If you are ainge who do you want to build the celtics around?

[walker834]

A lot of names thrown out there but who are guys who we can really build around and win championships?  Paul George hasn't been able to do it by himself in Indy.  Griffin can't do it with Paul. Anthony Davis can't do it alone in New Orleans.  Guys like Giannis and Hayward are young and solid players but probably not going to reach that level alone either.  Jimmy Butler.   If players really want to win and be a part of something Ainge is in a really interesting spot. The list is pretty short.  Why are teams going to trade these guys though?  The players themselves have to have some incentive to come here and want to win.

Ainge and company are really trying to sell their product here imo where a player will step to the table ultimately and want to come here.

[rondohondo]

This is a list strongly considering the alpha dog role , and also role on a team .


durant as # 1

 george , Harden , Butler , Cousins , Griffin, Love, Lillard as # 2 's

Howard, Horford , Hayward as # 3 options .

[walker834]

The players have to want to come here and want to win though. They almost have to force their ways out. Maybe this is why  Ainge is saying what he is. Teams aren't going to deal these guys unless they want out  much like KG did ultimately when he waived his no trade clause.  We have a coach and atmosphere that is conducive to winning.  We just need a couple guys to do that.

[Monkhouse]

This is a list strongly considering the alpha dog role , and also role on a team .


durant as # 1

 george , Harden , Butler , Cousins  as # 2 's

Howard, Horford , Hayward as # 3 options .

I would go after Butler, George, and Cousins as my options, since I see Pacers keeping George, and Durant staying in OKC.

[Clench123]

Durant or Cousins.  That's it.

[passesofftodj]

Ben Simmons and Josh Jackson.

[max215]

Ben Simmons and Josh Jackson.

I like Jackson a lot too, but I'll go with Ingram and Giles.

[sawick48]

Durant or Cousins.  That's it.

Then you should probably not watch this team for a few decades, because neither of those guys are coming here. Sacto is holding on to Cousins like grim death, and there's too many teams with better packages they can offer to them if they DO decide to trade him.

Durant is either going home or to a big city. the pipe dream of us signing and trading for him, is just that.


You can win a title without one of the 3 best players in the league.  The Mavs, Spurs, Us, and 0 rings Durant has so far has proven that.

[Ilikesports17]

There are a few guys Id like to build around. I dont think that we need to have a top 3 NBA player mostly because of the strength of Ainge and Brad. That being said we still need a star.

George, Cousins, Durant would be the three best that have even a prayer of becoming available that i can think of.

People have mentioned that they cant do it alone, but no one can really. Steph? maybe.

I dont think Lebron can anymore.

I mean if you trade Steph for Cousins are the Kings really contenders? maybe but I doubt it.

[passesofftodj]

Ben Simmons and Josh Jackson.

I like Jackson a lot too, but I'll go with Ingram and Giles.

Ingram potentially sure but Giles has tore his acl in both knees...

[arctic 3.0]

Durant, George, Crowder, Davis, Towns, Smart

[timpiker]

Okafor.  God I wish Danny had pulled off that deal.  Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline..

[Fan from VT]

I would build a sustainable system of success more than anything. If championships come, thats great, but i would try to do no "all in for now" or "total rebuild" moves for about 10 years. Im picturing a better version of atlanta, or similar to detroit from 98-2008. So how?

1. Keep and support brad stevens

2. Reward 2 way players and hustle

3. No overpays for "stars" who are one dimensional or obvious negatives on defense. This is not to say actively avoid such players, but you dont give as much for love or monroe as you would expect.

4. Keep cap flexibility to be ready to pounce on FAs who want to join a winning situation to put us over the top.

5. Continue to make it obvious we are going to have an effort and team based good defensive system.

[guava_wrench]

You get what you can get.

It is funny listening to people talk about All-NBA players who supposedly can't lead a team anywhere and then hear others talk about top college players year after year. If people have reservations about #1 picks that actually panned out like Griffin and AD, why would be get excited about Simmons?

3. No overpays for "stars" who are one dimensional or obvious negatives on defense. This is not to say actively avoid such players, but you dont give as much for love or monroe as you would expect.

Steph Curry was considered a major defensive liability at one point.

[walker834]

I'd like the C's to find a young center to go with our current group.   That's what is weird about this whole media age we live in though is a lot of it is what people want to see ainge do vs what he's actually doing.  Is that being a fan of the celtics or being a fan of what is in your own mind though?  I'm just usually amazed at what people think the c's are doing or are going to do and what they actually do though.  The media in particular likes to blow up these deadlines in particular. It happens every year and then people feel lied to when it's just weird is all. It's like who is creating these rumors in the first place and who's lying to who?   I try to know  what the celtics are actually doing but that's really hard to do these days.

I think ultimately if the deal is right Ainge would make it regardless, but that hasn't happened as of yet.