What if no FA?

[rutzan]

Very Little to No Chance - Aldridge, Gasol, Love

Slim Chance - Monroe, Harris

1) If we do not sign a FA...can we continue to thrive on the scrappy us-against-the world mentality and pull off a 45 win season and make the playoffs?

2) If we do not sign a FA...do we try for Hibbert...as hotly debated as it is...it is probably the next most realistic option...

[PhoSita]

If no major free agents, I think they'll try to trade for Hibbert or else try to sign Robin Lopez, Kosta Koufos, or Bismack Biyombo.

Beyond that, make a trade or two to prune the roster a bit, and then head into next season ready to find out what some of the younger players can do.  Probably with a roster that looks like it'll compete for a bottom 10 record, but might surprise again.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Try again next year.

[M.A.]

I wouldn't be so pessimistic on Monroe. I think he sees Boston as his opportunity for him to showcase his skill. I don't think he is particularly picky on where he goes, and besides, Boston is so much better than Detroit.

[Celtics18]

If no major free agents, I think they'll try to trade for Hibbert or else try to sign Robin Lopez, Kosta Koufos, or Bismack Biyombo.

Beyond that, make a trade or two to prune the roster a bit, and then head into next season ready to find out what some of the younger players can do.  Probably with a roster that looks like it'll compete for a bottom 10 record, but might surprise again.

Alternately put; A roster that looks like it will once again compete for a playoff spot in the East, but might disappoint and end up with a bottom 10 record. 

[Future Celtics Owner]

If no FA then we should gut the team and go youth movement/cash in on our cap space and take unwanted contracts for picks. If we had a star like PP I would say something dif but we don't and we need one. Even if we trade our pick for a prospect.

[PhoSita]

If no major free agents, I think they'll try to trade for Hibbert or else try to sign Robin Lopez, Kosta Koufos, or Bismack Biyombo.

Beyond that, make a trade or two to prune the roster a bit, and then head into next season ready to find out what some of the younger players can do.  Probably with a roster that looks like it'll compete for a bottom 10 record, but might surprise again.

Alternately put; A roster that looks like it will once again compete for a playoff spot in the East, but might disappoint and end up with a bottom 10 record.

I tend to think Ainge will cut down the roster a bit and create some room for the younger guys to show their stuff, which will make the playoffs less likely.

But yeah, however you want to spin it. 

I think the team we've got in September will look like a good bet to end up somewhere between the high 20s and the high 30s, with a small but significant chance of matching last year's record or exceeding it by a couple of wins.

[SparzWizard]

I wouldn't be so pessimistic on Monroe. I think he sees Boston as his opportunity for him to showcase his skill. I don't think he is particularly picky on where he goes, and besides, Boston is so much better than Detroit.

But isn't he leaning more towards New York?

[Shamrocker]

If no major free agents, I think they'll try to trade for Hibbert or else try to sign Robin Lopez, Kosta Koufos, or Bismack Biyombo.

Beyond that, make a trade or two to prune the roster a bit, and then head into next season ready to find out what some of the younger players can do.  Probably with a roster that looks like it'll compete for a bottom 10 record, but might surprise again.

Alternately put; A roster that looks like it will once again compete for a playoff spot in the East, but might disappoint and end up with a bottom 10 record.

I tend to think Ainge will cut down the roster a bit and create some room for the younger guys to show their stuff, which will make the playoffs less likely.

But yeah, however you want to spin it. 

I think the team we've got in September will look like a good bet to end up somewhere between the high 20s and the high 30s, with a small but significant chance of matching last year's record or exceeding it by a couple of wins.

And, if that's the case, does Stevens bolt?

[Kane3387]

I think we will field a team of Wallace Thomas Bradley and players on rookie deals. We will compete for the 8th seed but fall short. I think we could ultimately be looking at 3 lotto picks in the 8-14 range.

I think neither Dallas or Brooklyn make the playoffs next year thanks to the reemergence of OKC Indiana and Miami. I think Utah improves a great deal. Next summer I think Boston will have the real ammunition to acquire a Cousins type talent via trade if one is available.

[HomerSapien]

This is kind of what I am preparing myself for.  I wouldn't be shocked if we end up being disappointed in FA and don't land a big fish.  If that happens I'd say maybe we go with the following:

1. Get a C: Sign maybe a Kosta Koufos, or Biyombo.  Or maybe trade for 1 year of Roy Hibbert.
2. Sign a forward: Maybe resign Jerebko, or sign a guy like Derrick Williams on a rock bottom contract.

Then run it back and see what happens.  at that point it would all depend on how much our players are improving.  Is Smart better offensively?  Has Sully improved his conditioning/outside shot?  Is James Young worthy of rotation minutes?  Not sure how good that team will be, but I could definitely see that as what we are working with in October.

I also wonder if they strike out on expensive FAs if they consider buying Gerald Wallace out of his contract so that they have one more roster spot to work with in order to sign a Johnathan Holmes, or other intriguing FA (knowing Danny it would be an under 6'1" guard).

[gpap]

Make a blockbuster, crazy trade.

[More Banners]

Harris would take a max deal; then trade for Hibbert.

Sully and KO can both score and pass. Hibbert would fit in nicely next to them.

[PhoSita]

And, if that's the case, does Stevens bolt?

Hard to say.  I think nothing short of a truly abysmal sub-20-win season would get Brad to leave so soon.  But it depends on what coaching jobs are available, I guess.

[Evantime34]

I would be shocked if we don't use our cap space in some capacity. While signing a free agent like Aldridge, Monroe, Harris or Love would be nice, it's less likely than not.

If we wiff on those guys you will see us go after younger guys like Biyombo and absorb a player like Hibbert, or Terrence Jones into our salary cap space.