Do you expect the Celts to make the playoffs next season?

[Tr1boy]

for those that think we won't make the playoffs next season, unless a major trade happens, how will that affect the ability for Danny to sign Rondo for the long term?

If we don't make the playoffs next season, in the East with a healthy Rondo playing all season long, then Ainge should be able to sign Rondo for relatively cheap - which would be good. We've already seen that he can be the 4th best player on a championship team, and if we can get away with paying him like that we'll be in good shape to add more talent.

Are you also considering what Rondo will want?

[Mr October]

Unless ainge goes into win now mode, and trades some picks for an all star, i dont see the celtics making the playoffs. Even then, it takes two to tango in a trade, i am not convinced Minnesota and NY are ready to give up Love or Anthony (via sign and trade) just yet.

Then the celtics would still need to find a center who is even mediocrely capable on defense.

With the expected loss of humphries (and maybe Bass) and the acquisition of a couple raw rookies, i expect the celtics to miss the playoffs next year. The celtics front court might become very young.

But rondo could be convinced to stay if he sees the foundation for future success. He is a smart guy.

[PhoSita]

I think if you added a decent center with legitimate size who can defend the basket to this team, with a fully healthy Rondo and Sullinger playing together, this could very well be a playoff team, albeit a low seed.

With that in mind, if Ainge makes a play for Asik this summer, or if the team gets lucky and drafts an impact center (i.e. Embiid, or maybe if some guy taken later in the 1st is a surprise), I could see them making the playoffs.

Most likely, though, this summer will feature more moves getting rid of unnecessary veterans, and the team will struggle again next season.  Though I do expect them to win more games next year than this year.

[Donoghus]

I definitely agree with the sentiment that its a multi-year rebuild and I don't see big things happening to the roster until after next season (or '14-15 trading deadline).

If the Celtics make the playoffs next year, it would be as a 7 or 8 seed or would probably reflect being in a weak Eastern conference rather than speak of the quaility of the team.

[PhoSita]

If the Celtics make the playoffs next year, it would be as a 7 or 8 seed or would probably reflect being in a weak Eastern conference rather than speak of the quality of the team.

Definitely.  If it comes as a result of the quality and increasing cohesion of the Celtics' young core, I'd be perfectly happy with that.

[LarBrd33]

Cant even rule out the playoffs this season.  We have 20 games left and I think we're primed for a big winning streak.  Rondo has been great.  Green averaged 20+ last month.  Sully is back.  Bradley should come back... Wallace is injured which means we've cleared up a spot for someone to step up as the "surprise" impact player (Oly?/Humph?)...

It's possible.

[D.o.s.]

for those that think we won't make the playoffs next season, unless a major trade happens, how will that affect the ability for Danny to sign Rondo for the long term?

If we don't make the playoffs next season, in the East with a healthy Rondo playing all season long, then Ainge should be able to sign Rondo for relatively cheap - which would be good. We've already seen that he can be the 4th best player on a championship team, and if we can get away with paying him like that we'll be in good shape to add more talent.

Are you also considering what Rondo will want?

Rondo's bargaining power is near zero if we miss the playoffs this year and next.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I don't care as long as we have a plan.  If it looks like another top level draft (it does), we haven't been able to add anyone via free agency and our draft pick from this year is a work in progress (like Embiid), then I will be fine with making the playoffs but if we end up with another top pick I won't exactly be disappointed.

The real question is if the East will be as putrid next year as it is this year.  If it gets even worse and we add a top 3 pick to this team, we might make the playoffs in spite of ourselves

[Mr October]

Cant even rule out the playoffs this season.  We have 20 games left and I think we're primed for a big winning streak.  Rondo has been great.  Green averaged 20+ last month.  Sully is back.  Bradley should come back... Wallace is injured which means we've cleared up a spot for someone to step up as the "surprise" impact player (Oly?/Humph?)...

It's possible.

The march schedule is brutal. Lots of playoff teams. I would be surprised if the celtics win more than 4 games this month. In order to make the playoffs this season the celtics would have to finish 15-7. That's not happening. I think the Cs have beaten 1 winning team in the past 2 1/2 months.

Gather your lucky charms and have them ready in May.

[LarBrd33]

Cant even rule out the playoffs this season.  We have 20 games left and I think we're primed for a big winning streak.  Rondo has been great.  Green averaged 20+ last month.  Sully is back.  Bradley should come back... Wallace is injured which means we've cleared up a spot for someone to step up as the "surprise" impact player (Oly?/Humph?)...

It's possible.

The march schedule is brutal. Lots of playoff teams. I would be surprised if the celtics win more than 4 games this month. In order to make the playoffs this season the celtics would have to finish 15-7. That's not happening. I think the Cs have beaten 1 winning team in the past 2 1/2 months.

Gather your lucky charms and have them ready in May.

Is it legal to reverse jinx in a tank year?  How does that work?

I think the Celtics are going to win 15 of the next 20, make the playoffs and draft Markel Brown.  NBAdraft.net says he's the next Ray Allen.  No wait... the next Allan Ray.  My bad.

[Smokeeye123]

If we have the 4th pick or better in April the real tanking will go underway. Im talking about KO, Pressey, Sully, Johnson, Anthony starting lineups...

[Mr October]

Cant even rule out the playoffs this season.  We have 20 games left and I think we're primed for a big winning streak.  Rondo has been great.  Green averaged 20+ last month.  Sully is back.  Bradley should come back... Wallace is injured which means we've cleared up a spot for someone to step up as the "surprise" impact player (Oly?/Humph?)...

It's possible.

The march schedule is brutal. Lots of playoff teams. I would be surprised if the celtics win more than 4 games this month. In order to make the playoffs this season the celtics would have to finish 15-7. That's not happening. I think the Cs have beaten 1 winning team in the past 2 1/2 months.

Gather your lucky charms and have them ready in May.

Is it legal to reverse jinx in a tank year?  How does that work?

I think the Celtics are going to win 15 of the next 20, make the playoffs and draft Markel Brown.  NBAdraft.net says he's the next Ray Allen.  No wait... the next Allan Ray.  My bad.

Haha. I was going to ask if this was a reverse jinx. Whatever helps you sleep at night....

[Tr1boy]

for those that think we won't make the playoffs next season, unless a major trade happens, how will that affect the ability for Danny to sign Rondo for the long term?

If we don't make the playoffs next season, in the East with a healthy Rondo playing all season long, then Ainge should be able to sign Rondo for relatively cheap - which would be good. We've already seen that he can be the 4th best player on a championship team, and if we can get away with paying him like that we'll be in good shape to add more talent.

Are you also considering what Rondo will want?

Rondo's bargaining power is near zero if we miss the playoffs this year and next.

So teams will offer him what then?

[Fafnir]

I don't see how the C's missing the playoffs will allow us to get Rondo on a bargain contract. I mean do you really think Melo is going to be taking much less than the maximum deal this off-season?

[KGs Knee]

If we have the 4th pick or better in April the real tanking will go underway. Im talking about KO, Pressey, Sully, Johnson, Anthony starting lineups...

You know, I hope your wrong, but I know your not.

And it really will be embarrassing.

Sigh...