If DH reaches free agency, why not Boston?

[ScoobyDoo]

A lot of people say players don't want to come to Boston because the future looks bleak. I really don't get that, especially in the case of Dwight Howard. The main reason is because if Howard and Rondo are on the same team, along with Pierce for the next 2-3 seasons, you are immediately in contention. So I think it just takes a player who understands that, who has some vision moving forward and who wants to be part of the Boston tradition.

Then you add in factors like that tradition, Doc Rivers, some good young talent and Ainge's track record of being able to put good vets around his core for title runs each year...to me it's a no brainer as a player.

Let's face it:

Dwight Howard / Mid level / Stiemsma
KG / Bass / JJJ
Pierce / Jeff Green / Marquis
Ray / Pietrus / Sasha 
Rondo / Bradley / Moore

Then you have two first round picks in a loaded draft this year and additional cap space. Even if KG and Ray come back for short money and play limited roles, please tell me who is going to beat that team in a seven game series. The answer is no one.

* So Howard would win a ring or two pretty quickly.
* Players would be lining up to play with a Howard / Rondo tandem.

Moving forward after the next two seasons, you've got:

Howard / Stiemsma
Bass / JJJ
Green / Marquis
Pietrus / Moore
Rondo / Bradley

And if Ainge manages his cap correctly, which means signing Green, Bass and Pietrus to reasonable deals, the Celts, even with Howard and Rondo, would have enough cap to sign another max free agent to stick in between Howard and Rondo.

Even that group above, with Howard and Rondo would be contending. People forget how much a guy like Howard affects your chances of winning each game. Then you add in a bunch of good young players and another max guy or "significant" free agent?

It's true, the same could be said of Howard joining with Derron somewhere. But then you have to factor in, how good is the management of that team you land with? They will still need to add other pieces. That's why players, since Ainge has been here and got KG and Ray, have wanted to come here. Same for the Lakers - they have a track record of winning...

So, for me, Boston is a great choice for Howard.

Even Wyc said last night, we enough money to sign two max free agents this off season...you knwo what their plan is.       

[droopdog7]

You know, the one thing I agree with is that we should be able to sign two max players so why not?

It won't happen.  But I don't see why it shouldn't.

[PosImpos]

You know, the one thing I agree with is that we should be able to sign two max players so why not?

It won't happen.  But I don't see why it shouldn't.

Actually, we won't have enough cap space to sign two max players unless we amnesty Paul Pierce.

[Interceptor]

I've kind of soured on Howard. I might have to get used to holding my nose if he comes here.

[droopdog7]

You know, the one thing I agree with is that we should be able to sign two max players so why not?

It won't happen.  But I don't see why it shouldn't.

Actually, we won't have enough cap space to sign two max players unless we amnesty Paul Pierce.

Well that sucks.  Even with KG and RA potentially off the books, we stil won't have the room?  Looks like the team has to be built around stars to scrubs to get there.

[ScoobyDoo]

Yeah, I also doubt it will happen. But I just think the notion of Boston not being a decent spot for a max guy to land with Rondo, a core of good young players, picks and some cap space within another year of two once Pierce comes off, Doc and Boston basketball doesn't make sense to me.

I would think it would be very attractive to someone who wants to win.

[Marcus13]

There's already a thread about this.  Why not Boston?

1. Superstars want to play with superstars.  We don't have any.

2. It's cold freezing

3. High state-income tax.  This is especially large when you consider he's coming from FL where there's none.

4. There's not much night life...this is especially important when you consider his age and he's coming from FL.

5. We have a reputation for being cheap.  It is leage-wide known that we lost the 2010 Finals because ownership didn't want to spend the MLE on a player taller than 6'6

[StartOrien]

4. There's not much night lift...this is especially important when you consider his age and he's coming from FL.

Try telling me that at Sully's Tap when I got about 10 bucks of Steve Winwood in the jukebox.

That's probably how I'd pitch Dwight.

[Fafnir]

You know, the one thing I agree with is that we should be able to sign two max players so why not?

It won't happen.  But I don't see why it shouldn't.

Actually, we won't have enough cap space to sign two max players unless we amnesty Paul Pierce.

Other than Deron is their another max guy we'd want?

[Marcus13]

You know, the one thing I agree with is that we should be able to sign two max players so why not?

It won't happen.  But I don't see why it shouldn't.

Actually, we won't have enough cap space to sign two max players unless we amnesty Paul Pierce.

Other than Deron is their another max guy we'd want?

There's K-Love and Eric Gordon who we could throw it at, but they're both restricted

[saltlover]

You know, the one thing I agree with is that we should be able to sign two max players so why not?

It won't happen.  But I don't see why it shouldn't.

Actually, we won't have enough cap space to sign two max players unless we amnesty Paul Pierce.

Other than Deron is their another max guy we'd want?

There's K-Love and Eric Gordon who we could throw it at, but they're both restricted

I don't think we'd have to amnesty Pierce to sign a restricted max (Love, Gordon) and an unrestricted max.  RFA's are cheaper, albeit tough to get unless their original team (who knows them best) thinks you're overpaying, or is broke and without an owner (New Orleans.)

[TheTruthFot18]

So, for me, Boston is a great choice for Howard.

Even Wyc said last night, we enough money to sign two max free agents this off season...you knwo what their plan is.       

This got me pumped when he said that. With Pierce and Rondo in place this could potentially be an exciting 2012-2013 line-up.

[Who]

The Celtics potentially have a very attractive offer.

It'll be a tough sell if they are coming off a .500 season and a first round playoff exit though. They need to show more than that to convince Dwight that this is the right place for him.

[Fafnir]

The Celtics potentially have a very attractive offer.

It'll be a tough sell if they are coming off a .500 season and a first round playoff exit though. They need to show more than that to convince Dwight that this is the right place for him.

Yeah, Rondo and Pierce need to play at an all-star level and the team as a whole has to "overachive" for it to happen.

Even then it'll be a tough sell, and this is predicated on Howard not being traded.

[GranTur]

I posted this in the other Dwight thread from before the Magic game (fell to page 2):

Rondo is a top 5 PG. Pierce will still be a top 7 SF next year. Ray will be a top 10 SG. Green, Bass, JJJ, Avery, draft picks. Maybe even Steamcleaner can return. Smiley

Celtics' system fits Dwight. We spread the floor well and Doc loves going inside. Other than Rondo and the rookies, all of our players have a proven jumpshot. PnR with Rondo and Dwight will be DEADLY.

People keep discounting Ray coming back. He's not moving his family and he doesn't care about money. He will stay here for any money the Celtics can afford without sacrificing their ability to retool. Ray is perfect with Dwight.

Any team with more assets would need to give them up in a sign-and-trade to fit Dwight into their cap.

Dallas, Phoenix, and New Jersey will have the cap space but not even half the assets the Celtics will.

The biggest threat to Boston for getting Dwight is the 76ers.