In a year, what can we get for JB? Maybe a starting big next to Zinger and a legit bench piece.
I just don't have confidence that he's going to 1.) figure out how to fit in 2.) actually try to fit in.
And that's just not based on tonight. I'm basing that on 7 years of watching him play.
Based on Wyc's recent comments about making major changes two days after the ECF, I think management won't hesitate to have a quick trigger with Jaylen if necessary. We made some major changes this past offseason, and it's worth seeing how everybody jells; but if we come up short and Jaylen isn't pulling his weight, then I don't think they'll mind trading that $300M contract for a couple of pieces that fit better.
That being said, we can't judge Jaylen on one bad half of basketball. I imagine he'll be an all-star level player this season (but maybe not actually an all-star with the way KP is playing).
I'm sure he won't play this bad all season, but I do envision this becoming the JT+KP show and JB getting pouty about getting less touches and a diminished role.
Which I can understand in all fairness to JB, he's clearly good enough to be a #1 guy on a lot of NBA rosters, so if he's relegated to #3 status here, I'm sure he'll feel that the reduced role is holding back his ability to prove himself as a young rising star.
I do wonder if that contract will scare off some teams and make forming a trade harder though.
If JB does want to be the #1 guy elsewhere, and he's smart, then he'll accept whatever role they give him, and help lead Boston to a championship. If he were to go in to next season with a championship ring after proving he's willing to do what it takes to win, then his value to other teams would rise exponentially (think James Harden when he went from 6th man in OKC to superstar in Houston).
Topic: Celtics (0-0) at Knicks (0-0) Game #1 10/25/23 (Read 41147 times)