Are we a rebuilding team or playoff contender?

[__ramonezy__]

This offseason will prove that we can't be both. I'm sure this question has been asked before, but it's good to check sentiment as the actual decision time approaches.We're going to be faced with drafting future all-star potential talent like a Bender, Murray or even Chriss or pushing a good chunk of our assets in a play for players like Butler or whoever else is on Durant's wishlist.

To be honest, this is the agony of an over-achieving, rebuilding team. Crowder was a financial throw-in to make a deal work, Evan Turner was supposed to be a stop-gap, reclamation player. IT has bounced from team to team, all the while being told he was talented, but not good enough to be the lead. Our rebuild is actually only 2 years old and truly started when we drafted Smart (IMO a rebuild starts when you acquire players not release them).

Our last two drafts were always towards potential upside picks, like James Young, Jordan Mickey, Terry Rozier, and never had the feel of urgent contributors to them... that's what rebuilding teams do, but for some reason this off-season feels different.  Young who was taken to be a long-term project and who , depending on who we pick, will still be the youngest player on our team two drafts later is now "developing" too slowly.

This is a decision that we have to iron out now, because as you can see with the Heat and Cavs once we get a player like a Butler or Durant, ALL future draft picks will likely need to be traded to acquire established talent to contend. Two teams were faced with similar decisions. The Cavs just got back Lebron James and had the #1 pick in a highly touted draft, they opted to forego the potential of Wiggins to acquire Kevin Love. Compare that with the Warriors that were pushing to trade for Love - then a transcendental star, but Minnesota insisted that they wanted Klay Thompson - a scrappy 2-guard with shooting chops and Golden State declined. We know how both decisions turned out.

Minnesota is now considered one of the teams with the brightest futures... but they only had 29 wins. Why is our trajectory different?

We are now at a similar organizational crossroads. So with 2 weeks to go, how do we see ourselves, as a rebuilding team or as a playoff contender? History has shown you can't be both.

[PaulP34]

We are both. A team that's in the playoffs is considered a contender and usually are one or two all stars away from contending for the finals. At the same rate they Celtics are a young team who hold valuable assets whether its depth in players or depth in draft picks. So you can say the Celtics are rebuilding at the same time trying to contend. This doesn't happen to a lot of NBA franchises but its certainly the case with these Celtics.

Now that being said, there is a decision to make. One, being so close to contending for the championship with that many assets one has to make that decision to give up those future assets an acquire the players needed to win that championship now. Or, two sitting back and using those assets in a timely fashion to acquire players or picks using the long road and build a championship roster in 3-4 years.

The first choice would get us to the promise land now but that window will be short, say 3-4 years.

The second choice will take 3-4 years to build a championship roster but will give you a much wider window anywhere from 5-8 years. Maybe even a decade depending on how you work the contracts of them players. Larry Bird gave us a 7-9 year window in the 80's but you have to draft well and build the pieces in a timely fashion.

[droopdog7]

Yup, both.  Easy question.

[PhoSita]

The Celts are a third tier playoff team with a young supporting cast and lots of draft assets.

They are still searching for a long term competitive core so in that sense they are still rebuilding.

They could keep virtually the same roster with no internal improvement and still make the playoffs next year, so in that sense, they are a playoff team.

They have no hope of making the Finals let alone winning a title with this current group, so not a contender.

[flybono]

Minnesota is not Boston.

This is the year to make a splash in Free Agency. If players do not want to play here it becomes purgatory.

Then and only then do you keep the remaining Nets picks to build (with much luck) through the draft since your Free Agency fate is already sealed .
Not to say you cannot make a trade, trading takes 2.

[RedClaw33]

I think both is the right answer as well..although I lean towards rebuilding team.   

We are in a unusual situation in which we are going to get lotto picks to build our roster over the next 2 years (not including this years number 3) and at the same time have the talent to be a second round playoff team.  The big question is how we use these chips.  I lean towards build with youth and give them an opportunity to grow in a winning culture.  When the time is right we can make the dramatic moves but right now I would rather keep my picks and see what kind of talent we can obtain by using them.

[Q_FBE]

I would check off both boxes. We need to get a top level talent in the draft and make a trade for another top level talent (Butler or possibly Okafor or perhaps Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins).

I would rather trade our two lower picks, Rozier, Sullenger, and Hunter to Philadelphia for Joel Embiid and unleash Jordan Mickey.

I would do a Crowder and AB trade to Minnesota for Andrew Wiggins.

Draft Buddy Hield at #3.

Sign up KD (this makes us TITLE CONTENDER).

[CFAN38]

The nets and grizz future picks allow the celtics to be a " rebuilding playoff contender". This should be the celtics approach and is a difficult line to toe. The Cs can for the next few season build a team around IT AB and crowder that makes the playoffs and maybe wins a series while still building the next incarnation of the celtics.

By either keeping and drafting with these high picks or trading them for young players like Okafor they can develop the youth while winning games. Say they trade 3 for Okafor then the nets pick next season is too 8. Okafor, smart and that 2017 pick could be the future of this tram

[GreenFaith1819]

We're a rebuilding playoff contender, thx to good young players, an All-Star, chemistry, and an exceptional coach and GM.

Great thing is that we're going to keep adding to this while maintaining a ton of flexibility.

Next few weeks and even next couple of years will be very interesting to watch. I'd love to be able to peek into future and see this team in a couple of months and again in a couple of years.

[SHAQATTACK]

Both

[Csfan1984]

"Building ECF Contender"

[SparzWizard]

I think the Celtics need to "win now"...it's been almost 10 years since our last championship.

Ship out those assets, land those superstars in Boston.

[Celtics4ever]

The ownership always says we are going for titles.

[__ramonezy__]

Honestly I think the concept of a rebuilding playoff contender is an oxymoron... kinda like being half pregnant.

Rebuilding is about the future, you take long shots based on potential. Being a playoff contender is about the now. I don't see how you make a decision that meets expectations of both.

If we are both, can someone logically tell me what we do with the #3 pick that satisfies both goals?

[kozlodoev]

a rebuilding team or a playoff contender?

We have been in the playoffs for two consecutive years, so...