Way too early offseason predictions/suggestion.

[LilRip]

There's rumors on Twitter than the Celtics are interested in Ibaka, who will hit FA this offseason. He's currently on $24m. He would have to take a big paycut. If we can make the numbers work somehow should we be interested?

https://twitter.com/Max_Lederman/status/1310576113660420098

Ibaka is definitely interesting for me and fits the bill of a mobile, high IQ big who you don’t have to run plays for but can still make an impact. Sure fire starter on our team. I don’t know how to acquire him though.

If it happens, I hope we still have other moves in the pipe. We still need a deadeye shooter.

[gouki88]

There's rumors on Twitter than the Celtics are interested in Ibaka, who will hit FA this offseason. He's currently on $24m. He would have to take a big paycut. If we can make the numbers work somehow should we be interested?

https://twitter.com/Max_Lederman/status/1310576113660420098

Ibaka is definitely interesting for me and fits the bill of a mobile, high IQ big who you don’t have to run plays for but can still make an impact. Sure fire starter on our team. I don’t know how to acquire him though.

If it happens, I hope we still have other moves in the pipe. We still need a deadeye shooter.

He’d be a great get. Fits that veteran champion big we’ve been after, and it would stop him from killing us.

I’d look to draft a sharpshooter if we somehow got Ibaka

[wdleehi]

I don't see any need to change the top 6 players on the team.   They work.


After that, the team need to focus on specific role players.

3pt specialist - Edwards didn't work for that.   It makes no sense trying to make it work.

Big athletic defender - This could be Time Lord if his team defensive instincts improve.

Bench bucket getter -  This should eventually be Langford, but the team should bring in someone who has shown the ability to do this in the NBA (even if for just one year)

Players I think will be gone:  Poirier, Green and Edwards.  I don't see any practice squad players making the jump to the main team roster. 


I can see a specific role for every other member of the Celtics.  If the can fill those holes, specialists will less often be asked to do what they are weak on.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Gordon Hayward, 14, 26, and 30 to Atlanta for Collins, 6, and a 34 million dollar trade exemption (Hayward's salary). This seems unlikely to me, but it was an idea I came up with.

Atlanta seems like they are ready to try to win now. The trades for Capella and Dedmon definitely communicate that. But they need another guy on the wing. They could target someone in free agency instead, but if they really want to get into the playoffs, a player like Hayward would be a perfect fit in their offensive scheme. On top of that, they can keep their cap space for 2021 and try to make a run at Giannis. This trade really only makes sense if they look at all their high draft picks over the last few years and think, "Man, maybe it would be better to get proven talent instead of drafting someone early this year." Then, they could take a few swings with their later draft picks and try to get a rotation guy.

The Cs reportedly were talking with the Hawks about Collins at the trade deadline. This trade cleans up the big salaries, gives them a good young offensive big man, and gives them a swing at 6 (I'd draft Hayes if available). On top of that, they have a huge trade exemption to use over the next calendar year on another rotation piece.

Hawks: Young-Heurter-Hayward-Hunter-Capella
Celtics: Walker-Smart-Brown-Tatum-Collins

[mrceltics2013]

I’ve learned after last season there is 0% chance you will even be remotely close to what the C’s will actually do. From FA to the draft everyone was caught off guard with every move they made.

[jambr380]

Gordon Hayward, 14, 26, and 30 to Atlanta for Collins, 6, and a 34 million dollar trade exemption (Hayward's salary). This seems unlikely to me, but it was an idea I came up with.

Atlanta seems like they are ready to try to win now. The trades for Capella and Dedmon definitely communicate that. But they need another guy on the wing. They could target someone in free agency instead, but if they really want to contend, a player like Hayward would be a perfect fit in their offensive scheme. On top of that, they can keep their cap space for 2021 and try to make a run at Giannis. This trade really only makes sense if they look at all their high draft picks over the last few years and think, "Man, maybe it would be better to get proven talent instead of drafting someone early this year." Then, they could take a few swings with their later draft picks and try to get a rotation guy.

The Cs reportedly were talking with the Hawks about Collins at the trade deadline. This trade cleans up the big salaries, gives them a good young offensive big man, and gives them a swing at 6 (I'd draft Hayes if available). On top of that, they have a huge trade exemption to use over the next calendar year on another rotation piece.

Hawks: Young-Heurter-Hayward-Hunter-Capella
Celtics: Walker-Smart-Brown-Tatum-Collins

Yeah, I thought about a Hayward for Collins swap, as well. This would REALLY benefit our cap sheet as we would be able to restart the clock on the tax, for sure (as well as add a couple of vets). I think you are asking a bit too much by including the #6 pick, but perhaps you think our 3 picks equal that pick. I think we probably need to give up at least a pick in addition to Hayward to make this deal work. Collins is a very good player at a position of need; but, yeah, Hayward would also make sense for ATL.

It should be noted that Collins will need to be paid after next season. While we would have his Bird rights, I am not sure how much we are willing to spend.

[PhoSita]

I'm not sure collins can defend well enough at the 5, but I like the idea of trying to get him anyway. Needed athleticism and size in the frontcourt and he can space the floor.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Gordon Hayward, 14, 26, and 30 to Atlanta for Collins, 6, and a 34 million dollar trade exemption (Hayward's salary). This seems unlikely to me, but it was an idea I came up with.

Atlanta seems like they are ready to try to win now. The trades for Capella and Dedmon definitely communicate that. But they need another guy on the wing. They could target someone in free agency instead, but if they really want to contend, a player like Hayward would be a perfect fit in their offensive scheme. On top of that, they can keep their cap space for 2021 and try to make a run at Giannis. This trade really only makes sense if they look at all their high draft picks over the last few years and think, "Man, maybe it would be better to get proven talent instead of drafting someone early this year." Then, they could take a few swings with their later draft picks and try to get a rotation guy.

The Cs reportedly were talking with the Hawks about Collins at the trade deadline. This trade cleans up the big salaries, gives them a good young offensive big man, and gives them a swing at 6 (I'd draft Hayes if available). On top of that, they have a huge trade exemption to use over the next calendar year on another rotation piece.

Hawks: Young-Heurter-Hayward-Hunter-Capella
Celtics: Walker-Smart-Brown-Tatum-Collins

Yeah, I thought about a Hayward for Collins swap, as well. This would REALLY benefit our cap sheet as we would be able to restart the clock on the tax, for sure (as well as add a couple of vets). I think you are asking a bit too much by including the #6 pick, but perhaps you think our 3 picks equal that pick. I think we probably need to give up at least a pick in addition to Hayward to make this deal work. Collins is a very good player at a position of need; but, yeah, Hayward would also make sense for ATL.

It should be noted that Collins will need to be paid after next season. While we would have his Bird rights, I am not sure how much we are willing to spend.

As far as the pick goes, my thinking is that I've read multiple places that the 7th pick could be available for 14, 26, and 30, and that from a statistical standpoint, they are even value. I figure that's pretty close to the 6th.

I also think you could argue that Hayward would be a much better player for the Hawks than Collins, which is what makes up the difference. The Hawks need a player that can run a good offense when Young is off the court, but can also play next to Young. They need a guy on the wing that can play on both sides of the basketball.

Collins being paid is a real question mark. If the Cs decided not to invest a full MLE over 4 years in someone this off-season (I'm hoping for a player like Davis Bertans), then they would have a decent chunk to put toward Collins. I think his salary value in the modern NBA will be something between a Harrell/Powell floor and a Aaron Gordon/Kelly Oubre ceiling because of offensive talent and defensive deficiencies. I think a fair contract for him would be between 10-18 million dollars. Those 20ppg players on lottery teams are always deceptive, but I think on a better team he's more like a Dwight Powell type player (maybe a little better offensively and worse defensively).

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm not sure collins can defend well enough at the 5, but I like the idea of trying to get him anyway. Needed athleticism and size in the frontcourt and he can space the floor.

I agree with this concern. At worst it would a scoring punch off the bench. If he developed under Stevens, he could be a really good starting 5 that puts a lot of pressure on the other team on offense while giving good versatility on defense.

Collins is a scorer. He puts up points. I like the idea of getting a high efficiency scorer that could play off of Tatum's newfound shot creation and passing.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Gordon Hayward, 14, 26, and 30 to Atlanta for Collins, 6, and a 34 million dollar trade exemption (Hayward's salary). This seems unlikely to me, but it was an idea I came up with.

Atlanta seems like they are ready to try to win now. The trades for Capella and Dedmon definitely communicate that. But they need another guy on the wing. They could target someone in free agency instead, but if they really want to get into the playoffs, a player like Hayward would be a perfect fit in their offensive scheme. On top of that, they can keep their cap space for 2021 and try to make a run at Giannis. This trade really only makes sense if they look at all their high draft picks over the last few years and think, "Man, maybe it would be better to get proven talent instead of drafting someone early this year." Then, they could take a few swings with their later draft picks and try to get a rotation guy.

The Cs reportedly were talking with the Hawks about Collins at the trade deadline. This trade cleans up the big salaries, gives them a good young offensive big man, and gives them a swing at 6 (I'd draft Hayes if available). On top of that, they have a huge trade exemption to use over the next calendar year on another rotation piece.

Hawks: Young-Heurter-Hayward-Hunter-Capella
Celtics: Walker-Smart-Brown-Tatum-Collins

I should add that the trade exemption would open the possibility of a trade deadline deal for an expiring contract/rotation guy on a team that is rebuilding. The Cs would likely need to give up a 1st to do a trade like that, but players like Steven Adams, Andre Drummond, Evan Fournier, Gorgui Dieng, Cody Zeller, and JJ Reddick, would fit into that exemption and could provide a rotation minutes for the 2021 playoffs.

If you add Collins, the 6th pick, a full MLE, and a trade deadline trade exemption player, that would definitely bolster up the bench.

[RJ87]

I don't see any need to change the top 6 players on the team.   They work.


After that, the team need to focus on specific role players.

3pt specialist - Edwards didn't work for that.   It makes no sense trying to make it work.

Big athletic defender - This could be Time Lord if his team defensive instincts improve.

Bench bucket getter -  This should eventually be Langford, but the team should bring in someone who has shown the ability to do this in the NBA (even if for just one year)

Players I think will be gone:  Poirier, Green and Edwards.  I don't see any practice squad players making the jump to the main team roster. 


I can see a specific role for every other member of the Celtics.  If the can fill those holes, specialists will less often be asked to do what they are weak on.

TP. I agree 100% with all of this.

[pearljammer10]

There's rumors on Twitter than the Celtics are interested in Ibaka, who will hit FA this offseason. He's currently on $24m. He would have to take a big paycut. If we can make the numbers work somehow should we be interested?

https://twitter.com/Max_Lederman/status/1310576113660420098

Adding Ibaka, Burks, and JJ would be the offseason of all offseasons...Those three guys are literally the exemplar additions we need to the bench.

I would even settle for three diet versions of those guys. But we need a veteran PG who can shoot and score, a deadly three point threat, and a tough, two way big man.

[PhoSita]

I think Ibaka does a lot of things the Celtics could use on both ends.  I'm skeptical the price would be right, though.

[PhoSita]

I don't see any need to change the top 6 players on the team.   They work.

I love Daniel Theis, and he did the absolute most he could be asked to do in this playoff run.

That said, I think Theis is ideally a 20-24 minute back up center.

What would be perfect is if Rob Williams could make a major leap and be a 24-28 mpg starting center next year.  I don't think that's realistic though.  Physically he's got everything you could want, but he's a long way off mentally.


All of this is to say that my main issue with the top 6 is that I think Theis is a bit out of his depth as the starting center, especially in certain matchups.  If they find a way to get more of a two way guy who can give them 24-28 mpg at the 5, Theis would slot nicely into a backup role. 

Issue then is that Theis would overlap in role with Rob Williams, but that may not be a huge problem inasmuch as both Theis and Rob have been a bit injury prone and could be deployed more or less depending on matchups.


I agree with everything else you said, though.  Backup guard with some offensive juice and backup wing who can actually shoot without being a defensive liability are the major needs on the bench.

[keevsnick]

To me Collins is exactly the kind of players the Celtics don't really need. An offense first tweener who isn't that good defensively on a team that already has three better scoring options and needs a defensive big? I don't see it, that guy is gonna get overpaid.