What is the reason for the relative lack of interest in coming to the Celtics?

[ThaPreacher]

The timing and premise of this thread is a head scratched to me...

Oh, Carmelo lifted his no-trade clause to two Super Teams, big deal.

Griffin didn't meet with ANY team in free-agency. So what does that have to do with Boston?

We got a meeting with what is seen as the #2 coveted free-agent this season, a free-agent that only met with 2 teams outside of his current one.

I mean... your timing on this is a head scratcher.

Oh, I don't know about that. I have been thinking the same thing.


Guards- Boston has failed to sort out its glut at guards.
IT4, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier  is a strong group.

Butler and Paul George were the big misses here.

Forwards- Waiting on Hayward. Waiting on Godot.
Crowder contract friendly; Brown and Tatum    Danny doesn't want anyone else. Clearly a sign  he poised to wait it out.

Center- Horford. Despite he  plays the PF position.  Still Boston needs help up front. KO and Amir didn't cut it. Danny is waiting for the draft for these positions.


The number of deals made, for the amounts made vs the number of remaining free agents.
Vast overpay versus the salary cap.


Until Danny makes moves to free up:

A) Playing time.

B) Money


Likely no one wants to come to Boston at this time due to these reasons. I believe Agents control the direction of the athletes.
If Hayward goes back to Utah or Miami; I think Ainge looks for short term help to fill the spots.

[Boris Badenov]

I think you hit on most of the reasons.

I'd be interested to know how important #3 is.  I think that stars attract other stars. Does hoarding assets while passing on PG13, Butler, DMC, etc. play a role for players or their agents? Teams like the Rockets are always aggressively pursuing established talent. The Celts, not so much. Does that factor in?

How do we know this is true?

Danny aggressively pursued the top 2 free agents last summer, and landed one and by many accounts came close on the other.

Then, reliable accounts say we offered what ended up as the #1 pick for Paul George at the deadline. Same for Butler. We beat OKC's best offer for George and IND rejected us. Those things are hardly our fault. And what offers did Houston make for those same players? Were they objectively better than ours?

As I look at the Rockets roster before the CP trade, they had one player better than our star (IT), and a bunch of other guys who clearly aren't draws by themselves (unless you want to argue that Al Horford is an even bigger star).

So they pursued and got one guy in the last four years. We've pursued many and gotten one very good player, while coming close but getting turned down with some amazing offers to other teams. (Those are offers the other teams almost certainly regret not taking, and which Ainge very well could regret offering - never mind the Winslow deal). We made a very smart trade for a guy who blossomed into a major star, and other moves for players who've become top-level role players. This says just as much about Danny's team-building skills, as finding good supporting casts is as important as anything else once you have a few stars.

This is a small number subset of small numbers, but there's plenty of anecdotal evidence we've been just as aggressive as Houston. And we've certainly been in the thick of nearly every single media discussion and rumor mill for big-time players leading up to their moves.

I hardly see how a free agent could look as the Celtics and not think they are willing to make moves to get better. And for all we know, by this time next year Jayson Tatum could be a budding star that's a draw on his own.

[SHAQATTACK]

we need a YOUNG fierce 7 footer to play the role of shot blocker , trouble maker for guards and awings driving in the paint .

A Nerlins Noel type guy .

I perplexed why he does sign a rebounder and shot blocker .

old Amir was good for his age we just got him 7 years too late.

[GreenWarrior]

6) All the other typical reasons: cold weather/state tax/racist history.

that's you biggest reason right there.

and while horford doesn't move the needle on the excitement factor for other players, I know for a fact that other players respect the hell outta IT. so I don't think it's the players here that no one wants to play with.

but I will say this the "racist history" that did happen here and players today clearly are aware of it. I find it such a weak reason/excuse for players to not want to come here and reinforces my opinion that todays players are weak minded, soft and pretty much idiots. because while they acknowledge that past they completely overlook that THIS ORGANIZATION was the 1st organization to look past color - Red wanted players.

so I can't respect most of these guys when they pick n' choose what history they choose to acknowledge. the "racist history" is a selective excuse, it's players trying to make themselves look like they care. when the real reason is the money and the location. 

[td450]

Take a scroll through the list of free agents. Gordon Hayward is the only top tier guy that really makes sense.

Milsap would be 36 at the end of the three years and his game is so dependent on his quickness, I'm happy the C's stayed away. Blake Griffin didn't end up taking meetings and stayed in LA.

I also saw no reason to assume that Paul George or Jimmy Butler would have had any problems coming here if we had pulled the trigger.

We are in a position where we have a relative lack of interest in free agents, not the other way around.

[CelticSooner]

The C's have just gone all in on Hayward. If they whiff this off-season looks like a plateau. I've always believed Hayward was coming but if he doesn't yeesh.

[GreenWarrior]

if milsap is option "D" my fandom will be put on hold till his contract runs out.

[CelticSooner]

if milsap is option "D" my fandom will be put on hold till his contract runs out.

He's going to Denver.

[Roy H.]

I think you hit on most of the reasons.

I'd be interested to know how important #3 is.  I think that stars attract other stars. Does hoarding assets while passing on PG13, Butler, DMC, etc. play a role for players or their agents? Teams like the Rockets are always aggressively pursuing established talent. The Celts, not so much. Does that factor in?

How do we know this is true?

Danny aggressively pursued the top 2 free agents last summer, and landed one and by many accounts came close on the other.

Then, reliable accounts say we offered what ended up as the #1 pick for Paul George at the deadline. Same for Butler. We beat OKC's best offer for George and IND rejected us. Those things are hardly our fault. And what offers did Houston make for those same players? Were they objectively better than ours?

As I look at the Rockets roster before the CP trade, they had one player better than our star (IT), and a bunch of other guys who clearly aren't draws by themselves (unless you want to argue that Al Horford is an even bigger star).

So they pursued and got one guy in the last four years. We've pursued many and gotten one very good player, while coming close but getting turned down with some amazing offers to other teams. (Those are offers the other teams almost certainly regret not taking, and which Ainge very well could regret offering - never mind the Winslow deal). We made a very smart trade for a guy who blossomed into a major star, and other moves for players who've become top-level role players. This says just as much about Danny's team-building skills, as finding good supporting casts is as important as anything else once you have a few stars.

This is a small number subset of small numbers, but there's plenty of anecdotal evidence we've been just as aggressive as Houston. And we've certainly been in the thick of nearly every single media discussion and rumor mill for big-time players leading up to their moves.

I hardly see how a free agent could look as the Celtics and not think they are willing to make moves to get better. And for all we know, by this time next year Jayson Tatum could be a budding star that's a draw on his own.

There's a difference between trade discussions, and actual trades. Morey gets things done, despite having significantly fewer "assets".  I'm not sure that being unable / unwilling to close the deal is seen as a positive.

[wdleehi]

Once the season ended, it seems the plan started with Hayward first with cap space and try to add after.  It is probably still the plan. 

The problem with such plans is that other teams might not wait. 

[wdleehi]

Throwing this out there, when is the last time threw away cap space with a trade while chasing a free agent?

[tarheelsxxiii]

Roy's not happy with Ainge right now.  If we miss on Hayward, the forum may be shut down for a day or two...

And all things considered, I agree.  If I'm understanding correctly, Boston chose not to trade #3 for Butler; Smart, Crowder, and multiple non-lotto firsts for George.  If true, that's pretty reckless.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Roy's not happy with Ainge right now.  If we miss on Hayward, the forum may be shut down for a day or two...

And all things considered, I agree.  If I'm understanding correctly, Boston chose not to trade #3 for Butler; Smart, Crowder, and multiple non-lotto firsts for George.  If true, that's pretty reckless.

is there any proof that is exactly what we offered? suppose PG bailed?

[MBunge]

I'm not sure the premise is correct but if we assume it is, I think another factor to be considered is media coverage.  Boston had the best record in the East and was the only team to beat Cleveland in the playoffs, so why does ANYONE think Miami would be more attractive to Hayward.

As for Morey, let's have a reality check.  The guy is obviously a good GM but he just traded 4 of his team's top 10 rotation players and a conditional first for a guy who could easily leave after one season.  Anyone think Paul will resign there if Houston can't make it out of the 2nd round of the playoffs?

And with Paul and Harden in hand, what is the #1 thing preventing Houston from creating another super team?  The three years and $60 million they still owe Ryan Frickin' Anderson.  Do you think Morey regrets making that deal?

Mike

[tarheelsxxiii]

Roy's not happy with Ainge right now.  If we miss on Hayward, the forum may be shut down for a day or two...

And all things considered, I agree.  If I'm understanding correctly, Boston chose not to trade #3 for Butler; Smart, Crowder, and multiple non-lotto firsts for George.  If true, that's pretty reckless.

is there any proof that is exactly what we offered? suppose PG bailed?

I have no idea, regurgitating what I've read here from posters I consider reliable.  It's hard for me to believe Pacers would not have demanded Tatum/Brown, though.