Poll: How big or small is our window?

[coco]

I was listening so some "experts" saying the Cs are on their last year of their Championship window and I was wondering how Cs nation feels about this.


I say one more season after this.  What do you think?

[Chris]

Honestly, it is impossible to know right now.  We need to see how much Paul and KG have in the tank this year, and more importantly, we need to see what they do with Ray.  If they let Ray walk, and don't replace him with a real, quality player, then I would have to agree that the window is closing.  However, I think it is likely that they either resign Ray, or replace him with a comparable player.  If that is the case, I think the window will be open for a couple more years.

And of course another huge part of this is also Rondo (and Perk's to a lesser extent) ability to take on bigger roles on the team.

[OCsWestCeltic]

alot depends upon what happens in this off-season.  Do the C's re-sign Ray Allen and at what price for how long?  Do the C's offer Rondo a long-term contract, how much and for how long? Do the C's offer P.Pierce a retirement contract at a discount rate to be on the C's - Does Paul take it?

Lots of un answered questions that we won't know answers to unitl next summer.  Let's focus on the present situaion, as we have a great shot at Banner #18!!!

[slamtheking]

There's lots of variables that can increase or decrease the window but assuming the most likely scenarios play out, I figure the window is another 2 years after this on-->through KG's current contract.
Assumptions for this to pan out:

• Everyone stays healthy
• Ray is resigned for another 2-3 years at $24-27 total
• Rondo is extended for a deal that's at least 5 years at about $10 mill per.
• Perk is extended for a deal after his current one for at least 4-5 years at about $10 mill per
• PP doesn't opt out of his current contract and is resigned for 3 years at $30-33 total
• Daniels pans out and Danny is able to resign him for 3-5 years at about 4-5 mill per.  Other option is to have Giddens and/or Walker develop enough to take his spot in the rotation
• House is resigned for another 2-3 years at 2.5-3.5 per.  other option is that Hudson develops enough to take his spot in the rotation.
• BBD continues to progress on offense and defense during his current contract and is resigned for another 2-3 years at reasonable $
• TA and Scal are moved at the deadline for a quality bench player that has a contract running for another 2-3 years.
• Danny is unable to swing a deal to get a high draft pick in the next few years that could take the place of Ray or PP in the starting lineup towards the end of the run.
• Danny will continue to supplement the roster with late-1st rounders/2nd rounders and some low-level free agents (split-the-MLE quality)

That would keep the team competitive but still in luxury tax land.  Once the big 3 retire, the drop off in team performance will be dramatic barring an unexpected miracle in a strong draft.

[BudweiserCeltic]

As it stands, 2 years just because we really don't have many people signed beyond next year. Potentially, we should be able to have a 3 to 4 year window easily with our current group going forward. I'm pretty sure we are in good shape both financially AND asset/talent wise to extend the window to almost a decade (not particularly with the same group of people). We have enough talent as is to go after a championship right now, and enough time to keep grooming our youth... we'll see how it goes.

[NextCeltic34]

2 more years.

[guava_wrench]

I said one more season.

After that, I see us as a team that can win our division, but no longer an elite 60-win team. We could still make a run in the playoffs like Houston did in their second championship, but we would be real underdogs.

Of course, it depends upon our offseason moves.

[Who]

I don't think anyone can tell. You just take it one season at a time and see where the Big Three are at physically.

That said, I think the Big Three are aging pretty well and I'm hopeful of it continuing. So I think there's a good chance that the Celtics have three more seasons (including this year) in them to contend.

[Check_My_Stats]

It closed last year imo

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

alot depends upon what happens in this off-season.  Do the C's re-sign Ray Allen and at what price for how long?  Do the C's offer Rondo a long-term contract, how much and for how long? Do the C's offer P.Pierce a retirement contract at a discount rate to be on the C's - Does Paul take it?

Lots of un answered questions that we won't know answers to unitl next summer.  Let's focus on the present situaion, as we have a great shot at Banner #18!!!

Agreed. It depends on a lot.

[RAcker]

If Danny's philosophy of not holding onto stars too long and building trade chips with youth continues, then actually there should be no real "window".  In 2 to 5 years we'll all know if this belief holds water.

[Roy Hobbs]

It closed last year imo

Spoken like a true Cavs / Lebron fan.

With a healthy KG, an improved Rondo, and a deep bench the Celtics are the best team in the NBA, in my opinion.  Basically, if you compare this team to the title team, on paper it's better.  The question marks are health and desire, neither of which I'm predicting will be a problem.

[dark_lord]

It closed last year imo

based on what?  the only question mark should be health, but they are currently healthy.  lets not forget when they were healthy last season, heading into the all star break, they were easily the best team in the league, breaking records for the start they got off to. 

there is no logical reason to say it closed last year, unless ur a:

[RAcker]

It closed last year imo

Spoken like a true Cavs / Lebron fan.

With a healthy KG, an improved Rondo, and a deep bench the Celtics are the best team in the NBA, in my opinion.  Basically, if you compare this team to the title team, on paper it's better.  The question marks are health and desire, neither of which I'm predicting will be a problem.

Spoken by a true Celtics fan...where the "team" concept is still alive and well.

[billysan]

I feel like we will be 'in the mix' for the next couple of seasons. The thing I worry about is playing our big three plus plus, too long and 'not' turning one of them into a high draft pick or some young talent. Specifically I mean Ray Allen if we dont win it this year. I know this isnt a popular opinion in some circles, but I think he is at the most easily (bad word) replaceable position.

The only way we keep him into his twilight years and continue winning is if he, KG and Paul take substantial pay cuts after next season. I just dont see that happening, besides I think Rondo is going to expect big money from Danny and we will likely give it to him to keep this group together.

Those factors will keep us from signing a big money FA any time soon.