Keep it together one more year - collect assets

[jay]

Give Pierce and KG (and Terry) one more chance with a healthy Rondo.  Keep them together one more year.  Everyone except Wilcox is under contract.  Keep the older guys minutes down to 28-30 per game, let them sit out the 2nd of back to backs.  They've shown they can step up in playoffs.

2013-2014  (Trade down and get DeShaun Thomas plus a pick in the 30s)

Rondo, AB, Pierce, Green, KG

Terry, Lee, (Deshaun Thomas), Bass, Sullinger

Crawford, TWill, Melo, (2nd round pick PF/C)


2014-2015:   Let Paul, Terry, KG retire.  Sign two B level free agents like Spencer Hawes and Rodney Stuckey.  Two guys that are still under 30, but cheaper than an A level free agent.  Two guys that can be rotation players.  Draft the best player available. 

Rondo,  AB  ,  Green, Sullinger,  Hawes

Stuckey, Lee, Thomas, Bass,  Melo

Crawford, TWill,  (Kyle Anderson-UCLA), (2013 2nd round pick PF/C), (2014 2nd rd pick C)

[jay]

Then at the trade deadline in 2014/2015 - package 3 of these guys together and try to trade for an impact player to team with Rondo and Green.  (Re:  KG trade, Ray Allen trade, Pau Gasol trade)


Trade Lee, Bass, Melo  or Stuckey, Sullinger, Thomas for a really good PF or Center.  Its hard for all the pieces to fall in place to sign a max guy.  It has worked in the past to trade for one. 

Try to get 6-9+ big, strong athletes in the 2nd round and see how they develop.  Having a year with KG around can't hurt their development.

[JOMVP]

If KG decides to come back, this roster is gonna look very similar.

I wonder though that the way things are shaping up in the playoffs that Avery Bradley and Courtnee Lee would be expendable in a trade package. I gotta assume that AB - Lee, plus our pick has got to be worth a decent big to pair with KG. Or maybe not

[PhoSita]

What are we, Golden State or San Antonio?

We're not going to get any late first round / early to mid second round draft picks in here who will contribute to any potential playoff run.

[guava_wrench]

I don't care much, unless we look like we can beat Miami.  New York is like every Melo team - not very good when it counts. And we still are down 2-3!

We may not actually have many options though next year. KG gets to stay if he wants to stay. Unless we are bringing in impact players, the only reason to not keep Pierce would be if we were way above luxury tax.

[Yogi]

What are we, Golden State or San Antonio?

We're not going to get any late first round / early to mid second round draft picks in here who will contribute to any potential playoff run.

Yeah guys like Rajon Rondo, Al Jefferson, Jared Sullinger, Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis, Tony Allen, Avery Bradley can't be had where the Celtics draft. 

[bobbyv]

I agree. We just need one decent big to give KG a rest

[guava_wrench]

I agree. We just need one decent big to give KG a rest

And then where are we?

[Evantime34]

If  Kg doesn't retire I don't see Pierce being moved. If this is the case our best option is to keep them both and have them continue to mentor Melo, Bradley, Sully and the rookies.

[LooseCannon]

I agree. We just need one decent big to give KG a rest

And then where are we?

A team with championship-caliber defense and questions on offense that might be solved somewhat by the return of Rondo and Sullinger and the addition of a decent big who, if not a scorer, isn't worthless on offense.

[Celtics4ever]

continue to mentor Melo,

He needs more than mentoring..

Say we draft Gorgui Deing, tall mobile defensive big who can do the pick and roll, defend the rim and board.  Melo could go packing.

[guava_wrench]

I agree. We just need one decent big to give KG a rest

And then where are we?

A team with championship-caliber defense and questions on offense that might be solved somewhat by the return of Rondo and Sullinger and the addition of a decent big who, if not a scorer, isn't worthless on offense.

There are quite a few teams with championship caliber defenses. That doesn't make them championship caliber teams.

I am not opposed to relying on a 2% chance of getting a championship. But I am also not opposed to making moves for a team that will more enjoyable to watch over the next 8 years.

[ManUp]

If ever there was a year to start a rebuilding it'd be next year.

[wdleehi]

Rebuilding in a question of patience.


Waiting for the big contacts roll off.


Trade the MLE contracts for shorter contracts when ever possible.


See if Green can bring back a good big man.


Draft attractive players.


Create a team of Rondo, attractive cheap pieces and cap flexibility.  Then look to make the big trade to bring in the star to put next to Rondo.

[connor]

I agree. We just need one decent big to give KG a rest

And then where are we?

A team with championship-caliber defense and questions on offense that might be solved somewhat by the return of Rondo and Sullinger and the addition of a decent big who, if not a scorer, isn't worthless on offense.

There are quite a few teams with championship caliber defenses. That doesn't make them championship caliber teams.

I am not opposed to relying on a 2% chance of getting a championship. But I am also not opposed to making moves for a team that will more enjoyable to watch over the next 8 years.

This.

I'm not sold one way or another. I'm torn between wanting to see KG and PP retire Celtics and giving them a chance to team up with Rondo and Sully back in the fold and whoever else we can rustle up and seeing if we can come full circle and finish with another ring (even though its a 2% chance or whatever).

And then at the same time the businessman/gm in me is screaming to move what we can now for cap space or young assets to start building for the future now, before we dig ourselves a big hole and relegate Rondo to what Pierce had to struggle through before KG and Ray came over.