Does Recent Win Streak Change Anything?

[Jiri Welsch]

I'm curious what everyone thinks about the Celtics' recent success, particularly as it relates to the team's strategy at the trade deadline.

In some ways the team's play in the last 15 games or so has muddied the waters. What a month ago would be a totally irrational move (i.e. standing pat at the deadline) now seems to be a legitimate, if not viable, option. On the other hand, the Celtics' long term trajectory has by no means changed -- they aren't championship contenders. Therefore it probably would be good to open up playing time for Pritchard, Nesmith, and Langford.

Where is the team as we approach the deadline next week?

[Celtics2021]

I think it raises the bar on offers that the C’s should accept for someone like Schröder.  2 weeks ago any second would do, and now that needs to be a better second, or two seconds.  Not that Schröder is great, but he’s still better than Pritchard, and the team, now healthy, is showing they deserve a chance to at least see what they can do on their own.  I don’t think they should add anyone unless they like that player better as a long-term fit.

Langford is on pace for over 1000 minutes.  He’s gotten sufficient playing time to see what he can do, and the answer is that he’s someone who you cross your fingers on when he goes in.  Pritchard had gotten over 500 minutes, and it regularly goes sideways or south in a hurry with him.  Nesmith has gotten far less, but he’s had stretches of games with opportunity, and he hasn’t hit.  With the team playing well and giving it their all, it would be an insult to the J’s to force feed guys who don’t ever project as starters minutes in favor of more productive rotation players who can actually win.

[Who]

Nope.

I worry it is more likely to have a negative effect than a positive one. That the front office believe this team is better than it is and does not need as much change / upgrades as it requires.

[droopdog7]

Trading Schroeder, not for significant value but to make room, was the only move I thought we should make.  That hasn’t changed.

[timpiker]

No.  Doesn't look like we have a shot in hell for another Banner. 

[Neurotic Guy]

Nope.

I worry it is more likely to have a negative effect than a positive one. That the front office believe this team is better than it is and does not need as much change / upgrades as it requires.

I'm not worried about that.  It doesn't seem possible to me that Brad Stevens is fooled by a cluster of wins mostly v. bad or undermanned teams.  If he is, then C's have bigger problems moving forward than this trade deadline.  C's are who they've been all season -- nothing in the last month has shown otherwise.  I will say that Marcus and Rob have upped their games, but this team needs a lot more firepower to be a contender and no way should Brad stand pat, or be thinking any differently today than he was a month ago.

[droopdog7]

Nope.

I worry it is more likely to have a negative effect than a positive one. That the front office believe this team is better than it is and does not need as much change / upgrades as it requires.

This doesn’t make sense.  The worry would be they they become buyers and sell part of the future for this year.  Not a person on earth thinks we don’t need to get better eventually.  The hard part of actually doing it.

[radiohead]

I think Brad keeps the core of JT, JB, RW, and Smart. Everyone else is fair game. A week ago I was in the “trade Smart” bandwagon. But because of his recent play, I think Brad decides to keep him.

[droopdog7]

I think Brad keeps the core of JT, JB, RW, and Smart. Everyone else is fair game. A week ago I was in the “trade Smart” bandwagon. But because of his recent play, I think Brad decides to keep him.

Everyone on the team is fair game. 

[jambr380]

I'd still trade Schroder. He seems like a good guy, but his fit isn't great when we are fully healthy. And I still think we should get below the tax this season.

Now, though, I'd look to move on from one or both of Nesmith/Romeo. I realize they don't have much value, but we need someone - anyone - who you can put in the game and not have it blow up immediately. Romeo is probably the safer player to keep, but he also has one less year on his contract.

[PAOBoston]

Nope.

I worry it is more likely to have a negative effect than a positive one. That the front office believe this team is better than it is and does not need as much change / upgrades as it requires.

I agree with this. There is too much dead weight on the backend of this roster: Nesmith, Pritchard, Langford. Those guys are a waste of space. It’s a disservice to JB/JT to not get some actual role players that can help this team. The time for development is over. Cs management is in the clock with JB and JT before they get thoughts of leaving or forcing their way out. But knowing them, they will likely sell off pieces to get under the luxury tax and just got with what they got the rest of the season.

[Celtics2021]

I'd still trade Schroder. He seems like a good guy, but his fit isn't great when we are fully healthy. And I still think we should get below the tax this season.

Now, though, I'd look to move on from one or both of Nesmith/Romeo. I realize they don't have much value, but we need someone - anyone - who you can put in the game and not have it blow up immediately. Romeo is probably the safer player to keep, but he also has one less year on his contract.

Yeah, that’s closer to where I’m at.  Trading both of them to Indiana for Justin Holiday would be a nice move if Stevens could swing it.  I don’t think either would provide more value than Holiday this year or next (when Holiday is still under contract), and it saves the team money too.  I’m ready to put Pritchard in the boat and send him off the ship too at this point, and although he’s generally looked the best when he’s gotten consistent playing time, I wouldn’t say he’s looked “good”.

Also, I’m not saying the team as a whole is a contender, but their top 8 absolutely is a contender.  There’s no one in the East running away with the conference.  The C’s are 7-6 against the top 6 in the East.  The problem is the “if healthy” condition because we only have 8 guys, but if we do defy the odds and stay healthy the rest of the season, we’re absolutely capable of winning any series against a team from the East, and we’ll also move higher in the standings.

[td450]

I think it raises the bar on offers that the C’s should accept for someone like Schröder.  2 weeks ago any second would do, and now that needs to be a better second, or two seconds.  Not that Schröder is great, but he’s still better than Pritchard, and the team, now healthy, is showing they deserve a chance to at least see what they can do on their own.  I don’t think they should add anyone unless they like that player better as a long-term fit.

Langford is on pace for over 1000 minutes.  He’s gotten sufficient playing time to see what he can do, and the answer is that he’s someone who you cross your fingers on when he goes in.  Pritchard had gotten over 500 minutes, and it regularly goes sideways or south in a hurry with him.  Nesmith has gotten far less, but he’s had stretches of games with opportunity, and he hasn’t hit.  With the team playing well and giving it their all, it would be an insult to the J’s to force feed guys who don’t ever project as starters minutes in favor of more productive rotation players who can actually win.

Stevens did an interview with Sports Illustrated published on 2/3 where he said his focus was on what would bring a banner.

Sorry, but I don't think there is any chance at all that a team like this, without a generational MVP level superstar, can possibly win a title by deferring to easily available vets (Schroder/Richardson) and giving up on the last 4 years of drafted talent.

Since Tatum, we've burned through 7 1sts, and Robert Williams is the only significant asset we walked away with. It is uncomfortable to hang tough with Langford and Nesmith, but if the team doesn't devlop them enough to allow the team to play them instead of mediocre vets, its over. You just can't swap your way to a title if you don't get something from the draft.

[mobilija]

I think the plan should be about the same....
Sell Schroeder for an asset, dump Bruno for tax relief. Other than that, unless a longer term upgrade is available at a non-prohibitive price, roll w this team into the playoffs and see what they can do.

Optimism should be higher that they can make a little noise and be competitive, they are learning and growing(including Udoka), but keep on w the bridge year plan.

But come this summer and into next years deadline, management needs to amp it up and make some changes. They need to support this core to maximize the next few years and open that championship window!

[todd_days_41]

The only immediate change, to me, is that Stevens should have a heart to heart with Marcus Smart that goes something like this:

"Marcus, you know I've been your biggest supporter, and I love the way you've been playing since you've been back. In order for this team to succeed, we need a PG that will play with pace, and keep the ball hot. When you do this -- we're really tough to beat. Combine that with your amazing defense, your leadership, and your heart, and we couldn't ask for anything more in a floor general. Can you maintain this pass first mentality? It's going to limit you to about 10-12 shots a game.... shots that are either when you get into the paint -- where you're very efficient and get fouled a lot -- or late in the clock when the ball finds you open... but i guarantee you it's going to mean a lot more winning than losing, and your team, your fans, and your city are gonna love you for it.

There's a lot of interest in you around the league. We've turned away many offers over the years. But we need to know that this is how you want to play, and if you do -- you're going nowhere. And you should know we expect the same unselfishness from Jason, and Jaylen, and will ask them to commit to it, as well."

I expect Smart will react the right way to this, and if he does -- you keep him. Then it's a question of what we can get for Schroder, Horford, our picks, and the pile of garbage that is or bench (not you J Rich) at the deadline. If nothing much, you prolly wait until summer.