Would you guys consider this a contender?

[Monkhouse]

Lets say we decide to build around Rondo. We go after Stephenson, offer him a decent contract. He may be tied to Larry Bird, but.... Money talks, eh?

We trade for Love, offer Sully, Humphries, and maybe someone else with '14 1st pick, Clippers, and one of the Nets pick, for Love/Hummel.

As for Asik, I guess we could offer Bass+the conditional 76ers pick which may or may not turn as a first round, and a future second rounder.

So our line up as is...

Rondo
Stephenson
Green
Love
Asik

Do you consider that a contender?

This is the most realistic contender I can see us having, unless somehow Danny grabs Melo.

[Roy H.]

We don't have the salary cap space to offer Stephenson.

Otherwise, I think that team could be an outside contender.  Ideally we'd upgrade the SF spot.  The championship team I'd say that squad most resembles is the Mavericks, between the stretch power forward, the strong interior defense, etc.  Rondo brings an added element, but our squad doesn't have a small forward who can impact the game like Marion did.

[Donoghus]

I think that team can get you to a conference finals. 

So, yeah, like Roy mentioned; an outside contender.

[moiso]

I'd like to know what the bench looks like but that team is absolutely a contender.  That team should be able to compete with Miami and Indiana in the east.

[Monkhouse]

Is there anyway Ainge can possibly get rid of Wallace/Bass in draft day or offseason? And then offer Stephenson a contract?

I'd like to know what the bench looks like but that team is absolutely a contender.  That team should be able to compete with Miami and Indiana in the east.

Assuming we keep Chris Johnson/Pressey, and KO. I think a lot of vets will want to play for us especially since we'll be considered contenders.

[gpap]

Not only do I consider that a contending team, but I consider that a very, very good team!

Question is, how do we get Love, Stephenson and Asik?

[D.o.s.]

We don't have the salary cap space to offer Stephenson.

Otherwise, I think that team could be an outside contender.  Ideally we'd upgrade the SF spot.  The championship team I'd say that squad most resembles is the Mavericks, between the stretch power forward, the strong interior defense, etc.  Rondo brings an added element, but our squad doesn't have a small forward who can impact the game like Marion did.

Pretty much this.

[PhoSita]

That team would be pretty competitive, but other than Love there isn't a high level scoring option in that starting lineup.

I think it'd be prone to offensive stagnation, too, since neither Stephenson nor Rondo is a reliable outside shooter, and Green is streaky and not especially good at creating perimeter looks for himself.

[Lucky17]

Bradley will be a cheaper SG option than Stephenson, and perhaps a better complementary player for that lineup.

Use the savings there to upgrade the SF position to a bonafide second option to Love on offense.

[kozlodoev]

We don't have the salary cap space to offer Stephenson.

Stephenson can be absorbed via PP's exception. So there are ways to sign him if we're so inclined.

[Mr October]

That team would be pretty competitive, but other than Love there isn't a high level scoring option in that starting lineup.

I think it'd be prone to offensive stagnation, too, since neither Stephenson nor Rondo is a reliable outside shooter, and Green is streaky and not especially good at creating perimeter looks for himself.

Yeah, i was going to write the same. If love is injured or has an off night, or runs up against a tough defender, where does the offense come from?

I see this as a 50 win team that gets bounced in the second round each year.

One thing to keep in mind with Kevin love, is that in the playoffs teams are extremely prepared for you, and will prevent (or at least slow down) you from doing your first and second favorite way of scoring.  We have no idea what Kevin Love plays like when the defense ratchets up in the playoffs. Can he rise to the occasion night after night and in the clutch like the other big time scorers have?

[More Banners]

Lets say we decide to build around Rondo. We go after Stephenson, offer him a decent contract. He may be tied to Larry Bird, but.... Money talks, eh?

We trade for Love, offer Sully, Humphries, and maybe someone else with '14 1st pick, Clippers, and one of the Nets pick, for Love/Hummel.

As for Asik, I guess we could offer Bass+the conditional 76ers pick which may or may not turn as a first round, and a future second rounder.

So our line up as is...

Rondo
Stephenson
Green
Love
Asik

Do you consider that a contender?

This is the most realistic contender I can see us having, unless somehow Danny grabs Melo.

Okay...

Stephenson comes in with the $10M trade exception, essentially fills Hump's space under the tax line, with $2M to spare, roughly.

Love comes by trade of Sully, Bogans, Bradley (S&T), and some assortment of picks.

Asik comes by trade of...okay, never mind.  We're out of bullets.

That gets us most of the way there, but still need the 5.

Rondo/Stephenson/Green/KO/Love anyone?

[KG_ended_Bias]

My gut feeling is you try your best to get Carmelo at draft time thus summer. Then u clear enough cap room by trading Green to a team with space to absorb him. And dump Wallace with a one of our lower 1st or just have him fall off in 15', And go full out for Lebron. I think Lebron feels bad for Melo & would come play with him in Boston because of its storied history! Maybe I'm delusional but if you don't attain Melo 1st, nobody is joining us. Kevin Love is not a marquee enough name to lure a talent equal to him in my belief & that's what you need to win a title. Love, Melo & Rondo could be a contender also but idk if we have the means to make that happen by the start of the 14-15 season or that season's trade deadline.

[More Banners]

My gut feeling is you try your best to get Carmelo at draft time thus summer. Then u clear enough cap room by trading Green to a team with space to absorb him. And dump Wallace with a one of our lower 1st or just have him fall off in 15', And go full out for Lebron. I think Lebron feels bad for Melo & would come play with him in Boston because of its storied history! Maybe I'm delusional but if you don't attain Melo 1st, nobody is joining us. Kevin Love is not a marquee enough name to lure a talent equal to him in my belief & that's what you need to win a title. Love, Melo & Rondo could be a contender also but idk if we have the means to make that happen by the start of the 14-15 season or that season's trade deadline.

The Knicks are a horrid mess, and they could start the path to rebuild in one trade with us.

What's the top price you would pay for a top-NBA talent, without Rondo?

I might assume that they would start by asking for Sully, KO, Bogans, and both 2014 picks (assuming no top-5) or 3 consecutive 1sts.

I also assume that we keep one of Sully/KO and not give up more than 2 picks, but that a deal can get done. 

Which player would you keep?

[Quetzalcoatl]

I wouldn't give up our 2014 first if it's in the top 4 for Melo or Love.  Love can't play defense and Melo has been in the league 11 years already and isn't a one man contender machine like LeBron or Durant.  I think the fastest rebuild we can do is a big three with one of Wiggins/Embiid/Parker + Rondo + a big trade for someone like Love or Melo.  Sully + Green + Other Picks for the FA.