Celtics questions without clear answers

[nebist]

- 1. Who starts next to Thomas in the backcourt?
- 2. What to do with Bradley?
- 3. What to do with Smart long term?
- 4. What to do with Rozier?
- 5. Keep or move Crowder?
- 6. Power forward solution?

Here is my best guess for all your questions
1. Smart
2. Bradley will be the piece moved to create the cap space to sign Hayward. In that deal we will bring back a big that plays in our rotation.
3. Sign him long term. Due to his shooting he won't be that expensive and since the team is facing luxury tax concerns in the future, keeping Smart instead of Bradley should save money.
4. Keep him, commit to playing a ton of 3 guard lineups.
5. Keep Crowder and start him at the 4. I don't think Crowder would take being moved to the bench well, so we need to start him next to Hayward or trade him
6. The big man rotation will consist of Horford, Olynyk, player traded for Bradley, Zizic, and Crowder.

I would agree with most of this post except for starting Crowder at the 4 full time.  I could see him playing 10-15 minutes a night there but not starting there.  If we sign Hayward, I think we try and get about 24 minutes per game with one of Hayward or Crowder at the 4 (mostly against bench units and then possibly in the last 5 minutes of the game).  Horford would play his 32 minutes per game, which would leave 40 minutes per game for Zizic and probably one more rotation big (either Olynyk or a big we get in a trade for Bradley, etc.).

That makes sense. Crowder could play 16 minutes a game at the 4 but still start there, then move to the 3 when he plays with the bench.

Are you worried about him breaking down if he plays more at the 4, or just not being effective?

I'm working under the assumption that most teams still start two "bigs", so I worry about the interior defense and rebounding of a unit that features Crowder and Horford at the 4/5 spots.  I think that kind of small-ball unit is better suited against other teams' benches (as they will also go smaller or at least have less skilled bigs on the floor) or in crunch time (when teams generally eschew some size in order to get their 5 best players on the floor).  Overall, it's not a huge difference as we both see Crowder spending about half of his time at the 4.  I would just be shocked if Stevens commits to a small-ball starting 5 for the regular season next year.

[mef730]

I do not envy Ainge in the slightest for this offseason, he has done a special job setting up Boston for the present and future but something has to give, in the sense that he has to eventually cash in his chips. I have been looking at our options and it's near impossible to find a clear path.

- Who starts next to Thomas in the backcourt? It can't be Fultz (if we draft him) rookies make rookie mistakes, Brown? Or is it too early?

- What to do with Bradley? People on here seem to want to trade him but he is the perfect partner for Thomas, he's improved ever season, is still only 26, but he will want to be paid next offseason and can we afford him? If not expiring players are 25c on the dollar returns.

- What to do with Smart long term? Smart is a point guard not a two, he needs the ball in his hands and can't play off the ball for jump shots. There is really no market for him (I'm actually a Smart fan)

- What to do with Rozier? Another guard with talent and is a fantastic scoring point guard but if we draft Fultz surely we won't have room for him, what is the return you'd expect?

- Keep or move Crowder? Crowder is solid on a great contract but Ainge wants a max player so space will needed to be made, is there a team willing to pay for Crowder and what is the return? No team really has salary space for a cap dump for just picks.

- Power forward solution? Biggest hole in the team, Olynyk is a defensive liablity so do we resign him? All decent free agents will want to be payed and would they be worth it or do we start Zizic/Yabusele, surely they aren't ready to start in Brad's complex defensive schemes.

I would really, really like to keep Bradley and would start him next to IT. If he gets traded, it goes to Smart, with plenty of time for Fultz.

Rozier and Crowder both fall into the "I'd like to keep them but would be okay trading them if we got something decent back in return." If other teams view us as a forced seller, then we keep both, assuming salary cap isn't an issue. I'd rather lose Crowder than Rozier. Maybe not a popular opinion, but he seemed to lose focus after the Utah/Haward game. Let somebody else have his bargain salary.

The hip injury to Isaiah complicates matters even further. Was it Danny's intention all along to extend Isaiah after next season, or does the hip injury now change matters?

Assuming the Celtics extend Isaiah next offseason, which player/position will get that third max-salary slot? Given Crowder and Brown's salaries at the SF position, I would make Blake Griffin the number 1 priority this offseason.

I still have questions on Markelle Fultz between his desire to play defense and if he can elevate the players around him (or stated another way, do his teammates trust him). I still don't understand why more people aren't concerned about that Washington record of 9-22. Can anyone think of the last consensus number 1 pick that was on a team with that bad of a record?

I'm actually not that worried about MF's defensive abilities or willingness. He's 18, he had the entire offense on his back and he may have gotten a little run down and/or discouraged. He won't have the latter problems on the Cs.

My fear is the fact that he's 18. He may be one of the best prospects in the last five years, but we've all seen can't-miss prospects that missed. Obviously, that concern impacts anyone we draft.

Mike

[Chris22]

Danny keeps the team together to make a run next year and then let's IT and Bradley walk.
After that it's Fultz, Hayward, Brown, Horford, and ....

[droopdog7]

Danny keeps the team together to make a run next year and then let's IT and Bradley walk.
After that it's Fultz, Hayward, Brown, Horford, and ....

That's sort of my thinking.  But I think in the end we let IT (and resign Avery).  But as the OP suggests, this will not be easy considering we're going to have to make some tough decisions on guys in the near future.

[mctyson]

- Who starts next to Thomas in the backcourt? It can't be Fultz (if we draft him) rookies make rookie mistakes, Brown? Or is it too early?

Bradley.

- What to do with Bradley? People on here seem to want to trade him but he is the perfect partner for Thomas, he's improved ever season, is still only 26, but he will want to be paid next offseason and can we afford him? If not expiring players are 25c on the dollar returns.

Let him play out his contract, then see what he gets offered.  If it is too much, let him go.  If not, resign him.

- What to do with Smart long term? Smart is a point guard not a two, he needs the ball in his hands and can't play off the ball for jump shots. There is really no market for him (I'm actually a Smart fan)

Same as above (re: Bradley).

- What to do with Rozier? Another guard with talent and is a fantastic scoring point guard but if we draft Fultz surely we won't have room for him, what is the return you'd expect?

Same as above (re: Smart).

- Keep or move Crowder? Crowder is solid on a great contract but Ainge wants a max player so space will needed to be made, is there a team willing to pay for Crowder and what is the return? No team really has salary space for a cap dump for just picks.

Same as above (re: Rozier)

- Power forward solution? Biggest hole in the team, Olynyk is a defensive liablity so do we resign him? All decent free agents will want to be payed and would they be worth it or do we start Zizic/Yabusele, surely they aren't ready to start in Brad's complex defensive schemes.

Now we have a harder question.  First, I would address Olynyk as all the other guys on this list (see what offers he gets on the market, and if it is too much let him go).  He is a decent solution for an Amir replacement assuming they can find another 4/5 with the veteran exception who can complement him.

[More Banners]

Danny keeps the team together to make a run next year and then let's IT and Bradley walk.
After that it's Fultz, Hayward, Brown, Horford, and ....

He rolls with it next year, but I think non-shooting Smart joins Turner and Sully out of town. Keep the shooters in today's style.

If IT takes a discount, he stays, depends where lux tax line is and what Bradley makes. We will have Fultz, Brown, and Rozier as guards on rookie deals in 2019, and we could roll with that, so we might not be without leverage. Maybe that's how IT gets a 4th or 5th year.  We would only need one of Bradley/IT but could use both if JB plays mostly at SF, but we expect Hayward there.

I'd guess Danny really wants to keep Olynyk somehow.

[Ilikesports17]

- 1. Who starts next to Thomas in the backcourt?
Jaylen Brown. I want to keep Marcus on the second unit
- 2. What to do with Bradley?
Trade him for either picks or a rookie contract big. Model Celtic who will be missed, but I dont want to pay him 25+ mil in a year and I want to free up some cash to go after a max FA (Hayward/Griffin)
- 3. What to do with Smart long term?
Resign him when his contract is up. His offensive shortcomings will keep him affordable, but his clutch play and his ability to be an x-factor in huge situations will prove invaluable when we truly contend
- 4. What to do with Rozier?
keep him. Hes under team control for another two years and should take on some of the AB role of gaurding quick ball handlers. Ultimately he can give you a scoring punch and energy off the bench. Too early to start worrying about his next contract and he doesnt provide enough salary relief or actual value to make trading him now a viable plan.
- 5. Keep or move Crowder?
Sure as hell not untouchable, but Im not giving the guy away. Hes got a great contract which we(or at least wyc) will be very grateful for in a year or two if we have 3 max contracts on board.
Hes gonna have to play big minutes at the 4, and will ultimately be relegated to the bench when we reach true contention. If hes got a problem with that, Bye Bye Jae.
- 6. Power forward solution?
Toughest problem here. I think you need to bring back a power forward in your AB trade. Ideally you could get your PF of the future here. I think a guy like OG Anunoby or Zach Collins could be your long term answer here, but you certainly cant count on them for minutes next year.

You might find yourself with your dick in your hands a little bit here forced to play Jae Crowder and Gordon Hayward big minutes at this position. Its the single biggest concern of the offseason for me.

Blake Griffin could be an answer here but those risks have been well documented.

[Jvalin]

- Who starts next to Thomas in the backcourt? It can't be Fultz (if we draft him) rookies make rookie mistakes, Brown? Or is it too early?

Bradley.

- What to do with Bradley? People on here seem to want to trade him but he is the perfect partner for Thomas, he's improved ever season, is still only 26, but he will want to be paid next offseason and can we afford him? If not expiring players are 25c on the dollar returns.

Let him play out his contract, then see what he gets offered.  If it is too much, let him go.  If not, resign him.

- What to do with Smart long term? Smart is a point guard not a two, he needs the ball in his hands and can't play off the ball for jump shots. There is really no market for him (I'm actually a Smart fan)

Same as above (re: Bradley).

- What to do with Rozier? Another guard with talent and is a fantastic scoring point guard but if we draft Fultz surely we won't have room for him, what is the return you'd expect?

Same as above (re: Smart).

- Keep or move Crowder? Crowder is solid on a great contract but Ainge wants a max player so space will needed to be made, is there a team willing to pay for Crowder and what is the return? No team really has salary space for a cap dump for just picks.

Same as above (re: Rozier)

- Power forward solution? Biggest hole in the team, Olynyk is a defensive liablity so do we resign him? All decent free agents will want to be payed and would they be worth it or do we start Zizic/Yabusele, surely they aren't ready to start in Brad's complex defensive schemes.

Now we have a harder question.  First, I would address Olynyk as all the other guys on this list (see what offers he gets on the market, and if it is too much let him go).  He is a decent solution for an Amir replacement assuming they can find another 4/5 with the veteran exception who can complement him.

If we keep everyone, how on earth do we create the necessary cap space to sign Hayward (assuming he wants to sign here)?

[RodyTur10]

1. Who starts next to Thomas in the backcourt?

Smart or Bradley. If we keep Bradley then he starts and otherwise Smart. In any scenario I think we have to keep at least on of them for defensive purposes.

2. What to do with Bradley?

Very hard question. I think that after this summer there won't be a lot of teams left with much cap space and therefore the offered money will become a lot less absurd. A contract of 60/4 seems reasonable. So in terms of salary I think we can keep him, but we have to let a guard go and I like all of them. In the end the question should be: who is the best longterm partner in the backcourt for Fultz? I tend to Bradley.

3. What to do with Smart long term?

He's my favourite player. His demeanor is a great example for the team. He's an instigator of the great defense that the Celtics can play on occasion. But he has had a disappointing year. I truly question his basketball IQ by his terrible shot selection and also I'm not entirely sure if he has a good influence on (the other) young players.

Because his trading value seems pretty low and his next contract as well it might be the best course of action to hope that he will improve his game and keep him on the team. But right now he's the odd man out. If it would happen I would really mis him on the team.   

4. What to do with Rozier?

Unless there comes a team that really believes in him and is therefore willing to make a good offer (like a late lottery pick, promising big man) I would keep him on the team. He looks like he's going to develop in at least a reliable back-up point guard. And maybe, just maybe, he's the guy that could play next to Fultz. His defense and court awareness have definitely improved.

5. Keep or move Crowder?
 
This is an easy one for me. I believe in the potential of Brown and it's for sure our best bet. Crowder has shown by now exactly who he is. A solid average small forward. That's not gonna cut it in this league where elite SF's dominate the game. Try to get as much for him as possible. And do it as soon as possible. Brown is ready to get more minutes and Crowder only stands in his way.

6. Power forward solution?

Sign Blake Griffin. If that's not possible, we have to look for trading options to get draft picks and use them for big men with high risk - great reward potential. In this draft Anunoby, Leaf and Giles are options to look at and as I have read next draft might bring what we seek. Short term I have no problem to let Olynyk play as a starter if he wants to resign for less than 12 million a year.

[Beat LA]

- 1. Who starts next to Thomas in the backcourt?
Jaylen Brown. I want to keep Marcus on the second unit
- 2. What to do with Bradley?
Trade him for either picks or a rookie contract big. Model Celtic who will be missed, but I dont want to pay him 25+ mil in a year and I want to free up some cash to go after a max FA (Hayward/Griffin)
- 3. What to do with Smart long term?
Resign him when his contract is up. His offensive shortcomings will keep him affordable, but his clutch play and his ability to be an x-factor in huge situations will prove invaluable when we truly contend
- 4. What to do with Rozier?
keep him. Hes under team control for another two years and should take on some of the AB role of gaurding quick ball handlers. Ultimately he can give you a scoring punch and energy off the bench. Too early to start worrying about his next contract and he doesnt provide enough salary relief or actual value to make trading him now a viable plan.
- 5. Keep or move Crowder?
Sure as hell not untouchable, but Im not giving the guy away. Hes got a great contract which we(or at least wyc) will be very grateful for in a year or two if we have 3 max contracts on board.
Hes gonna have to play big minutes at the 4, and will ultimately be relegated to the bench when we reach true contention. If hes got a problem with that, Bye Bye Jae.
- 6. Power forward solution?
Toughest problem here. I think you need to bring back a power forward in your AB trade. Ideally you could get your PF of the future here. I think a guy like OG Anunoby or Zach Collins could be your long term answer here, but you certainly cant count on them for minutes next year.

You might find yourself with your dick in your hands a little bit here forced to play Jae Crowder and Gordon Hayward big minutes at this position. Its the single biggest concern of the offseason for me.

Blake Griffin could be an answer here but those risks have been well documented.

Interesting that this particular line above was not censored, and Brown as our starting shooting guard? Lol, the guy can barely dribble . I'm with you on Bradley, though - move him to OKC for 21, and if we could get 16 and 38 from Chicago for, say, Crowder and Demetrius Jackson, I'd do it in a heartbeat, but if that falls through, I'd be fine with sending Serena to the Knicks for 44 and 58.

[Ilikesports17]

- 1. Who starts next to Thomas in the backcourt?
Jaylen Brown. I want to keep Marcus on the second unit
- 2. What to do with Bradley?
Trade him for either picks or a rookie contract big. Model Celtic who will be missed, but I dont want to pay him 25+ mil in a year and I want to free up some cash to go after a max FA (Hayward/Griffin)
- 3. What to do with Smart long term?
Resign him when his contract is up. His offensive shortcomings will keep him affordable, but his clutch play and his ability to be an x-factor in huge situations will prove invaluable when we truly contend
- 4. What to do with Rozier?
keep him. Hes under team control for another two years and should take on some of the AB role of gaurding quick ball handlers. Ultimately he can give you a scoring punch and energy off the bench. Too early to start worrying about his next contract and he doesnt provide enough salary relief or actual value to make trading him now a viable plan.
- 5. Keep or move Crowder?
Sure as hell not untouchable, but Im not giving the guy away. Hes got a great contract which we(or at least wyc) will be very grateful for in a year or two if we have 3 max contracts on board.
Hes gonna have to play big minutes at the 4, and will ultimately be relegated to the bench when we reach true contention. If hes got a problem with that, Bye Bye Jae.
- 6. Power forward solution?
Toughest problem here. I think you need to bring back a power forward in your AB trade. Ideally you could get your PF of the future here. I think a guy like OG Anunoby or Zach Collins could be your long term answer here, but you certainly cant count on them for minutes next year.

You might find yourself with your dick in your hands a little bit here forced to play Jae Crowder and Gordon Hayward big minutes at this position. Its the single biggest concern of the offseason for me.

Blake Griffin could be an answer here but those risks have been well documented.

Interesting that this particular line above was not censored, and Brown as our starting shooting guard? Lol, the guy can barely dribble . I'm with you on Bradley, though - move him to OKC for 21, and if we could get 16 and 38 from Chicago for, say, Crowder and Demetrius Jackson, I'd do it in a heartbeat, but if that falls through, I'd be fine with sending Serena to the Knicks for 44 and 58.

The league might veto Crowder for 2 second rounders

[Beat LA]

- 1. Who starts next to Thomas in the backcourt?
Jaylen Brown. I want to keep Marcus on the second unit
- 2. What to do with Bradley?
Trade him for either picks or a rookie contract big. Model Celtic who will be missed, but I dont want to pay him 25+ mil in a year and I want to free up some cash to go after a max FA (Hayward/Griffin)
- 3. What to do with Smart long term?
Resign him when his contract is up. His offensive shortcomings will keep him affordable, but his clutch play and his ability to be an x-factor in huge situations will prove invaluable when we truly contend
- 4. What to do with Rozier?
keep him. Hes under team control for another two years and should take on some of the AB role of gaurding quick ball handlers. Ultimately he can give you a scoring punch and energy off the bench. Too early to start worrying about his next contract and he doesnt provide enough salary relief or actual value to make trading him now a viable plan.
- 5. Keep or move Crowder?
Sure as hell not untouchable, but Im not giving the guy away. Hes got a great contract which we(or at least wyc) will be very grateful for in a year or two if we have 3 max contracts on board.
Hes gonna have to play big minutes at the 4, and will ultimately be relegated to the bench when we reach true contention. If hes got a problem with that, Bye Bye Jae.
- 6. Power forward solution?
Toughest problem here. I think you need to bring back a power forward in your AB trade. Ideally you could get your PF of the future here. I think a guy like OG Anunoby or Zach Collins could be your long term answer here, but you certainly cant count on them for minutes next year.

You might find yourself with your dick in your hands a little bit here forced to play Jae Crowder and Gordon Hayward big minutes at this position. Its the single biggest concern of the offseason for me.

Blake Griffin could be an answer here but those risks have been well documented.

Interesting that this particular line above was not censored, and Brown as our starting shooting guard? Lol, the guy can barely dribble . I'm with you on Bradley, though - move him to OKC for 21, and if we could get 16 and 38 from Chicago for, say, Crowder and Demetrius Jackson, I'd do it in a heartbeat, but if that falls through, I'd be fine with sending Serena to the Knicks for 44 and 58.

The league might veto Crowder for 2 second rounders

I doubt it.  We are talking about the Knicks, after all, are we not ?

[GRADYCOLNON]

1)Bradley stays in starting lineup
2)He is starting next to Thomas
3)Sign Smart long term
4)Let Rozier play out his rookie deal
5)Keep Crowder but draft a backup
6)Horford is our power forward.  We don't have a power forward hole, we have a Center hole...