In 2018, Who Do We Keep Out Of Isaiah/Bradley/Smart?

[Phantom255x]

Lets say the next few seasons play out like this:

1. Celtics retain Amir + Jerebko this season, add a short term player as well. Little cap space remains this offseason

2. 2017: We let JJ and Amir walk. Have about 40M in cap space. Use up the remaining cap space on a MAX player + role player.

3. Cap space isn't expected to rise much 2018, and wallah, Smart, Isaiah, and Bradley are all Free Agents. Smart is a RFA while the others are UFA.

In 2018, who do we let go out of Smart/Bradley/Isaiah, because there is no way we can afford all of them and Isaiah could be worth near max at that time. Also there's the possibility we could make moves to get a star like PG13 or Cousins and we need to further clear cap space for that. What would you guys do?

[Celtic_Pride777]

Avery Bradley is a lock-down perimeter defender, who happens to guard the most important position in the NBA. With the Golden State Monstars likely to dominate the League, Bradley is gonna be a tremendous asset over the next few years.

If Marcus Smart doesn't improve, or hasn't had his breakout year by then, then he won't be worth sacrificing cap space.

Having IT is an absolute steal, since he's currently playing on a bargain contract, and is projected to be our second best player in 2016-2017. But depending on who the Celtics are able to add between now and 2018 (hopefully there are big-name free agents who sign with us) he might be more expendable down the road.

Long story short: We'll just need to see what happens.

[jpotter33]

Avery Bradley is a lock-down perimeter defender, who happens to guard the most important position in the NBA. With the Golden State Monstars likely to dominate the League, Bradley is gonna be a tremendous asset over the next few years.

If Marcus Smart doesn't improve, or hasn't had his breakout year by then, then he won't be worth sacrificing cap space.

Having IT is an absolute steal, since he's currently playing on a bargain contract, and is projected to be our second best player in 2016-2017. But depending on who the Celtics are able to add between now and 2018 (hopefully their are big-name free agents who sign with us) he might be more expendable down the road.

Long story short: We'll just need to see what happens.

Pretty much. The hope will be that Smart will be ready to take over the PG duties full time by that summer, which would allow you to pay him his money and IT can move to the sixth man position.

[Phantom255x]

Avery Bradley is a lock-down perimeter defender, who happens to guard the most important position in the NBA. With the Golden State Monstars likely to dominate the League, Bradley is gonna be a tremendous asset over the next few years.

If Marcus Smart doesn't improve, or hasn't had his breakout year by then, then he won't be worth sacrificing cap space.

Having IT is an absolute steal, since he's currently playing on a bargain contract, and is projected to be our second best player in 2016-2017. But depending on who the Celtics are able to add between now and 2018 (hopefully there are big-name free agents who sign with us) he might be more expendable down the road.

Long story short: We'll just need to see what happens.

Yeah I'm just worried we may end up losing potentially two of.. or all of them in order to get Horford and two stars. Keeping Isaiah should be a no-brainer it may come down to Bradley or Smart.

[saltlover]

Depending what happens with our cap space next summer, IT and Bradley could both be extended.  By increasing their salary by a lot next year, they might be able to keep them cheaper in future years.   For instance, if IT had his salary raised by $16 million, he could be paid between $24.3 and $27.7 mil between the 2018 and 2020 seasons.  However, it would be as if we were paying him $5.3 million more per season, because of the upfront money he got in 2017.  Something similar could be done with Bradley -- maybe a $9 million raise, which would essentially pay him an extra $3 million per season up front.

It wouldn't be my first choice of how to use cap space (signing another max is obviously option A), but it could save the team $8-10 million a year and avoid free agency with the two.

[Phantom255x]

Depending what happens with our cap space next summer, IT and Bradley could both be extended.  By increasing their salary by a lot next year, they might be able to keep them cheaper in future years.   For instance, if IT had his salary raised by $16 million, he could be paid between $24.3 and $27.7 mil between the 2018 and 2020 seasons.  However, it would be as if we were paying him $5.3 million more per season, because of the upfront money he got in 2017.  Something similar could be done with Bradley -- maybe a $9 million raise, which would essentially pay him an extra $3 million per season up front.

It wouldn't be my first choice of how to use cap space (signing another max is obviously option A), but it could save the team $8-10 million a year and avoid free agency with the two.

Hmm, that is an interesting scenario. Thanks for that. TP.

Is that something you think IT and Bradley would accept or would they want to test FA in your opinion?

[Celtic_Pride777]

Avery Bradley is a lock-down perimeter defender, who happens to guard the most important position in the NBA. With the Golden State Monstars likely to dominate the League, Bradley is gonna be a tremendous asset over the next few years.

If Marcus Smart doesn't improve, or hasn't had his breakout year by then, then he won't be worth sacrificing cap space.

Having IT is an absolute steal, since he's currently playing on a bargain contract, and is projected to be our second best player in 2016-2017. But depending on who the Celtics are able to add between now and 2018 (hopefully there are big-name free agents who sign with us) he might be more expendable down the road.

Long story short: We'll just need to see what happens.

Yeah I'm just worried we may end up losing potentially two of.. or all of them in order to get Horford and two stars. Keeping Isaiah should be a no-brainer it may come down to Bradley or Smart.

Not necessarily...as it currently stands, Marcus Smart is a role player. Unless he produces offensively and makes it into the starting lineup, I don't see why he should earn top dollars

[saltlover]

Depending what happens with our cap space next summer, IT and Bradley could both be extended.  By increasing their salary by a lot next year, they might be able to keep them cheaper in future years.   For instance, if IT had his salary raised by $16 million, he could be paid between $24.3 and $27.7 mil between the 2018 and 2020 seasons.  However, it would be as if we were paying him $5.3 million more per season, because of the upfront money he got in 2017.  Something similar could be done with Bradley -- maybe a $9 million raise, which would essentially pay him an extra $3 million per season up front.

It wouldn't be my first choice of how to use cap space (signing another max is obviously option A), but it could save the team $8-10 million a year and avoid free agency with the two.

Hmm, that is an interesting scenario. Thanks for that. TP.

Is that something you think IT and Bradley would accept or would they want to test FA in your opinion?

I mean, it depends on what happens with the CBA and all.  But as of now, 3 years of a max deal for IT in 2018 projects to average about $33 million a season, and my example would pay him essentially $31 million a year.  So it's certainly competitive.

[Phantom255x]

Avery Bradley is a lock-down perimeter defender, who happens to guard the most important position in the NBA. With the Golden State Monstars likely to dominate the League, Bradley is gonna be a tremendous asset over the next few years.

If Marcus Smart doesn't improve, or hasn't had his breakout year by then, then he won't be worth sacrificing cap space.

Having IT is an absolute steal, since he's currently playing on a bargain contract, and is projected to be our second best player in 2016-2017. But depending on who the Celtics are able to add between now and 2018 (hopefully there are big-name free agents who sign with us) he might be more expendable down the road.

Long story short: We'll just need to see what happens.

Yeah I'm just worried we may end up losing potentially two of.. or all of them in order to get Horford and two stars. Keeping Isaiah should be a no-brainer it may come down to Bradley or Smart.

Not necessarily...as it currently stands, Marcus Smart is a role player. Unless he produces offensively and makes it into the starting lineup, I don't see why he should earn top dollars

Maybe but with the deals going around currently some team might overpay for Smart. He's a RFA.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Avery Bradley is a lock-down perimeter defender, who happens to guard the most important position in the NBA. With the Golden State Monstars likely to dominate the League, Bradley is gonna be a tremendous asset over the next few years.

If Marcus Smart doesn't improve, or hasn't had his breakout year by then, then he won't be worth sacrificing cap space.

Having IT is an absolute steal, since he's currently playing on a bargain contract, and is projected to be our second best player in 2016-2017. But depending on who the Celtics are able to add between now and 2018 (hopefully there are big-name free agents who sign with us) he might be more expendable down the road.

Long story short: We'll just need to see what happens.

Yeah I'm just worried we may end up losing potentially two of.. or all of them in order to get Horford and two stars. Keeping Isaiah should be a no-brainer it may come down to Bradley or Smart.

Not necessarily...as it currently stands, Marcus Smart is a role player. Unless he produces offensively and makes it into the starting lineup, I don't see why he should earn top dollars

Maybe but with the deals going around currently some team might overpay for Smart. He's a RFA.

Or we could trade all 3 of them while they still have worth, meaning IT and AB still have 2 years on their contracts means they have a ton more value than if they had none.
Eric Bledsoe is on the table and could be a good value grab. can play 1-2 could be had if we take on Chandlers contract...which we coulddo and then pass off or buy out.

[35Lewis]

Bradley is going to get traded because he wants out.    I don't talk to a lot of guys so you don't have to take my word for it but I did hear from someone on the team that said Bradley still isn't happy about his contract, wants more minutes, and didn't like the Jaylen Brown draft.  You definitely don't have to take my word for it but if I was a betting man i would say Bradley is gone based on that conversation. 

If I had to make a gm decision I'd be tempted to keep Bradley because he has an awesome contract.

[Celtic_Pride777]

Bradley is going to get traded because he wants out.    I don't talk to a lot of guys so you don't have to take my word for it but I did hear from someone on the team that said Bradley still isn't happy about his contract, wants more minutes, and didn't like the Jaylen Brown draft.  You definitely don't have to take my word for it but if I was a betting man i would say Bradley is gone based on that conversation. 

If I had to make a gm decision I'd be tempted to keep Bradley because he has an awesome contract.

  whoa whoa whoa...this is the first time I'm hearing this. Bradley doesn't strike me as a me-first, big ego player.

[Phantom255x]

Bradley is going to get traded because he wants out.    I don't talk to a lot of guys so you don't have to take my word for it but I did hear from someone on the team that said Bradley still isn't happy about his contract, wants more minutes, and didn't like the Jaylen Brown draft.  You definitely don't have to take my word for it but if I was a betting man i would say Bradley is gone based on that conversation. 

If I had to make a gm decision I'd be tempted to keep Bradley because he has an awesome contract.

I think keeping IT is #1 priority. Dude just went out and recruited Horford here, and could recruit others in the future, and he loves Boston. He at least helped us in the KD running too. All star and can score as well no doubt.

I hope Smart and Brown can develop into elite defenders in this league. I hate to see Bradley leave but unless Smart doesn't develop in the next two years I'd bet the Celtics let Bradley walk and keep Smart and IT. Smart probably won't get a max-contract and could be a lot more affordable than others.

I had never heard of Bradley wanting out tbh, and had never heard him say he disliked the Jaylen pick either.

[Phantom255x]

Bradley is going to get traded because he wants out.    I don't talk to a lot of guys so you don't have to take my word for it but I did hear from someone on the team that said Bradley still isn't happy about his contract, wants more minutes, and didn't like the Jaylen Brown draft.  You definitely don't have to take my word for it but if I was a betting man i would say Bradley is gone based on that conversation. 

If I had to make a gm decision I'd be tempted to keep Bradley because he has an awesome contract.

  whoa whoa whoa...this is the first time I'm hearing this. Bradley doesn't strike me as a me-first, big ego player.

Yeah I had never heard of that either.

[jambr380]

Bradley is going to get traded because he wants out.    I don't talk to a lot of guys so you don't have to take my word for it but I did hear from someone on the team that said Bradley still isn't happy about his contract, wants more minutes, and didn't like the Jaylen Brown draft.  You definitely don't have to take my word for it but if I was a betting man i would say Bradley is gone based on that conversation. 

If I had to make a gm decision I'd be tempted to keep Bradley because he has an awesome contract.

The writing has been on the wall here. At $8M/yr, Bradley is excellent value for another team acquiring him. If we had signed Durant, I would have loved to keep Bradley, but if we are going to take the next step, then we probably need to upgrade his position and he should yield a decent return. Crowder isn't going anywhere and IT has been our biggest promoter. I hope Smart takes the next step, but he will be very useful regardless.

Bradley is the one I see being traded. It is wonderful that we currently have these players on such value contracts, but those days will be ending soon and we just can't afford all of them.