So now our big 3 is Isaiah Thomas, Gordan Hayward, and Al Horford, seems weak

[KingofDaPlayazBall]

So next year we retain Isaiah Thomas for the max, where the hell does that leave us??  We would have 3 max contracts and only one of these players is arguably a superstar.   We would probably have the worst big three out of the top 10 teams in the league, how are we possibility going to contend or get better without getting rid of at least one of these contracts?

IMO we should of stayed patient and waited for someone who could really put us to the next level before throwing money away like that. 

[BudweiserCeltic]

Patience would've left us without cap space & roster from which to build from. Now we trade & draft.

[Granath]

So next year we retain Isaiah Thomas for the max, where the hell does that leave us??  We would have 3 max contracts and only one of these players is arguably a superstar.   We would probably have the worst big three out of the top 10 teams in the league, how are we possibility going to contend or get better without getting rid of at least one of these contracts?

IMO we should of stayed patient and waited for someone who could really put us to the next level before throwing money away like that.

*facepalm*

Your post is a joke.

(1) Of the top 10 in the league, Boston was evaluated as the #4 best "Big 3" (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/nba-big-three-best-teams-ranked-future-power-rankings-032917). Now swap out Hayward for Smart. I dare you to name 9 other teams with better top 3s (hint - you'll get to two and that's it).

(2) Growth is coming from internal sources. That's what all these top 5 picks are for. So you have a Big 3 and then you bank on one or more of these draft picks to make it a Big 4 or even a Big 5.

[Vermont Green]

We have a really good team for a one year run.  As the OP says, after that things get dicey for sure.

I think we are going to be right in there with Toronto, Washington and maybe Milwaukee (there is usually one surprise team) and we may well get another shot at putting a scare into Cleveland.

I believe that Horford will get traded, just not sure when, and I don't see how we can sign Thomas to a max deal.  We would be a repeat offender of the luxury tax unless we traded Horford for nearly all expiring contracts.

[jbpats]

Our big 3 consists of three very good if not great players and a top 3 coach in the NBA. Our big 3 under Fred Hoiberg wouldn't be special but under Stevens it has makings to be fantastic.

[KingofDaPlayazBall]

So next year we retain Isaiah Thomas for the max, where the hell does that leave us??  We would have 3 max contracts and only one of these players is arguably a superstar.   We would probably have the worst big three out of the top 10 teams in the league, how are we possibility going to contend or get better without getting rid of at least one of these contracts?

IMO we should of stayed patient and waited for someone who could really put us to the next level before throwing money away like that.

*facepalm*

Your post is a joke.

(1) Of the top 10 in the league, Boston was evaluated as the #4 best "Big 3" (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/nba-big-three-best-teams-ranked-future-power-rankings-032917). Now swap out Hayward for Smart. I dare you to name 9 other teams with better top 3s (hint - you'll get to two and that's it).

(2) Growth is coming from internal sources. That's what all these top 5 picks are for. So you have a Big 3 and then you bank on one or more of these draft picks to make it a Big 4 or even a Big 5.

Watch your mouth, maybe that 1 statement wasnt correct but that doesnt change to fact IT Gordan Hayward and Al Horford is not a championship calibur big three. 

When our draft picks do develop we wont be able to retain them cause we already spent 3 max contracts, use your brain/logic and think

[CelticsFanFromNYC]

I personally think were better than the Dallas team that beat the hHeat but hey.. Im sure Dallas posters had similar things to  say at the time

[Green-18]

So next year we retain Isaiah Thomas for the max, where the hell does that leave us??  We would have 3 max contracts and only one of these players is arguably a superstar.   We would probably have the worst big three out of the top 10 teams in the league, how are we possibility going to contend or get better without getting rid of at least one of these contracts?

IMO we should of stayed patient and waited for someone who could really put us to the next level before throwing money away like that.

*facepalm*

Your post is a joke.

(1) Of the top 10 in the league, Boston was evaluated as the #4 best "Big 3" (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/nba-big-three-best-teams-ranked-future-power-rankings-032917). Now swap out Hayward for Smart. I dare you to name 9 other teams with better top 3s (hint - you'll get to two and that's it).

(2) Growth is coming from internal sources. That's what all these top 5 picks are for. So you have a Big 3 and then you bank on one or more of these draft picks to make it a Big 4 or even a Big 5.

Watch your mouth, maybe that 1 statement wasnt correct but that doesnt change to fact IT Gordan Hayward and Al Horford is not a championship calibur big three. 

When our draft picks do develop we wont be able to retain them cause we already spent 3 max contracts, use your brain/logic and think

This is not correct.  Jaylen has three more full seasons before he will need to get paid.  This falls right in line with the end of Horford's current deal.  Tatum obviously has 4 full seasons here before he would get paid.  We also don't know where the franchise stands in terms of the luxury tax.  Either way Danny knows what is coming down the road and has an idea of how he wants to manage the cap room.  As for IT, I'm pretty sure there will be some level of flexibility 3 or 4 years in the future as long as he gets paid.

You also can't underestimate potential growth with the salary cap.  A max contract for Hayward now will not be a max contract in 4 years.  The cap will continue to grow and the luxury tax threshold will also be higher.

Adding Hayward to this roster is all about building towards a title and developing our young players within a winning culture.  You cannot overstate the value of guys like Tatum and Jaylen playing important minutes in the playoffs this early in their careers.

[CelticsFanFromNYC]

So next year we retain Isaiah Thomas for the max, where the hell does that leave us??  We would have 3 max contracts and only one of these players is arguably a superstar.   We would probably have the worst big three out of the top 10 teams in the league, how are we possibility going to contend or get better without getting rid of at least one of these contracts?

IMO we should of stayed patient and waited for someone who could really put us to the next level before throwing money away like that.

*facepalm*

Your post is a joke.

(1) Of the top 10 in the league, Boston was evaluated as the #4 best "Big 3" (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/nba-big-three-best-teams-ranked-future-power-rankings-032917). Now swap out Hayward for Smart. I dare you to name 9 other teams with better top 3s (hint - you'll get to two and that's it).

(2) Growth is coming from internal sources. That's what all these top 5 picks are for. So you have a Big 3 and then you bank on one or more of these draft picks to make it a Big 4 or even a Big 5.

Watch your mouth, maybe that 1 statement wasnt correct but that doesnt change to fact IT Gordan Hayward and Al Horford is not a championship calibur big three. 

When our draft picks do develop we wont be able to retain them cause we already spent 3 max contracts, use your brain/logic and think

Well with using logic, Horford should be gone when Jaylen's pay day comes. Hayward with Tatums contract so Im not sure what logic your using. Horford has 3 years left going into his 30's so he wont be  close to max and thats if we keep him. Am i not thinking?

[droopdog7]

People are forgetting about one thing.  We have two top three draft picks on the roster with the potential of adding two more top five picks (or their equivalent) next year.  While I don't envision that these guys will become stars in the next two years, they can certainly flash in supporting roles.  And if any of them are to become stars, they will contribute significantly right away.

[JHTruth]

I think there are a few more moves yet to come. In no way do I think Danny thinks we're going all the way with this trio..

[CelticsFanFromNYC]

I think there are a few more moves yet to come. In no way do I think Danny thinks we're going all the way with this trio..

It is  lovely to know even with  our half rebuilding half competing team,  we always have enough assets for a "win now" move. Ainge is slowly playing genius IMO. Those picks keep him relevant in any big player move. Were literally still relevant in a Anthony Davis trade dilemma

[Granath]

So next year we retain Isaiah Thomas for the max, where the hell does that leave us??  We would have 3 max contracts and only one of these players is arguably a superstar.   We would probably have the worst big three out of the top 10 teams in the league, how are we possibility going to contend or get better without getting rid of at least one of these contracts?

IMO we should of stayed patient and waited for someone who could really put us to the next level before throwing money away like that.

*facepalm*

Your post is a joke.

(1) Of the top 10 in the league, Boston was evaluated as the #4 best "Big 3" (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/nba-big-three-best-teams-ranked-future-power-rankings-032917). Now swap out Hayward for Smart. I dare you to name 9 other teams with better top 3s (hint - you'll get to two and that's it).

(2) Growth is coming from internal sources. That's what all these top 5 picks are for. So you have a Big 3 and then you bank on one or more of these draft picks to make it a Big 4 or even a Big 5.

Watch your mouth, maybe that 1 statement wasnt correct but that doesnt change to fact IT Gordan Hayward and Al Horford is not a championship calibur big three. 

When our draft picks do develop we wont be able to retain them cause we already spent 3 max contracts, use your brain/logic and think

If you're going to post something stupid, I'm going to tell you that it's stupid. Don't like it? Grow a pair. So half your post you already agree was bunk. Now your assertion is that we won't be able to retain our recent draftees going forward.

Wrong again.

Horford's contract comes up the same year Brown is due an extension.
Hayward's contract comes up the same year Tatum is due an extension.
And assuming that we resign IT to a 4 year deal....his deal will come up the same year our BKYN 2018 pick is due for an extension.

See how that all fits nicely and neatly? It's not by mistake. It's actually all been carefully considered and planned. Like any team we're going to lose a couple of players we'd prefer to retain. I'm sure GSW would have liked to retain Harrison Barnes. We'll almost certainly lose Avery. But those losses aren't that hard to suffer through when you've got better players ahead of them or highly talented youngsters pushing for playing time anyway.

[manl_lui]

this thread escalated quickly

[wiley]

get out of the "big three" mindset.  It's very limiting.  You'll feel much
freer if you drop that construct.