Who can the C's target after the big 3 era?

[diconzo]

It could be that the next time we see the Celtics play, Ray and KG won't be Celtics anymore. After that, who do the Celtics target? The obvious target to pair with our defensive, playmaking point guard is the defensive, beast of the paint Dwight Howard. But is a core of Rondo, an aging Pierce, and Howard a championship contender? After this (possible) season the Celtics are going to have a depth chart that looks like this (before free agency):

PG: Rondo, Bradley
SG: None
SF: Pierce
PF: Jajuan Johnson
C: None
     With the 2012 first round pick, and the Clippers 2012 pick
With these maybes: Jeff Green, Big Baby, Delonte West, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett,ETwuan Moore

If the Celtics really want a Rondo/Howard based contender, they should go after a few of these guys:

Josh Smith: Was actually friends with Howard&Rondo, good PF
Andre Iguodala: Good on defense, can score when needed
Monta Ellis: He's a little small for a SG, but the dude can score
OJ Mayo: Actually said that he would love to play with Rondo, can't see him staying in Memphis after his rookie contract
Lamarcus Aldridge: Doubtful, but he would be a dream next to Howard
Marquis Daniels: He is going to have a lot of time to heal this offseason and I would love to see him back (Ok, not really a "star" to pair with Rondo& Howard, but who doesn't love Marquis)

Anyone else that would be good with Rondo and Howard? Defense would be a really big thing, because Rondo and Howard are going to be all defensive first teammates for years to come, regardless of whether Howard dons the Green and White.

(For anyone who doesn't think Rondo is our PG of the future, just watch the series vs Miami, that takes guts, heart, and loyalty)

[syfy9]

We would need somebody to take over the scoring load. I project Pierce to average around 13-15 ppg in future years, Dwight's going to be a solid 20-25 ppg scorer, and Rondo's Rondo. That's not enough - we would need a go to man in clutch situations, granted that could be Ray or Pierce, but they are still old and we need young legs. I like all of your suggestions, namely Smith/Mayo. What about Danny Granger or someone like that?

[PosImpos]

A top 10 lottery pick when they tank to the bottom of the atlantic

[diconzo]

We would need somebody to take over the scoring load. I project Pierce to average around 13-15 ppg in future years, Dwight's going to be a solid 20-25 ppg scorer, and Rondo's Rondo. That's not enough - we would need a go to man in clutch situations, granted that could be Ray or Pierce, but they are still old and we need young legs. I like all of your suggestions, namely Smith/Mayo. What about Danny Granger or someone like that?

Granger would be good, but I have a feeling Danny will resign Green long term and have him be our SF of the future. I think your right about Pierce, somewhere from 13-15 as the years go on. Monta would be able to score more, but Mayo would be more well rounded and wouldn't need to take as many shots. Also whoever is on the wings will have Rondo setting them up so he will be able to make shooters more efficient, they just need to be accurate and get in the right spot.

[mc34]

Our pick from the Perk trade in next year's lottery could be a big part of the new era

[manl_lui]

It could be that the next time we see the Celtics play, Ray and KG won't be Celtics anymore. After that, who do the Celtics target? The obvious target to pair with our defensive, playmaking point guard is the defensive, beast of the paint Dwight Howard. But is a core of Rondo, an aging Pierce, and Howard a championship contender? After this (possible) season the Celtics are going to have a depth chart that looks like this (before free agency):

PG: Rondo, Bradley
SG: None
SF: Pierce
PF: Jajuan Johnson
C: None
     With the 2012 first round pick, and the Clippers 2012 pick
With these maybes: Jeff Green, Big Baby, Delonte West, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett,ETwuan Moore

If the Celtics really want a Rondo/Howard based contender, they should go after a few of these guys:

Josh Smith: Was actually friends with Howard&Rondo, good PF
Andre Iguodala: Good on defense, can score when needed
Monta Ellis: He's a little small for a SG, but the dude can score
OJ Mayo: Actually said that he would love to play with Rondo, can't see him staying in Memphis after his rookie contract
Lamarcus Aldridge: Doubtful, but he would be a dream next to Howard
Marquis Daniels: He is going to have a lot of time to heal this offseason and I would love to see him back (Ok, not really a "star" to pair with Rondo& Howard, but who doesn't love Marquis)

Anyone else that would be good with Rondo and Howard? Defense would be a really big thing, because Rondo and Howard are going to be all defensive first teammates for years to come, regardless of whether Howard dons the Green and White.

(For anyone who doesn't think Rondo is our PG of the future, just watch the series vs Miami, that takes guts, heart, and loyalty)

from that list, I only want Josh Smith and Andre Iguodala, if those two are willing to come here for cheap that'll be great...

if we get Dwight man, thats like a big 4 =)

[2short]

If Howard is brought to our team...
Rondo. Pg
Howard c
Green sf
Johnson pf
Pierce sixth man

This would be a future lineup thinking johnson blossoms, we would need a vet pf center combo guy and a quality starting sg.  The draft pick is going to be big either used in trade or as a pick

[chambers]

Hopefully teams will get a decent option to unload unhealthy contracts.
If that happens it opens up the door to a lot of options.

I would love some kind of 3 man rotation that involved Rondo, Howard and Joe Johnson, maybe with Al Jefferson at the 4 spot.

We will have so much money we will be able to take shots at whoever we want.

Joe Johnson has a bad rep because he is overpaid, but he is still a great player and I can't believe we gave this guy away for 2 scrubs.
starting 5 of:

PG:Rondo
SG:Ray Allen
SF:Joe Johnson
PF:Al Jefferson
C:Dwight Howard.

Pierce+KG off the bench for vet min contracts. If we could a nice SG and have Ray come off the bench that would be great too  but my dream is already far fetched enough.

God I still can't believe we gave away Joe Johnson for delk and rogers.FML. He is the closest thing to Pierce that I can think of right now and he is still only 29 years old.

[Celtics4ever]

It really depends on who is on the team.   Right now, Rondo is the guy whom they would build around.   We all heard the rumors on Chris Paul though.  I have a lot of fan loyalty to Rondo.  Doesn't mean he is best option I just like the kid.

I too think they will sign Green as our SF.

I think Danny will take a shot at Howard.  I think LA will too and will probably beat us to him.  Stern loves LA.

I just hope we do well in the draft and with the Clipper's picks.   Danny could trade those with Davis for a star he wants or I 'd be interested to see him pick that high because he has done well picking low.

I too, hope Johnson pans out as a starter.  That would change a lot of things right away.  The film I've seen of him has looked smooth.  This lockout could be a godsend for him if he has been deligent in the weight room!

[diconzo]

If jajuan pans out as a starter, that would be unbelieveable. But i see him as more of a lamar odom (first big off the bench for a championship team)  al jefferson and joe johnson would be awesome, and i think we have one of the best shots at jefferson if (when) he gets waived.

[hwangjini_1]

If jajuan pans out as a starter? that is would be unbelieveable. But i see him as more of a lamar odom (first big off the bench for a championship team)  al jefferson and joe johnson would be awesome, and i think we have one of the best shots at jefferson if (when) he gets waived.

all fixed.

[diconzo]

If jajuan pans out as a starter? that is would be unbelieveable. But i see him as more of a lamar odom (first big off the bench for a championship team)  al jefferson and joe johnson would be awesome, and i think we have one of the best shots at jefferson if (when) he gets waived.

all fixed.

Okay? yeah he most likely won't be a starting PF on a championship team but he has a solid game.

[TheTruthFot18]

I did this in my 2k11 association mode. Although  I traded KG for Josh Smith, I think he is the best option moving forward. Howard can only do so much as the best player, but having a guy like Smith would be a better fit especially with Rondo. Center spot can be filled easily as long as they can play some D. Just finished association mode season and I thought with ray getting older, what sg can we target? Eric Gordan please!

2012-2013 or later

Rondo
E. Gordan
Pierce
J Smoove
FA Center/ Draft pick

Stay away from:

OJ Mayo
Monta Ellis
IGGY (sorry but he cant carry a team and will soon demand a ridiculous contract)
Big AL
Joe Johnson (Who suggested that? Really? Was ATL and a stupid contract not proof enough that he just cant get the job done?)
- Pretty much anyone who can't play defense

[diconzo]

I did this in my 2k11 association mode. Although  I traded KG for Josh Smith, I think he is the best option moving forward. Howard can only do so much as the best player, but having a guy like Smith would be a better fit especially with Rondo. Center spot can be filled easily as long as they can play some D. Just finished association mode season and I thought with ray getting older, what sg can we target? Eric Gordan please!

2012-2013 or later

Rondo
E. Gordan
Pierce
J Smoove
FA Center/ Draft pick

Stay away from:

OJ Mayo
Monta Ellis
IGGY (sorry but he cant carry a team and will soon demand a ridiculous contract)
Big AL
Joe Johnson (Who suggested that? Really? Was ATL and a stupid contract not proof enough that he just cant get the job done?)
- Pretty much anyone who can't play defense

Gordon would be awesome, but I can't see LAC letting him walk, mostly because if Gordon walks, Blake will most likely be gone too.

Also people were suggesting Big AL and JJ because they would be amnestified (or something?) and wouldn't want big contracts. Having JJ as our SG would be good, but not as the #1 guy to take over scoring and go to in the clutch. I think if we did end up trading KG's expiring for Josh, Howard would be close behind.

[2short]

Love big al for low post scoring and his rebounding is good but his
D is not and I fear at this point he might be on the lazy side.