2013-2014 options - 1. Contend 2. Mild rebuild 3. Fully rebuild

[Tr1boy]

1. Contend

KG and PP will be back for at least one more year. Issue is that both were heavily taxed on to take on too much responsibilities with key players like Sully, Rondo out.  With key players coming back, a nice draft pick and some other minor tweaks (replace JET, Lee) , we try to do what we couldn't finish in 2012-2013 season.

Potential starting lineup  - Sully, KG, PP, AB, Rondo
Potential Bench lineup - Bass, Green, Crawford, Melo, TWill, draft pick, FA pickup

2. Mild Rebuild

KG and PP one or both leave the celtics team (retire or buyout). Celtics now have a ton of capspace to grab a key FA. We all know there is some mutual interest between Josh Smith and the Celtics. Especially since Smith and Rondo are best of friends. Again a nice draft pick (BPA), and minor tweaks required.  May not be a top 4 seeded team, but definitely should be able to grab any playoff spot after. With another future key FA addition, maybe team suprises and grows similiar to how Denver, GS has

Potential starting lineup - Sully, Smith, Green, AB, Rondo
Potential Bench lineup - Bass, Crawford, Melo, Twill, Draft Pick, FA pickups (more money than scenerio 1)

3. Full Rebuild

KG and PP leave. Rondo not happy , Josh Smith and Celtics cannot come to terms. Celtics trade Rondo to the Hawks for Teague and 2013 multiple 1st round draft picks (18 and 19) as main package back. Get rid of Lee and Terry (hopefully for some 2nd round picks).  With multiple 1st round picks, i see Danny keeping them all and making the best of it.

one pf/c: Olynyk (offensively gifted), Plumlee (athletic, all around game), Dieng (length, quickness, iq), Withey (Defensive anchor)

one pg: Mcollum (Steph Curry potential), Shane Larkin (defensive all team, a smaller Chris Paul), Dennis Schroeder (considered Euro version of Rondo), Myck Kabango (athleticism, quickness)

one bpa: Kentavious Caldwell Pope, ,Jamaal Franklin, Archie Goodwin, Livio Jean-Charles, Allen Crabbe, Karasev

Potential Starting lineup- Sully, Plumlee, Green, AB, Larkin
Potential bench lineup - Bass, Teague, Franklin, Melo, Crawford, T will, FA pickups

I'm just stating this is how i likely see it going down for next season. Which option do you like it to happen??
Which option do you think will happen??

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'd go mid rebuild and start by trading Avery Bradley and drafting Jamal Franklin.

Bradley is an elite defender, but this Playoff series has shown that he's can be blown by, and he offers very little on the offensive side.

We need to flip Bass and Jet for picks or cheaper players. Regardless if we cant get equal value, we need to flip them for salary relief.

We can field a mid round pick for him the most. Draft Jamal Franklin, a Kawhi Leonard lite, with better offense. He's already a better passer than Bradley, has the athletic tools to be good to great on defense. Has a decent to good all around game and shooting.

We need to go for Jeff Whitey. I see some Andrew Bogut meanness with him. His mobile enough so he can cover the rotations excellent. If we develop his mid range shots we have a guy who can block, rebound and hit on the pick and pop. I'd try to sign Chris Kaman if we can't get Withey. A slow bu gritty veteran who has decent mid range shooting and interior toughness.

I would steal DeMarre Carrol from FA. Not the sexiest of names, but a very solid off the bench guy who can come for cheap.

Sign Jason Smith as backup PF/C.

I start from there.

[bobbyv]

I don't think we'll be signing any big free agents. Simply not enough cap room, and that's assuming KG agrees to a buyout (leaving the rest of his money on the table) and we decide to not bring Pierce back. Mild rebuild is not possible unless we do a Sign & Trade, which is unlikely.

Imo Danny either goes 1 or 3, and I don't see us getting anything for Bass/Terry at this point after the way they played this season.

[PhoSita]

Option #1 would not be a true contender.  I think at best we'd hope that they could compete for a top 4 seed in the East, but more likely they'd be what Atlanta, Brooklyn, or Chicago were this season.

Option #2 would be a waste.  Josh Smith is going to get max money in free agency.  He's not worth max money unless you're putting him next to a franchise superstar.  The Celtics don't have that kind of player.  Rondo and Smith do not a contender make.

Option #3 is the necessary evil here.  Let Pierce and KG go, do whatever it takes to get rid of Terry, shop Bass, and start acquiring and developing young assets beginning with the draft next year.

The key exception to #3 being that the Rondo trade you propose is downright terrible.

Rondo for Jeff Teague (a journeyman type who's ideally a backup) and two mid 1st round picks in a weak draft?  That's sickening.

[Tr1boy]

I'd go mid rebuild and start by trading Avery Bradley and drafting Jamal Franklin.

Bradley is an elite defender, but this Playoff series has shown that he's can be blown by, and he offers very little on the offensive side.

We can field a mid round pick for him the most. Draft Jamal Franklin, a Kawhi Leonard lite, with better offense. He's already a better passer than Bradley, has the athletic tools to be good to great on defense. Has a decent to good all around game and shooting.

We need to go for Jeff Whitey. I see some Andrew Bogut meanness with him. His mobile enough so he can cover the rotations excellent. If we develop his mid range shots we have a guy who can block, rebound and hit on the pick and pop.

I start from there.

I like this. Franklin definitely has all the tools to be a very good nba guard.  Definitely would be an upgrade on the offensive end vs Bradley. 

Withey would also be a nice pickup.  I know if we had him now, new york would think twice before driving in.  Would help out alot. Blocks shot at a high rate without fouling and keeping the ball in play.

[Tr1boy]

Option #1 would not be a true contender.  I think at best we'd hope that they could compete for a top 4 seed in the East, but more likely they'd be what Atlanta, Brooklyn, or Chicago were this season.

Option #2 would be a waste.  Josh Smith is going to get max money in free agency.  He's not worth max money unless you're putting him next to a franchise superstar.  The Celtics don't have that kind of player.  Rondo and Smith do not a contender make.

Option #3 is the necessary evil here.  Let Pierce and KG go, do whatever it takes to get rid of Terry, shop Bass, and start acquiring and developing young assets beginning with the draft next year.

The key exception to #3 being that the Rondo trade you propose is downright terrible.

Rondo for Jeff Teague (a journeyman type who's ideally a backup) and two mid 1st round picks in a weak draft?  That's sickening.

But you have to understand, Rondo with his recent injury is not going to get you back amazing or equivalent returns.  Its just not realistic.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'd go mid rebuild and start by trading Avery Bradley and drafting Jamal Franklin.

Bradley is an elite defender, but this Playoff series has shown that he's can be blown by, and he offers very little on the offensive side.

We can field a mid round pick for him the most. Draft Jamal Franklin, a Kawhi Leonard lite, with better offense. He's already a better passer than Bradley, has the athletic tools to be good to great on defense. Has a decent to good all around game and shooting.

We need to go for Jeff Whitey. I see some Andrew Bogut meanness with him. His mobile enough so he can cover the rotations excellent. If we develop his mid range shots we have a guy who can block, rebound and hit on the pick and pop.

I start from there.

I like this. Franklin definitely has all the tools to be a very good nba guard.  Definitely would be an upgrade on the offensive end vs Bradley. 

Withey would also be a nice pickup.  I know if we had him now, new york would think twice before driving in.  Would help out alot. Blocks shot at a high rate without fouling and keeping the ball in play.

Yes, we give up Bradley's elite defense for Franklin's potential.

The important thing is the salary dump. If we are successful to dump Terry, Bass and even Lee, we can save 10 to 16 million in salaries. That's a lot to sign solid free agents that may not put us in the upper echelon of teams but could help in the rebuilding stage as very solid role players.

I said his name a lot already, but Jason Smith can be our long term backup C/PF and he's still relatively young. We have T-Will, another ball handler and as he shown, a very good on ball defender backing up our 2 guard. Jordan Crawfor who can score off the bench like his brother. Who know who or what we can get from the three salary dumpees (is that even a word)?

It's a slow start, but a very good star nonetheless.

[CelticConcourse]

Option #1 would not be a true contender.  I think at best we'd hope that they could compete for a top 4 seed in the East, but more likely they'd be what Atlanta, Brooklyn, or Chicago were this season.

We'd have a 5% chance, I think.

[Tr1boy]

I'd go mid rebuild and start by trading Avery Bradley and drafting Jamal Franklin.

Bradley is an elite defender, but this Playoff series has shown that he's can be blown by, and he offers very little on the offensive side.

We can field a mid round pick for him the most. Draft Jamal Franklin, a Kawhi Leonard lite, with better offense. He's already a better passer than Bradley, has the athletic tools to be good to great on defense. Has a decent to good all around game and shooting.

We need to go for Jeff Whitey. I see some Andrew Bogut meanness with him. His mobile enough so he can cover the rotations excellent. If we develop his mid range shots we have a guy who can block, rebound and hit on the pick and pop.

I start from there.

I like this. Franklin definitely has all the tools to be a very good nba guard.  Definitely would be an upgrade on the offensive end vs Bradley. 

Withey would also be a nice pickup.  I know if we had him now, new york would think twice before driving in.  Would help out alot. Blocks shot at a high rate without fouling and keeping the ball in play.

Yes, we give up Bradley's elite defense for Franklin's potential.

The important thing is the salary dump. If we are successful to dump Terry, Bass and even Lee, we can save 10 to 16 million in salaries. That's a lot to sign solid free agents that may not put us in the upper echelon of teams but could help in the rebuilding stage as very solid role players.

I said his name a lot already, but Jason Smith can be our long term backup C/PF and he's still relatively young. We have T-Will, another ball handler and as he shown, a very good on ball defender backing up our 2 guard. Jordan Crawfor who can score off the bench like his brother. Who know who or what we can get from the three salary dumpees (is that even a word)?

It's a slow start, but a very good star nonetheless.

personally i like Bass. Not as a starter but as a bench guy. He is versatile and can defend multiple positions. Experienced vet, Athletic, that works hard and gives decent production. 

[greg683x]

I dont think Option #1 exists for us.

If you're able to be a contender it's moot to have two other options.

Unfortunately, contending isnt an option for us anymore.

Really the two options are to either to fully blow it up, or keep players like Green and Rondo and hope to get lucky with stockpiled talent in the 12-18 pick range in the draft like we did before.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'd go mid rebuild and start by trading Avery Bradley and drafting Jamal Franklin.

Bradley is an elite defender, but this Playoff series has shown that he's can be blown by, and he offers very little on the offensive side.

We can field a mid round pick for him the most. Draft Jamal Franklin, a Kawhi Leonard lite, with better offense. He's already a better passer than Bradley, has the athletic tools to be good to great on defense. Has a decent to good all around game and shooting.

We need to go for Jeff Whitey. I see some Andrew Bogut meanness with him. His mobile enough so he can cover the rotations excellent. If we develop his mid range shots we have a guy who can block, rebound and hit on the pick and pop.

I start from there.

I like this. Franklin definitely has all the tools to be a very good nba guard.  Definitely would be an upgrade on the offensive end vs Bradley. 

Withey would also be a nice pickup.  I know if we had him now, new york would think twice before driving in.  Would help out alot. Blocks shot at a high rate without fouling and keeping the ball in play.

Yes, we give up Bradley's elite defense for Franklin's potential.

The important thing is the salary dump. If we are successful to dump Terry, Bass and even Lee, we can save 10 to 16 million in salaries. That's a lot to sign solid free agents that may not put us in the upper echelon of teams but could help in the rebuilding stage as very solid role players.

I said his name a lot already, but Jason Smith can be our long term backup C/PF and he's still relatively young. We have T-Will, another ball handler and as he shown, a very good on ball defender backing up our 2 guard. Jordan Crawfor who can score off the bench like his brother. Who know who or what we can get from the three salary dumpees (is that even a word)?

It's a slow start, but a very good star nonetheless.

personally i like Bass. Not as a starter but as a bench guy. He is versatile and can defend multiple positions. Experienced vet, Athletic, that works hard and gives decent production.

I agree, but we can get that from Jason Smith who can probably come cheaper if not the same price. But he's taller. Sure he can't guard Melo or LeBron, but he's another 7'0" we can have in our stash.

[PhoSita]

Option #1 would not be a true contender.  I think at best we'd hope that they could compete for a top 4 seed in the East, but more likely they'd be what Atlanta, Brooklyn, or Chicago were this season.

We'd have a 5% chance, I think.

Teams like the Pacers, Grizzlies, and Clippers have a 5% chance.  The Celtics next season will not be even close to that.

[PhoSita]

Option #1 would not be a true contender.  I think at best we'd hope that they could compete for a top 4 seed in the East, but more likely they'd be what Atlanta, Brooklyn, or Chicago were this season.

Option #2 would be a waste.  Josh Smith is going to get max money in free agency.  He's not worth max money unless you're putting him next to a franchise superstar.  The Celtics don't have that kind of player.  Rondo and Smith do not a contender make.

Option #3 is the necessary evil here.  Let Pierce and KG go, do whatever it takes to get rid of Terry, shop Bass, and start acquiring and developing young assets beginning with the draft next year.

The key exception to #3 being that the Rondo trade you propose is downright terrible.

Rondo for Jeff Teague (a journeyman type who's ideally a backup) and two mid 1st round picks in a weak draft?  That's sickening.

But you have to understand, Rondo with his recent injury is not going to get you back amazing or equivalent returns.  Its just not realistic.

That's correct.  It's never a good policy to sell low.  That's why we should hold onto Rondo until he's had a full, healthy season playing at an All-Star level.

I think we should trade Rondo around the time of the draft next season, assuming he's been good next season.

[arctic 3.0]

option 3 gives us a lot of ping pong balls in a loaded 2014 draft.
it'll be an ugly season but we need a franchise player for the future.
 

[gpap]

I am beginning to think the only real viable option is for us to totally rebuild and tank next year.

Seriously, it's our only shot at EVER getting good again. Fortunately, as others have said, the 2014 draft should be a good one.

So, what I am saying is goodbye to Pierce and KG, deal Rondo and try to possibly acquire another 2014 draft pick.

Also, don't forget the free agent class of 2014 is a good one! So not only tank, but also start freeing up cap space by dumping Terry, Lee and Bass so we can go into 2014 with a lottery pick, another first round pick and a ton of cap space. I figure if we do this, then by 2016 we could be sitting pretty again.

Sickening to think it could be 3 years til we are good again, but that's how it goes in the NBA unf. You have to get really bad to get really good again (see 2006 and then 2007.)