I'm Super Optimistic about this Summer

[LarBrd33]

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.

The good news is that we don't need a "miracle" trade to bring in a guy like Durant.   We just need him to decide to come here.  Possibly far-fetched, but fairly realistic given how wonderfully Boston is set up.  There aren't a lot of free agent destinations with more desirable qualities. 

And while there might not be a KG available on the market, there are guys with baggage like Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins who could very reasonably become available this Summer. 

There's a lot of options here for something to shake loose.

[knuckleballer]

If we are able to sign Durant and Horford, we are going to need another rotation big.  I'm wondering if people think we'd have a chance to re-sign Amir with the mid level exeption.  I don't think he'd be able to get another $12 million contract from another team and I think he'd pair up well with Horford and would like to have him back.  Is the mid level even available to us?  I don't know.

[max215]

LarBrd33: optimist. It's taking some time to get used to this.

[LarBrd33]

LarBrd33: optimist. It's taking some time to get used to this.

Well, there's definitely a reason to be optimistic. 

[dannyboy35]

I thought our best chance was the #4 pick? Grr. Nice piece. Funny, I'm very much a pessimist as far as getting guys here. I'm sure the celts can make a small move or two. I'm bracing myself for that. I think Durant is doubtful. I don't understand why the Bulls would ever consider trading Butler and I think to get Cousins he'll have to ASK out.
  I don't think the Clippers would consider trading Griffin and while Love is a sure big upgrade I don't know if he draws another star. His rep has taken a beating. As for Carmelo, I always thought he got a bad rap but at this stage I wouldn't  go for Carmelo and Whiteside sounds likes he loves Miami and is loyal to them. Derozan would be great but I don't see him leaving and the little I've seen he likes L. A.
   I'm a little scared well strike out and overpay to appease the coach . Yeah, I'm a pessimist. Lol

[tankcity!]

I'm more on the pesimissm side when it comes to the draft lottery. We always get screwed, so my only hope is Durant comes to Boston, or we make a trade. I'm worried if we trade for Cousins, it will turn out to be a bad trade. It's scary to me that guy has never even sniffed the playoffs. It's not like he's playing with a bunch of scrubs. Can he at least like get to 500?

[LarBrd33]

I'm more on the pesimissm side when it comes to the draft lottery. We always get screwed, so my only hope is Durant comes to Boston, or we make a trade. I'm worried if we trade for Cousins, it will turn out to be a bad trade. It's scary to me that guy has never even sniffed the playoffs. It's not like he's playing with a bunch of scrubs. Can he at least like get to 500?

yeah I hear you.  But Boston is due for some luck in the lotto. Maybe this is finally the year.

[scotto1205]

Is there a possibility that we could sign and trade for Durant? Is that less likely or more do you think?

[alldaboston]

Is there a possibility that we could sign and trade for Durant? Is that less likely or more do you think?

Maybe I'm wrong, but i think some here have said there's some stuff in the new CBA that doesn't allow for sign and trade? Or doesn't make it financially appealing to a player?

[PhoSita]

I'm prepared to sign on for the "optimist even about the worst scenario" thing so long as it doesn't involve bringing back more or less the same group plus a top 5 pick and maybe a minor free agent signing.  That is not an acceptable outcome for me. 

Demonstrate that fielding a nice regular season team with no real shot in the playoffs is not good enough for management or ownership.

[Hank Finkel]

Excellent read LarBrd33.  Well written and thought provoking, I enjoyed it.  It makes me think of many more options the C's will have this off season. They are almost limitless.  Despite the poor playoff games I have struggled though the past couple of days, optimism is the word of the day when you think of the C's future.

[loco_91]

I'm psyched for this draft. Can't wait to see what we do not only with the Bkn pick but also with all our other ones. We have assets to make a significant deal even without the Bkn pick being involved.

[LarBrd33]

I'm psyched for this draft. Can't wait to see what we do not only with the Bkn pick but also with all our other ones. We have assets to make a significant deal even without the Bkn pick being involved.

Definitely.  Anytime you can add a top 5 talent in the draft is a win.  Yeah, there's plenty of examples of guys taken later in the draft who exceeded expectations, but all you have to do is look at the top performers in the league to see how many of them were taken towards the top of the draft.   All of these guys were taken in the top 7:  Curry, Durant, Westbrook, LeBron, Harden, Davis, Cousins, Chris Paul, Towns, Gasol, Blake, Wall, Lillard, Melo, Aldridge, Dwight, Horford, Bosh, Monroe, Love, Favors...

Just based on the EFF stat, all 8 of the top players in the league were taken in the top 7.   

There's a chance our next star will be found in this draft even if the pick falls to 6.   If that's all that comes of this offseason, it's still something to get excited about.  But I find it extremely unlikely that's all we'll do.  We have assets and cap space and we're anxious to make a move.  Something will happen.

[PaulP34]

If Danny Ainge knocks it out of the park again n gets Cousins/KD n a championship he's got to go down as one of the best GMs of all time. So far he is. I mean he used Paul n KG to rob Brooklyn of their future man if this turns into a Boston Celtics favoured to win the NBA finals next year Danny Ainge is a god. But hey, we have good old Red up there working hard for us