What Front Court Free Agent Pairing Would Be Ideal?

[TheFlex]

Anyone next to DeMarcus Cousins.

I'd be amused to see the reaction if both Olynyk and Sullinger were dealt as part of a package for Cousins and the Celtics re-signed Bass to start next to DMC.

I'm a huge fan of Sullinger, and really like Klynyk, but there's few realistic gets at center to put next to either that I would prefer over Bass/Cousins, Cousins being the reason.

[arctic 3.0]

Monroe and Middleton are both realistic and complimentary.
While the big moose isn't a shot blocking 5 he is a better than advertised defender at the 5.
With these two plus Avery, smart and Oly  you run great defenders at the 1-3 with 3 significant outside threats at the 2-3 and 4.
Monroe clogs the paint on d, gobbles up rebounds and p&r's his way to 18 PTA a game.

Finally swap sully or Zeller and a late first for a shot blocking big (Henson) and run a deep bench of crowder, Henson  IT, Jerebko, Turner and either Sully or Zeller. BS will love keeping the pressure on with this mob.

Edit: I just love this line up. So well balanced.
Smart, IT
Bradley, turner,
Middleton, Crowder
Oly, Henson,
Monroe, Zeller
Monroe, Zeller

[Csfan1984]

Save your $ for 2016

Davis and Drummond

[jpotter33]

Anyone next to DeMarcus Cousins.

I'd be amused to see the reaction if both Olynyk and Sullinger were dealt as part of a package for Cousins and the Celtics re-signed Bass to start next to DMC.

If it gets us DMC, then I'm fine with it, though I think JJ would be a better short-term fit at 4 than BB. If we could trade for DMC before free agency, I'm sure we wouldn't have a problem convincing one of the good power forward free agents to sign here.

[LGC88]

I'm all in for monroe and middleton to reinforce as a whole team, instead of taking 2 huge contracts that cost us too much and will limit our flexibility next year.
Our strength is team play and our bench. Let's improve our starters without damaging the rest for next year and we are almost there.

[Bankshot]

Save your $ for 2016

Davis and Drummond

Extremely unlikely, but I'd like Davis too.

I'll settle for Jordan and Gasol.

[WeMadeIt17]

I'd take DMC and Khris Middleton.  Would give the Celtics a nice rounded starting five and retain guys like Crowder and JJ and could make a nice run.

Smart/IT
AB/FA/or draft
Middleton/Crowder/JJ
Sully/Oly/JJ
DMC/Zeller

[greece66]

//As this past season wound down, league sources told MassLive.com that the Celtics, if they cannot hit a home run, are prepared to offer what looks like an "overpay" to a second-tier free agent. The idea would be to acquire an improving player on a contract he could grow into. With the salary cap set to rise in unprecedented leaps and bounds, a deal signed this summer will appear very different in the coming years – especially if the acquired player adds to his game.//
http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/04/sources_boston_celtics_prepare.html

Middleton is a player that fits this description.
Also, Asik might be worth a chance: I know his shortcomings, but that's exactly the point. He's where ET was last year, with NOP fans hating him 

[manl_lui]

if you go young, and salary is not an issue

Davis and Drummond/DeAndre Jordan is my first bet

twin towers that can score and defend. Davis and DMC looks pretty scary as well. Both can score AND defense AND rebound

serious question: Do you think Davis and Cousins in their prime (if they continue what they are doing) can give Duncan and Robinson a run for their money?

[greece66]

Per who DA's top targets are things are clearer:
//The Celtics have a ton of cash and are geared up to use it. Target number one is Kevin Love. Target number two is Greg Monroe. Sources close to the process say the Celtics plan to swing for the proverbial fences this summer including runs at Gasol, Leonard and Butler too.//
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/03/report-celtics-top-free-agent-target-is-kevin-love-greg-monroe-no-2/

A 24 yo 6'11' double double monster like Monroe would make me super happy. (Should I add that Danny is right to prefer him to Jordan  )

[BudweiserCeltic]

//As this past season wound down, league sources told MassLive.com that the Celtics, if they cannot hit a home run, are prepared to offer what looks like an "overpay" to a second-tier free agent. The idea would be to acquire an improving player on a contract he could grow into. With the salary cap set to rise in unprecedented leaps and bounds, a deal signed this summer will appear very different in the coming years – especially if the acquired player adds to his game.//
http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/04/sources_boston_celtics_prepare.html

Middleton is a player that fits this description.
Also, Asik might be worth a chance: I know his shortcomings, but that's exactly the point. He's where ET was last year, with NOP fans hating him 

Asik would be a terrible mistake, and right now I'm of mind to overpay to just about anyone.

Pass on Asik, it would be a waste for us.

[LarBrd33]

Per who DA's top targets are things are clearer:
//The Celtics have a ton of cash and are geared up to use it. Target number one is Kevin Love. Target number two is Greg Monroe. Sources close to the process say the Celtics plan to swing for the proverbial fences this summer including runs at Gasol, Leonard and Butler too.//
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/03/report-celtics-top-free-agent-target-is-kevin-love-greg-monroe-no-2/

A 24 yo 6'11' double double monster like Monroe would make me super happy. (Should I add that Danny is right to prefer him to Jordan  )

Bradley, Thomas and Wallace eat a lot into our cap.  Bringing back Bass and Crowder eats into it too.   Will be interesting to see if Ainge trades Bradley/Thomas on draft day for picks and cap space.... free up the books so he can make a run at multiple free agents.

[greece66]

if you go young, and salary is not an issue

Davis and Drummond/DeAndre Jordan is my first bet

twin towers that can score and defend. Davis and DMC looks pretty scary as well. Both can score AND defense AND rebound

serious question: Do you think Davis and Cousins in their prime (if they continue what they are doing) can give Duncan and Robinson a run for their money?

I can't say about Cousins. But Davis... A 22 yo who averaged 20 ppg 9.5 rpg 1.3 spg and 2.5 bpg... wait I have to write that again 2.5 bpg is already on his way to the HOF.

[LooseCannon]

//As this past season wound down, league sources told MassLive.com that the Celtics, if they cannot hit a home run, are prepared to offer what looks like an "overpay" to a second-tier free agent. The idea would be to acquire an improving player on a contract he could grow into. With the salary cap set to rise in unprecedented leaps and bounds, a deal signed this summer will appear very different in the coming years – especially if the acquired player adds to his game.//
http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/04/sources_boston_celtics_prepare.html

Middleton is a player that fits this description.
Also, Asik might be worth a chance: I know his shortcomings, but that's exactly the point. He's where ET was last year, with NOP fans hating him 

I'm happy to read this:

At the trade deadline, Boston was linked to impending free agents Reggie Jackson and Enes Kanter. But the Celtics are said to be lukewarm about both young talents.

Hopefully, the Celtics are going to avoid anyone with a scorer mentality that doesn't mesh well with a team-oriented philosophy.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Per who DA's top targets are things are clearer:
//The Celtics have a ton of cash and are geared up to use it. Target number one is Kevin Love. Target number two is Greg Monroe. Sources close to the process say the Celtics plan to swing for the proverbial fences this summer including runs at Gasol, Leonard and Butler too.//
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/03/report-celtics-top-free-agent-target-is-kevin-love-greg-monroe-no-2/

A 24 yo 6'11' double double monster like Monroe would make me super happy. (Should I add that Danny is right to prefer him to Jordan  )

Bradley, Thomas and Wallace eat a lot into our cap.  Bringing back Bass and Crowder eats into it too.   Will be interesting to see if Ainge trades Bradley/Thomas on draft day for picks and cap space.... free up the books so he can make a run at multiple free agents.

You're understating how much cap room. You mention bringing Bass though, so by your estimation Ainge would prefer to clear space by trading Thomas and Bradley, who are both better and more useful players than Bass, than by simply letting Bass go? Doesn't make sense.

As for Crowder, it's really all about timing. He could eat negligible amount to plenty, depends if he signs an offer sheet or not.

Wallace can be easily stretched to cut down his salary impact plenty, if not out right traded with a 1st round pick if there are any takers.

Making a run at multiple free agents it's not dependent on letting go of Thomas, Bradley, etc.