How long before Stevens can attract high end free agents?

[KeepRondo]

I think you have to win a title in this league to draw free agents as a coach.

Pop
Doc
Pat

And apparently a three letter nickname? "Brd" Stevens?

Maybe Cat because he's smart like a cat.

And also because he would be Cat Stevens.

[mctyson]

Of is it strictly money and weather?  And money I get but weather?  Dang.

You cannot overrate that the warm weather climates like Dallas and Miami are also states without state taxes, and when you make millions of dollars a year that is a LOT of money.

[LarBrd33]

Of is it strictly money and weather?  And money I get but weather?  Dang.

You cannot overrate that the warm weather climates like Dallas and Miami are also states without state taxes, and when you make millions of dollars a year that is a LOT of money.

I don't follow other sports that closely, but can you tell me how warm weather climates like Dallas/Miami + state taxes impacts the Patriots/Red Sox ability to sign free agents over teams like the Cowboys/Dolphins/Marlins/Rangers?   Has it been an issue?  Legitimate question.   This is effectively the first free agency rodeo for the Celtics.  Up this past Summer, they literally never had cap space and we seemed to let it ride into this offseason instead of blowing our wad of cash on second tier options.

[Ilikesports17]

Of is it strictly money and weather?  And money I get but weather?  Dang.

You cannot overrate that the warm weather climates like Dallas and Miami are also states without state taxes, and when you make millions of dollars a year that is a LOT of money.

I don't follow other sports that closely, but can you tell me how warm weather climates like Dallas/Miami + state taxes impacts the Patriots/Red Sox ability to sign free agents over teams like the Cowboys/Dolphins/Marlins/Rangers?   Has it been an issue?  Legitimate question.   This is effectively the first free agency rodeo for the Celtics.  Up this past Summer, they literally never had cap space and we seemed to let it ride into this offseason instead of blowing our wad of cash on second tier options.

Honesty, I have never noticed it in any sport outside basketball. It's also the only sport where we are considered a "small market".

[libermaniac]

Of is it strictly money and weather?  And money I get but weather?  Dang.

You cannot overrate that the warm weather climates like Dallas and Miami are also states without state taxes, and when you make millions of dollars a year that is a LOT of money.

I don't follow other sports that closely, but can you tell me how warm weather climates like Dallas/Miami + state taxes impacts the Patriots/Red Sox ability to sign free agents over teams like the Cowboys/Dolphins/Marlins/Rangers?   Has it been an issue?  Legitimate question.   This is effectively the first free agency rodeo for the Celtics.  Up this past Summer, they literally never had cap space and we seemed to let it ride into this offseason instead of blowing our wad of cash on second tier options.

Dolphin fan here. The Dolphins HAVE been able to attract top free agents the last two years (Brandon Albert and Suh) despite being poorly run. But, the NFL is really more about the draft than free agency. That's why the Dolphins are pitiful. I think their overspending in FA is what kills them. But weather and no state income tax (and South Beach) is a definite draw.

[DarkAzcura]

Of is it strictly money and weather?  And money I get but weather?  Dang.

You cannot overrate that the warm weather climates like Dallas and Miami are also states without state taxes, and when you make millions of dollars a year that is a LOT of money.

I don't follow other sports that closely, but can you tell me how warm weather climates like Dallas/Miami + state taxes impacts the Patriots/Red Sox ability to sign free agents over teams like the Cowboys/Dolphins/Marlins/Rangers?   Has it been an issue?  Legitimate question.   This is effectively the first free agency rodeo for the Celtics.  Up this past Summer, they literally never had cap space and we seemed to let it ride into this offseason instead of blowing our wad of cash on second tier options.

Doesn't impact the Red Sox because it is a spring/summer sport. Boston is very nice in the summer.

Doesn't impact the Patriots as much because of hard caps and non-guaranteed contracts. Players have a lot more to worry about than weather and living environment when they can get cut at any time. Also the season is much shorter, in the end you are really only in New England cold weather for like 2 months if that. The regular season ends when the winter starts. September is nice. October is mild. November can be colder. December is colder. Then you are already in the playoffs, and the season is nearly over. In the end, a Patriot may honestly only play one or two cold weather games depending on the home/away schedule.

And then it obviously doesn't impact the Bruins that much based on the nature of the sport..

It will never happen, but that's why I have always been alright with shifting the season a few months. Whether we like it or not, weather does seem to play a large role in a NBA player's decision, and the NBA itself could solve a lot of these issues if they could slowly move the NBA into a spring/summer sport. Like I said, though, probably would never happen. I think players probably like having their summers off.

[loco_91]

I obviously would love to get Durant but i would assume there would have to be another star player willing to come with him. Hypothetically who could we trade our pick for if it were #1 who could attract KD ?

I believe the plan is to sign both Horford and Durant.  If Durant hits free agency, we will contact him immediately and pitch him on the idea of bringing a second player (Horford seems like a reasonable candidate).   Adding those two alone to this team makes it a legitimate contender... but it doesn't end there.  We'd have the Brooklyn pick and additional assets we could potentially trade for another star... and with the cap apparently jumping another 20 million the next Summer, we'd possibly be in position to add another max contract. 

You can't undersell how well this team is positioned heading forward.

I agree, this would make tons of sense. It would fit with the FA moves Ainge made last year, signing Jerebko and Johnson with only 1 year guaranteed. I think that this is Ainge's plan A, but it's more likely that it won't pan out and then we'll have another swing at it the following summer when there are lots more top FA's-- Curry, CP3, Lowry, Griffin and Westbrook, plus Hayward, Millsap, Ibaka, etc. I think we have great odds of landing at least one of those guys.

[SHAQATTACK]

Every game Celtics win makes the attraction greater for serious player

[Redz]

Of is it strictly money and weather?  And money I get but weather?  Dang.

You cannot overrate that the warm weather climates like Dallas and Miami are also states without state taxes, and when you make millions of dollars a year that is a LOT of money.

I don't follow other sports that closely, but can you tell me how warm weather climates like Dallas/Miami + state taxes impacts the Patriots/Red Sox ability to sign free agents over teams like the Cowboys/Dolphins/Marlins/Rangers?   Has it been an issue?  Legitimate question.   This is effectively the first free agency rodeo for the Celtics.  Up this past Summer, they literally never had cap space and we seemed to let it ride into this offseason instead of blowing our wad of cash on second tier options.

Doesn't impact the Red Sox because it is a spring/summer sport. Boston is very nice in the summer.

Doesn't impact the Patriots as much because of hard caps and non-guaranteed contracts. Players have a lot more to worry about than weather and living environment when they can get cut at any time. Also the season is much shorter, in the end you are really only in New England cold weather for like 2 months if that. The regular season ends when the winter starts. September is nice. October is mild. November can be colder. December is colder. Then you are already in the playoffs, and the season is nearly over. In the end, a Patriot may honestly only play one or two cold weather games depending on the home/away schedule.

And then it obviously doesn't impact the Bruins that much based on the nature of the sport..

It will never happen, but that's why I have always been alright with shifting the season a few months. Whether we like it or not, weather does seem to play a large role in a NBA player's decision, and the NBA itself could solve a lot of these issues if they could slowly move the NBA into a spring/summer sport. Like I said, though, probably would never happen. I think players probably like having their summers off.

For whatever reason the NBA is a different culture with a different set of priorities for its player base.  I think for one it's a much much smaller roster size than any of the other leagues. 

[biggs]

This offseason we have as good a chance as any team at signing top-level free agents.  It's basically an ideal situation outside of not having a superstar already in place.   Everything else is a checklist of perfection for a prospective free agent.   We have a legitimate shot at Durant if he hits free agency. 

The Celtics can afford to be selective.  Anyone we want should be taking our meetings this Summer.  Any sports agent worth salt will encourage their client to consider the Celtics.  The Pats/Sox have no trouble luring top names.  The Celtics will not be any different.   I feel like Ainge's entire tenure has built towards this Summer.  This has the potential to be the end game of everything he's done stretching back pre-KG.

We have to believe that, right?  If you are a top-flight free agent and you can't get a "destination" like LA, Miami, Dallas, you have to go for a chance to win with a young core.  Is there a franchise better setup than the Celtics right now?

Yes, and they are historically good.  They're called the Warriors, and they come from the land of California

[LarBrd33]

Of is it strictly money and weather?  And money I get but weather?  Dang.

You cannot overrate that the warm weather climates like Dallas and Miami are also states without state taxes, and when you make millions of dollars a year that is a LOT of money.

I don't follow other sports that closely, but can you tell me how warm weather climates like Dallas/Miami + state taxes impacts the Patriots/Red Sox ability to sign free agents over teams like the Cowboys/Dolphins/Marlins/Rangers?   Has it been an issue?  Legitimate question.   This is effectively the first free agency rodeo for the Celtics.  Up this past Summer, they literally never had cap space and we seemed to let it ride into this offseason instead of blowing our wad of cash on second tier options.

Doesn't impact the Red Sox because it is a spring/summer sport. Boston is very nice in the summer.

Doesn't impact the Patriots as much because of hard caps and non-guaranteed contracts. Players have a lot more to worry about than weather and living environment when they can get cut at any time. Also the season is much shorter, in the end you are really only in New England cold weather for like 2 months if that. The regular season ends when the winter starts. September is nice. October is mild. November can be colder. December is colder. Then you are already in the playoffs, and the season is nearly over. In the end, a Patriot may honestly only play one or two cold weather games depending on the home/away schedule.

And then it obviously doesn't impact the Bruins that much based on the nature of the sport..

It will never happen, but that's why I have always been alright with shifting the season a few months. Whether we like it or not, weather does seem to play a large role in a NBA player's decision, and the NBA itself could solve a lot of these issues if they could slowly move the NBA into a spring/summer sport. Like I said, though, probably would never happen. I think players probably like having their summers off.

For whatever reason the NBA is a different culture with a different set of priorities for its player base.  I think for one it's a much much smaller roster size than any of the other leagues.

I disagree.  The Boston Celtics are as much of a free agent destination as the Red Sox and Patriots.  We'll be a player in free agency.  The reason people think we don't have a chance is literally because we've never had money to offer free agents during the modern basketball era.  We were irrelevant for 20 years, but the KG era changed the entire perception of this team.  Even when we went back into tank-mode, the aura of the organization remained and the once latent rabid fanbase remained.  This is one of the cornerstone teams of the NBA.  It's one of the most covered teams nationally.  The amount of content, rumors and articles written about this team rivals any in the entire league.  Massive fanbase.  Massive sports market.  East coast team.  Quality organization.  Legitimate playoff team already.  Phenomenal organization from the top down including all levels of management/ownership/coaching.  Massive endorsement opportunity for anyone who signs here.  Being the face of the Boston Celtics is incredibly appealing for any star looking for a new home.  It's a sound basketball and financial option.   Every agent will be making sure their clients strongly consider this team.  Count on it.

[KG Living Legend]

 Tp Larbrd, I almost forgot you were a pessimist lol.

[Redz]

Of is it strictly money and weather?  And money I get but weather?  Dang.

You cannot overrate that the warm weather climates like Dallas and Miami are also states without state taxes, and when you make millions of dollars a year that is a LOT of money.

I don't follow other sports that closely, but can you tell me how warm weather climates like Dallas/Miami + state taxes impacts the Patriots/Red Sox ability to sign free agents over teams like the Cowboys/Dolphins/Marlins/Rangers?   Has it been an issue?  Legitimate question.   This is effectively the first free agency rodeo for the Celtics.  Up this past Summer, they literally never had cap space and we seemed to let it ride into this offseason instead of blowing our wad of cash on second tier options.

Doesn't impact the Red Sox because it is a spring/summer sport. Boston is very nice in the summer.

Doesn't impact the Patriots as much because of hard caps and non-guaranteed contracts. Players have a lot more to worry about than weather and living environment when they can get cut at any time. Also the season is much shorter, in the end you are really only in New England cold weather for like 2 months if that. The regular season ends when the winter starts. September is nice. October is mild. November can be colder. December is colder. Then you are already in the playoffs, and the season is nearly over. In the end, a Patriot may honestly only play one or two cold weather games depending on the home/away schedule.

And then it obviously doesn't impact the Bruins that much based on the nature of the sport..

It will never happen, but that's why I have always been alright with shifting the season a few months. Whether we like it or not, weather does seem to play a large role in a NBA player's decision, and the NBA itself could solve a lot of these issues if they could slowly move the NBA into a spring/summer sport. Like I said, though, probably would never happen. I think players probably like having their summers off.

For whatever reason the NBA is a different culture with a different set of priorities for its player base.  I think for one it's a much much smaller roster size than any of the other leagues.

I disagree.  The Boston Celtics are as much of a free agent destination as the Red Sox and Patriots.  We'll be a player in free agency.  The reason people think we don't have a chance is literally because we've never had money to offer free agents during the modern basketball era.  We were irrelevant for 20 years, but the KG era changed the entire perception of this team.  Even when we went back into tank-mode, the aura of the organization remained and the once latent rabid fanbase remained.  This is one of the cornerstone teams of the NBA.  It's one of the most covered teams nationally.  The amount of content, rumors and articles written about this team rivals any in the entire league.  Massive fanbase.  Massive sports market.  East coast team.  Quality organization.  Legitimate playoff team already.  Phenomenal organization from the top down including all levels of management/ownership/coaching.  Massive endorsement opportunity for anyone who signs here.  Being the face of the Boston Celtics is incredibly appealing for any star looking for a new home.  It's a sound basketball and financial option.   Every agent will be making sure their clients strongly consider this team.  Count on it.

I'd love it to be so.  I buy in, but I'm not exactly the target audience.  And guys seem to at least pay lip service to that notion once here. 

[biggs]

I think you have to win a title in this league to draw free agents as a coach.

Pop
Doc
Pat

And apparently a three letter nickname? "Brd" Stevens?

Maybe Cat because he's smart like a cat.

And also because he would be Cat Stevens.

TP +1

[Celtics4ever]

I disagree.  The Boston Celtics are as much of a free agent destination as the Red Sox and Patriots.  We'll be a player in free agency.  The reason people think we don't have a chance is literally because we've never had money to offer free agents during the modern basketball era.  We were irrelevant for 20 years, but the KG era changed the entire perception of this team.  Even when we went back into tank-mode, the aura of the organization remained and the once latent rabid fanbase remained.  This is one of the cornerstone teams of the NBA.  It's one of the most covered teams nationally.  The amount of content, rumors and articles written about this team rivals any in the entire league.  Massive fanbase.  Massive sports market.  East coast team.  Quality organization.  Legitimate playoff team already.  Phenomenal organization from the top down including all levels of management/ownership/coaching.  Massive endorsement opportunity for anyone who signs here.  Being the face of the Boston Celtics is incredibly appealing for any star looking for a new home.  It's a sound basketball and financial option.   Every agent will be making sure their clients strongly consider this team.  Count on it.

We this every year and no big names come.   I hope your right, but I have my doubts, but I would love to be wrong.