It’s hard to remember now, but at the start of last season there was no sense that the Celtics were going to be contenders. We were still undeniably in talent accumulation/youth movement mode, and we had just lost both Kyrie and Al. Tatum was coming off a fairly disappointing season where he had seemed to stagnate in year 2.
There is every reason to believe that the organization is transitioning to a new mode now. Brown is under contract for the next four years at least, Tatum the next five, after which they are unrestricted free agents. You know you’ve got a possible future MVP in Tatum and a budding star in Brown, even if Kemba’s knee is a wildcard.
Ainge is always looking for the homerun move. If he can produce a big trade exception from Hayward he will stash that in his back pocket for the next 12 months. Otherwise he now has a couple of chunky salaries in Smart and Thompson in case another star gets disgruntled.
However, I think the way this team needs to compete for a title these next couple years is simply by staying healthy and improving. Tatum and Brown are still improving. Grant, Romeo, and Nesmith are all 21. Time Lord is 23. Pritchard is 22. These guys are all on the way up and growing together.
Topic: Woj: Tatum agrees to max extension (Read 7586 times)