It benefits us more to play Crowder until the trade deadline. Showcasing Crowder might help us flip him for a pick. He's a free agent and I doubt he's part of the long-term plans. Young is here for 4 years minimum... we can take our sweet time with him.
Crowder is a keeper.
He is the type of player we need on our team.
I'm not sure Crowder is a keeper. He has a solid future as a role player, but I think Boston would rather utilize the cap space to sign impact stars. Since he's a free agent, there's a chance we'll have to pay him money that will cut into our flexibility. As unrealistic as many people here think it is, we still want to at least attempt to have enough cap space to sign two max players in the event a couple guys want to join up together in a big market with a huge fanbase.
Wouldn't at all be surprised to see us flip Crowder. It's the same reason we're looking to trade Austin Rivers. WHy bother cutting into our salary next year with below-average prospects?
I have to disagree here. When you find quality rotation players who work hard and fit your system, why keep looking? Crowder's salary should be reasonable. Why not lock him up? No sense playing musical chairs til our entire roster is 21 or younger.
I agree with this. Cap flexibility is nice, but what are we staying flexible
for? Maintaining the vaunted flexibility is at least a bit of a gamble, and needs to be compared to the opportunity cost. I don't think we're going to sign anyone game changing this off season--more because we have to prove that we aren't a bad team rather than the general 'no one wants to come to Boston' deal--so why pass up on Crowder for that? Maybe we get a second for him, or best case a severely restricted 1st, but wouldn't we get a better deal if he was locked up on what proves to be a decent contract for three years? Especially after the cap skyrockets?
I'd rather keep someone, even if we have to overpay compared to the market, who hustles and helps install the culture we need to win, than gamble and hope I can add a star or two this off season. Plus, maybe this is a guy who helps prove that we are a good team, that a superstar could contend on over the next decade.