How about this 2011/2012 season Roster?

[slamtheking]

I think Ainge is going to make a serious play for Howard in free agency so I don't think he'll be looking to spend "a lot" of money on the center position this year. i think he'll band aid it again.

Therefore I think Dalembert will be hard to land - I also think he'll end up in Miami anyway....

I agree, with Baby or Landry, they'd both bring some good things to the table.

I'd also be ok with Von Wafer at OG with Marquis behind him...

For my center rotation, I figured O'Neal and Gray would play big for us and then Thompson would come in handy against teams with centers more athletic centers.

How about this new version:

J. O'Neal / Gray / Kwame Brown
KG / Big baby / Troy Murphy / JuJuan Johnson
Pierce / Jeff Green / Gilbert Brown
Ray / Marquis / Wafer
Rondo / West / Bradley

Rookies: JuJuan Johnson
Free agent Rookies: Gilbert Brown
Split the mid level between Gray and Brown   
Resign: Murphy / Big Baby / DWest / Wafer / Jeff Green
Sign Marquis as a RFA

I don't think Kwame gets less than the MLE.  Healthy big men command a premium regardless of whether they're really worth it.
Maybe you get Pryz and Gray to split the MLE which isn't too bad.

I don't mind bringing back Quisy and Wafer but I don't think either comes back unless they have absolutely no other options.  You might get one but not both.  why would they both come back for a vet min deal (which is all they're worth right now) to fight for 14 minutes a game between them behind Ray.  Green will be taking all the minutes behind PP so Quisy won't get time there.  Bradley will hopefully earn some minutes for next year and that will either get him minutes behind Ray or force Delonte over to the SG spot.  In either case, that's even less time for them.  Personally I think they're good for the end of next year's bench as experienced vets but I just don't see them coming back nor any desire to rely on them as crucial bench players considering they're lack of productivity/health last year.

Also, I'm not keen on Murphy returning either.  I've had enough BBD but could see why he should be resigned but only bring back Murphy on a make-good vet min deal for training camp.  If he regains his form from a few years ago, great.  If he looks like he did last year, adios.

One last bit, I think dreams of Dwight in green are just pipedreams.  Never going to happen.  He'll either resign in Orlando or get traded to a team that makes the best deal.  He won't leave Orlando as a FA.

[slamtheking]

How about this new version:

J. O'Neal / Gray / Kwame Brown
KG / Big baby / Troy Murphy / JuJuan Johnson
Pierce / Jeff Green / Gilbert Brown
Ray / Marquis / Wafer
Rondo / West / Bradley
       

I like the idea of bringing Marquis back, and I also would love to bring Semih back. I want Delonte back, no doubt.

I think Moore will be with the team when the lockout ends, I don't know about this kid Gilbert Brown. I think Marquis would be a 3rd option at the 2 and the 3, while Moore and/or Brown will be with the Rock Lobsters. Bringing back Wafer is ok, but maybe they could get some veteran help for the min or the LLE(if there is one), someone like Redd or McGrady.

The big problem is the PF and C spots. It's unlikely that BBD is coming back in green. Like Rondo says, Baby's doing what's best for Baby. So if a S&T will allow Baby to get more money, the Celtics should try to get some player in return who wants to be a role player around the big 4. Landry or Thompson would be great, but just like Baby, would not solve the lack of a C. IMO, if the Celtics can get Baby's replacement without using the MLE(if there's one), then they should go after D'Alembert, or more likely, after Kwame.

If the Celtics had Kwame and Semih (Gray or Ajinca instead of Semih would be fine, too) behind JO, I think Baby or his replacement plus JaJuan would manage quite well the minutes behind KG.

Hope there's a season, and the Celtics roster looks like the one you are proposing.

Semih's not happening.  I liked him when he was here and wish him well in his career but he's not going to be in Boston next year.

Cleveland's not waiving him and Danny isn't going to trade to get him back.  Semih's not worth a future second rounder when Danny can get a better player in any future draft (especially when he'll be restocking the team) with that pick.

[cman88]

I dont see how Kwame could command the whole MLE...he was only paid a little over 1million$ last year..

[chambers]

I dont see how Kwame could command the whole MLE...he was only paid a little over 1million$ last year..

He had quite a good season, and there are more teams in need of solid backup centers this season.
He was quite impressive last year actually-poor guy is always scrutinized to hard.

[BASS_THUMPER]

i like brown..start him over j oneal..

he big enuff to play center and he dont mind bangin

[slamtheking]

I dont see how Kwame could command the whole MLE...he was only paid a little over 1million$ last year..

He had quite a good season, and there are more teams in need of solid backup centers this season.
He was quite impressive last year actually-poor guy is always scrutinized to hard.

agreed -- there's a lot of teams that need a center, nevermind a backup center, where he'll get an MLE-level offer simply because he's young, healthy and can put up MLE-type numbers.

[cman88]

I dont see how Kwame could command the whole MLE...he was only paid a little over 1million$ last year..

He had quite a good season, and there are more teams in need of solid backup centers this season.
He was quite impressive last year actually-poor guy is always scrutinized to hard.

agreed -- there's a lot of teams that need a center, nevermind a backup center, where he'll get an MLE-level offer simply because he's young, healthy and can put up MLE-type numbers.

well, if theres anything we can offer him over NYC or Miami, i think its touches. Those teams, 80% of the points will come from their main guys where here we dont care who scores....I still think he's out most likely acquisition...if we had more to offer, we wouldve had him last summer

[Bahku]

I want to see both JaJuan and E'Twaun on the parquet.

[gar]

Nice thread. Maybe too reasonable with the proposals. Agree that the Center position being the biggest area of need. Aaron Gray would be a decent third backup, but would prefer Kwame or another big body to anchor the D. We have good speed and athleticism with Green and Johnson. Also like the idea of bringing in Gilbert Brown but would prefer a bigger splash like M Thorton or a more experienced player like CD Roberts or Roger Mason.

Rondo / West / Bradley
RAllen / Wafer (?)/ Moore
PP / Green / Daniels
KG / JjJ /
JO / Kwame / A Gray

[Chris]

Moore is off the radar for next season, right?  Didn't he sign in Europe?  I had heard that they were not giving any NBA players not under contract out clauses, so I believe he is gone for at least next season.

[Who]

Moore is off the radar for next season, right?  Didn't he sign in Europe?  I had heard that they were not giving any NBA players not under contract out clauses, so I believe he is gone for at least next season.

I think Moore got an NBA out clause in his deal.

Need to double check but I am pretty sure he got it. They wouldn't offer it first but he cut of negotiations and then they came back with the offer. Something like that.

Edit: Hoopshype has a good list of players who have gone overseas and whether they have an opt out or not. It's at the bottom of this page. Moore does have an opt out clause.

http://hoopshype.com/overseas.htm

[Chris]

Moore is off the radar for next season, right?  Didn't he sign in Europe?  I had heard that they were not giving any NBA players not under contract out clauses, so I believe he is gone for at least next season.

I think Moore got an NBA out clause in his deal.

Need to double check but I am pretty sure he got it. They wouldn't offer it first but he cut of negotiations and then they came back with the offer. Something like that.

Edit: Hoopshype has a good list of players who have gone overseas and whether they have an opt out or not. It's at the bottom of this page. Moore does have an opt out clause.

http://hoopshype.com/overseas.htm

Interesting.  I am surprised a team would give a rookie like that an out clause.  I feel like they could do much better than Moore, if they are going to let them walk as soon as the NBA is back.

[KP43]

J. O'Neal / Kwame Brown /Gray
KG / Big baby / JaJuan Johnson
Pierce / Jeff Green / Gilbert Brown
Ray / Marquis / Wafer / Moore
Rondo / West / Bradley

anyone? 

..and also, i hope Doc plays Avery as the backup for Rondo if (/when) West gets injured. Brad needs the minutes, and i think the kid's ready to produce.. he can easy score 7pts a night.

[diconzo]

J. O'Neal / Kwame Brown /Gray
KG / Big baby / JaJuan Johnson
Pierce / Jeff Green / Gilbert Brown
Ray / Marquis / Wafer / Moore
Rondo / West / Bradley

anyone? 

..and also, i hope Doc plays Avery as the backup for Rondo if (/when) West gets injured. Brad needs the minutes, and i think the kid's ready to produce.. he can easy score 7pts a night.

Thats 16 roster spots.. and we're kind've weak at the two, even with Wafer.

[ScoobyDoo]

If we have a season this year - I still believe what makes us great is Pierce, Rondo, KG and Ray. I think we can get by on a center by committee rotation.

I like:
O'Neal / Kwame / A. Gray (or anything similar behind JO)
KG/Baby/JJ = Very good
Rondo/DWest/Bradley = outstanding
Pierce/Jeff Green/Gilbert Brown = Excellent
Ray/Marquis/Wafer or Moore = Not bad...

If I could trade out Wafer or Marquis for CDR or an upgrade along those lines, I think you are looking at a completely stacked team.

Can we get the lockout over with so Danny can get to work and we can have at it one more time?

This team hasn't won as many rings as I'd hoped - but for injuries, we might have had up to four rings by now. I'd say without such bad injury luck, at least two rings for sure.

Regardless, when relatively healthy this is an endearing and very fun team to watch.

Let's get on with it one more time!

I would consider three trips to the finals and two rings in five seasons a very good run.