Hand the Keys to Tatum, Brown & Smart While Keeping Options Open...

[GreenlyGreeny]

Key Assumption: Kyrie is gone and no other superstars can be had this offseason.

2019 offseason: Match the best offer for Rozier, and use our remaining cap space taking on horrific 1-2 year contracts (do a swap for any bad 1-year deals and insist on an unprotected pick in 2021 or 2022 for any bad 2-year contracts). For our bench, try to find vet minimum guys who never panned out (or are way too old) but can perhaps be rehabilitated under Stevens.

2019-2020: Rozier, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, MLE center with Smart as 6th man. If Brown is not clearly an all-star by February, he will likely never be that second or third big piece we need, so trade him for an unprotected pick(s). Same applies to Rozier.

2020 offseason: Relatively weak free agency, so unless we can get Durant or Davis (a repeat of Kobe/Dwight is possible with LeBron/AD), let’s repeat this off-season: If Brown is an all-star in 2019-2020, obviously match the best offer. If he’s gone (see above paragraph), continue to obtain picks by taking on bad contracts, but focus exclusively on bad one year deals so we have a ton of space in 2021.

2020-2021: If Tatum has never been an all-star by February, trade him for unprotected pick(s).

2021 offseason: Target Giannis and try to pair him with Oladipo or Gobert. By not blowing cap space through 2021, we could possibly have space for all three, or Giannis, Tatum and either Oladipo or Gobert (or the perfect situation: Giannis, all-star Tatum, all-star Brown). Hayward will likely re-sign for cheap after the dust settles on free agent pickups. 

2021-2022: Ideally, a ton of young, talented prospects via the draft, an all-star Brown, an all-star Tatum and MVP Giannis with Smart still being our glue guy and Hayward as a cheap, wily 6th man.

[gouki88]

It's easy to just say "target Giannis" or target ____ (insert other All-NBA player) without an actual offer, or without any reason for them wanting to leave. Milwaukee is positioned to contend for the next few years, and both Indiana and Utah are in good positions.

I also have no idea how you're going to keep Brown and Tatum and have the cap space to sign Giannis. You say that they're ideally both going to be All-Stars - that means they're both likely going to command max / near max money.

This is just very very unrealistic.

[GreenlyGreeny]

It's easy to just say "target Giannis" or target ____ (insert other All-NBA player) without an actual offer, or without any reason for them wanting to leave. Milwaukee is positioned to contend for the next few years, and both Indiana and Utah are in good positions.

I also have no idea how you're going to keep Brown and Tatum and have the cap space to sign Giannis. You say that they're ideally both going to be All-Stars - that means they're both likely going to command max / near max money.

This is just very very unrealistic.

The cap will increase over the next two years. Brown and Tatum would have RFA max contracts in the ideal situation, not UFA max contracts. The only other player on the books would be Smart so, yes, we could get Giannis in this scenario. We almost got Durant in 2016, so why not Giannis if the Bucks fail to get him to the promised land, particularly if we can pair him with one or two all-stars and securing him a place in Celtics lore? At this point, getting an MVP to leave Milwaukee for Boston seems like the most probable way of adding a superstar in the next three offseasons.

If you think this is unrealistic, why not pose a realistic path to the championship?

[gpap]

I personally believe keeping enough cap space available to offer a max deal to Giannis in the summer of 2021 should be a priority.

Remain competitive but also try to keep $35 million free for the summer of 2021.

If we put together a competitive enough team between now and then and at least get a meeting with the guy, you just never know.

I'm not saying it's a guarantee he'll sign in fact I acknowledge the chances are relatively slim, but for a player as special as him, you at least need to secure a seat at the table.

Maybe he looks at our roster and says "if I agree to play in Boston, we could contend for a ring."

Plus it be nice to have a fellow Greek on the team

[gouki88]

It's easy to just say "target Giannis" or target ____ (insert other All-NBA player) without an actual offer, or without any reason for them wanting to leave. Milwaukee is positioned to contend for the next few years, and both Indiana and Utah are in good positions.

I also have no idea how you're going to keep Brown and Tatum and have the cap space to sign Giannis. You say that they're ideally both going to be All-Stars - that means they're both likely going to command max / near max money.

This is just very very unrealistic.

The cap will increase over the next two years. Brown and Tatum would have RFA max contracts in the ideal situation, not UFA max contracts. The only other player on the books would be Smart so, yes, we could get Giannis in this scenario. We almost got Durant in 2016, so why not Giannis if the Bucks fail to get him to the promised land, particularly if we can pair him with one or two all-stars and securing him a place in Celtics lore? At this point, getting an MVP to leave Milwaukee for Boston seems like the most probable way of adding a superstar in the next three offseasons.

If you think this is unrealistic, why not pose a realistic path to the championship?

Yeah, but these are all big assumptions. How much is the cap going to jump? Why is Hayward going to be willing to be here cheap? Why is Giannis leaving Milwaukee?

[GreenlyGreeny]

It's easy to just say "target Giannis" or target ____ (insert other All-NBA player) without an actual offer, or without any reason for them wanting to leave. Milwaukee is positioned to contend for the next few years, and both Indiana and Utah are in good positions.

I also have no idea how you're going to keep Brown and Tatum and have the cap space to sign Giannis. You say that they're ideally both going to be All-Stars - that means they're both likely going to command max / near max money.

This is just very very unrealistic.

The cap will increase over the next two years. Brown and Tatum would have RFA max contracts in the ideal situation, not UFA max contracts. The only other player on the books would be Smart so, yes, we could get Giannis in this scenario. We almost got Durant in 2016, so why not Giannis if the Bucks fail to get him to the promised land, particularly if we can pair him with one or two all-stars and securing him a place in Celtics lore? At this point, getting an MVP to leave Milwaukee for Boston seems like the most probable way of adding a superstar in the next three offseasons.

If you think this is unrealistic, why not pose a realistic path to the championship?

Yeah, but these are all big assumptions. How much is the cap going to jump? Why is Hayward going to be willing to be here cheap? Why is Giannis leaving Milwaukee?

Why is Giannis leaving Milwaukee? Have you ever been to Milwaukee? That aside, why did Durant leave OKC? The same reason why Giannis might: Even if he loves Milwaukee, for some strange reason, if they fail to win in the next two years, it may be time to join one of the elite franchises?

I am assuming Hayward will be a nice rotational player in two years. I doubt he will be an all-star ever again. If so, obviously we will be unable to afford him if we have Giannis, Tatum and Brown, which will be fine considering he’ll be 31 by then. I suppose there’s always the possibility Brown gets traded this season, Tatum still turns into an all-star, Hayward returns to all-star form. Then we obviously go with a Big Three of Giannis, Tatum and Hayward.

What I like about my plan is all of the contingency plans built into it. Sinking a bunch of money into Randle, Russell, et al this offseason is NOT going to produce banner 18. We need to be patient if Kyrie really is gone...

[gouki88]

It's easy to just say "target Giannis" or target ____ (insert other All-NBA player) without an actual offer, or without any reason for them wanting to leave. Milwaukee is positioned to contend for the next few years, and both Indiana and Utah are in good positions.

I also have no idea how you're going to keep Brown and Tatum and have the cap space to sign Giannis. You say that they're ideally both going to be All-Stars - that means they're both likely going to command max / near max money.

This is just very very unrealistic.

The cap will increase over the next two years. Brown and Tatum would have RFA max contracts in the ideal situation, not UFA max contracts. The only other player on the books would be Smart so, yes, we could get Giannis in this scenario. We almost got Durant in 2016, so why not Giannis if the Bucks fail to get him to the promised land, particularly if we can pair him with one or two all-stars and securing him a place in Celtics lore? At this point, getting an MVP to leave Milwaukee for Boston seems like the most probable way of adding a superstar in the next three offseasons.

If you think this is unrealistic, why not pose a realistic path to the championship?

Yeah, but these are all big assumptions. How much is the cap going to jump? Why is Hayward going to be willing to be here cheap? Why is Giannis leaving Milwaukee?

Why is Giannis leaving Milwaukee? Have you ever been to Milwaukee? That aside, why did Durant leave OKC? The same reason why Giannis might: Even if he loves Milwaukee, for some strange reason, if they fail to win in the next two years, it may be time to join one of the elite franchises?

I am assuming Hayward will be a nice rotational player in two years. I doubt he will be an all-star ever again. If so, obviously we will be unable to afford him, which will be fine considering he’ll be well into his 30s by then...

I have not been to Wisconsin, lol. Maybe if we eliminate Giannis over the next couple of seasons he might consider it, but I don't know how likely that is.

If it's possible then I'd be all for it. Just not sure how DA is going to play this off-season

[Fierce1]

It's easy to just say "target Giannis" or target ____ (insert other All-NBA player) without an actual offer, or without any reason for them wanting to leave. Milwaukee is positioned to contend for the next few years, and both Indiana and Utah are in good positions.

I also have no idea how you're going to keep Brown and Tatum and have the cap space to sign Giannis. You say that they're ideally both going to be All-Stars - that means they're both likely going to command max / near max money.

This is just very very unrealistic.

I have to agree.

Even if the Celts target players, like Ainge going all in for Anthony Davis, it doesn't mean if you target them they will come to Boston.

[satch]

I would like to see a team that plays hard and plays together. Accomplish those two things and let the chips fall were they may. That's how I would describe last years team. Plus they played smart...Much more fun to watch.

[GreenlyGreeny]

It's easy to just say "target Giannis" or target ____ (insert other All-NBA player) without an actual offer, or without any reason for them wanting to leave. Milwaukee is positioned to contend for the next few years, and both Indiana and Utah are in good positions.

I also have no idea how you're going to keep Brown and Tatum and have the cap space to sign Giannis. You say that they're ideally both going to be All-Stars - that means they're both likely going to command max / near max money.

This is just very very unrealistic.

I have to agree.

Even if the Celts target players, like Ainge going all in for Anthony Davis, it doesn't mean if you target them they will come to Boston.

True, but it’s not Giannis or bust. We save the cap space and even if Giannis is off the table, Oladipo and Gobert may still be in play. If Tatum and Brown turn into all-stars, or even if we just have Tatum and some talented youth from the 2020 and 2021 drafts, we could maybe turn into championship contenders with Stevens, Tatum and Oladipo or Gobert. I have not lost all hope in Tatum becoming the second coming of Durant...

[GreenlyGreeny]

I would like to see a team that plays hard and plays together. Accomplish those two things and let the chips fall were they may. That's how I would describe last years team. Plus they played smart...Much more fun to watch.

Same. Which is why if Kyrie is gone, I basically want to run the 2018 NBA playoffs lineup with Hayward instead of Horford.

[Fierce1]

Right now the Celts have options.

1. Sign a guy like Vucevic and try to become a top 6 team in the east.

2. Use cap space to absorb a bad contract, as long as the Celts are compensated with draft picks,

3. Shed as much salary as possible then try to acquire two star players so that the Celts will be a contender next season.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I would like to see a team that plays hard and plays together. Accomplish those two things and let the chips fall were they may. That's how I would describe last years team. Plus they played smart...Much more fun to watch.

Same. Which is why if Kyrie is gone, I basically want to run the 2018 NBA playoffs lineup with Hayward instead of Horford.

Horford was underrated during that run because of how well the youngins played but Al was magnificent and stats only tell part of the story. I want Al to stay but if he gets paid anywhere near that rumor, I'd tell him to take it! If it were me and I was his age, I wouldn't even question taking it. I'd ask the GM if he needed me to seal it with a blood pact! 

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Right now the Celts have options.

1. Sign a guy like Vucevic and try to become a top 6 team in the east.

2. Use cap space to absorb a bad contract, as long as the Celts are compensated with draft picks,

3. Shed as much salary as possible then try to acquire two star players so that the Celts will be a contender next season.

1a. Kyrie is going to stay! 

[BitterJim]

Teams are not going to part with unprotected picks for cap relief. Any team that is looking to offload a contract this summer in order to lower their tax burden or clear space to sign a big FA will not even consider anything less than lottery protection