If Jrue is to be traded...ideas

[Ilikesports17]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Yeah I think White-Brown-Tatum is enough to contend in 2027

Title favorites? no, but certainly they can contend

If someone comes in and blows your socks off for white or brown sure you take it

[Goldstar88]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

[tazzmaniac]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum's injury screws up next season but, assuming Tatum comes back 100%, I don't see any reason the team couldn't make the finals the following season.  The competition in the East just isn't that good.  I do think moving Brown for a good return should be on the table.  Building a championship team around two 50/60M players is going to be difficult.  White turning 32 means little.  32 can still be a player's prime and there are plenty of productive players over 32. 

[Moranis]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum's injury screws up next season but, assuming Tatum comes back 100%, I don't see any reason the team couldn't make the finals the following season.  The competition in the East just isn't that good.  I do think moving Brown for a good return should be on the table.  Building a championship team around two 50/60M players is going to be difficult.  White turning 32 means little.  32 can still be a player's prime and there are plenty of productive players over 32.

why would you assume Tatum comes back at 100%?  And while I do think White will be productive, I don't think he is a top 3 player on a title team in his prime and he won't be in his prime then.  Heck, basically all of his rates decreased last year (similar but less).  If that is a trend, it is a problem.

Are they keeping Porzingis for the 26-27 season?  Even if he doesn't take a raise, they'd be well into repeater tax and at 2nd apron prices.  And he is obviously an unrealiable player health wise. I think there is very little chance they keep KP unless he takes a MLE or less type contract.  So no Porzingis.  Let's assume Al either retires or is nothing more than a spot bench player.  How are they adding pieces to the team?  Remember this team lost in the 2nd round this year. 

White, Brown, Tatum, Pritchard, Hauser, and Kornet is not winning titles.  Even if they keep Jrue, he'd be really old in 2 years (and he has been pretty steadily getting worse).  They have no premium draft picks.  The team is no longer a championship level team. Again, they lost in the 2nd round this season with decent health. 

Tatum's injury closed this group's window.  If the team doesn't realize that, then they are throwing away several years and wasting or diminishing assets to trade.  It isn't a pretty thought, but if they keep this team mostly in tact that is the pretty likely path i.e. solid playoff team, but not winning anything and just delaying the inevitable.

The smartest path for the team is to reset the cap, pick up draft picks and young players, and then if Tatum mostly recovers trade some of those assets and utilize the cap space to build a new team around Tatum (and if Tatum doesn't mostly recover, then they should think about trading him and getting out from under that contract).  And frankly, if the team got a great offer for Tatum, they should trade him as well (I just think the injury diminishes his value too much for it to make sense to trade him). 

[Moranis]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

[Who]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Yeah I think White-Brown-Tatum is enough to contend in 2027

Title favorites? no, but certainly they can contend

If someone comes in and blows your socks off for white or brown sure you take it

Agreed. I too think a Jaylen, Tatum, D White trio is good enough to lead a title contender.

[Who]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum's injury screws up next season but, assuming Tatum comes back 100%, I don't see any reason the team couldn't make the finals the following season.  The competition in the East just isn't that good.  I do think moving Brown for a good return should be on the table.  Building a championship team around two 50/60M players is going to be difficult.  White turning 32 means little.  32 can still be a player's prime and there are plenty of productive players over 32.

why would you assume Tatum comes back at 100%?  And while I do think White will be productive, I don't think he is a top 3 player on a title team in his prime and he won't be in his prime then.  Heck, basically all of his rates decreased last year (similar but less).  If that is a trend, it is a problem.

Are they keeping Porzingis for the 26-27 season?  Even if he doesn't take a raise, they'd be well into repeater tax and at 2nd apron prices.  And he is obviously an unrealiable player health wise. I think there is very little chance they keep KP unless he takes a MLE or less type contract.  So no Porzingis.  Let's assume Al either retires or is nothing more than a spot bench player.  How are they adding pieces to the team?  Remember this team lost in the 2nd round this year. 

White, Brown, Tatum, Pritchard, Hauser, and Kornet is not winning titles.  Even if they keep Jrue, he'd be really old in 2 years (and he has been pretty steadily getting worse).  They have no premium draft picks.  The team is no longer a championship level team. Again, they lost in the 2nd round this season with decent health. 

Tatum's injury closed this group's window.  If the team doesn't realize that, then they are throwing away several years and wasting or diminishing assets to trade.  It isn't a pretty thought, but if they keep this team mostly in tact that is the pretty likely path i.e. solid playoff team, but not winning anything and just delaying the inevitable.

The smartest path for the team is to reset the cap, pick up draft picks and young players, and then if Tatum mostly recovers trade some of those assets and utilize the cap space to build a new team around Tatum (and if Tatum doesn't mostly recover, then they should think about trading him and getting out from under that contract).  And frankly, if the team got a great offer for Tatum, they should trade him as well (I just think the injury diminishes his value too much for it to make sense to trade him).

Keep the Team Together

So I am of the point of view that the team shouldn't dump anyone this summer. That they should keep the full roster in tact and pay the exhorbitant luxury tax payments.

I am of this opinion because there is a chance Tatum can return in time to make a playoff push. And if he is back, there is a chance for this team to make a title push.

I think writing that chance off prematurely is a mistake. I do not want to see this team to cap dump for Jrue or Porzingis. Keep it together.

You do not want to write off title chances prematurely. They do not come around often. This team if kept together and if Tatum can indeed return late next season, is still a title contender. They should not blow it up due to luxury tax concerns.

Tatum & Achilles

As for Tatum and the achilles and what level of play he will return at. We do not know. We should wait and see. Then adjust our plans accordingly from there.

(1) If Tatum can come back as a top 5 player, we are a title contender still
(2) If Tatum drops off (very likely) and is only a top 10 player, we are still a title contender
(3) If Tatum drops off worse and is only an All-Star player (top 20 or top 25 player), we are no longer a contender.

I will support Moranis' idea of blowing up the team entirely at that point (if Tatum is only All-Star level). That there is no way forward with Jaylen / Tatum that leads back to a Championship. But that point is 2 years from now. There is the injury period. There is a hopeful return late next season. There is a full summer and training camp to get himself as good as he can be. Then there is the 2026-27 season. That is when I will make my judgement on what level Tatum is able to perform at and whether we need to blow up the team. Not before then.

It is premature to write off Tatum - and therefore the Celtics team as a future title contender - permanently at this point.

[Goldstar88]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

That?s a lot of guarantees, Moranis. There have been instances where players were able to come back and play at a high level less than a year after an Achilles injury. For example: Dominique Wilkins, the former Hawks star returned to action 10 months after rupturing his Achilles' in 1992 at age 32. He played 71 games in 1993, averaged 29.9 points per game, and finished fifth in the MVP voting.

You?re mentioning JB and KP as being injury prone, but let?s not act like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson weren?t as well. Draymond only played in 46 regular season games during the 21-22 season. Curry had one of his worst seasons statistically that year, averaging 25ppg. Also, what did the high draft picks have to do with that championship run? Wiseman was a complete bust and didn?t play at all that year, Kuminga was an average role player. Warriors were 53-29 when they won their last championship and their star players were much older than JT, JB, KP. Way too soon to be saying the C?s need to blow it up.

[Moranis]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

That?s a lot of guarantees, Moranis. There have been instances where players were able to come back and play at a high level less than a year after an Achilles injury. For example: Dominique Wilkins, the former Hawks star returned to action 10 months after rupturing his Achilles' in 1992 at age 32. He played 71 games in 1993, averaged 29.9 points per game, and finished fifth in the MVP voting.

You?re mentioning JB and KP as being injury prone, but let?s not act like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson weren?t as well. Draymond only played in 46 regular season games during the 21-22 season. Curry had one of his worst seasons statistically that year, averaging 25ppg. Also, what did the high draft picks have to do with that championship run? Wiseman was a complete bust and didn?t play at all that year, Kuminga was an average role player. Warriors were 53-29 when they won their last championship and their star players were much older than JT, JB, KP. Way too soon to be saying the C?s need to blow it up.

The tanking let them reset the cap and get assets.  They'd have likely had a very different team without the tanking they did when Durant left and Klay got hurt (Curry also got hurt so that is a difference). So using the GS model, Boston needs to trade away assets and tank. And while the young guys didn't contribute much, Wiggins certainly did and he wouldn't have been on the team if they didn't go the tanking route.

The Warriors got entirely out of the luxury tax in 19-20 and 20-21.  That is what Boston needs to do, not just below the 2nd apron, out of the tax entirely over the next 2 years. Given the salary and restrictions, it would be hard next year, but they could set up the moves to get cap space in the summer of 2026.  That will allow the team the flexibility to move forward, add whatever assets they get for the big contracts, and start fresh. 

[Goldstar88]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

That?s a lot of guarantees, Moranis. There have been instances where players were able to come back and play at a high level less than a year after an Achilles injury. For example: Dominique Wilkins, the former Hawks star returned to action 10 months after rupturing his Achilles' in 1992 at age 32. He played 71 games in 1993, averaged 29.9 points per game, and finished fifth in the MVP voting.

You?re mentioning JB and KP as being injury prone, but let?s not act like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson weren?t as well. Draymond only played in 46 regular season games during the 21-22 season. Curry had one of his worst seasons statistically that year, averaging 25ppg. Also, what did the high draft picks have to do with that championship run? Wiseman was a complete bust and didn?t play at all that year, Kuminga was an average role player. Warriors were 53-29 when they won their last championship and their star players were much older than JT, JB, KP. Way too soon to be saying the C?s need to blow it up.

The tanking let them reset the cap and get assets.  They'd have likely had a very different team without the tanking they did when Durant left and Klay got hurt (Curry also got hurt so that is a difference). So using the GS model, Boston needs to trade away assets and tank. And while the young guys didn't contribute much, Wiggins certainly did and he wouldn't have been on the team if they didn't go the tanking route.

The Warriors got entirely out of the luxury tax in 19-20 and 20-21.  That is what Boston needs to do, not just below the 2nd apron, out of the tax entirely over the next 2 years. Given the salary and restrictions, it would be hard next year, but they could set up the moves to get cap space in the summer of 2026.  That will allow the team the flexibility to move forward, add whatever assets they get for the big contracts, and start fresh.

Well, It will certainly be interesting to see how everything plays out.

[Birdman]

Tatum, Brown and White are not getting traded folks..so we not getting Giannis plus got to cut money not add unless they trade Brown for Giannis and that?s not happening..plus going be hard to trade Porzingus & holiday with their big contracts also holiday is 35  and u can?t depend on porzingis

[tazzmaniac]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

That?s a lot of guarantees, Moranis. There have been instances where players were able to come back and play at a high level less than a year after an Achilles injury. For example: Dominique Wilkins, the former Hawks star returned to action 10 months after rupturing his Achilles' in 1992 at age 32. He played 71 games in 1993, averaged 29.9 points per game, and finished fifth in the MVP voting.

You?re mentioning JB and KP as being injury prone, but let?s not act like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson weren?t as well. Draymond only played in 46 regular season games during the 21-22 season. Curry had one of his worst seasons statistically that year, averaging 25ppg. Also, what did the high draft picks have to do with that championship run? Wiseman was a complete bust and didn?t play at all that year, Kuminga was an average role player. Warriors were 53-29 when they won their last championship and their star players were much older than JT, JB, KP. Way too soon to be saying the C?s need to blow it up.

The tanking let them reset the cap and get assets.  They'd have likely had a very different team without the tanking they did when Durant left and Klay got hurt (Curry also got hurt so that is a difference). So using the GS model, Boston needs to trade away assets and tank. And while the young guys didn't contribute much, Wiggins certainly did and he wouldn't have been on the team if they didn't go the tanking route.

The Warriors got entirely out of the luxury tax in 19-20 and 20-21.  That is what Boston needs to do, not just below the 2nd apron, out of the tax entirely over the next 2 years. Given the salary and restrictions, it would be hard next year, but they could set up the moves to get cap space in the summer of 2026.  That will allow the team the flexibility to move forward, add whatever assets they get for the big contracts, and start fresh.

Trade away some assets for sure.  The team will take a step back next season without Tatum but no way to tanking. 

My proposed big trade which moved JB for Bane and also included moving Jrue and Hauser would get us below the tax line for next season.  There were variations with the teams involved but the roster I posted for next season was:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Derrick Jones, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 3 open spots.

Another option to get under the tax trading JB, Jrue and Hauser would be with the Kings getting Jrue rather than the Clippers and would give us:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Valenciunas, Ellis, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 2 open spots.

With either of those trades, I think the Celts are still a playoff team in the East for 2025.  Tatum, White and Bane would be a good core to build around in 2026.  We'd be out of the tax for next season and for 2026 Porzingis coming of the books would free up 30M. 

[celticinorlando]

I'd rather have a rack of basketballs than trade for Bogan. That dude is ass. Washed up bum.

[tazzmaniac]

I'd rather have a rack of basketballs than trade for Bogan. That dude is ass. Washed up bum.

Not sure what your comment is in reference to but the good thing about Bogdanovic is his 2nd year is a team option. 

Trading Jrue for Bogdanovic plus Batum and Eubanks, who are on 1-year deals, would save 6.7M (plus lots of tax) and then clear the books for the following season.  That plus letting Porzinigis go after next season would free up 60M in cap space while still having Tatum, JB and White for the core.   
 
Rerouting Bogdanovic to the Nets would put us at 2.7M under the 2nd apron with 13 contracts.  That would require giving up a protected 1st but may be worth it.  The roster without any other changes would be: 

Tatum, JB, White, Porzingis, Pritchard, Hauser, Batum, Eubanks, Tillman, Queta, Scheierman, Davison, Walsh. 

Add the 28th pick to fill the 15th spot and pick an international player to stash in the 2nd round.  Celts would be under the 2nd apron, still have a great core to build around and ownership's tax bill would be greatly reduced.  Could follow-up with moving Hauser to bring back Horford or Kornet if desired.   

[Moranis]

Serious question, does this blog actually think Boston is going to compete for a title in either of the 2 next seasons without making significant moves.  I just don't see how it is possible.  It is time to blow it up.  Get the team not just below the 2nd apron, but straight up below the cap over the next srason or two.  Add young players and draft picks and build the team again.

Think of it this way, pretty much everyone pegged this window ending when KP's contract came off the books (Al would likely be retired, Jrue would be too old, and the heavy luxury tax would be too much to re-sign KP).  The Tatum injury throws next year out and then KP is gone.  White will be 32, Tatum will be recovering, and Brown isn't going to become less injury prone as he moves into his 30's.  In other words those 3 are not going to be good enough to truly compete in 26-27 with mid-level or late 1st round type players around them.

The window of this squad is closed. Trading every player should be seriously explored. Not for 10 cents on the dollar, but all reasonable offers should be taken.

Tatum is expected to miss 8-9 months. That would put a potential return in play for February or March 2026. Playoffs start late April.

White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Porzingis is still an excellent starting 5. Pritchard and Kornet are good bench pieces as well. They need to move Jrue for expirings to bolster the bench. That is not an old team. Let?s compare to the warriors last championship team:

Warriors 2022 Championship Roster:

* Stephen Curry: Age 34
* Draymond Green: Age 32
* Klay Thompson: Age 32
* Kevon Looney: Age 26
* Andrew Wiggins: Age 27
* Andre Iguodala: Age 38
* Jordan Poole: Age 22
* Moses Moody: Age 20
* Jonathan Kuminga: Age 19

Even if Tatum comes back next year, he isn't going to be a top tier player.  It will take some time for him to regain whatever form he is going to regain.  KP isn't reliable at all.  Brown misses 15 games a year.  There is a chance that even if Tatum does come back, Boston is in the play-in next year.  They aren't going on a magical run. 

And sure teams can win flukey championships and get great injury luck like playing the Nuggets without Murray or Porter, or being in a dog fight of a series with Memphis only for Morant to get hurt in game 3, etc., but that Warriors team also had something the Celtics don't (aside from Curry), they had 2 very high lottery picks on their rookie contract because they tanked when Klay got hurt (and Durant left).  They didn't have 2nd apron repeater tax issues either, so they could reset the cap, make trades, and give their draft picks playing time (including a later 1st like Poole).  Curry that season was also better than Tatum has ever been and that stuff matters in the playoffs.

That?s a lot of guarantees, Moranis. There have been instances where players were able to come back and play at a high level less than a year after an Achilles injury. For example: Dominique Wilkins, the former Hawks star returned to action 10 months after rupturing his Achilles' in 1992 at age 32. He played 71 games in 1993, averaged 29.9 points per game, and finished fifth in the MVP voting.

You?re mentioning JB and KP as being injury prone, but let?s not act like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson weren?t as well. Draymond only played in 46 regular season games during the 21-22 season. Curry had one of his worst seasons statistically that year, averaging 25ppg. Also, what did the high draft picks have to do with that championship run? Wiseman was a complete bust and didn?t play at all that year, Kuminga was an average role player. Warriors were 53-29 when they won their last championship and their star players were much older than JT, JB, KP. Way too soon to be saying the C?s need to blow it up.

The tanking let them reset the cap and get assets.  They'd have likely had a very different team without the tanking they did when Durant left and Klay got hurt (Curry also got hurt so that is a difference). So using the GS model, Boston needs to trade away assets and tank. And while the young guys didn't contribute much, Wiggins certainly did and he wouldn't have been on the team if they didn't go the tanking route.

The Warriors got entirely out of the luxury tax in 19-20 and 20-21.  That is what Boston needs to do, not just below the 2nd apron, out of the tax entirely over the next 2 years. Given the salary and restrictions, it would be hard next year, but they could set up the moves to get cap space in the summer of 2026.  That will allow the team the flexibility to move forward, add whatever assets they get for the big contracts, and start fresh.

Trade away some assets for sure.  The team will take a step back next season without Tatum but no way to tanking. 

My proposed big trade which moved JB for Bane and also included moving Jrue and Hauser would get us below the tax line for next season.  There were variations with the teams involved but the roster I posted for next season was:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Derrick Jones, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 3 open spots.

Another option to get under the tax trading JB, Jrue and Hauser would be with the Kings getting Jrue rather than the Clippers and would give us:

Tatum, White, Bane, Porzingis, Pritchard, Huff, Valenciunas, Ellis, Scheierman, Tillman, Queta, Davison and Walsh with 2 open spots.

With either of those trades, I think the Celts are still a playoff team in the East for 2025.  Tatum, White and Bane would be a good core to build around in 2026.  We'd be out of the tax for next season and for 2026 Porzingis coming of the books would free up 30M.

Those trades have no chance for Boston to win a title.  They don't provide the necessary assets the team needs. That is the problem with them.  Boston needs to use this summer to create the conditions required to build an actual contender.  They need lottery picks and cap space to do that.  Bane is a solid player, but he is worse than Brown and they don't have Jrue and KP is likely gone jn 26.  That team isnt winning anything even if Tatum gets back to 100%.  I just don't want to be a playoff team, I want to be a champion and they need assets to do that because the window for this team is closed.