1 year from now...

[Jeff]

I have no idea what this team is going to look like a year from now.

it could look very similar - you could argue that Ainge has put together a lot of young talent that could fit in nicely around the Big 3 for another run (assuming there's a season)

or you could argue that he's positioned us to do some rather drastic moves

lots of free agents in the rotation now (Baby, Krstic, Green, Delonte) lots of guys going into their last year next year (KG, Ray, Jermaine, Shaq)

don't say I didn't warn you, because here goes: there's a chance that the Celtics could trade Garnett next season (or Ray for that matter) - this isn't inside info, just a logical hunch

a. Danny has shown beyond shadow of doubt that he's unafraid of making "heartless" deal to further the franchise
b. the new CBA is likely going to put further pressure on owners to save cash - making expiring deals potentially more valuable
c. that same new CBA might make signing other team's free agents difficult - to avoid more LeBron situations

put it all together and I think the plan of waiting till 2012 to make a run at Dwight Howard is a pipe dream

the plan to deal expirings for guys that are on big contracts that are still quality players seems a lot more reasonable

If we don't re-sign Green, then Granger or Iguodala make some sense.  Danny has always liked Monta Ellis (who could be a 2 next to Rondo).  There may be names that I'm missing but you get the point.

bottom line - we have no idea what's going to happen in the next 12 months - none

[MichaelRV]

Well, Ainge is really determined to do what he thinks is the best for the team even if it is considered heartless. But the question that pops up in my mind is, why would the Celts ever trade Garnett? Let's face it, Garnett is more liked in Boston than Perkins ever was and his presence alone would sell plenty of tickets. It's pretty well known that Garnett would like to stay and retire as a Celtics player and would gladly take less money to stay.

[Dr H]

I'm completely on board with you on this one..looking back on it now, I can't believe I got so shocked and blind sided by the Perkins trade(well pretty much everyone was shocked), when just last year Perk was getting shopped.

Anyone remember that? Not sure on the details but it was something like Perkins for Boozer, and even KG was getting shopped but I don't think the pieces involved ever got out to the public. And we all know Ray was getting shopped around, too. DA has shown that he'll make moves to better the team no matter who it is.

All I know is it will be a very very sad, and ROUGH day if&when KG gets traded(or retires  ), not many players can bring the intensity and hard working culture throughout a whole team like he does. Same goes for Ray Allen, we are all so lucky to have him on our team and be able to watch him play every game for us..

@MichaelRV - KG would get traded if Danny felt the pieces coming back would improve the team. He's also shown it doesn't matter how much of a fan favorite a player is, he'll still trade them(Perk). Granted KG is a LOT better than Perk, but KG although playing great is still on the decline in his career and if you have an oppurtunity to get some great young pieces then I don't see why DA wouldn't go for it. Thinking about it now, DA is probably LOVING the way KG is playing this year, raising his stock/keeping his stock up to get better pieces in a trade IF he were to be traded.

[Casperian]

I agree with the premise of this thread. However, if we`d trade Garnett for anything less than an absolute marquee superstar, we won´t be a contender, in my opinion.

Thus, I think it´s more likely that Ainge either a) keeps Garnett and trades the pieces around him or b) does what Utah did (or better: tried to do) and trades everyone who is not part of the long-term plans and has an ounce of value at once for picks or prospects.

Middle of the road just isn´t Danny´s style.

[EDWARDO]

Danny will get to the trade deadline and determine if we have a shot to win it all and act accordingly. The Clips have the Twolves unprotected 2012 pick. Could see KG or Ray in a package to get that pick if we are struggling... All that said, I'm hoping we'll be lining up for another run at the title and having a ton of expiring deals and Rondo, Pierce, Green and some extra picks will be an enviable spot to be in.

[slamtheking]

I have no idea what this team is going to look like a year from now.

it could look very similar - you could argue that Ainge has put together a lot of young talent that could fit in nicely around the Big 3 for another run (assuming there's a season)

or you could argue that he's positioned us to do some rather drastic moves

lots of free agents in the rotation now (Baby, Krstic, Green, Delonte) lots of guys going into their last year next year (KG, Ray, Jermaine, Shaq)

don't say I didn't warn you, because here goes: there's a chance that the Celtics could trade Garnett next season (or Ray for that matter) - this isn't inside info, just a logical hunch

a. Danny has shown beyond shadow of doubt that he's unafraid of making "heartless" deal to further the franchise
b. the new CBA is likely going to put further pressure on owners to save cash - making expiring deals potentially more valuable
c. that same new CBA might make signing other team's free agents difficult - to avoid more LeBron situations

put it all together and I think the plan of waiting till 2012 to make a run at Dwight Howard is a pipe dream

the plan to deal expirings for guys that are on big contracts that are still quality players seems a lot more reasonable

If we don't re-sign Green, then Granger or Iguodala make some sense.  Danny has always liked Monta Ellis (who could be a 2 next to Rondo).  There may be names that I'm missing but you get the point.

bottom line - we have no idea what's going to happen in the next 12 months - none

I think you may be dead-on with your take on the possible CBA changes to free agency.  The lack of contracts beyond next year (and this year for that matter) certainly opens the door to Danny doing some major dismantling of this team after this year. 

Personally, I think he'll take one more run at it for next year with most of the current roster.  With only the MLE, LLE and vet min contracts available, it'll be tough for Danny to really fill in the roster while keeping financial flexibility for the next year. 

If I had to take a guess at what may happen, I think you'll see:
- JO and BBD (S&T) moved in trades for a healthy big man and/or picks
- Delonte gone as a FA for more $
- Murphy and Pavlovic go unsigned (well, maybe Murphy might be kept if he signs cheap and gets in sync with the team very quickly this year)
- Wafer gone as a FA for more $

That's a lot of bodies to replace with trades and FA signings.  The next draft isn't going to fill the roster with anyone that can contribute immediately either.

[clover]

I think it is true that Danny would consider all options, but as he tries to lure high profile free agents, such as Mr. Howard, treating his sunsetting stars with dignity may also be a factor to weigh in keeping Boston appealing for such FA's.

My simple guess is that Ray and KG play out their contracts here.  Danny's done a masterful job of bringing in green undershoots to mature around the aged players.  Since the O'Neal deals, 30yo Murphy has come to look like an old man by Danny's new standard.

I think he wants to use that one more year with the Ancient 3 to pass on the tradition to the new guys. I swear Krstic is going to be a welcome surprise to everyone once KG is done with him.

[footey]

I have no idea what this team is going to look like a year from now.

it could look very similar - you could argue that Ainge has put together a lot of young talent that could fit in nicely around the Big 3 for another run (assuming there's a season)

or you could argue that he's positioned us to do some rather drastic moves

lots of free agents in the rotation now (Baby, Krstic, Green, Delonte) lots of guys going into their last year next year (KG, Ray, Jermaine, Shaq)

don't say I didn't warn you, because here goes: there's a chance that the Celtics could trade Garnett next season (or Ray for that matter) - this isn't inside info, just a logical hunch

a. Danny has shown beyond shadow of doubt that he's unafraid of making "heartless" deal to further the franchise
b. the new CBA is likely going to put further pressure on owners to save cash - making expiring deals potentially more valuable
c. that same new CBA might make signing other team's free agents difficult - to avoid more LeBron situations

put it all together and I think the plan of waiting till 2012 to make a run at Dwight Howard is a pipe dream

the plan to deal expirings for guys that are on big contracts that are still quality players seems a lot more reasonable

If we don't re-sign Green, then Granger or Iguodala make some sense.  Danny has always liked Monta Ellis (who could be a 2 next to Rondo).  There may be names that I'm missing but you get the point.

bottom line - we have no idea what's going to happen in the next 12 months - none

Sounds like Jeff woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.  Talk about a wet blanket!!

[heitingas]

These guys are guaranteed next season
Rondo,Bradley
Pierce
KG
Jermaine

These guys could optout
Ray,Shaq

FreeAgents
Green (restricted)
BBD
Krstic
Murphy
West
Wafer
Pavlovic

Players I like to keep

Ray, Shaq, Green for the QO, Krstic sign a one year deal, Jermaine if healthy should stay,he's valuable for the trade deadline. West,Wafer should stay. Haven't seen much of Murphy but he looked like a scrub last night, wouldn't be bothered if he left. I wouldn't even be upset if BBD left, below are the unrestricted free agents available next summer.

Guards/Forwards
JJ Barea,TJ Ford,Sebastian Telfair,Jamal Crawford,Marquis Daniels,Deshawn Stevenson,Caron Butler,JR Smith,Tayhaun Prince,Mike Dunleavy,Shane Battier,Michael Redd,Kelenna Azubuike,Jason Richardson,Josh Howard,Jason Kapono,QUINTON Ross,Grant Hill,Leandro Barbosa,Boris Diaw,Mickael Pietrus (P)

Centers/Forwards
Nazr Mohammed,Tyson Chandler,Kenyon Martin,Kris Humphries,Darius Songaila,Samuel Dalembert,Carl Landry,Joel Pryzbilla,Reggie Evans,Kwame Brown,Nene Hilario (P)

Rondo/Bradley
Ray/Battier or Tayshaun Prince or.....
Pierce/Green or a bunch of options ...
KG/Kmart Or ...
Krstic/Jermaine/Shaq or Pryzbilla or ...
Add our two picks and you have our roster..