What if no marquee FA's sign with us?

[PhoSita]

Joe Ingles, Taj Gibson, James Johnson.

There are a number of guys in this FA class like that who could help the Celts. I think that's the fallback option, but I'd only sign them to short term deals.

James Johnson would be fantastic for our team. He wouldn't be too easy to get for cheap though I'm guessing. He's still a young guy who hasn't had a huge payday and would want to capitalize on a good season he just had with the Heat

Yeah, but I think you could maybe get him if you offer a 2-3 year deal for big bucks.  I would hesitate to give him more than a couple years guaranteed given that he's 30 years old.


If the Celts could somehow add Joe Ingles and James Johnson while only giving up Olynyk, Jerebko, and Amir, that would be a huge upgrade in my opinion, even if those guys are (a) not close to stars and (b) 30+.

I'm Joe Ingles biggest supporter on this forum, I can't even begin to tell you how much I would love to see him in Celtics green.

And James Johnson was my choice for MIP this past year, that dude has such a well rounded skill set.  He would be a perfect fit next to Al Horford.

But both players are likely going to require an overpay to sign, especially Ingles, who is a RFA and has stated he wants to stay in Utah.  Johnson is probably more easily attainable, but overpaying a guy who just had a career season at age 30 is somewhat risky.

I agree about the risk, and you're right it may not be possible to afford both of them.

More likely you sign one of those two and then spend the rest of your money on somebody who may be a bit more affordable like Taj Gibson.


The thing about the overpay risk is that the Celts aren't going to have cap space after this summer.  So in some ways it's time for the team to spend that money on anybody who can help.  It's similar to the situation the Trailblazers were in last summer.

Hopefully the Celts don't end up with an Evan Turner type contract.

[hodgy03038]

Hayward, Milsap, and Blake aren't getting a max from any team that is contending and none of their current teams are contending.

Utah is not contending? They will definitely offer Hayward a max.

[Smokeeye123]

We are screwed then, we will have 30 mil in cap space and the number one pick in he draft. Zero chance to get better

[Jvalin]

Take a step back.

- Trade IT to the Wolves for the 7th pick (alternatively trade IT to the Sixers for Saric)
- Use the pick to draft Isaac
- Sign JaMychal Green (hopefully the Grizzlies won't match)
- Renounce Kelly
- Extend Bradley - Smart

Fultz - Smart - Rozier
Bradley - Brown
Crowder - Brown - Isaac
J. Green - Isaac - Yabu
Horford - Zizic

[uconnceltic]

IT isn't going anywhere as he is the best recruiter the Celtics have right now along with being the best offensive player.
I would go for Blake Griffin to team up with Horford in the front court.
Draft Fultz and bring in Zizic in to help with the frontcourt.
Let Amir, Zeller and James Young.
Go forward from here and hope Brown develops at the small forward spot.

Still, need more, but this would help on the boards big time and get the Celtics their second star with Al Horford being a very good player, not a star though.
Make a decision to trade either AB, or Smart. Whatever one they can get the most for is who I would trade.

[gouki88]

Take a step back.

- Trade IT to the Wolves for the 7th pick (alternatively trade IT to the Sixers for Saric)
- Use the pick to draft Isaac
- Sign JaMychal Green (hopefully the Grizzlies won't match)
- Renounce Kelly
- Extend Bradley - Smart

Fultz - Smart - Rozier
Bradley - Brown
Crowder - Brown - Isaac
J. Green - Isaac - Yabu
Horford - Zizic

That is an incredibly average team. Giving up our best player for a third string wing who might become a good player? No thanks.

[aefgogreen]

No way I trade the 18 Brooklyn pick for Paul George.  I'm not sure he's worth it even if he were to stay (which I don't think he would).  Here's my strategy.

1) Draft Fultz
2) Go after Hayward or Griffin (I know he has an injury history, but I'll take that chance if the only thing he costs us is cap space)
3)  If we can't get either Hayward or Griffin, offer our pick (NOT the Brooklyn one) and Crowder for Carmelo.  I know it's not ideal, but he would only be on the books for two years.  Take a shot, with him, IT, Fultz, and Horford and if it doesn't work, build around Fultz and the 18 Brooklyn pick.

[Jvalin]

No way I trade the 18 Brooklyn pick for Paul George.  I'm not sure he's worth it even if he were to stay (which I don't think he would).  Here's my strategy.

1) Draft Fultz
2) Go after Hayward or Griffin (I know he has an injury history, but I'll take that chance if the only thing he costs us is cap space)
3)  If we can't get either Hayward or Griffin, offer our pick (NOT the Brooklyn one) and Crowder for Carmelo.  I know it's not ideal, but he would only be on the books for two years.  Take a shot, with him, IT, Fultz, and Horford and if it doesn't work, build around Fultz and the 18 Brooklyn pick.

What do you mean if it doesn't work? Do you believe a team with IT-Fultz- Melo-Horford can win the championship in the next 2 years?

IT isn't going anywhere as he is the best recruiter the Celtics have right now (...)
I would go for Blake Griffin to team up with Horford in the front court.

Well, the title of the topic is ''what if no marquee FA's sign with us?''.

[JBcat]

No way I trade the 18 Brooklyn pick for Paul George.  I'm not sure he's worth it even if he were to stay (which I don't think he would).  Here's my strategy.

1) Draft Fultz
2) Go after Hayward or Griffin (I know he has an injury history, but I'll take that chance if the only thing he costs us is cap space)
3)  If we can't get either Hayward or Griffin, offer our pick (NOT the Brooklyn one) and Crowder for Carmelo.  I know it's not ideal, but he would only be on the books for two years.  Take a shot, with him, IT, Fultz, and Horford and if it doesn't work, build around Fultz and the 18 Brooklyn pick.

I'm not even sure I would do Crowder for Melo straight up.  Melo is at the age where he could have a sharp decline in the next year or 2, and Crowder is on an extremely good deal as a very solid player.

[LilRip]

We are screwed then, we will have 30 mil in cap space and the number one pick in he draft. Zero chance to get better

What would you spend that cap space on though? Given that the premise is the top guys choose to sign with their current teams and not jump ship.

[aefgogreen]

No way I trade the 18 Brooklyn pick for Paul George.  I'm not sure he's worth it even if he were to stay (which I don't think he would).  Here's my strategy.

1) Draft Fultz
2) Go after Hayward or Griffin (I know he has an injury history, but I'll take that chance if the only thing he costs us is cap space)
3)  If we can't get either Hayward or Griffin, offer our pick (NOT the Brooklyn one) and Crowder for Carmelo.  I know it's not ideal, but he would only be on the books for two years.  Take a shot, with him, IT, Fultz, and Horford and if it doesn't work, build around Fultz and the 18 Brooklyn pick.

What do you mean if it doesn't work? Do you believe a team with IT-Fultz- Melo-Horford can win the championship in the next 2 years?

IT isn't going anywhere as he is the best recruiter the Celtics have right now (...)
I would go for Blake Griffin to team up with Horford in the front court.

Well, the title of the topic is ''what if no marquee FA's sign with us?''.

By if it doesn't work, I just meant if we don't win it all.  Obviously, we would not be favorites to win the championship, but yes, with that roster and Stevens as coach, I think we have a shot.

[JBcat]

We are screwed then, we will have 30 mil in cap space and the number one pick in he draft. Zero chance to get better

What would you spend that cap space on though? Given that the premise is the top guys choose to sign with their current teams and not jump ship.

There are a couple different ways to go. We can use the cap space to extend Thomas and Bradley, re-sign KO and maybe 1 or 2 of the other free agents.  It's a move to mostly stand pat, but you get to lock up Bradley and Thomas this year rather than next, and keep Kelly in the mix.  Keep the core together although still a hole at PF that can be fixed via trade or remaining cap space.

Use the cap space to sign one of the many big men out there as free agents that won't require the max (allowing you to re-sign KO ect), but you can consider an upgrade over Amir.

True big men like Monroe, Ibaka, Randolph or maybe 3/4 players like Gay or Gallinari.  Not ideal but you can say maybe an improvement over Amir.

[footey]

No way I trade the 18 Brooklyn pick for Paul George.  I'm not sure he's worth it even if he were to stay (which I don't think he would).  Here's my strategy.

1) Draft Fultz
2) Go after Hayward or Griffin (I know he has an injury history, but I'll take that chance if the only thing he costs us is cap space)
3)  If we can't get either Hayward or Griffin, offer our pick (NOT the Brooklyn one) and Crowder for Carmelo.  I know it's not ideal, but he would only be on the books for two years.  Take a shot, with him, IT, Fultz, and Horford and if it doesn't work, build around Fultz and the 18 Brooklyn pick.

Jackson may have to include a high pick just to dump Anthony at this point.  It has gotten that bad.

[aefgogreen]

No way I trade the 18 Brooklyn pick for Paul George.  I'm not sure he's worth it even if he were to stay (which I don't think he would).  Here's my strategy.

1) Draft Fultz
2) Go after Hayward or Griffin (I know he has an injury history, but I'll take that chance if the only thing he costs us is cap space)
3)  If we can't get either Hayward or Griffin, offer our pick (NOT the Brooklyn one) and Crowder for Carmelo.  I know it's not ideal, but he would only be on the books for two years.  Take a shot, with him, IT, Fultz, and Horford and if it doesn't work, build around Fultz and the 18 Brooklyn pick.

I'm not even sure I would do Crowder for Melo straight up.  Melo is at the age where he could have a sharp decline in the next year or 2, and Crowder is on an extremely good deal as a very solid player.

Good points on both - I still think a declining Melo helps us more than Crowder where he is now, but I admit that is up for debate.

[LilRip]

Based on the OP, looks like I overpaid for Paul George lol

That aside, it looks like an offseason with fireworks may be slipping away. No marquee FA's is becoming a distinct possibility.