The Future at Center, Who is it?

[LooseCannon]

Between power forward and center, I think Ainge wants to fill one position with a star worthy of a max contract and one position with some combination of cheap veterans signed to short contracts and young, recently drafted players.  So, it depends on who is available and whether they are willing to come to Boston.

[snively]

The Celtics' next long-term center will probably come via a trade.

I don't buy that Ainge is clearing the decks to make Dwight Howard an offer when he becomes a free agent. Instead, I think he's going to use that cap space to acquire an elite big from a financially strapped/rebuilding franchise.

I think Howard is plan A.  Over at Celticshub, they have Wyc talking about how when this ownership group first took over the C's they recognized that the overwhelming majority of championships were won by teams with a top 50 (all-time) player with 2 all-stars as supports.  Hence the decision to rebuild the Toine-Pierce team and acquire assets for a future superstar acquisition.

With Garnett in the twilight of his superstar career, I believe the C's are going to be very aggressive about bringing in a new superstar in 2012 and using Rondo and Pierce as his supporting stars, and then using Pierce's money or expiring contract to bring in a new supporting star once Pierce hangs it up.

Dwight Howard is the easiest pitch of all the superstar options.  His free agency lines up with our flexibility, we have a ready made spot for him on what would surely be a championship favorite (Howard-Rondo-Pierce with Ray and KG signing on as veteran role players for a final title run), his skill-set and age meshes beautifully with our star PG and his team has shish-kebobed its realistic contention hopes for the next several years, giving plenty of incentive for him to leave (very similar to the mistakes made by Minnesota with KG, Cleveland with LeBron and Toronto with Bosh).

After Howard, there aren't a lot of superstar bigs who project to become available to us.  Griffin's not going to be available for awhile, Dirk's getting old and staying put, Pau isn't going anywhere, Duncan's done and no one else really qualifies as elite yet (Aldrige, Horford, Amare, Bosh, Boozer all 2nd tier guys). 

If we strike out on Howard, we might go for the huge risk with Oden (definite elite potential), but I think the C's will go into a different mode and look to move Rondo and picks for superstar at one of the other positions (maybe Chris Paul).

It's either that or they think Rondo can blossom into a top-50 all-time guy in the right system (the Jeff Green move might be an indicator that they believe that, especially if they resign him for significant money).

[bballee]

Near term, Krstic, maybe even long term considering 5 years is a "generation" in the NBA.  I expected the shooting from Nenad but the rebounding is a pleasant surprise.  He's not going to be a big shot blocker but he's made pretty rapid progress on picking up the defensive rotations.  He's still late but closer and closer.  He's just entering his physical prime and doesn't seem shy about mixing it up.

Howard's a pipe dream, only possible if he really wants to come here.  Two years ago I was all for picking up Oden during his recuperation year (yes I realize that they all have pretty much become rehab years) but I no longer have any expectations of his career panning out--not that I wouldn't grab him in a flash for the vet min if his contract isn't picked up (almost certain) and he would commit to a 1 + 1 at team option to give it another try.  No JO, no Shaq, certainly past next season.  Don't see any desirable FA's, maybe Przybilla as a backup.  

I'd be a little surprised if Johnson isn't on board as a backup/development next year.  I liked Semih but he  is almost as old as Krstic and a lot less polished--still I'd take him back.  Expect a developmental project in the next draft.

[More Banners]

The big question, in my view, is whether the C's will be willing to punt a season.  And my instinct is absolutely not.

So the Rondo/Green pairing...every effort will be made to retain them.  Whatever bigs are brought in will have to be able to run the floor and protect the rim.

This offseason, Ty Chandler and Sammy Dalembert will be FA's.  Dallas will offer top dollar to retain Chandler if that's what it takes (and it will), so I think Dalembert is the best FA center available this coming offseason and could perhaps be had for the MLE (at least, in my dreams).

I don't see Shaq and JO being in the plans for next season given their extremely, extremely limited availability, contracts be darned.  Even if on the roster, someone else will have to come in...

...unless they go with Curly/BBD at the 5?

[Shots]

Bogut! How it could happen I've got no idea, but he would probably be the guy I'd like to see with Rondo the most.

He's not all power like Howard, which I at least like more for the future. He's only a year older than him, and.. I think Bucks would be willing to part with him, given they could lose some bad contracts and gain a few prospects. It would be a gamble, given his track record with injuries.

[greensamurai]

I would love to get Howard, but I feel like that is less likely to happen no matter how much space we have open for him. I think we need a big body to clog the paint.

What about Marc Gasol? He is more physical than his brother and is still developing his skills. He is pretty solid. He'll be a restricted free agent next year, and I don't know how much cap space the Grizz have open considering how much they have tied up in Gay and Mike Conley. IMO they overpaid a lot on both but that is their problem not ours.

Brook Lopez is also going to be a restricted free agent in 2012, and if D-Will leaves, I don't see Lopez staying in New Jersey or Brooklyn or wherever they will be by then.

We could also pick up Brook's less talented brother Robin. I like Robin, he gives good effort night in and night out. He could do very well in a system like ours, and he wouldn't require a large contract to snag. Could be like Plan C in the summer of 2012.

[More Banners]

I would love to get Howard, but I feel like that is less likely to happen no matter how much space we have open for him. I think we need a big body to clog the paint.

What about Marc Gasol? He is more physical than his brother and is still developing his skills. He is pretty solid. He'll be a restricted free agent next year, and I don't know how much cap space the Grizz have open considering how much they have tied up in Gay and Mike Conley. IMO they overpaid a lot on both but that is their problem not ours.

Brook Lopez is also going to be a restricted free agent in 2012, and if D-Will leaves, I don't see Lopez staying in New Jersey or Brooklyn or wherever they will be by then.

We could also pick up Brook's less talented brother Robin. I like Robin, he gives good effort night in and night out. He could do very well in a system like ours, and he wouldn't require a large contract to snag. Could be like Plan C in the summer of 2012.

Restricted free agency is essentially a bidding war, and I don't think Danny will even talk to RFA's.  I like M.Gasol, though.

[tyrone biggums]

Bogut! How it could happen I've got no idea, but he would probably be the guy I'd like to see with Rondo the most.

He's not all power like Howard, which I at least like more for the future. He's only a year older than him, and.. I think Bucks would be willing to part with him, given they could lose some bad contracts and gain a few prospects. It would be a gamble, given his track record with injuries.

Bogut misses x amount of games every year, for the price the Bucks would ask for they're better off just going for Howard in 2012

[blackbird]

Bogut! How it could happen I've got no idea, but he would probably be the guy I'd like to see with Rondo the most.

He's not all power like Howard, which I at least like more for the future. He's only a year older than him, and.. I think Bucks would be willing to part with him, given they could lose some bad contracts and gain a few prospects. It would be a gamble, given his track record with injuries.

Yeah, I don't think he's gettable- the Bucks are going to want more than salary relief and our crappy draft picks. That's unfortunate for us, because I really like his game.

[Eja117]

I find it amazing that people are saying they believe Danny Ainge when he said he thought we couldn't afford Perk, and then turn around and say Dwight Howard is option 1A and then say Danny never lied and I'm just paranoid and looking for attention or something

I picked Krstic.  I mean he's a starter in this league

[rondohondo]

I find it amazing that people are saying they believe Danny Ainge when he said he thought we couldn't afford Perk, and then turn around and say Dwight Howard is option 1A and then say Danny never lied and I'm just paranoid and looking for attention or something

I picked Krstic.  I mean he's a starter in this league

yea what kind of lunatic would get rid of an all time great Perk( at the bargain price of about 9 mil a year) to clear way for that awfully mediocre Dwight Howard guy ?


 

[Eja117]

I find it amazing that people are saying they believe Danny Ainge when he said he thought we couldn't afford Perk, and then turn around and say Dwight Howard is option 1A and then say Danny never lied and I'm just paranoid and looking for attention or something

I picked Krstic.  I mean he's a starter in this league

yea what kind of lunatic would get rid of an all time great Perk( at the bargain price of about 9 mil a year) to clear way for that awfully mediocre Dwight Howard guy ?


 

See this is why Obama is able to keep saying in State of the Union addresses we need to spend money on improving math in the classroom.

[outcry]

I find it amazing that people are saying they believe Danny Ainge when he said he thought we couldn't afford Perk, and then turn around and say Dwight Howard is option 1A and then say Danny never lied and I'm just paranoid and looking for attention or something

I picked Krstic.  I mean he's a starter in this league

Nice agenda you got there. It's getting tired. Again with the wild comparisons. Would you rather have Perkins or Howard? If Ainge signed Perkins to a long-term deal there's no way the Celtics go after Howard. I just thank God that you're not the GM.

[Eja117]

I find it amazing that people are saying they believe Danny Ainge when he said he thought we couldn't afford Perk, and then turn around and say Dwight Howard is option 1A and then say Danny never lied and I'm just paranoid and looking for attention or something

I picked Krstic.  I mean he's a starter in this league

Nice agenda you got there. It's getting tired. Again with the wild comparisons. Would you rather have Perkins or Howard? If Ainge signed Perkins to a long-term deal there's no way the Celtics go after Howard. I just thank God that you're not the GM.

If we don't have the money to sign Perk then we don't have it to sign Howard. 

[rondohondo]

I find it amazing that people are saying they believe Danny Ainge when he said he thought we couldn't afford Perk, and then turn around and say Dwight Howard is option 1A and then say Danny never lied and I'm just paranoid and looking for attention or something

I picked Krstic.  I mean he's a starter in this league

Nice agenda you got there. It's getting tired. Again with the wild comparisons. Would you rather have Perkins or Howard? If Ainge signed Perkins to a long-term deal there's no way the Celtics go after Howard. I just thank God that you're not the GM.

If we don't have the money to sign Perk then we don't have it to sign Howard. 

yes we do you are clueless on this topic