Give me your best non-tanking rebuilding plan!

[Jailan34]

Title pretty much says it all, I'm hoping this doesn't become a huge argument on which path to rebuilding is better. I recently joined this blog just to get ideas about how to approach the future of this team from other passionate fans.

Like I said I personally am going to stay away from arguing or agreeing/disagreeing just looking for some interesting ideas on how to rebuild the team we all love!

So from a non-tanking perspective what is your best rebuilding plan?

[PhoSita]

I guess first you've got to define what "non-tanking" means, since it's hard to come to a consensus around these parts what it actually means to tank.

I'll assume you mean "Rebuild without being bad enough to get a top 5 pick."


If we're following that plan, I think the best we can do is
- just try to make the best of our late lottery / mid-1st round picks,
- avoid overspending on role players (our own and on other teams),
- look for guys in free agency or via trade who we can buy low, build up, and sell high, and then
- try to position ourselves to make a couple of big trades for key players to lead the next Celtics contender. 

Combine that with
- some quality draft picks and
- a couple of smart free agency additions

and we could have a dark horse contender along the lines of the Pacers, Warriors, or Grizzlies. 

Our team won't be in the upper echelon inhabited by those teams with the true megastars like LeBron and Durant, but it'll be entertaining and competitive.

[Jailan34]

I guess first you've got to define what "non-tanking" means, since it's hard to come to a consensus around these parts what it actually means to tank.

I'll assume you mean "Rebuild without being bad enough to get a top 5 pick."


If we're following that plan, I think the best we can do is
- just try to make the best of our late lottery / mid-1st round picks,
- avoid overspending on role players (our own and on other teams),
- look for guys in free agency or via trade who we can buy low, build up, and sell high, and then
- try to position ourselves to make a couple of big trades for key players to lead the next Celtics contender. 

Combine that with
- some quality draft picks and
- a couple of smart free agency additions

and we could have a dark horse contender along the lines of the Pacers, Warriors, or Grizzlies. 

Our team won't be in the upper echelon inhabited by those teams with the true megastars like LeBron and Durant, but it'll be entertaining and competitive.

Yeah sorry I should have made that a bit more clear, but what you said is my exact definition.

[JBcat]

I'd love to say lets go trade for Kevin Durant, but there isn't any superstar or even fringe star on the market right now (unless if the Knicks continue to implode).  Ainge just has to continue to be patient, have some cap flexibility, draft well even if not in lottery (would be great if we could find non lottery gem like Rondo and Sully again), win trades even the small ones like the Crawford one last year, and we could be like the previous poster said the Pacers, Grizzlies, or Warriors.  Also with the coach and GM we have I feel confident with this route if we don't happen to land a high lottery pick.

[oldtype]

The only realistic one that's possible in the near future (1~2 years) seems like going for Melo.

[Jailan34]

The only realistic one that's possible in the near future (1~2 years) seems like going for Melo.

Well by rebuilding it doesn't mean we need to be title contenders immediately, it means a plan that has a series or signings/trades/picks that will get us into contention.

I just wanted to see what the general consensus plan was for non-tankers.

Also, I'm not too sure that Signing Melo brings us into contention but it's an interesting thought.

[oldtype]

The only realistic one that's possible in the near future (1~2 years) seems like going for Melo.

Well by rebuilding it doesn't mean we need to be title contenders immediately, it means a plan that has a series or signings/trades/picks that will get us into contention.

I just wanted to see what the general consensus plan was for non-tankers.

Also, I'm not too sure that Signing Melo brings us into contention but it's an interesting thought.

I mean, the obvious one is just sit tight, develop young players, stockpile assets until the next KG/Ray Allen comes along. That's going to take a long, long time though. I can't see any top 10 player in the league other than Melo wanting to leave their current team for the foreseeable future. We're going to have to be very patient and wait for 4~5 years until the right opportunity comes along.

Winning the draft potentially accelerates this schedule very quickly if we get a franchise player. The point I was trying to make was that the only way we can rebuild at a similar timescale without tanking is taking a shot at the best player available (Melo) and seeing how it goes.

[Jailan34]

The only realistic one that's possible in the near future (1~2 years) seems like going for Melo.

Well by rebuilding it doesn't mean we need to be title contenders immediately, it means a plan that has a series or signings/trades/picks that will get us into contention.

I just wanted to see what the general consensus plan was for non-tankers.

Also, I'm not too sure that Signing Melo brings us into contention but it's an interesting thought.

I mean, the obvious one is just sit tight, develop young players, stockpile assets until the next KG/Ray Allen comes along. That's going to take a long, long time though. I can't see any top 10 player in the league other than Melo wanting to leave their current team for the foreseeable future. We're going to have to be very patient and wait for 4~5 years until the right opportunity comes along.

Winning the draft potentially accelerates this schedule very quickly if we get a franchise player. The point I was trying to make was that the only way we can rebuild at a similar timescale without tanking is taking a shot at the best player available (Melo) and seeing how it goes.

That's a great point and one I've never understood, waiting for a big trade could take just as long as the few years we'd be tanking for a top pick. Also, and obviously, a big trade like that is just like the lottery, it's never a sure thing.

[LooseCannon]

Maintain a flexible salary cap situation where you can make a trade to clear cap space to sign a free agent.  Maintain a stockpile of draft picks you can use to trade for a star.  Draft well.  Be patient and wait for another GM to be stupid.  Don't get tunnel vision over acquiring a specific player.

[Moranis]

Are we talking about rebuilding (you know the 5 year plan or so) or are we talking about going for it in the next couple of years.  Two entirely different things, which require two entirely different paths.

[dreamgreen]

The only realistic one that's possible in the near future (1~2 years) seems like going for Melo.

Well by rebuilding it doesn't mean we need to be title contenders immediately, it means a plan that has a series or signings/trades/picks that will get us into contention.

I just wanted to see what the general consensus plan was for non-tankers.

Also, I'm not too sure that Signing Melo brings us into contention but it's an interesting thought.

I mean, the obvious one is just sit tight, develop young players, stockpile assets until the next KG/Ray Allen comes along. That's going to take a long, long time though. I can't see any top 10 player in the league other than Melo wanting to leave their current team for the foreseeable future. We're going to have to be very patient and wait for 4~5 years until the right opportunity comes along.

Winning the draft potentially accelerates this schedule very quickly if we get a franchise player. The point I was trying to make was that the only way we can rebuild at a similar timescale without tanking is taking a shot at the best player available (Melo) and seeing how it goes.

Right now I think you are right. Melo is the only player I can think of that is a top player that could leave his team. Otherwise we have to pray to get lucky in the draft.

[Jailan34]

Maintain a flexible salary cap situation where you can make a trade to clear cap space to sign a free agent.  Maintain a stockpile of draft picks you can use to trade for a star.  Draft well.  Be patient and wait for another GM to be stupid.  Don't get tunnel vision over acquiring a specific player.

What kind of free agent would you be interested in signing? Doesn't have to be anyone specific, just the position and kind of player. I've had a hard time myself finding a free agent that is a good enough player to make a big difference in our team,that would be interested in playing here as not many are. Kevin Love came to mind but he can't even opt out until 2015.

[PhoSita]

Maintain a flexible salary cap situation where you can make a trade to clear cap space to sign a free agent.  Maintain a stockpile of draft picks you can use to trade for a star.  Draft well.  Be patient and wait for another GM to be stupid.  Don't get tunnel vision over acquiring a specific player.

What kind of free agent would you be interested in signing? Doesn't have to be anyone specific, just the position and kind of player. I've had a hard time myself finding a free agent that is a good enough player to make a big difference in our team,that would be interested in playing here as not many are. Kevin Love came to mind but he can't even opt out until 2015.

I don't expect any really significant free agents to sign in Boston until the team collects some more star talent.

Rondo, Sullinger, and Green are not going to lure Kevin Love away from Minnesota, or Alridge away from Portland.

[Jailan34]

Are we talking about rebuilding (you know the 5 year plan or so) or are we talking about going for it in the next couple of years.  Two entirely different things, which require two entirely different paths.

Well I guess that would depend on your plan, do you think it'd be best to go all in and do whatever we can to acquire another star to pair with rondo and go all in? Or would you take the player development route? One might lead to short term success while another could not have the immediate payoff but come with a longer run of title contention.

There is no right answer, just what in your mind is the best way to rebuild this team.

[LooseCannon]

Maintain a flexible salary cap situation where you can make a trade to clear cap space to sign a free agent.  Maintain a stockpile of draft picks you can use to trade for a star.  Draft well.  Be patient and wait for another GM to be stupid.  Don't get tunnel vision over acquiring a specific player.

What kind of free agent would you be interested in signing? Doesn't have to be anyone specific, just the position and kind of player. I've had a hard time myself finding a free agent that is a good enough player to make a big difference in our team,that would be interested in playing here as not many are. Kevin Love came to mind but he can't even opt out until 2015.

I admit to having some interest in seeing one or more Gasol as a Celtic, but I think the Celtics could benefit from adding two very good players rather than one great player.

I'd like to find a defense-first center and a three-point shooting sixth man scoring wing who isn't a defensive liability.