There are a lot of similarities between the summer of 2016 and the summer of 2007. Some of the differences are that the C's are heading into an exciting summer while already having a quality team, unlike 2007. Additionally, the C's have a lot more potential cap space this summer than they did heading into the 2007 offseason. On the other hand, there's a difference between having the third best lottery odds and the second best odds, and the top of this year's draft isn't necessarily seen as being as transcendental as it was back in 2007. Also, this year's team probably doesn't have a young player with the same combination of proven talent/production and potential as Al Jefferson had back then.
Even if the lottery doesn't work out in our favor, I still have confidence that Ainge is intelligent and flexible enough to still hit the jackpot just like he did in 2007. With as many assets as the Celtics have, I can't envision a scenario where we strike out on every single blockbuster trade proposal and every single attempted signing of a top free agent.
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure Boston had zero cap space back in 2007. We had to send large expiring contracts like Wally Sizaszzldsafierabiak and Theo Ratliff to make those deals.
Like 2007, we have the draft pick.
Like 2007, we have valuable young assets like Al Jefferson/Marcus Smart.
Like 2007, we have trade options.
Unlike 2007, the team has double-max cap space. As far as I know, the team literally never had cap space for even a single max contract until last Summer.
Unlike 2007, the team has additional valuable picks like #16, #23, 2017 Brooklyn pick swap, 2018 Brooklyn 1st and 2019 Memphis 1st.
Unlike 2007, we're already a legitimate playoff team with a solid foundation to build on.
I'm way more excited about this Summer than I was heading into 2007. That's not to say the results will be as good. It's hard to top winning a title. But my excitement level is definitely higher heading into the Summer.
Pierce >> IT
Big Al > Smart (in terms of trade value)
Danny also got an incredibly lopsided deal done for KG and then got Allen.
I think the biggest factor there is the unlikeliness of the KG trade. First, it is incredible that we were able to get KG at all. Hes an absolute two way superstar. Second that we did so without giving up Rondo or the #5 pick.
This allowed Ainge to put Rondo and Allen next to Pierce and KG which went a long way for our title aspirations.
Going into that offseason Id say we had a fairly similar chance of landing KG as we do now of landing KD.
In this offseason you know we will at the very least bring in a top 6 pick or a player worth that value, back then you thought we were going to bring in a top 5 pick, but if we cant make a move for a real piece, we might also trade Pierce and go into full rebuild.
Im sure with Ainge the formula is the same this time around.
Try to attain a star player with our pick, use this pick in concert with IT to sell team as legit contenders to KD, sign KD, keep role players.
It was brilliant then of Ainge to be able to get Allen and KG and keep role players because he had to get KG via trade, however i think KG was much more on the market and much more attainable than KD will be.
I think you look at the 2007 offseason and say coming in to it I was excited, but now we are probably situated better than we were and thats fair, but you also have to take into account that that was a miracle offseason.
Topic: I'm Super Optimistic about this Summer (Read 3681 times)