Roster pretty much set?

[Granath]

I think the following guys are almost dead solid locks to make the team:

1.  Horford
2.  KO
3.  Crowder
4.  AB
5.  IT
6.  Amir
7.  Jerebko
8.  Mickey
9.  Brown
10. Smart
11. Hunter
12. Rozier

Perhaps Hunter is the only one who may not belong on that list but I think he's basically a lock. That's 12 out of 15 spots.

Here are the 7 other candidates for the last 3 spots:

1. Sullinger - I think Ainge would really like to bring back Sully. He fills a need with his rebounding prowess and would be well suited to fitting in with Hortford.
2. Zeller - Don't discount bringing back Zeller if they can get him for cheap. He's fine for a decent backup.
3. Yab - If Sully doesn't come back then I think Yab's chances of making the team go up. There are real questions on how much he'll be able to contribute this year but the Cs need another PF on the roster.
4. Bentil - He'll have to take the spot from Yab to have a chance but I think he's getting exposed in the Summer League. He'll have to show something in practice to earn his spot.
5. Jackson - Action Jackson will need to earn his roster spot but he's done well so far. Ainge would like to have a backup ball handler. Jackson could fit the bill.
6. Young - The man on the hot seat. His roster spot, rightfully so, is in serious jeopardy. It's important to note that he's still one of the youngest guys out there so if he shows something he may stick around. But he has to be able to contribute this year.
7. Unknown FA/Trade - There are still guys out there that can fill a role and/or Ainge has the firepower to make a deal. It could be for a guy like Cousins or maybe a much smaller trade.

I think Ainge's preference would be to get Sullinger and Zeller back for cheap and let Jackson and Young fight it out for the last spot while stashing Yab overseas. So everything will hinge on those two guys. If the Cs lose Sullinger, I think Yab/Bentil is in. If they lose Zeller then it's probably a FA and Jackson/Young who get the last two spots.

With all that said I truly think Ainge has one more deal to make before this all shakes out.

[Tr1boy]

I think the following guys are almost dead solid locks to make the team:

1.  Horford
2.  KO
3.  Crowder
4.  AB
5.  IT
6.  Amir
7.  Jerebko
8.  Mickey
9.  Brown
10. Smart
11. Hunter
12. Rozier

Perhaps Hunter is the only one who may not belong on that list but I think he's basically a lock. That's 12 out of 15 spots.

Here are the 7 other candidates for the last 3 spots:

1. Sullinger - I think Ainge would really like to bring back Sully. He fills a need with his rebounding prowess and would be well suited to fitting in with Hortford.
2. Zeller - Don't discount bringing back Zeller if they can get him for cheap. He's fine for a decent backup.
3. Yab - If Sully doesn't come back then I think Yab's chances of making the team go up. There are real questions on how much he'll be able to contribute this year but the Cs need another PF on the roster.
4. Bentil - He'll have to take the spot from Yab to have a chance but I think he's getting exposed in the Summer League. He'll have to show something in practice to earn his spot.
5. Jackson - Action Jackson will need to earn his roster spot but he's done well so far. Ainge would like to have a backup ball handler. Jackson could fit the bill.
6. Young - The man on the hot seat. His roster spot, rightfully so, is in serious jeopardy. It's important to note that he's still one of the youngest guys out there so if he shows something he may stick around. But he has to be able to contribute this year.
7. Unknown FA/Trade - There are still guys out there that can fill a role and/or Ainge has the firepower to make a deal. It could be for a guy like Cousins or maybe a much smaller trade.

I think Ainge's preference would be to get Sullinger and Zeller back for cheap and let Jackson and Young fight it out for the last spot while stashing Yab overseas. So everything will hinge on those two guys. If the Cs lose Sullinger, I think Yab/Bentil is in. If they lose Zeller then it's probably a FA and Jackson/Young who get the last two spots.

With all that said I truly think Ainge has one more deal to make before this all shakes out.

I dont think ainge wants either sully or zeller back

Just hoping some team gives up something so they can have priority to sign them (and not overpay)

[nickagneta]

Too much youth and Young needs to go. Yabs will be stashed. I don't see more than one of the 2nd rounders making it. The Celtics will add some vets. Sully could be one. I think Danny could sign or trade a pick for two more vets.

The Celtics are in a winning mode. Having that much youth on the roster that you will HAVE to rely on regardless of whether they are ready for the NBA, won't help with winning. My line up:

IT/Rozier/Jackson
Bradley/Smart/Hunter
Crowder/Brown/vet wing
Horford/KO/Jerebko/Mickey
Sully/Johnson

Of course this could all change if Danny packages some of the youth and/or picks for veterans and doesn't decide to bring Sully back. But I just don't see 7 rookies and second year players being on this team, no matter how much the youth lovers here on Celticsblog want it to happen.

[Evantime34]

Ainge is going to try to do a consolidation move where we deal some back end roster guys plus picks for someone better.

The problem, is that they don't want to add long term salary. It's hard to make a trade while being restrained by only wanting to add expiring contracts or stars. We are going to try for those things, but I wouldn't surprise me if we just went with what we have.

I'd be fine they traded Young and let Bentil Walk, then filled the last two spots with Jackson and a vet (Sullinger or Zeller on a one year deal might not be a bad idea)

[kozlodoev]

I still see the most likely scenario as sending Yabusele back and retaining Young for an extra year if there's no move over the summer.

[Sketch5]

Ainge says it isn't set.

And for once, I agree with him. The current roster isn't going to get it done.

Ainge has said lots of things. Its good that he remains opportunistic. He has also said you need two to tango(trades)

Unless there is a key FA available out of nowhere , a trade or two is the only way to improve this roster

Dont hold your breath hoping that butler is coming here anytime soon

Butler isn't coming here, period.

There are a lot of other opportunities to improve this team and thin out all the draft choices Ainge has made.

I expect some of them to be utilized. You don't sign Al Horford and re-commit to a "youth movement."

I don't think Butler's unavailability is absolute.  It's a long season and we know Wade is going to do his Kobe fare well tour. And we know how much of a pain in the donkey Rondo is to play with. And you have 3 guys that have to have the ball in their hands to make things happen, might not go so well. Plus Wade on his last two years(if he makes it that far) and Rondo getting over 30 could make Butler wonder what Chi is doing. In a couple years they could be back to a rebuild and he'll be closer to 30. Could force him to want a trade, and DA can swoop in with the assets. Probable? No. Possible even if it's slight? Yep.

But I agree that most likely it will come from some wheres else. Clips seeing that GS is going to dominate in the next few years, may blow it up and start the rebuild of after the big for. So we could get a Griffen for cheap, but only with agreement in an extension, even for a couple years. Cousins could be had by mid way, not a huge fan because of his attitude, but maybe with Horford,Crowder, and Stevens leadership curves that. Maybe even Hayward could be fielded if Utah doesn't get off to a good start.

But those players can only be had at deadline, unless of when we signs Amir and JJ we can use their contracts before the season started.

So right now I think it would be smaller contract moves. Okafor,Noel still could be in the works.

I think this team needs one more shooter, and a good defensive big, and they can make some real noise this post season.

[No Nickname]

He still needs plenty of work but you dont just cut your 20 year old first round pick who has a low salary on a team with open roster spots..

In some cases I would agree.  But at this point I think we know what we have in Young.  I'd much rather use that roster spot and see what we have in Demetrious Jackson and Bentil.  I think Nader is gone.  But I'd love to spin the wheels on the other two second rounders and see if we get any traction.  Bentil brings perhaps better shooting than Young and already much better defense (even though Bentil isn't necessarily great in that regard, just a much better feel for the game.)

[Snakehead]

Ainge is pretty openly saying they aren't done which is interesting.  Not sure what to make of it.  I think they would love to get a shooter and/or scorer.  Jr Smith or Gerald Green could make sense in that role and maybe the Celtics could pay them well for a short contract similar to the Jerebko and Amir deals?

[kozlodoev]

He still needs plenty of work but you dont just cut your 20 year old first round pick who has a low salary on a team with open roster spots..

In some cases I would agree.  But at this point I think we know what we have in Young.  I'd much rather use that roster spot and see what we have in Demetrious Jackson and Bentil.  I think Nader is gone.  But I'd love to spin the wheels on the other two second rounders and see if we get any traction.  Bentil brings perhaps better shooting than Young and already much better defense (even though Bentil isn't necessarily great in that regard, just a much better feel for the game.)

Nader has agreed to accept a NBDL contract, which means he'll play for the Red Claws without occupying a roster spot and we retain his rights. That's the reason he drafted him in the first place.

[CoachBo]

Ainge says it isn't set.

And for once, I agree with him. The current roster isn't going to get it done.

Ainge has said lots of things. Its good that he remains opportunistic. He has also said you need two to tango(trades)

Unless there is a key FA available out of nowhere , a trade or two is the only way to improve this roster

Dont hold your breath hoping that butler is coming here anytime soon

Butler isn't coming here, period.

There are a lot of other opportunities to improve this team and thin out all the draft choices Ainge has made.

I expect some of them to be utilized. You don't sign Al Horford and re-commit to a "youth movement."

I don't think Butler's unavailability is absolute.  It's a long season and we know Wade is going to do his Kobe fare well tour. And we know how much of a pain in the donkey Rondo is to play with. And you have 3 guys that have to have the ball in their hands to make things happen, might not go so well. Plus Wade on his last two years(if he makes it that far) and Rondo getting over 30 could make Butler wonder what Chi is doing. In a couple years they could be back to a rebuild and he'll be closer to 30. Could force him to want a trade, and DA can swoop in with the assets. Probable? No. Possible even if it's slight? Yep.

But I agree that most likely it will come from some wheres else. Clips seeing that GS is going to dominate in the next few years, may blow it up and start the rebuild of after the big for. So we could get a Griffen for cheap, but only with agreement in an extension, even for a couple years. Cousins could be had by mid way, not a huge fan because of his attitude, but maybe with Horford,Crowder, and Stevens leadership curves that. Maybe even Hayward could be fielded if Utah doesn't get off to a good start.

But those players can only be had at deadline, unless of when we signs Amir and JJ we can use their contracts before the season started.

So right now I think it would be smaller contract moves. Okafor,Noel still could be in the works.

I think this team needs one more shooter, and a good defensive big, and they can make some real noise this post season.

I could very well be misreading this, but ... I wonder if they're not pursuing Cousins, and that is what make them back off a Philly deal.

So at some point, they'll either get Cousins or do something with Philly. I like what both Philly centers bring to the table, and both will be cheaper in terms of cash and talent than Cousins, so I wonder if that isn't what eventually happens.

[No Nickname]

Nader has agreed to accept a NBDL contract, which means he'll play for the Red Claws without occupying a roster spot and we retain his rights. That's the reason he drafted him in the first place.

By "gone" I should have said "...to the NBDL" but thank you for confirming.

[Humble G]

What bout Colton iverson???