Celtics biggest needs/wants for 2011-12 season...

[chambers]

I've been thinking about what this team needs as we move forward.
Let's be realistic. We were in with a shot against the Heat, but after losing 2-0, and THEN losing our all star point guards arm, we were in deep trouble. For 3 of these games we were controlling the pace, we were in the lead- going into the fourth. Then our age + tiredness led to poor execution, missed shots and concentration breakdown on defense.

To me the most important thing this team needs is 2 guys that can contain Lebron and Wade over a 7 game series and cause a threat to our 2 biggest rivals in the East moving forward.
That being the Heat + the Bulls.


To me, the most realistic addition to this team for next year to give us one last run would be adding Iguadala. He can own Lebron devensively and gives us a serious scoring threat.
He's also someone that can carry the C's through the end of the regular season as our old legs start to give way as they always do.

The problem is we might have to sacrifice someone like Ray.
I feel if we have Jeff Green and Iguadala we have two guys that can potentially handle this combo- at least on the defensive end.
We would also need to start him in my opinion-so I dunno who sits.

I don't want this to become a 'trade' thread, but more about what our team needs moving forward as crucial elements to give KG+PP+ray another shot at a title.
What can we do and who can we get to beat Miami in 7 games?
I'm just throwing this out there because I'm really intrigued as to who Danny is going to get with our picks this year.

[Bahku]

(TP/OP)


My "ABC's" of the coming season:



A - Athleticism: We need to get younger and more athletic, obviously, both looking ahead to post-retirement of the Big Three, and for coming off the pine now.

B - Bench: We need a stronger, deeper bench, especially at the SG and Forward positions.

C - Center: Our most desperate need, IMHO - a healthy, resilient, athletic, "true" Center, even if it means moving a large number of players not on the "Exception" list.

D - Doc & Defense: We need to do what's needed to secure Doc while the Big Three are still here, (despite some rotations tweaks needed, he is vital for our chemistry), and we need to continue to concentrate on our defense ... I think we got away from it at times this year, and it hurt us.

E - Exceptions: Our must "Keepers" list should include KG, Paul, Ray, Rondo, and Delonte ... everyone else is expendable, depending on what we get in return. There are other players on this team that I'd like to see more of, but they should be considered "chips", depending on the bargain.

[Celticsbloke]

Iguodala would be a nice addition, but I don't see the Celtics being able to land him. He is on about $13 mill per and so it basically means trading Ray Allen and change to get him. Even if we wanted to do that, what would the Sixers want with a 35 yo SG?

It is going to be interesting to see what Danny decideds to do though. I do think we can still compete for another title (especially if we had a shortened season next year) with a stronger bench and some luck on the injury front.

I was just having a look before to see what centres and backup SGs might be available next season.

Interestingly Nene, Marc Gasol, Dalembert, Chuck Hayes and K-Mart are all free agents next season. Some good fits for the Celtics there. Would any of them take the MLE to have a crack at a title? Probably only Chuck and K-Mart. Both would bring good D and toughness to our interior. Neither really have the height to be ideal though.   

SGs that might be possible are Azubuike, JR Smith and J-Rich (all FA's) and Tony Allen, Ronnie and Corey Brewer (all on 2 yr, manageable contracts). Some good athletic defenders there. Would love Tony Allen back, but seems unlikely after Ainge let him sign elsewhere. Both Brewers are decent defensively and would probably improve on the Celtics roster. JR Smith would be instant offence for when we have our scoring droughts, but his defence and attitude worry me. Liked the look of Azubuike two seasons back before he got injured. Would be interesting to see what he could do with development from the Celtics coaching staff. 

[CelticsGuy34]

Jr smith MLE - atletism and a sg who can score for the bench

we have alot of picks coming i think, possibly use that to try and trade for a center?

we also need a center(nene,Deandre jordan?)

i think if we can land dwight in 2012 we could win with this big 3 core and rondo, we just need dwight howard

hopefully he wants to play for the c's

maybe at the deadline magic will be so bad they trade him

would a plethora of picks, ray allen expiring , avery bradley, our rookie and jeff green get it done

then resign a bought out ray allen

sadly the way lebron and wade are teamed up we need dwight howard now

[IrishGreen]

There is so way I would trade Ray Allen, he's never enough our fittest player and he stretched the floor on the offensive end.

We need someone that can box out and grab rebounds. It would make a huge difference to this team as it would lead to more fast break opportunities. There's no hope of us getting Kevin Love?? What's his contract? and possible options to try and sign him?

[pjbigshow]

I've been thinking about what this team needs as we move forward.
Let's be realistic. We were in with a shot against the Heat, but after losing 2-0, and THEN losing our all star point guards arm, we were in deep trouble. For 3 of these games we were controlling the pace, we were in the lead- going into the fourth. Then our age + tiredness led to poor execution, missed shots and concentration breakdown on defense.

To me the most important thing this team needs is 2 guys that can contain Lebron and Wade over a 7 game series and cause a threat to our 2 biggest rivals in the East moving forward.
That being the Heat + the Bulls.

Are you kidding me with Jeff Green??? Sorry but the dude absolutely crumbled last night. Couldn't catch a pass or dribble the ball... Not impressed with him at all... Shane Battier was the correct move that Danny never made
To me, the most realistic addition to this team for next year to give us one last run would be adding Iguadala. He can own Lebron devensively and gives us a serious scoring threat.
He's also someone that can carry the C's through the end of the regular season as our old legs start to give way as they always do.

The problem is we might have to sacrifice someone like Ray.
I feel if we have Jeff Green and Iguadala we have two guys that can potentially handle this combo- at least on the defensive end.
We would also need to start him in my opinion-so I dunno who sits.

I don't want this to become a 'trade' thread, but more about what our team needs moving forward as crucial elements to give KG+PP+ray another shot at a title.
What can we do and who can we get to beat Miami in 7 games?
I'm just throwing this out there because I'm really intrigued as to who Danny is going to get with our picks this year.

[mctyson]

The celtics definitely need someone who can score in the post more than anything.  When they become strictly jumpshooters their offense turns to poop.

So my needs/wants:

1) Post scorer, 4 or 5.  Probably a bench player.

2) Perimeter defensive specialist in the Posey/TA mold.  Getting TA back would be good, but anyone is OK.

3) Shot-blocker/defensive rebounder off the bench.

I am assuming JO and Shaq are gone.  I think BBD is gone too.  D-West and Jeff Green will be resigned.  Kristic is a ? - if they have no options they keep him, if they find another 5 with more post scoring / defense he is gone.

I'd have to see a list of 4/5's that would be available to pick from.

[pearljammer10]

We just need to get younger. Especially off the bench if we are going to use JO as the starting center. Younger and more athletic off the bench. DeAndre Jordan would be an amazing addition but I think he is going to command too much money. There is no way that we'll pick up Gasol or Nene. We dont have that kind of money to throw around especially with all the cap space we'll be getting rid of next off season.

Rondo
Allen
Pierce
KG
JO
Green


Those are the only guarantees i see for next year. I think Davis and West are going to get money elsewhere. Kristic might come back but I think we'll look for something a little better at the center again. Its going to be tough to only go back into battle with the big 4, and two other guys that played half seasons and then a whole new cast.

[hardlyyardley]

We need a solid backup PG....use West as off guard....he is not a PG.....offensive movement stalls with him there....as good as he was last night, he had zero assists

Don't know where Bradley fits

[greenpride32]

This is slightly off topic, but Doc needs to trust the bench more.  If you think about it over the past few years BBD is the only reserve who is a regular rotation player (I assume West also would have been if not for his injury plagued season).  Guys like Nate, House, TA, Krstic, Green, Daniels, Wafer, all played their ways in and out of the doghouse.  It's hard enough to show something as a reserve in limited minutes.  But it's 10x more difficult when you get spot chances at random times.

Just look at Krstic last night; solid contribution.  Yes I know he made some mistakes but during the season, but I don't think you can honestly say he cost us any games.  Sitting on the bench is that younger, more atheltic player who can create his own shot and create for others, Von Wafer.  I always thought he was more of a selfish scorer pre-Celtics.  But he's shown a good knack for kicking the ball out or finding an open guy under the rim when taking it hard into the lane.

I'll have the say the biggest need right now is retaining Delonte West.

[CFAN38]

For next season the Cs need to first and for most get hustle players. D West was the only guy outside of KG who I felt was realy trying to make the extra play this series.

If we resign West and Green (will be better with an off season under his belt) we are putting in place or 6th and 7th man.

I figure shaq and baby are gone and jermaine will be back

I hope to see Avery start getting some minutes next year

With that said we will have no backups are 4 or 5. I would like to see us make a move for K-mart then either draft a guy or bring back powe to be are bench 4s. At the 5 we really need 2 solid backups because of JO injury history, Id like nenad back, then we have to find another guy maybe Joel Pryzbilla, kwame brown, nazi mohamid or jeff foster?

After that we need to add a shooter id love to get Sasha Vajuvicic(spelling?) Then round out the roster with guys we currently have. Id like wafer and pavlovic back

[Cman]

TP OP,

I like the idea of getting Iggy, but I just don't think Ray Allen + first round pick(s) does it.

Philly, after all, made the playoffs this year.  And Philly's best player, arguably, is Iggy.  I just don't see why they would want to basically blow it up by trading him away.

I agree that if DA goes for a trade this summer, Ray Allen is a likely chip.

I think we need to instead look at teams that are in the middle of rebuilding, or headed that way, or in financial distress.  Examples include:
Charlotte (SJax, Diaw?)
Golden State (Monta?)
Phoenix (Childress, Gortat?)
etc
*PS: Not saying I particularly like any of those players, point is to think about teams that might be inclined to trade.

[Rondoholic]

I'd like to get K. Mart and J.R. Smith from Denver.  Maybe a S&T with Ray and Baby.  Re-sign Delonte and Jeff.  Take a flyer on Oden.

[quidinqui33]

We need rebounding and we absolutely need a guy who can get to the rim and draw falls.

Shaq actually helped us in both categories at the beggining of the season but we cannot count on that of course.

I would bring in guys this off season that have a knack for rebounding.  Kind of in the Joel Anthony mold.

The next part, no so easy.  Pierce is not going anywhere, but he is not the finisher at the rim he once was.  We could trade ray, but we probably won't get a game changer for him.  So that brings us to rondo.  And I love the guy so I hate to say this.

I think if you can move him to bring in CP3 or Deron Williams, you have to seriously consider it.  We absolutely need someone who can drive and take it to the basket at the end of games and Rondo, even when healthy, just cannot or will not do that.

The last two seasons ended the way thay did because of lack of rebounds and a lack of a true finisher.

[Evantime34]

1. Re-sign Jeff Green: the thing about our cap situation is if we don't resign our own good players we have to replace them with vet min guys. If he isn't a good fit we need to get something back for him.

2. Resign D-West: Again if we don't resign our own we have to replace them with vet min guys. Can we only offer him 115% of the vet min he got last year or do we have his rights that allow us to give him any contract we see fit? (question for Roy)

3. See what Shakes out with BBD.If a team likes him enough we need to get something for him in a sign and trade. Even if it's a draft pick. Due to our cap situation we can't let valuable players walk for free. My guess is that he doesn't get the offer he wants and comes back to Boston in the same exact manner he did for his last contract.

4. Get an athletic young 5. De'Andre Jordan probably can't be had for the MLE, but hey Donald Sterling is cheap. Maybe we can offer Jordan a contract that is 15% larger than the MLE for Jermaine O'Neals expiring contract and a few million cash. Is Oden an unrestricted or restricted free agent this year? Does anyone think he's available for the full MLE?

5. Draft a young athletic player, then force feed him and Bradley minutes in order to keep the starters minutes down. Let's build the bridge now.