Can a core of Horford, PG13, Hayward, IT4 contend for a championship? (Poll)

[Onslaught]

I was ok with us getting old guy for a 3-4 year window the last time. This time I’d rather have a much longer window.

[Phantom255x]

I don't think so, unfortunately.

Best route (ideal one) is Fultz + Hayward/Griffin + 2018 Nets Pick, and developing Brown/Smart/Zizic while hopefully becoming a dynasty once Cleveland's reign ends in hopefully 3 years and Golden State start to cool off a bit.

And C's may still have some veterans on back ends of deals by then too to help. (Like Horford, maybe Isaiah?)

[Phantom255x]

CBS - Reid Forgrave's Mock Draft 6 hours ago

1. Pacers via trade with Celtics
Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
Trade: Boston sends No. 1 overall pick in 2017, both of their second-rounders this year as well as a 2019 first-round pick (which had been acquired from the Clippers) to Indiana for Paul George and Al Jefferson.
Why not just go for it? The Celtics came as close as they were going to come with their current roster at unseating LeBron's Cavs atop the East – in other words, not particularly close at all. Getting Paul George from the Pacers and trying to sign him to a long-term deal is the ultimate win-now move. This trade assumes that George shows interest in staying with Boston and not just in hopping on the first train to Los Angeles, and that Gordon Hayward stays put in Utah instead of heading to Boston. It helps that the Pacers are throwing in someone who can shore up the Celtics' post play in Al Jefferson.

As for the Pacers? They get to start their rebuild on the back of Fultz, one of the most dynamic guards to come into the NBA in years. They'll get a couple more potential assets in the deal, too, which should turbo-charge a rebuild.

No, that would be idiotic.

This trade assumes that George shows interest in staying with Boston and not just in hopping on the first train to Los Angeles, and that Gordon Hayward stays put in Utah instead of heading to Boston.

Really? That's a pretty franchise-altering "assumption" right there. Pass.

If he does leave after all that, everyone will call for Ainge and Wyc's heads.. 

And Al Jefferson is washed up now.

[td450]

If this is to try to take down the Warriors, then I don't think its well conceived. It seems to be an attempt to match up against them. Their 4 is better, and their cap scenario would be better.

I think the most likely way to beat them is by being faster at guard and bigger up front, not trying to match up. Our current roster gives them problems because our guards are difficult for their guards. There isn't much we can do with Durant however, and Green would not get overpowered by Horford.

We would need to add a physically aggressive small forward and an imposing big combined with Bradley, IT and a better bench. Give Jaylen Brown 2 years and 15 lbs and he might be the small forward to give Durant a problem. Perhaps getting Griffin and keeping Bradley is the answer to the puzzle.

[wiley]

no.  It would take a fourth player who was near Paul George's level...or if not quite that good at least an all-star, or a borderline all-star who is also a great defender.

[KGs Knee]

I say yes, absolutely.

[slamtheking]

Surprised by the "No" counts so far

Why not?

Easy.
- Horford is the only proven big man on the roster.  he's a solid player but not someone who can put the team on his back for a win.  also not a big rebounder so that's still an issue.
- PG13 (if going with him) is a 1-year rental.  more likely to leave to LA than stay until he publicly states otherwise.  Also not as good as Lebron or Durant at SF so we still have a talent gap there.
- Butler (if going with him) is not a reliable outside shooter.  overmatched if covering Durant or Lebron.
- Hayward - overmatched if covering Durant or Lebron.  solid player but not on the same level as PG or Butler.
- IT - same issue every postseason - gets picked on by the other team's PG on D.  cannot cover Kyrie or Curry or be switched to cover the other guards.  hasn't shown he can really facilitate the offense effectively at a level needed from a starting PG -- more at a backup PG level.  Questionable if he can be effective when not the focal point of the offense.

Bench is weak as is the 5th starter in any of your line-ups. 

team would be 2nd or 3rd seed in East if Cleveland decides to play for the top seed and if Toronto is healthy --> better depth on roster.

There are no players better than Durant, Lebron

So forget the comparisons

As a collective unit...well Wyc adds 2 more all stars he is looking for

This is as "realistic" as you can get to build a super team now

that wouldn't be a 'super' team.  it'd be a very good starting unit.

[Tr1boy]

Surprised by the "No" counts so far

Why not?

Easy.
- Horford is the only proven big man on the roster.  he's a solid player but not someone who can put the team on his back for a win.  also not a big rebounder so that's still an issue.
- PG13 (if going with him) is a 1-year rental.  more likely to leave to LA than stay until he publicly states otherwise.  Also not as good as Lebron or Durant at SF so we still have a talent gap there.
- Butler (if going with him) is not a reliable outside shooter.  overmatched if covering Durant or Lebron.
- Hayward - overmatched if covering Durant or Lebron.  solid player but not on the same level as PG or Butler.
- IT - same issue every postseason - gets picked on by the other team's PG on D.  cannot cover Kyrie or Curry or be switched to cover the other guards.  hasn't shown he can really facilitate the offense effectively at a level needed from a starting PG -- more at a backup PG level.  Questionable if he can be effective when not the focal point of the offense.

Bench is weak as is the 5th starter in any of your line-ups. 

team would be 2nd or 3rd seed in East if Cleveland decides to play for the top seed and if Toronto is healthy --> better depth on roster.

There are no players better than Durant, Lebron

So forget the comparisons

As a collective unit...well Wyc adds 2 more all stars he is looking for

This is as "realistic" as you can get to build a super team now

that wouldn't be a 'super' team.  it'd be a very good starting unit.

What other starting unit (without Durant, Lebron) has 4 all stars in the lineup?

[Darío SpanishFan]

Surprised by the "No" counts so far

Why not?

Easy.
- Horford is the only proven big man on the roster.  he's a solid player but not someone who can put the team on his back for a win.  also not a big rebounder so that's still an issue.
- PG13 (if going with him) is a 1-year rental.  more likely to leave to LA than stay until he publicly states otherwise.  Also not as good as Lebron or Durant at SF so we still have a talent gap there.
- Butler (if going with him) is not a reliable outside shooter.  overmatched if covering Durant or Lebron.
- Hayward - overmatched if covering Durant or Lebron.  solid player but not on the same level as PG or Butler.
- IT - same issue every postseason - gets picked on by the other team's PG on D.  cannot cover Kyrie or Curry or be switched to cover the other guards.  hasn't shown he can really facilitate the offense effectively at a level needed from a starting PG -- more at a backup PG level.  Questionable if he can be effective when not the focal point of the offense.

Bench is weak as is the 5th starter in any of your line-ups. 

team would be 2nd or 3rd seed in East if Cleveland decides to play for the top seed and if Toronto is healthy --> better depth on roster.

You are underrating Hayward a lot. He's a very good player, almost a star, who has carried the Jazz (in a more difficult conference than Butler and George) to better results. He's averaged 22 ppg along with 5,5 rpg and 3,5 apg. BTW, in postseason he's put 24 points per game, also with very good %.

This is not my image of a "solid" player. This is close to stardom.

[ManUp]

3 redundant scorers and one glue guy.

Not enough differentiated roles.

With IT already here one of George and Hayward is enough.

[CelticsElite]

Ayton/Fultz/Brown as your big 3 of the future to go along with Horford/Hayward/IT as your big 3 of today is the dream scenario

I can assure you that pg13 isn't even on our radar

[byennie]

CBS - Reid Forgrave's Mock Draft 6 hours ago

1. Pacers via trade with Celtics
Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
Trade: Boston sends No. 1 overall pick in 2017, both of their second-rounders this year as well as a 2019 first-round pick (which had been acquired from the Clippers) to Indiana for Paul George and Al Jefferson.
Why not just go for it? The Celtics came as close as they were going to come with their current roster at unseating LeBron's Cavs atop the East – in other words, not particularly close at all. Getting Paul George from the Pacers and trying to sign him to a long-term deal is the ultimate win-now move. This trade assumes that George shows interest in staying with Boston and not just in hopping on the first train to Los Angeles, and that Gordon Hayward stays put in Utah instead of heading to Boston. It helps that the Pacers are throwing in someone who can shore up the Celtics' post play in Al Jefferson.

As for the Pacers? They get to start their rebuild on the back of Fultz, one of the most dynamic guards to come into the NBA in years. They'll get a couple more potential assets in the deal, too, which should turbo-charge a rebuild.

Ummm, yeah. Let me get this straight - the #1 overall pick for the expiring contract of Paul George and we gotta throw in 2 seconds and a future 1st and take back the corpse of Al Jefferson? And we didn't get Hayward and don't have the cap room left to sign a decent big man or two? Sounds fantastic!

[mctyson]

CBS - Reid Forgrave's Mock Draft 6 hours ago

1. Pacers via trade with Celtics
Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
Trade: Boston sends No. 1 overall pick in 2017, both of their second-rounders this year as well as a 2019 first-round pick (which had been acquired from the Clippers) to Indiana for Paul George and Al Jefferson.
Why not just go for it? The Celtics came as close as they were going to come with their current roster at unseating LeBron's Cavs atop the East – in other words, not particularly close at all. Getting Paul George from the Pacers and trying to sign him to a long-term deal is the ultimate win-now move. This trade assumes that George shows interest in staying with Boston and not just in hopping on the first train to Los Angeles, and that Gordon Hayward stays put in Utah instead of heading to Boston. It helps that the Pacers are throwing in someone who can shore up the Celtics' post play in Al Jefferson.

As for the Pacers? They get to start their rebuild on the back of Fultz, one of the most dynamic guards to come into the NBA in years. They'll get a couple more potential assets in the deal, too, which should turbo-charge a rebuild.

Ummm, yeah. Let me get this straight - the #1 overall pick for the expiring contract of Paul George and we gotta throw in 2 seconds and a future 1st and take back the corpse of Al Jefferson? And we didn't get Hayward and don't have the cap room left to sign a decent big man or two? Sounds fantastic!

Yep.  The armchair GMs that we have in the media and here never even think about the contract Paul George has (or, soon will not have.)  It's all just 2K trades.

[adam8]

Don't think this gets us all that close honestly, we will lose a lot of depth and I would say argueably GSW would still have the best 4 players in the series. Our defense in comparison to theirs is laughable and they are still the more talented offensive team, I don't think we get past Lebron with that team but would be a good series, if we made the finals we might steal one game.

I am firmly in the wait to contend boat I think golden state is the best team in history and don't think it's possible to compete with them the next couple years don't sell out the future to try.

If you could build a team using players from all the other 29 teams but weren't allowed to have Lebron Kawhi or AD I don't know that you could build a team that could beat their starting lineup.

[Somebody]

Don't think this gets us all that close honestly, we will lose a lot of depth and I would say argueably GSW would still have the best 4 players in the series. Our defense in comparison to theirs is laughable and they are still the more talented offensive team, I don't think we get past Lebron with that team but would be a good series, if we made the finals we might steal one game.

I am firmly in the wait to contend boat I think golden state is the best team in history and don't think it's possible to compete with them the next couple years don't sell out the future to try.

If you could build a team using players from all the other 29 teams but weren't allowed to have Lebron Kawhi or AD I don't know that you could build a team that could beat their starting lineup.

I think you can...a team of Paul, Beal, Butler/PG, Griffin and Cousins would beat the living hell out Golden State, Paul and Beal can keep up with the splash bros, Butler/PG would make it hard for Durant on both ends, Griffin (assuming he's healthy) would outplay Draymond and Cousins would absolutely kill Zaza.