Where The Celtics Go From Here

[diconzo]

      What We Know: We have the starters and Avery under contract, plus JaJuan and E'Twuan. I think we're definitely going to sign both of them to contracts, E'Twuan isn't just JaJuan's teammate, he's a pretty good 2 guard.
      I think JaJuan, E'Twuan, and Avery are each going to get minutes this season. Avery has seen our system now for a year and both JaJuan and E'Twuan are 4 year college players, and have chemistry together. If we resign Delonte and Jeff that leaves us with:

PG) Rondo, Delonte, Avery
SG) Ray, *Delonte, *Avery, E'Twuan
SF) Pierce, Green
PF) KG, JaJuan
C) Jermaine
*- I can see Delonte and Avery playing some time at SG with Rondo, or the other running point.

Our biggest need would be a pure center and a versatile big. There's 5 roster spots so here is what i suggest:

1) Sign 2 of the following with tools like MLE, or part of it, Vet Min:

Sam Dalembert, Kwame Brown, Joel Przybilla, Spencer Hawes, Greg Oden, Nazr Mohammad, Alexis Ajinca, Chuck Hayes

Best Case Scenario: Samuel Dalembert, Nazr Mohammad. They're both reliable bigs and would be used in rotation with Jermaine. Can't depend on a single one of them for 36 MPG, except maybe Dalembert, but each would be perfectly suited for Jermaine: 12 MPG, Nazr: 12 MPG, Dalembert: 24 MPG. Or something like that.

PG) Rondo, Delonte, Avery
SG) Ray, *Delonte, *Avery, E'twuan
SF) Pierce, Green
PF) KG, JaJuan
C) Jermaine, Dalembert, Nazr
*- I can see Delonte and Avery playing some time at SG with Rondo, or the other running point.

2) There's 3 spots open now, and the biggest need is a 20-24 minute backup for KG, and another rotation guard. Thats why I think we should go for one of the following, with whatever is left of the MLE or Vet Min:

Kenyon Martin, Carl Landry, Reggie Evans, Kris Humphries

Best case scenario: Kenyon Martin. He's a proven veteran and is definitely looking to win a championship. I could see him signing for the remainder of the MLE or Vet's Min

2) Bring Marquis Daniels and Brian Scalabrine back in Green.
     The White Mamba will make his return to Boston! He is a good locker room presence and is happy to get 5 minutes a game. Marquis would be that final guard that could play the 1/2/3.

Final Depth Chart:

PG) Rondo, Delonte, Avery
SG) Ray, Marquis, E'Twuan
SF) Pierce, Green
PF) KG, Kenyon, Scalabrine, JaJuan
C) Jermaine, Dalembert, Nazr

It looks like a logjam at the 4 spot, but:
KG: Doc has said he wants to use KG in two 8 minute spurts per half. So 30-32
Kenyon: 12-18
JaJuan: Not a lot early on, but eventually 5-10
Scalabrine: Early in the season I can see him at 5-10, then JaJuan will take his spot.
     Obviously this is more than 48 minutes a game, but it's a rough estimate. Everywhere else is pretty rounded out, with both Pierce and Green able to play 36 minutes a night, so there's no real need for a third SF, even though Marquis can play it.

[letsgoblue86]

I think signing Scal would be a waste of a roster spot.  Give JaJuan those minutes.

[diconzo]

I think signing Scal would be a waste of a roster spot.  Give JaJuan those minutes.

Very true. I suggest Scal for a locker room presence. Who do you think should be in that last spot, someone like a Carl Landry build, or a wing defender? Or something else.

[CaptainJackLee]

Dalembert, Nazr and Martin with the MLE and vet minimum salaries? With the MLE you can sign Dalembert or Martin, not both of them; and Nazr will be asking for more than the vet minimum too.

[celtic -_- pride]

Dalembert, Nazr and Martin with the MLE and vet minimum salaries? With the MLE you can sign Dalembert or Martin, not both of them; and Nazr will be asking for more than the vet minimum too.

parade officially rained on

[mc34]

What were all the rumblings about using the trade exception from the Marquis Daniels trade to get someone like Jason Thompson about?

By the way, I would still love to see JR Smith in green.

[clover]

I think signing Scal would be a waste of a roster spot.  Give JaJuan those minutes.

And add Daniels or someone else to back up the 3.

[syfy9]

By the way, I would still love to see JR Smith in green.

Yeah, I dislike the idea of having Delonte/Bradley/Moore as Ray's backups. They are all undersized, and will have trouble competing with taller guards. I really like the idea of having JR Smith in the line up. Maybe trade Bradley for him or something of that sort? (I would be fine with just Daniels, though, if possible)



I say start Dalembert and have Jermaine be a role player for about 10-15 minutes a game. Have Dalembert play 25+, and Brown/Pryzbilla/some good rebounding vet.

I really want JJ to have a big role for the Cs this season. If he proves himself well, he should be able to play 10-15 minutes.

I'd really want to sign and trade Big Baby if he agrees to it - We could open up immense trade options with him.

I would LOVE the White Mamba to be back in beantown! As a bench player. Cheering on our team. And providing leadership. And telling the rookies stories about his legendary career. (Not being sarcastic though, I really want him back)