2013 Celtics Look Great?

[Pucaccia]

The Celtics are in Great shape for 2013.
This article details exactly my thoughts on how it will turn out.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2012/05/08/the_celtics_have_every_reason_to_bring_the_big_three_back_for_one_more_run/

The Celts have to spend at least 85% of the cap. Barring injury,it looks like we could be in good shape.
Basically it talks about why the big three will come back and adding the young talent around them.

[Mr October]

I've been on the bring 'em back boat ever since the resurgence after the all star break.

This team is the 6th best team in the NBA behind OKC, SAN, MIA, CHI, LAL (regardless of records). It is extremely difficult to build a team that is as good as the Celtics are right now. The window is still slightly open and these Celtics have a fighting chance at a deep run. Also you never know when injuries can derail a team like Chicago (or Boston when KG went down in 09 or Perk in 10/11 or Rondo/Shaq in 11).

KG is a top 5 center if he stays at that position. And he is still the prime gear that make this top defensive machine run. Pierce can still ball at an elite level. Rondo is entering his prime. Add in Ray Allen, Bradley, Jeff Green, Bass, possibly Wilcox, Pietrus, Stiemsma, a couple more picks and free agents and you have a deep roster.

[Lucky17]

When the season is over, I think Ainge will have to have a long talk with Garnett to determine whether he will be open to moving to center, and with Ray to determine whether he will be open to moving to a 6th man role.

Their responses are going to have a significant impact on the offseason strategy to reload the roster.

[bbd24]

Obviously KG is the must in the equation considering the bigs situation.  He's got to be back, regardless.

The Ray Allen injury helped the C's organization and is a blessing in disguise.  He's going to be affordable and then some this summer.  Whether or not they want him back could be a question, but considering what Ainge was trying to get via trade, you have to believe Ainge wants him back.  Could be at a great price as well.  The injury and surgery idea brings the cost down, IMO

[wdleehi]

I have been on the one year "save the space, resign the two stars to a one year contract" belief ever since Howard decided not to opt out. 

There is nothing out there worth a multi-year near max contract except the PG.




One year deals only going into next year.  That might just mean saying goodbye to Bass and Pietrus.   (Greg can get a multi-year contract.  It is not going to be big money)

[footey]

dont think we will get much early return from the draft, but still buy the premise.

[CFAN38]

Ive been in agreement with the general premise of this article for a while. Simply by adding a health J Green (assuming that he comes back the same player he was), further developing AB, and adding a 4th big to the rotation (either developing JJJ, resigning wilcox, or trading up for a big that can play now ie sullinger/zeller) the Cs should be able to hold off father time for another season.

pg Rondo
sg AB
sf Pierce
pf Bass
c  KG
6th J Green
7th Ray
8th Stiemsma
9th Pietrus
10th JJJ? Rookie? Wilcox?
11th Moore
12th hollins/williams
13th rookie
14th
15th

Also with the exception of the Big three this is a rather young team.

[Mr October]

Ive been in agreement with the general premise of this article for a while. Simply by adding a health J Green (assuming that he comes back the same player he was), further developing AB, and adding a 4th big to the rotation (either developing JJJ, resigning wilcox, or trading up for a big that can play now ie sullinger/zeller) the Cs should be able to hold off father time for another season.

pg Rondo
sg AB
sf Pierce
pf Bass
c  KG
6th J Green
7th Ray
8th Stiemsma
9th Pietrus
10th JJJ? Rookie? Wilcox?
11th Moore
12th hollins/williams
13th rookie
14th
15th

Also with the exception of the Big three this is a rather young team.

If Green comes back healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if he started the games at PF and remained a switch player at both forward positions.

He was underwhelming as a 4 last year, but he was also matched with Davis at the 5. That was a horrible front court duo, leaving no one to protect the rim.

Play him alongside KG and suddenly the C's have a fast, long, versatile front line that could look great with Rondo and Bradley setting the table on offense and being pests on defense.

[Kane3387]

I think the Big Three have 1-2 years in them after this season. Honestly outside of trading one of their big three there isn't much the Heat can do to add to their roster. Same with Chicago unless they trade a major player as well. Both teams are stuck with the Mini MLE as their source for adding to their roster.

Orlando will likely trade Howard and rebuild, but they were never a threat anyway to Boston. Indiana is still young and so is Philly. Also, especially Indiana, they likely use their cap space to extend their young players. NY is stuck with Amare's deal. If Brooklyn can get Howard then they even would be a year or two away. Obviously Atlanta will likely make changes, but it's unlikely they improve.

My point is that Boston is really in the best position to improve their team for the next season or two without hurting their future. And if you can make it to the Finals then as Dallas showed, and as KG knows, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

It looks like the cap will be around 60-61 mill. That means if Bass doesn't opt-out we have around 25 mill in cap space. Not counting draft picks. Give KG a two year 20 million deal and Ray a two year 11 million dollar deal (5 in yr 1 and 6 in yr 2). Make the second years both player options also if that gets deals done. That leaves roughly ten million to sign our draft choices, and maybe bring back Pietrus. Also give Steimsma and Bass a little raise if Bass does opt-out. Use the 2.5 mill exception after we reach the cap for Green on a prove it deal.

We might then have enough money to bring a guy in on a cheap deal or even via trade also.

So our roster could be: Starters - Rondo, Avery, Pierce, Bass/Other Player, KG
Our bench could be: Ray, Green, Bass/Other Player, Pietrus, Stiemsma, Jujaun, Etwaun, 1st pick, 1st pick, and 2nd pick.

Not sure what "Other Player" could be from a salary standpoint based on our cap room and what we could trade in terms of a 1st or something. Maybe a Paul Milsap? However we could be vastly improved next year where as all the other contenders in the east will likely be unable to improve too much unless there is a major shakeup of some sort.

I say line up as many contracts as possible with Pierce's deal and then Rondo's deal after that and see what happens with the cap space in a couple years when a guy like Kevin Love can become available.

[CFAN38]

If Green comes back healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if he started the games at PF and remained a switch player at both forward positions.

He was underwhelming as a 4 last year, but he was also matched with Davis at the 5. That was a horrible front court duo, leaving no one to protect the rim.

Play him alongside KG and suddenly the C's have a fast, long, versatile front line that could look great with Rondo and Bradley setting the table on offense and being pests on defense.

I agree and wouldn't be shocked if Danny didn't resign Bass with the idea of giving Green the minutes while also keeping another multi-year deal off the books.

My dream situation would be that we trade 21+22+JJJ to move up and get 1. Sullinger 2. Zeller if either of them fall to the 12-14 range. Then start Green against small lineups and the new rookie against larger teams. The major plus to this is the fact that either rookie would be a better rebounding big then Bass or Steimsma. 

[Lucky17]

Will both Green and Bass want to come back if they're expected to split time at the 4? Green can get a few minutes backing up Pierce, I know.

Does Pietrus come back if he's behind Ray and Green for minutes at the wing?

The Celtics would still need to find a veteran PG (a la Dooling). Additional legit size will also be required, someone to match against the bigger centers/PFs in the league so Garnett won't wear down.

I'm hopeful that Ainge will wisely invest what resources he'll have at his disposal this offseason. I'm just a little skeptical that there will be room/minutes for everyone to come back.

[CFAN38]

Will both Green and Bass want to come back if they're expected to split time at the 4? Green can get a few minutes backing up Pierce, I know.

Does Pietrus come back if he's behind Ray and Green for minutes at the wing?

Good point I think out of Ray, Bass, Pietrus and Green one will not be back. Like I said before my guess is Danny doesn't offer Bass a long term deal, Green picks up PF minutes then leaves more SF minutes for Pietrus.

[Moranis]

I'd rather tank, get a high lottery pick and go into the summer of 2013 with what would hopefully be a very nice young rookie to help draw in the premium free agents.

I know you have to spend money, but I'd rather just give guys like Jeff Green, Greg Oden, etc. the "big" one year deals and hope they either hit the big time and we can bring them back the following year or they are bad improving the draft position even more.

I'd look to move Pierce to a contender for future draft picks and as everyone knows, I'd try to move Rondo for more young players with potential and/or high draft picks this summer.


Just because this summer is seemingly a lost year in free agency doesn't mean we should hamper rebuilding even further.

[arambone]

Top free agents don't like to play for tanking losers in cold weather cities with historical racism.

The only way Boston competes with the more fashionable locales is by continuing to win.

[mkogav]

The article is a bit of a pipe dream. Both KG and Ray Allen will be able to get 2 year deals on the market. I doubt that either player will resign in Boston for 1 year. Who knows, maybe there is some team desperate enough to offer a 3 year deal to KG. Yes, I am talking to you Brooklyn!

However, I could see KG resigning in Boston for two years $20-22 million. I think Allen is gone... just a gut feeling.

Truth be told, of the two, Allen is the most expendable/replaceable.

There will surely be some turnover this offseason. Danny is a bold GM. I am sure he will make a couple of moves that will be unexpected, stunning, and outside-the-box...

...just please no Chris Kaman!!!!!

Mk