Build Through The Draft

[jmen788]

I keep vacillating between trading for established talent or just drafting players and building organically through the draft. Typically, I'd say a mix is the best way to go.
 
In regards to the Celtics situation, things are a bit different... we have a management and fan base clamoring for a star, and willing to overpay to do so (e.g. last year's trade for pick #9 with Charlotte that fell through). This is a very bad combination - patience is virtue sometimes, and I do not believe in overpaying as a general philosophy. Further, it looks like Cousins, Butler, Love and Griffin are off the market; and even if they weren't off the market, it would take a gross overpay to acquire any of these players.
 
As a result, I am starting to believe that the "un-sexy" choice here should be to build through the draft and see what happens. If we get a top 2 pick, I think we should keep the pick (especially for Ingram, but I'd be open to trading Simmons since I don't trust him for some reason). Even if we don't get a top 2 pick, I am fine with taking Bender...BUT even though he is only 18 and super skinny, I still would want him to play on our team next year just like the Knicks did with Porzingis. He wouldn't need to play 25 minutes a night, but give him some playing time and a chance to earn some minutes. Conversely, if we don't think he's ready and don't bring him stateside, then I guess just leave him in Israel for another year or two. The same thinking goes with Jamal Murray or whoever else we may be able to pick.
 
In the above scenario, I think we should let Sully, Amir and ET walk (unless ET gives us a super sweetheart deal), and play this years rookies and last years draft picks. I think we still make the playoffs and even being better than last year isn't so farfetched. At the same time, due to having 8 picks this year, it'd be nice to consolidate those for future picks or better picks this year (as we can't play 8 rookies) or even trading some to get Faried from Denver to replace Sully.

This may not be the "cool" or "fun" option, but it may be the best, unless we can somehow get a 'star player' in a deal that is not a COMPLETE overpay.

[A Future of Stevens]

I think I am in an interesting camp regarding what we should do in the draft. I think 3-6 you at least try to swing for a cousins or Bulter, but as you said it would probably take WAY too much.

My ideal draft would be to take simmons or Ingram. However, say the lottery balls are once again unkind to the green, I like Murray. So say we get 4, I say take Murray, and develop him with Smart. Then, I think you try and couple 16,23 and a few 2nds to try and trade for someone who is a good big (notice not great) who would help this team, yet didn't really work out for their current team. Someone around the Monroe mold would be a good fit for this team. Maybe a Gorgui Dieng. The point is I don't know.

Lets roll with Monroe for a second. If we put Monroe back to his natural 5, we would need the typical 4 and d type guy that everyone in the league wants. Maybe we offer a large offer for Meyers Leonard to stick next to him. Or we could roll with Amir/Kelly at the 4, depending on what we needed for that particular situation.

The point is, lets draft for talent up high, and use some of the other picks to take a risk on a big who hasn't really worked out. A lineup of:

IT/Smart
Bradley/Murray
Crowder/FA
Amir/Kelly (possibly Leonard)
Monroe/Mickey (small stints of course)

Pepper in some random free agent (I Like Jerebko) for depth purposes, and a shot on the 31st pick aka Maker or Qi, or whoever with big bust potential, and you have a fun roster.

With our young development and shrewd moves by Danny, this team can continue to compete and build through the draft. That's what having so many options allows him to do. We can't go all in just because the Celtics are in a rabid fan base, and our best players window is small because of his stature. Patience.

[Evantime34]

I am happy with either a build through the draft or trade for a star plan.

You can't force a trade and if the asking price for a star is unreasonable then I think the build through the draft plan makes sense.

IMO, it all depends on the trade market and where we land in the draft. I can't make an informed decision on what my preference should be without the complete picture. Either way I trust Danny.

[D Dub]

it will be interesting to see what they do.  doesn't seem like there is enough roster spots to keep all of these picks.