We make the playoffs...get knocked out. then what?

[Bosstown]

We still have no go to scorer or franchise player. I'm getting concerned about our lack of a superstar/franchise player. All of our pieces that we have are complementary at this point, I honestly don't see Smart ever being a 20ppg guy, I see him being a potential All First Team Defense though and for that alone he's worth to keep around. I just am not sold on the current structure of this team and we have never been able to attract any big time free agents. I am just worried about being in the middle, too good to tank and too bad to be a contender. At least in 2007 we had PP, right now we have a bunch of unproven assets who are playing just good enough for a first round exit.

Look guys I hate tanking and root for the Cs regardless, but I have to be concerned about the future of this team. The goal is championships, to get championships you need at LEAST one Superstar and that person isn't coming here via free agency. I just don't understand Ainge's plan right now...feels like we're in no mans land.

[Evantime34]

If we make the playoffs we go about our business just like we would if we didn't make the playoffs.

The C's will use their extra draft picks to try and move up if they see a great player available. They will try to get a good young player in free agency that can exceed his current market value in the future. They are going to keep some assets in their back pocket incase a superstar becomes available at the next trade deadline. Finally, they will watch the Nets deteriorate until they provide us with a lottery pick.

[DrJasper]

Maybe he wants to trade up in the draft , I mean we have enough assets to do so.

[kozlodoev]

For all practical purposes, we're the Brooklyn Nets in the next several drafts. I wouldn't be particularly  concerned about trying to tank for a pick.

[kozlodoev]

/removed double-post

[JBcat]

You are forgetting the ton of draft picks we have to trade for a superstar.

For the first time in like forever we'll actually have cap space this year.  We never really had it in the past to go after the higher priced free agents.

If our team was mostly in the 25 to say 35 age range I would be concerned about leveling off, but our core group is from around 20 to mid 20s with upside left, and very tradeable pieces.

Ainge has tons of flexibilty for more moves, and teams like the Hawks and Raptors gives me hope we can at least get into deep playoff contention without a true superstar.

[MBunge]

Here's the plan.

1.  Collect more picks than Boston will ever be able to use.

2.  Have plenty of cap space.

3.  Wait and see.

Maybe Kevin Love opts in for one more year in Cleveland but then wants to be The Man with a max contract on another team.  Maybe Boston gets lucky in the lottery.  Maybe Philly would offer up Embiid for the two Brooklyn picks.  Maybe one of Boston's collection of young talent turns out a lot better than expected.

Rather than lock himself into one plan, Ainge has put himself in position to pursue many plans and seize any opportunity that arises.

Mike

[Celtics4ever]

Kevin Love would be a seriously flawed option to build a team around.   How can people even still think that?

[Timdawgg]

Here's the plan.

1.  Collect more picks than Boston will ever be able to use.

2.  Have plenty of cap space.

3.  Wait and see.

Maybe Kevin Love opts in for one more year in Cleveland but then wants to be The Man with a max contract on another team.  Maybe Boston gets lucky in the lottery.  Maybe Philly would offer up Embiid for the two Brooklyn picks.  Maybe one of Boston's collection of young talent turns out a lot better than expected.

Rather than lock himself into one plan, Ainge has put himself in position to pursue many plans and seize any opportunity that arises.

Mike

Dead on!!! TP!  Just need to sit tight and take advantage of situations (see Isaiah Thomas trade).  Just need a couple of those types of situations and the C's are golden!!

[D.o.s.]

For all practical purposes, we're the Brooklyn Nets in the next several drafts. I wouldn't be particularly  concerned about trying to tank for a pick.

^

[Chris22]

We have 5 first round draft picks in the next two years plus cap space.

And Brooklyn's first round picks the two years after that.

We are going to kick a...

[Evantime34]

For all practical purposes, we're the Brooklyn Nets in the next several drafts. I wouldn't be particularly  concerned about trying to tank for a pick.

Completely agree with this. If we are able to make the playoffs this year (I don't think we will), then we will be doing it at the expense of Brooklyn. If they can't make the playoffs this year I don't know how they would do so next year.

Random not completely on topic question.

in 2017 when we have the right to swap firsts with Brooklyn, can we swap Memphis' first with Brooklyn or only our own?

[Chris22]

For all practical purposes, we're the Brooklyn Nets in the next several drafts. I wouldn't be particularly  concerned about trying to tank for a pick.

Completely agree with this. If we are able to make the playoffs this year (I don't think we will), then we will be doing it at the expense of Brooklyn. If they can't make the playoffs this year I don't know how they would do so next year.

Random not completely on topic question.

in 2017 when we have the right to swap firsts with Brooklyn, can we swap Memphis' first with Brooklyn or only our own?

Only our own.

[SparzWizard]

But what if we DON'T get knocked out....what if we're the ones knocking out the Hawks? 

[Cman]

Then we swing a draft night trade for DeMarcus Cousins.

(Edit -- that's my dream scenario, anyway).