state of the NBA. I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility that we're worse next year then this, then it'd truly be a wasted season.

[BballTim]

Just upset this team has to completely rely on a trade to get back into contention. I was looking forward to having some real high potential young talent to watch develop. Hope Danny finds this trade everyone seems to be talking about. I just don't see the plan for the future of this team, any other year in the nba and this is a bottom of the barrel team. They could be worse next year than they are this year.

  Clearly you were counting on a top draft pick this year, but this isn't the end of the world. I guess you could root for injuries or a strong resurgence from the rest of the bad teams though.

I'd never root for any players on the Celtic's or any other team for that matter to get injured, that's ridiculous. I was in favor of a high pick because it leaves us two avenues to a successful rebuild while now we only have one, which is a trade. I never mind beating any team from new york though.

  Trades, free agents and the draft, just like any other team.

  I've got to be honest, it never bothers me when Wade's injured.

Right but free agency won't net us anything substantial, like an all star (based on the celtics history in free agency), I'm not even sure what the upcoming free agency class looks like. Also, our picks are looking like 15 and lower the longer the season goes along, not exactly high value assets. I'm looking for our next star, and it seems we'll only get one through a trade now. We overflowing with complementary players, we need a star.

  Maybe we'll get lucky with a draft pick and don't forget that we'll have many draft picks in other years as well. And what exactly is the Celtics history in free agency? When's the last time we had a ton of cap space?

A few years ago when KG re signed I remember the owners on the radio bragging about how they had enough cap space for a max free agent or two. Also this year we don't get Brooklyn's pick like everyone knows we get Atlanta's.

  We'd have had some cap space if we'd gotten rid of KG and PP and probably Ray. Keeping them was probably the right move, in fact re-signing those guys were probably among the better FA signings those years.

I don't anticipate Brooklyn repeating this season, if they lose Pierce and KG retires they will have some space, and the owner is willing to do whatever it takes to win. I just don't see those picks being lottery picks.

I know it feels nice to win this season, but I honestly believe its just a product of the state of the NBA. I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility that we're worse next year then this, then it'd truly be a wasted season.

  The Celts are young and have their best player coming back from injury at some point in time, and he'll be healthier and playing better next year. The Nets are getting older and with Deron, JJ and Lopez won't have cap space if PP and KG move on. Claiming that the Nets should be better but the Celts will get worse is pretty fatalistic.

[SHAQATTACK]

Danny fleeced the Russian....

[Jailan34]

Just upset this team has to completely rely on a trade to get back into contention. I was looking forward to having some real high potential young talent to watch develop. Hope Danny finds this trade everyone seems to be talking about. I just don't see the plan for the future of this team, any other year in the nba and this is a bottom of the barrel team. They could be worse next year than they are this year.

  Clearly you were counting on a top draft pick this year, but this isn't the end of the world. I guess you could root for injuries or a strong resurgence from the rest of the bad teams though.

I'd never root for any players on the Celtic's or any other team for that matter to get injured, that's ridiculous. I was in favor of a high pick because it leaves us two avenues to a successful rebuild while now we only have one, which is a trade. I never mind beating any team from new york though.

  Trades, free agents and the draft, just like any other team.

  I've got to be honest, it never bothers me when Wade's injured.

Right but free agency won't net us anything substantial, like an all star (based on the celtics history in free agency), I'm not even sure what the upcoming free agency class looks like. Also, our picks are looking like 15 and lower the longer the season goes along, not exactly high value assets. I'm looking for our next star, and it seems we'll only get one through a trade now. We overflowing with complementary players, we need a star.

  Maybe we'll get lucky with a draft pick and don't forget that we'll have many draft picks in other years as well. And what exactly is the Celtics history in free agency? When's the last time we had a ton of cap space?

A few years ago when KG re signed I remember the owners on the radio bragging about how they had enough cap space for a max free agent or two. Also this year we don't get Brooklyn's pick like everyone knows we get Atlanta's.

  We'd have had some cap space if we'd gotten rid of KG and PP and probably Ray. Keeping them was probably the right move, in fact re-signing those guys were probably among the better FA signings those years.

I don't anticipate Brooklyn repeating this season, if they lose Pierce and KG retires they will have some space, and the owner is willing to do whatever it takes to win. I just don't see those picks being lottery picks.

I know it feels nice to win this season, but I honestly believe its just a product of the state of the NBA. I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility that we're worse next year then this, then it'd truly be a wasted season.

  The Celts are young and have their best player coming back from injury at some point in time, and he'll be healthier and playing better next year. The Nets are getting older and with Deron, JJ and Lopez won't have cap space if PP and KG move on. Claiming that the Nets should be better but the Celts will get worse is pretty fatalistic.

I think the Net's will be better based on the fact that they've had an usual amount of injuries this season, they've had their entire starting lineup for one game. Also I was always okay with moving on from KG and Ray, I felt like it was a good time to move on after we lost to the lakers in the finals. Not Pierce though, I still am not okay with us trading him, even if that meant not trading kg, Pierce is the one player I'd allow myself to get sentimental over.

I just don't see how we get our next star ( which is unfortunately required to win in this league) without a pretty one sided trade.

[LooseCannon]

I don't anticipate Brooklyn repeating this season, if they lose Pierce and KG retires they will have some space, and the owner is willing to do whatever it takes to win. I just don't see those picks being lottery picks.

If they lose Pierce and KG retires, the Nets have about $70 million committed to next season's payroll, not including guys with player options.

Johnson, Williams, and Lopez are scheduled to make more money next season than what the cap was set at this season.

[nickagneta]

What if Ainge makes this team a fringe contender for the next couple years, the Nets bottom out, and we get to be a super team by picking three high lottery picks while still being a good team anyway?

Strangely how few people don't get this because they are too consumed with not getting Wiggins, Randle or Parker this year.

[PhoSita]

What if Ainge makes this team a fringe contender for the next couple years, the Nets bottom out, and we get to be a super team by picking three high lottery picks while still being a good team anyway?

Strangely how few people don't get this because they are too consumed with not getting Wiggins, Randle or Parker this year.

Perhaps because that scenario seems as unlikely to happen as winning the lottery this year and drafting a franchise superstar seemed to some other people on these forums.

[nickagneta]

What if Ainge makes this team a fringe contender for the next couple years, the Nets bottom out, and we get to be a super team by picking three high lottery picks while still being a good team anyway?

Strangely how few people don't get this because they are too consumed with not getting Wiggins, Randle or Parker this year.

Perhaps because that scenario seems as unlikely to happen as winning the lottery this year and drafting a franchise superstar seemed to some other people on these forums.

If people would actually take the time to read the CBA and familiarize themselves more with its intricacies, then they would probably see, Brooklyn is headed for a train wreck with no draft choices, little financial flexibility and 2 albatross contracts that will take up virtually every bit of cap space they have until Lopez' contract expires.

Knicks did a similar thing under Isiah Thomas. Read your history books. Unless the wall gets moved, the train is going to smash into it.