Picture getting beat by Lebron or Steph..then again later by Lonzo Ball

[Eja117]

Wouldn't it be great to get beat for the next two or three years in the Eastern Conference Finals...only to top out in the Finals against Curry/Durant.....then to think "Oh man. It's our year!" and then get beat by......Lonzo Ball?


That's why we didn't make this trade. Nothing was getting us over the hump now, and it handicapped our future.

The plan is to have a shot to steal one in case stars get hurt or arrested, while building for the instant they get old.

If we get lucky enough Lonzo could be the best player in the league...and then the player we pick after that could be the 2nd best player in the league?

You want a chance at MJ/Scottie?   Danny does too.

So quit your whining

[Phantom255x]

I never wanted to make a blockbuster. I was only upset they didn't even make a small, short term upgrade like Bogut or Tucker. But it is what it is.

There is still a chance at Bogut or Terrence Jones.

[Redz]

I'm pretty much in agreement with the long view given the options.  I do wish they'd grabbed some cheapo temp help on the boards though.

[Rhyso]

100% agree. I think Danny's plan is to surround IT and Horford with another high quality free agent and compete, whilst simultaneously building a young core with these top picks ie. Smart, Brown, Rozier + the Nets picks. When the time comes in a few years he will blow up the old core and start again around the developed young talent.

[KGs Knee]

Or....

Picture the Celtics once again losing in the 1st round of the playoffs this year, then losing out on the #1 pick in the lottery and instead getting the #4 pick (who proceeds to be a draft bust), and finally, striking out in free agency this summer.

Just as likely as the scenario the OP suggests.

[Cman]

I agree to an extent.

However, Boogie is a real talent and was *relatively* cheap. I know he's a head case, but I thought he'd be fine in Boston. He's the one that I feel "got away" (not Butler or George).

There are two other issues, though.

1. IT and Horford are getting older, and the window for these guys is shutting. Is it enough to gamble on adding a FA at superstar price, regardless of whether they are a superstar, and hope that draft picks mature quick enough? By this I mean, if we hope to add Hayward, the only way he comes is if he is getting the max, regardless of whether you think he's a max player or not.

2. There's been a lot of young "talent" added to this team the last 2-3 years. We can't keep it all. Some of it will walk this summer with very little in return. Was there really nothing available on the trade market to (a) help now (see 1 above) and (b) insure we get some return on our assets? I'm thinking KO will be gone this summer with nothing in return (we will renounce rights to make a run at a FA). Young and probably Mikey will also be gone as well (there's just not room). And I don't know how we are going to be able to afford IT, Bradley and Smart in two summers if we sign a FA this summer. Something has to give.

[Granath]

Or....

Picture the Celtics once again losing in the 1st round of the playoffs this year, then losing out on the #1 pick in the lottery and instead getting the #4 pick (who proceeds to be a draft bust), and finally, striking out in free agency this summer.

Just as likely as the scenario the OP suggests.

Thanks for being positive!

If we want to play the "what if" pessimistic game, then perhaps we give up the two Brooklyn picks for PG/JB and they go down to an ACL injury in their 3rd game. Just as likely as the scenario above.

The point eja is trying to make is that you could go all-in to win now and never get there. There are two massive powerhouse teams in the NBA right now. Even with another star we still wouldn't be favored in a series against Cleveland or Golden State. So we could spend 3-4 years banging our heads against the ceiling until those teams finally get old. Then we might finally break through to the finals and then get beaten by the next generation of players. After all, 3-4 years from now and most of our current core would be 29+ (with Old Man Horford at that point). 

In 2007 Danny could go all in because there wasn't a super-team. There are two today. Better to wait them out then try to force open a Championship window that isn't ever likely to be wide enough to squeeze through.

[liam]

Or....

Picture the Celtics once again losing in the 1st round of the playoffs this year, then losing out on the #1 pick in the lottery and instead getting the #4 pick (who proceeds to be a draft bust), and finally, striking out in free agency this summer.

Just as likely as the scenario the OP suggests.

Then they move the franchise to New Jersey!

[Moranis]

Should have acquired Cousins for Brown and BKN 18.