The Big Unicorn In The Room

[slightly biased bias fan]

Porzingis is amazing and fits perfectly with our team, we are lucky to have him.

In saying all that, he has played 32 games so far and will be 30 this year. Given his long injury history, the Celtics will always need to rely heavily on our backup centres to compete for titles and Horford may retire at seasons end.

Can the Celtics really rely on Kornet? Given our bloated salary cap situation, I cannot see a way to replace Horford.

Any ideas?

[otherdave]

You are correct to have some mid to long range concern (I know I do).

I am frustrated that Brad gave Tillman the 2 yr deal and Luke only a one yr deal last summer.

Maybe Al comes back next year - but I would not give him a raise - at some point we have to reduce our payroll.

Resign Luke -maybe Luke and Neemias continue to develop.

After next season, given his part time availability, I would only re-sign KP for 20 to 25 million/yr, or  trade him at the deadline if that doesn't seem feasible - again trying to cut costs here.

The big play I would make this summer is to move on from Holiday - trade him and his contract to a young team that could use him as a mentor (ala Chris Paul).  Get a young center and perhaps a guard in return - I have not researched this - Walker Kessler???  Again the object is to get younger and reduce salary, while also staying in the hunt for more rings.

[aefgogreen]

You are correct to have some mid to long range concern (I know I do).

I am frustrated that Brad gave Tillman the 2 yr deal and Luke only a one yr deal last summer.

Maybe Al comes back next year - but I would not give him a raise - at some point we have to reduce our payroll.

Resign Luke -maybe Luke and Neemias continue to develop.

After next season, given his part time availability, I would only re-sign KP for 20 to 25 million/yr, or  trade him at the deadline if that doesn't seem feasible - again trying to cut costs here.

The big play I would make this summer is to move on from Holiday - trade him and his contract to a young team that could use him as a mentor (ala Chris Paul).  Get a young center and perhaps a guard in return - I have not researched this - Walker Kessler???  Again the object is to get younger and reduce salary, while also staying in the hunt for more rings.

I would love Kessler and and much as I like Holiday, I'd trade him if we could.  But how do we make either/both of these deals happen?

[Phantom255x]

Wish they'd drafted Filipowski. He only played 16 mins last night and shot 3-8 but he looked pretty smooth out there (a quick 6 points, 5 rebounds), and over the last few weeks as his minutes have gone up with Utah, he's averaging around 18/8/2 in the last 6 games. A 7 foot big man who can shoot and is 21 years old. Could have been an awesome development big for us alongside Queta.

[Big333223]

It's something in the back of my mind, too.

I like KP a lot but, yeah, he's not likely to suddenly get healthy at the age of 31. Would it be insensitive to trade him after this year if there's a deal out there?

I wonder about someone like Adebayo, if Miami decided they wanted to hit reset this summer. They might decide to go forward with what they have or Riley might not want to deal with Boston at all but he's someone I've always liked and would be a nice 3rd option.

[Goldstar88]

As long as KP is there for the playoffs going forward, I don?t care how many regular season games he misses.

[Neurotic Guy]

It's something in the back of my mind, too.

I like KP a lot but, yeah, he's not likely to suddenly get healthy at the age of 31. Would it be insensitive to trade him after this year if there's a deal out there?

I wonder about someone like Adebayo, if Miami decided they wanted to hit reset this summer. They might decide to go forward with what they have or Riley might not want to deal with Boston at all but he's someone I've always liked and would be a nice 3rd option.

KP is 29 but your point still stands.

[Phantom255x]

At this point I'd just shut down Porzingis until April. I mean really, they haven't had him suit up for any of these marquee games anyways. I don't need to see him against a mediocre Nets team next week, just get ready for April.

[Big333223]

At this point I'd just shut down Porzingis until April. I mean really, they haven't had him suit up for any of these marquee games anyways. I don't need to see him against a mediocre Nets team next week, just get ready for April.

Supposedly what's keeping him out is some kind of virus. If he's ok otherwise, he should come back ASAP to get himself back in shape for the playoffs.

KP is 29 but your point still stands.

My bad. I certainly don't want to age anyone prematurely.

[Phantom255x]

At this point I'd just shut down Porzingis until April. I mean really, they haven't had him suit up for any of these marquee games anyways. I don't need to see him against a mediocre Nets team next week, just get ready for April.

Supposedly what's keeping him out is some kind of virus. If he's ok otherwise, he should come back ASAP to get himself back in shape for the playoffs.

KP is 29 but your point still stands.

My bad. I certainly don't want to age anyone prematurely.

I mean load managing him is fine, I just think if you're gonna keep him out against the marquee teams then keep him out against the bad ones too.

It's also funny because despite his viral illness, he's been in shootarounds and is on the bench just vibing with the guys without a mask or anything 

Just commit to it and keep him out until April and the playoffs then.

[droopdog7]

Honestly, it might (probably will) be too much to even keep the core together beyond just KP and Al.  Most people actually expect the team to be broken up before their ability to win is up.

[radiohead]

Honestly, it might (probably will) be too much to even keep the core together beyond just KP and Al.  Most people actually expect the team to be broken up before their ability to win is up.

Aren?t the major guys signed long term? And the hope is KP extends at a team friendly rate, while Al either retires or signs with the vet minimum?

[slightly biased bias fan]

Honestly, it might (probably will) be too much to even keep the core together beyond just KP and Al.  Most people actually expect the team to be broken up before their ability to win is up.

Aren?t the major guys signed long term? And the hope is KP extends at a team friendly rate, while Al either retires or signs with the vet minimum?

I think the reference is to the repeater tax costing the Celtics too much to keep the group together for the length of their contracts.

[slightly biased bias fan]

I am curious if the Houston Rockets would be willing to trade Tari Eason next season.

Given Eason is behind Sengun & Smith Jr in the starting line up & they have Landale, Adams, Green as cheap front court backups.

[aefgogreen]

Honestly, it might (probably will) be too much to even keep the core together beyond just KP and Al.  Most people actually expect the team to be broken up before their ability to win is up.

Aren?t the major guys signed long term? And the hope is KP extends at a team friendly rate, while Al either retires or signs with the vet minimum?

I think the reference is to the repeater tax costing the Celtics too much to keep the group together for the length of their contracts.

If they are able to win it this year, hopefully they can convince ownership to keep it together for one more year.  Putting together a championship caliber team is so difficult.  That's why I hate to take it apart prematurely.  Ainge timed it perfectly when he traded Pierce and KG - They were past their championship phase but still held value.