Time to accept reality of Celtics' situation

[oldutican]

After last night's draft, Celtic fans may start to realize the team’s obstacles to quickly becoming a contender. The team has limited opportunities through the draft, trades and free agency.

Teams don't want to trade with Ainge. Listen to this comment by Scal last night. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2015/06/bulpett_celtics_fans_again_left_to_trust_danny_ainges_plan T

Ainge has now burned three teams with trades he clearly won: Garnett from Minnesota, draft choices from Brooklyn and IT from Phoenix. That seems to explain why he couldn't make a deal to move up in the draft last night.

As for free agency, it's not that Boston is such a bad destination. Top players are going to go to contending teams, or the more glamorous and warm cities. The Celtics’ best draw to free agents is their coach, but that doesn't seem to outweigh the distance the team is from being a contender.  The big increase in the salary cap next season gives every team plenty of money to spend, taking away another Celtic advantage.

Finally, and most painfully, making the playoffs took away any chance of drafting a difference maker. My hunch is that there is no turning back now, and the Celtics will this coming season again be a team that will pick outside the top 10.

We still have a great coach and lots of draft opportunities to find the next Jimmy Butler, Kawai Leonard, etc. outside the top 10 picks. I really enjoyed watching this team last season (thanks to my wife buying me  League Pass as an Xmas present) and look forward to watching this team grow.

[Rondo9]

So teams don't want to trade with Angie according to scalabrine

[Ilikesports17]

So basically we need to come to terms with the fact that our GM is so good he intimidates other GMs and our coach is so good that no matter how little talent we have we won't be terrible.

I think I can deal with that.

[PhoSita]

I'm unclear on how Ainge really burned Minnesota or Phoenix on those deals. 

Seems to me that Minnesota, in typical Minnesota fashion, totally screwed up what they got in return for Garnett (which was a pretty decent package, all factors considered).

As for Phoenix, who knows if they got hosed?  It seemed like neither they nor IT wanted him to be playing in Phoenix any longer.  That put them in a tough spot.  Since the GM down there is a recent protoge of Ainge's, I rather doubt he was attempting to "screw" them.

The Nets deal is pretty obvious, but I think most GMs understand that Danny was taking advantage of an incompetent and desperate GM with an impatient, wealthy owner, and only wish they had had a similar opportunity.


I don't necessarily disagree with the premise.  I think wanting to be known as a ballsy wheeler and dealer can come back to bite you.  Nobody wants to be Morey'd.  But those aren't great examples.  I'd say the Rondo trade is closer to the mark.

[Csfan1984]

Honestly it's not just about the trade up. For some people it's the pick and drive for playoffs. Both are looking like bad choices. Maybe DA hits in FA and there is still a Houston/Dallas trade coming down. One can hope. So please stop pushing the failure to move up, it's way worse than just that.

[P stoff]

I've always laughed at this notion. GMs are grown-ups. They wouldnt have a job if they were afraid to deal with a person.

Teams are motivated by needs, and if a team really wants something (see DA with offering 6 picks for Winslow last night), then they will do what it takes... short or long term.

If I have any criticism for Ainge, is that sometimes he is so cautious to not get screwed, that he ends up doing nothing (which has screwed us anyway).

[Chief Macho]

I don't think other GM's are intimidated by him,  I think they just don't like him and think he's a bit of dick.    That's not a positive thing to have in a negotiator.

[hwangjini_1]

I don't think other GM's are intimidated by him,  I think they just don't like him and think he's a bit of dick.    That's not a positive thing to have in a negotiator.

he is. look at him during his playing days.

[Denis998]

I think the next trend will be dealing with the "Coach/GM" like Doc and SVG. Trading temporary talent for future assets. They want to win now, and leave later.
People are overreacting to this draft, me included. I think it is mostly due to the 16th pick due to leaving Portis, Dekker, and RHJ on the board. We got some good players, It is just the question of making use of them, or lack there of. Ainge overall has good experience drafting mid to late round, I'll trust what he is doing.

[Eja117]

I will neva accept the reality of the situation. Not on the beaches, not in the fields and the cities. Not in the mountains. Not in the forests. I will neva accept the reality of the situation, not so that in 10,000 years they will look back and say "Now there was a man who wouldn't accept the reality of the situation even in his finest hour". I will neva accept the reality of the situation.

[Greyman]

Any GM who wouldn't trade with another because he didn't like his character or because he thought he would get burnt and not realise until after when he read it in a paper (or online) isn't really much use to anyone. If you are not going to chase a player you like because you have a problem with his organisation's GM, you are the one with character deficiencies.

[Chris22]

I accept that we have tons of draft picks and cap space and a good coach and a good GM.

[BudweiserCeltic]

So... can we fast forward to 2016 with our potential four 1st round picks?

[LarBrd33]

Free agency or bust

[Rakulp]

How many other teams tried to move up in the draft?

How many succeeded?

They all played the cards they were dealt.

Who knows, maybe we'll get somebody in next year's draft with one of the picks that could have been traded last night, and that person will become a cornerstone for the future. 

Our worst case scenario?  We start the season with the same team as last year (give or take a body or two).  They were entertaining and fun, and will be motivated to prove that last year was not a fluke.

Time is an excellent teacher...if you're patient enough as a student.

Rak