We missed out on Durant but that's fine, keep to the long term plan

[TheSundanceKid]

Now is not the time to flick the panic switch and get "the best of what is left". No to Ezeli, who will be paid a lot, no to Sully for the same reasons. Don't trade your core for an expiring star like Westbrook or Griffin. Don't suddenly add more into the bid for Butler.

None of that is necessary. What we have done so far has been incredibly organic for a franchise in this age of basketball. Even with the addition of Horford we are one of the youngest rosters in the league. We still have 2 more Nets' picks most probably at the high end of the lottery.

So what should we do? Continue to be patient, continue to grow our core, sign savvy contracts and wait for the next big fish to appear. In 2017 there is a much deeper star pool:

Half the GSW team... Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Westbrook, Ibaka, Hayward, Monroe, Noel, Lowry as well as a slew of RFAs. Then the year after that is headlined by Cousins, George and Harden. That summer we could be one of very few teams with max cap space and certainly one of the only ones with a competitive team and max cap space. Players are going to want to be able to compete with the GSW and Lebron will be winding down in the East.

It's gutting that Durant has gone to the Warriors but don't lose focus on the long term goals of this franchise, we are still on an upwards trajectory!

[RockinRyA]

We wont be winning the next 2-3 years but that's okay. Our window isnt that small. We would be ECF contenders and that's fine with me.

[mr. dee]

TP for the thread. People are already pushing the panic button with their crazy trade ideas.

[TheSundanceKid]

We wont be winning the next 2-3 years but that's okay. Our window isnt that small. We would be ECF contenders and that's fine with me.

Exactly. Maybe IT and Bradley are around for the next championship, maybe not. With them and now Al we are serious contenders each year. That's a great environment for guys like Brown and whoever else we draft. Those guys have a great chance at growing into winners before taking us onto better things.

Alternatively we manage to pick up another big time free agent and compete now all whilst having these young guys learning the ropes. It's such a good position to be in!

[Granath]

TP.

Celtics fans are used to dealing with a very small window of opportunity to win a Championship over the last 25 years. This time there's no rush because the window is still wide open. There's plenty of very promising youth, vets who are reaching the prime of their careers, cap space, more promising draft picks to come, etc. The team keeps getting better every year and this year it will be deeper and more loaded than last year. We just saw that Boston is a FA destination as well.

My prediction is that if the season is going well Danny will make a blockbuster trade deadline deal. At that point the potential positions of Nets pick will be firmed up and Danny will be able to see if he wants to make a trade to swing for he fences or not.

[Celtic_Pride777]

As a Cs fan, this doesn't really hurt us too much. Since our team is still going through a rebuild with young, emerging players, we aren't necessarily a "win-now" team anyways.

But the NBA is pretty top-heavy as it is, and as a basketball fan, I don't want to see a Warriors-Cavs finals for the third straight year in a row. Of all the teams that Durant could've signed with, he picked the one team that didn't really need him: a world-beating, record-setting team that was just minutes away from winning back-to-back titles, with a roster that already includes a 2-time reigning, unanimous MVP. This really just makes basketball less competetive and more predictable.

The NBA already feels rigged... this only makes it more like the WWE

[CoachBo]

I don't entirely agree.

As usual, the core of the team is being over-valued. That doesn't mean you give them away, but everyone on this team short of IT and Horford can and should be available in the right deal for a Cousins, etc.

In the meantime, be open to one-year deals with an option to upgrade immediately.

[TheSundanceKid]

As a Cs fan, this doesn't really hurt us too much. Since our team is still going through a rebuild with young, emerging players, we aren't necessarily a "win-now" team anyways.

But the NBA is pretty top-heavy as it is, and as a basketball fan, I don't want to see a Warriors-Cavs finals for the third straight year in a row. Of all the teams that Durant could've signed with, he picked the one team that didn't really need him: a world-beating, record-setting team that was just minutes away from winning back-to-back titles, with a roster that already includes a 2-time reigning, unanimous MVP. This really just makes basketball less competetive and more predictable.

The NBA already feels rigged... this only makes it more like the WWE

I can completely understand the sentiment. I think it massively hurts his legacy, as I believe Lebron hurt his in going to Miami (although doesn't he look like an angel in comparison!). However I'm still reserving judgement on that team. It was gutted to get Durant and if the Clippers are any indication, depth is needed to compete. Now the Warriors are more talented that the Clippers but one poorly timed injury and suddenly that team is reeling. On the flip side last year we saw Lebron drag the Cavs through the finals when Irving and Love were out, which was a testament not just to him but also the depth they could throw out there. It remains to be seen if the Warriors can match that

[RockinRyA]

I don't entirely agree.

As usual, the core of the team is being over-valued. That doesn't mean you give them away, but everyone on this team short of IT and Horford can and should be available in the right deal for a Cousins, etc.

In the meantime, be open to one-year deals with an option to upgrade immediately.

For who, Beasley?! 

[angryguy77]

You have to be a contender in order to have a window open. Boston is not a contender and there is no window. Durant would have completed the rebuild, and here we are stuck in 1st/2nd round playoff purgatory.

Pardon my pessimism, but the only options right now are to trade, or strike gold in the draft by landing the next superstar(which isn't something Boston has been able to do in decades.

[ashanm10]

well, im sure we are all bummed out....pretty sure most people had high hopes he would end up here...oh well it is what it is..it definitely is a let down and makes the league not so impressive but lets see how it unfolds anyway. As far as our team is concerned, hopefully we keep finding players who have something to prove and who have special talents! We have our greatest superstar on the bench in Brad Stevens Hes competing everyday any day, pretty sure he is hyped about taking on the GSW this year lol xD Thats how Brad is and hopefully we put on a good show

[cltc5]

Well horford will be 34 by the end of his contract. Would  like to get some progression before he's no longer a contributor

[ashanm10]

Well horford will be 34 by the end of his contract. Would  like to get some progression before he's no longer a contributor

ye about Horford...you would think he might wanted a legit run at the title...hmm wonder what he was thinking when signing here...what did we tell him lol.....

[billysan]

You have to be a contender in order to have a window open. Boston is not a contender and there is no window. Durant would have completed the rebuild, and here we are stuck in 1st/2nd round playoff purgatory.

Pardon my pessimism, but the only options right now are to trade, or strike gold in the draft by landing the next superstar(which isn't something Boston has been able to do in decades.

My feeling is that with a season ending LeBron or Kyrie injury and a moderately good rookie season from brown we are ECF contenders.  Without it we can make the ECF but as underdogs. Not sure we beat Toronto yet anyway.

To continue rebuilding patiently is a no Brainer but we also must be opportunistic to improve our roster any chance we can. No player  is so valuable or beloved to be untradeable. We have no Bird or Russel on this team.....yet.

[TheSundanceKid]

I don't entirely agree.

As usual, the core of the team is being over-valued. That doesn't mean you give them away, but everyone on this team short of IT and Horford can and should be available in the right deal for a Cousins, etc.

In the meantime, be open to one-year deals with an option to upgrade immediately.

It's not so much about overvaluing the core as continuing to progress with them. You're right that it doesn't mean they are off the table for a big trade, what I mean is there is little point in settling for the next best thing in free agency this year as we could have with Barnes for example. Better to continue to build the value of the guys we have, put guys in the right position to have breakout years which could help us land that star in a trade later down the line. Or perhaps they turn it up to a level where we see them as a valuable piece to retain.
the short term contracts are a must for us now, don't tie ourselves in to long term deals.

You have to be a contender in order to have a window open. Boston is not a contender and there is no window. Durant would have completed the rebuild, and here we are stuck in 1st/2nd round playoff purgatory.

Pardon my pessimism, but the only options right now are to trade, or strike gold in the draft by landing the next superstar(which isn't something Boston has been able to do in decades.

Remember we are in the fortunate position of Brooklyn tanking for us. We are lacking as things stand but we still have a lot of chips to play with. Sooner or later someone will bite!