We should not trade for Butler or George at the deadline, even if offered.

[LilRip]

I don't understand this line of thinking. This team, as currently constructed, is not good enough to be a "contender". Paul George, in particular, makes us contenders. If he can't, then who can? Is it Anthony Davis or bust? Are the C's really that far away from being a contender that even if they land a top 10 player, they still can't make a splash?

[RLewis35]

I think there is a lot of merit to both sides of this argument which is why it is very clear to me what we should be doing: not trading more than one of the nets picks for a single player.  To expand further, 2 of brown, smart, and the 2 nets picks simply cannot be dealt for a single player (and depending on who that player is possibly only one).  We need to improve in the now in case we can take advantage of a year soon when cle or GS is down, while not mortgaging the entire future and hope that brown nets 17 and the others on the team improve in the next 3-5 years at a quicker pace than IT4, horford and butler/George/whoever declines. 

[Donoghus]

I don't understand this line of thinking. This team, as currently constructed, is not good enough to be a "contender". Paul George, in particular, makes us contenders. If he can't, then who can? Is it Anthony Davis or bust? Are the C's really that far away from being a contender that even if they land a top 10 player, they still can't make a splash?

You give something to get something.    It really depends on what you're giving up.  In some instances, its totally worth getting Paul George.  In other instances, not quite.

[Phantom255x]

I'm at Blog A Bull.. and the sentiment there is the same..

"TWO BROOKLYN PICKS OR GO AWAY" - rational crowd

"TWO BROOKLYN PICKS + BROWN OR GO AWAY" - unrealistic crowd

[flybono]

Your not nuts, your #&*# nuts!

[Chief Macho]

Would it be possible to give up Crowder and Bradley to a team that could resign them  and get a better player than the both of them back?.  Maybe include assets other than the Brooklyn picks?  Those contracts coming up would be great to not have to pay.n Does that package get us Butler or George or Hayword?

[jambr380]

Would it be possible to give up Crowder and Bradley to a team that could resign them  and get a better player than the both of them back?.  Maybe include assets other than the Brooklyn picks?  Those contracts coming up would be great to not have to pay.n Does that package get us Butler or George or Hayword?

Crowder is signed at $7M/yr for three years after this one. His production to salary ratio is one of the best in the league and will continue to be for several more years. With so many guys due to get 'paid', he is one of the least expendable players on our roster.

George and Butler most certainly will require at least AB and a BKN pick - too rich for me (right now - especially Butler), and with Hayward being a FA after this season (no reason to trade for him and Utah isn't about to ship him out), it is at least worth a shot to sign him this summer.

[Chris22]

I agree.
Don't take on someone else's garbage like Cousins or Anthony.
Let's roll with what we have.

[Bobshot]

Depends on what they have to give up to get them. Could make them weaker.
I'd give up Bradley plus a nets pick plus fodder for one of them. Bradley looks expendable from their play lately. Don't think Ainge hasn't noticed.

I'd also do that same deal for Drummond, who might have a bigger impact, since IT wouldn't be fighting him for shots.

They are still woeful at rebounding. Outrebounded again tonite. If they had a guy like Drummond, they might  be blowing away teams instead of clawing for a win.

[Bobshot]

I just checked their record. They are on track for a 54-55 win season. That's about 2/1 W-L ratio. Not good enough to contend. They need a 3/1 win ratio--about 60 wins--to compete with the big boys.

Traditionally, the great Celtics teams have been 60 wins or better. 3/1 or higher W-L ratio.
2/1 W-L doesn't hack it.

It means Ainge needs to improve the team if he wants to climb in the standings. The status quo is not enough.

[Ilikesports17]

I just checked their record. They are on track for a 54-55 win season. That's about 2/1 W-L ratio. Not good enough to contend. They need a 3/1 win ratio--about 60 wins--to compete with the big boys.

Traditionally, the great Celtics teams have been 60 wins or better. 3/1 or higher W-L ratio.
2/1 W-L doesn't hack it.

It means Ainge needs to improve the team if he wants to climb in the standings. The status quo is not enough.

They have played much better since the beginning of the year. Im pretty sure we started off 13-12.


Since then we have been 24-7, which is 63 win pace.

Also we have the easiest remaining schedule in the NBA and if we continue to play at this pace (last 31 games) we would win 57 games which is pretty close to your magic number of 60.

If you use the same Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.ty math and extrapolate out the Cavs win percentage since their 25th game, they are also projected to win 57 games. Factor in KLoves injury and we have a shot at the 1 seed without adding anyone.

That said, in order to truly compete for a ring, we obviously must improve. Question is, how much can we improve and at what cost?