A new big three (Thomas, Hayward and Horford)?

[RodyTur10]

Let's assume that Hayward does sign with the Celtics and also that Thomas will resign next year for maximum contracts.

That would mean that we have about 90 million on our payroll for just Thomas, Hayward and Horford. Leaving very few space to fill up the rest of the team. Allthough we have some talented youngsters on rookie contracts it basically becomes a 'big three' + role players.

Is that really good enough to compete for a championship? Do you agree with this path?

[RLewis35]

With brown, Tatum, 2 2018-19 lottery picks, one of crowder, smart and Bradley, zizic, yeah I agree with it. If just one of our lottery picks turns into an all star we could win it all.

Or if Hayward keeps getting better and some injuries inevitably happen.

[nebist]

With brown, Tatum, 2 2018-19 lottery picks, one of crowder, smart and Bradley, zizic, yeah I agree with it. If just one of our lottery picks turns into an all star we would win it all.

This. Big 3 plus 4 top lottery picks has never been done before. If we hit on even 2-3 of those 4 picks we should be a true championship contender for a long time.

[Celtics4ever]

To the OP we had a big three well before MIA, in PP, KG and RA.   We also had several other big threes throughout franchise history as well as the most dominant Superteam ever in the 60s Celtics.

[PaulP34]

In time we could end up having a big 3 with the 4 top 5 picks but i dont see either IT, AH or GH being that big three.

A big 3 can come out of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and one of the top 5 picks of next years draft though. By the time that young group matures enough to become a big three or a big 4 potential, this group will be old and ready to retire.

We r paying this group big money to help that group mature on the right winning path...

[BudweiserCeltic]

Reading  "alla Miami" in the thread title as the premise of this, really really makes my head hurt.

[JBcat]

We have a fighting chance to be Eastern conference champs the next few years depending on how quickly Lebron declines or leaves the Cavs.  Beyond that we don't have to be a powerhouse to make it it the finals(Lowry is due to decline in his 30s), and Washington might lose Porter (Gortat is getting up there in age).  I don't see another team clearly surpassing us if we get Hayward.

[cousytoheinsohn]

To the OP we had a big three well before MIA, in PP, KG and RA.   We also had several other big threes throughout franchise history as well as the most dominant Superteam ever in the 60s Celtics.

Yes sir, exactly.

And, thanks for saying so.

[RodyTur10]

To the OP we had a big three well before MIA, in PP, KG and RA.   We also had several other big threes throughout franchise history as well as the most dominant Superteam ever in the 60s Celtics.

Ok, I'm sorry. I corrected the title.

[Bobshot]

A bit premature? Hayward is not here yet.

[Eddie20]

To the OP we had a big three well before MIA, in PP, KG and RA.   We also had several other big threes throughout franchise history as well as the most dominant Superteam ever in the 60s Celtics.

And the term "Big 3" was first coined with Bird, McHale, and Parish. And it wasn't because they were great (which they were), it's because they played in the frontline. Because if being great was the reason you could easily make the argument that there were other "Big 3's" in the 80's - Toney-Malone-Dr. J, Magic-Kareem-Worthy, Thomas-Dumars-Laimbeer, etc. In fact, even Chambers-Ellis-McDaniel was quietly special. One year they all averaged over 23 PPG. But again only the C's frontline was called the Big 3.

[MaxAMillion]

It isn't a big three if no one is worried about it. Horford isn't great at anything other than cashing checks.

[kmart12]

I don't think any of our current players or prospective players are worth consideration for a "Big 3". IT is a one-way player (although, an extremely effective one-way player) and Horford is not an all-star (I'd argue that he never should have been an all-star and simply made teams due to a weak conference and his designation as a center). If Hayward were to sign here, he's also not on that level yet. There's a clear tier where players like LeBron, Durant, Curry, Westbrook, Harden, Leonard etc. belong and where guys like Hayward and IT belong. It's just not the same level of talent and impact on a game.