Celtics are a top 5 team in the league

[walker834]

Smart and Jaylen are going to get better.  Crowder and AB are solid starters good bench guys. So is Rozier. He's going to get better too. Plus Ainge drafted really well.  We are going to find players out of this crop.  We need one more guy while keeping some flexibility as far as future picks. Horford was a good signing.

Isaiah + Horford + One more guy + flexibility as far as future picks to add someone else + our current crop of  young players + Brad Stevens + Hard Work will equal a championship.  I promise.

We keep getting closer each year. That is a good sign.

[saltlover]

Next year we're getting Gordon Hayward and another high lottery pick.  The chance to join Stevens will be too great to pas up.  Combined with the continued growth of our roster, we take the final step to title contender then.  While not an historic summer, this year was another important step forward.

Can't wait to see Jaylen Brown in three minutes!

[Scintan]

6 teams finished ahead of Boston last year.  The Thunder lost Durant.  With the other 5

Warriors
Spurs
Cavaliers
Clippers
Raptors

we have no reason to think any of those teams have fallen behind the Celtics, to this point.

[flybono]

Unless they bring in another Front court presence and a Shooter vs West you would be lucky to beat Portland or Houston

[saltlover]

6 teams finished ahead of Boston last year.  The Thunder lost Durant.  With the other 5

Warriors
Spurs
Cavaliers
Clippers
Raptors

we have no reason to think any of those teams have fallen behind the Celtics, to this point.

I don't think it's a given the Raptors haven't fallen behind.  They lost Biyombo and haven't added anyone.  We've lost Turner but added Horford.  Our team is a little younger, and also might therefore see internal improvement. It's not a given we've passed them, but it's certainly possible the Celtics could be #2 in the East.

[Moranis]

I disagree, top 10 sure, but not top 5.

Warriors, Cavs, Spurs are pretty obvious.  I believe the Clippers are better as are the Raptors.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Thunder (assuming they keep Westbrook) are better.  Also wouldn't be surprised if the Pacers and Pistons are better.  If Bosh plays and they keep Wade, the Heat could be, the Hornets could be, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Jazz take a big leap

[86MaxwellSmart]

Danny aint done...we still got all of our Picks....lots of youngsters...some cap space.

I expect another move by training camp. Teams might be looking more to the future now.
Picks baby--especially now that all these asinine contracts have started.

[jpotter33]

Danny aint done...we still got all of our Picks....lots of youngsters...some cap space.

I expect another move by training camp. Teams might be looking more to the future now.
Picks baby--especially now that all these asinine contracts have started.

Don't forget - Harden was traded right before the season started, and OKC is in a very similar situation as that.

[86MaxwellSmart]

Danny aint done...we still got all of our Picks....lots of youngsters...some cap space.

I expect another move by training camp. Teams might be looking more to the future now.
Picks baby--especially now that all these asinine contracts have started.

Don't forget - Harden was traded right before the season started, and OKC is in a very similar situation as that.

Apparently Danny is already talking about Westbrook in Utah...from a poster/forum mod "Smitty731" on RealGM:

"So I just heard that with Westbrook refusing to sign an extension with OKC, the Celtics (among others) are pursuing a trade. But Boston isn't willing to give up all that much without a guarantee Westbrook will sign in Boston long term. The deal would apparently be centered around Jaylen Brown, the Nets picks and other young guys (Rozier, Hunter, Mickey, Young, etc.).

Here is the thing, the Celtics want it done in the next couple of days, so they can do what they need before Johnson and Jerebko become fully guaranteed. And neither of those guys is very willing to move back their date again.

The word is that Boston is also pursuing Jimmy Butler again, but the Bulls have no intention of trading him. The Bulls are telling everyone they are building around Butler."

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