Ainges plan to contend going forward?

[cman88]

so, with the signing of hayward we likely have eaten up all of our cap space as we will have to pay up next year for Thomas. So realistically, the big-FA portion of ainges plan is over. the question then comes what is next? because likely we are not ready to contend yet..(unless jaylen takes a huge jump and Tatum is ready to go)

1. Trade for a superstar- this seems unlikely though as we see how hard it has been for ainge to swing a superstar trade lately and i am not sure who is on the trade market in the next couple years that would

2. Most likely IMO is hoping that one or all of Jaylen/Tatum/next years brooklyn pick become all-star calibar players. because if that happens you are essentially the warriors with a stacked team. Which is why I think partly Bradley was traded to give more playing time to Jaylen. And crowder may be traded imo to give more time to tatum.

[Surferdad]

Number 2.

Enjoy the IT/Horford/Hayward era for the next 3 years.

[straightouttabahstun]

This has been Danny's plan all along so that his team can basically become the next Spurs. He's got All Stars in their prime while setting up young talent to break out. I'd be surprised if one of Tatum/Brown/BKN/LAL/SAC picks doesn't turn into that. We can't sign anymore big contracts so it's clear we're now about winning AND developing to have a big 4 or 5.

[droopdog7]

What's next is patience, as always.  We do have the luxury of top picks where the team could eventually strike gold.  Tatum looks like a keeper and Jaylen, well, he's athletic at least. 

They will be key of course.  If drafted guys are good, then trades for stars are doable.  If they aren't, then sucks for us.

[colincb]

#2, but Morris is the one with the short lifespan, not Crowder, who is the better player.

[Darío SpanishFan]

Ainge has built a "modest" big three with Thomas-Hayward-Horford for three years until we can really compete with young stars and GSW-CLE are done.

This is brilliant.

[Moranis]

I think Ainge will trade some of the assets for a max level player at the deadline and make a real run at Cleveland this year.  That will serve 2 purposes, first make Boston a real contender, and second will drive James out of Cleveland opening the East up even more for Boston going forward.

[PAOBoston]

I think Ainge will trade some of the assets for a max level player at the deadline and make a real run at Cleveland this year.  That will serve 2 purposes, first make Boston a real contender, and second will drive James out of Cleveland opening the East up even more for Boston going forward.

Honest truth is I think James leaves Cleveland regardless if the Cs add another star.