Prediction: Ainge won't blow team up, but do some tweaking

[heitingas]

First of all i'm predicting this based on what I think Ainge thinks like.

-A 56 win team, tickets sales important for franchise
-He has cap flexibility a year from now
-Huge expirings in KG and Ray on the deadline
-Rondo
-Lottery pick and assets like Bradley and Green

And to consider for Free Agency, trading KG and Ray-two HOFers will not look like an attractive destination for HOWARD and among other players as well if this occured.
Add to that several reports saying DOC Rivers will likely be back, and this will lead to the return of SHAQ, and Ray, and JO, KG is going nowhere I think.

I hope Ainge signs GREEN to the QO, please don't screw this one up Danny, if he manages to  sign and trade BBD FINE, IF NOT, NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.

I'm not saying i'm with this or that, blow it up, tank next season or just tweak the roster and play in a shortened season next year with the same roster minus BBD, and perhaps West and Krstic.

But this is what I think Ainge will do, basically patch this team together and make another championship run next year while still having the option of trading at the deadline next season, that I think and expect to happen this summer.

[mctyson]

First of all i'm predicting this based on what I think Ainge thinks like.

-A 56 win team, tickets sales important for franchise
-He has cap flexibility a year from now
-Huge expirings in KG and Ray on the deadline
-Rondo
-Lottery pick and assets like Bradley and Green

And to consider for Free Agency, trading KG and Ray-two HOFers will not look like an attractive destination for HOWARD and among other players as well if this occured.
Add to that several reports saying DOC Rivers will likely be back, and this will lead to the return of SHAQ, and Ray, and JO, KG is going nowhere I think.

I hope Ainge signs GREEN to the QO, please don't screw this one up Danny, if he manages to  sign and trade BBD FINE, IF NOT, NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.

I'm not saying i'm with this or that, blow it up, tank next season or just tweak the roster and play in a shortened season next year with the same roster minus BBD, and perhaps West and Krstic.

But this is what I think Ainge will do, basically patch this team together and make another championship run next year while still having the option of trading at the deadline next season, that I think and expect to happen this summer.

I think you are generally right, and I agree for the most part.  I am not sure what team would be dying for BBD at this point, he totally killed his S&T value with his performance post-trade and particularly in the playoffs.  Who wants an overweight 4/5 who is 6'7" with an 18-inch vertical and can't dunk? 

Here's what will happen - there will be a lockout and a shortened season.  1 to 2 months of the season will be lost, benefitting the Celtics.  They will then go into the 2012 season with bascially the same roster, maybe minus BBD/Shaq, possibly JO.  Replace them.  They play to the trade deadline and Danny sizes up the team.  If he feels they have a good chance to beat Miami and get to the Finals, he keeps the team together.  If not?  He will blow the team up at the deadline, trade KG and Ray's expiring deals, possibly Rondo and/or Green.  The only untouchable in all of this is Paul Pierce, and that's only because he will retire as a Celtic otherwise he would be gone too.

It really matters how well they play next year up to the deadline, assuming there is a season.

[pearljammer10]

I honestly dont think Ray and KG will ever be traded. Danny had a plan and he still thinks this team can compete next year.

[greenpride32]

Not exactly a bold prediction.  The contracts that were signed last year gave this team another 2 year window (through next season).  The reality is this team has no trade flexibility.  Fans want the team to get younger but what team is going to trade a young, up and coming all star for aging players who may have seen their last all star games?  If you want to trade guys like RA and KG don't expect much in return, and expect to be the lottery very soon.

Also you don't break up a 56 win game team, you improve it to win 60.  Look at all the injuries we had and we still won 56 games.  I think that tells if you if not for some unfortunate breaks we'd be right up there.

[Assassin70]

I honestly dont know where we go from here 

[snowball]

In post-game interviews last night
both Doc and Paul said they will pursure
"a couple more pieces".. I'm thinking they
need at least one more player who can charge
the basket and a great rebounder. Offensive
rebounds and paint athleticism are what the
Celtics really need. Who will they be ?
stay tuned........

[Evantime34]

The more things change the more they stay the same. The problem this offseason just like it has been every offseason the Big 3 have been apart of is the same, cap space.

We will have the MLE to work with then vet min contracts. If Jermaine decides to retire we will be in the same situation that we were with Sheed the year before. The difference is now we have to worry about resigning Jeff Green rather than Perk.

If a team has a big contract they are looking to unload we could potentially move Jermaine's expiring and Jeff Green for a piece.

However, I think the best plan might be to resign Jeff Green and start the movement towards young athletic players that can run and defend. Hopefully we can get a young athletic big (Fariead, J. Williams, T. Thompson) to go with Green, Rondo and Avery Bradley to move towards the future. I bet a lot of poor teams will be selling draft picks this year, it might not be a bad idea to go grab one.

This year the Celtics did a great job of limiting minutes for the starters in order to stave off injury. The only player that played extremely heavy minutes was Rondo. A healthy west should help this a lot.

Just like the past offseasons this one will be the same.
1. Sign your own guys because otherwise they will be replaced with vet min players.
2. Draft a young player with high upside who can eventually help build the bridge
3. Sign a good player to the MLE.
4. Sign as many good vet min players as possible who will allow Doc to lessen the starters minutes.

[Bahku]

Agree, (TP).

No way would Doc even hint at being here next year if Danny wasn't planning to keep this core group together.

He has said it before, that he loves coaching KG, Ray, and Paul, and when you get a chance to coach players of their caliber, you have to make the most of it.

The chemistry he has with the Big Three and Rondo is what will keep Doc around, and vice-versa.

Tweaking is essential, because our bench is a bit weak and we need a Center, but those four players and definitely Delonte will still be here come October.

[thirstyboots18]

Agree, and with pleasure.  I want the Core and Doc back next year.   (Please sign Delonte, too....please please please.)  This group has been such a joy to watch, for the highs, and also holding together through the lows.   

[greenpride32]

JO said last night he thinks he has another year left in him, so expect him back. I'd be very happy if he could give us 70 games like he did for MIA last year.

Last year we really had no room to work with and were very fortunate to land Shaq and West.  I don't see us being as fortunate this offseason.  The one wildcard might be BBD and a S&T.  I'm not an expert on the cap and trades, so not sure if we can get any type of exception by doing a S&T with BBD.

[Evantime34]

JO said last night he thinks he has another year left in him, so expect him back. I'd be very happy if he could give us 70 games like he did for MIA last year.

Last year we really had no room to work with and were very fortunate to land Shaq and West.  I don't see us being as fortunate this offseason.  The one wildcard might be BBD and a S&T.  I'm not an expert on the cap and trades, so not sure if we can get any type of exception by doing a S&T with BBD.

Even if JO is back I'm not sure I'd be happy with a full season of him and Krstic. Especially because JO is probably going to get hurt.

[Marcus13]

There's really no pieces to move if Ainge wants everyone off the books next year.  It's just going to be a "bridge" season

[The DarkPassenger]

With all the players that were only on one year deals the Celtics have some real opportunity to do some tweaking and make a final push for a title. The Celtics losing in the second round is different than the Lakers and I think this team has a chance.

I hope that JO doesn't come back basically because he had such a injury prone season I only see it getting worse and him playing fewer games. Same with Shaq, he has a player option and I would think he retires.

The uncertainty of the CBA also could make things interesting, cause the NBA could incorporate a hard cap which could change some things in available cap space and MLE rules if we even have one.