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The main problem I see with these moves by other teams is this:

It's not that other teams are acquiring "better" talent than the Celtics already have.
It's that other teams are adding pieces that make them more versatile, flexible, and tougher matchups.

Shaq lets the Cavs go BIG, VC gives Orlando a different dimension, etc. The counter is the Celtics have one of the all time most versatile big men in KG. They have some beef with Perk. They can push the ball and tempo with Rondo.

I think it is KEY that the Celtics add talent and depth to the bench.
Only Danny knows what options exist and what direction he believes is best.
We don't know what we have in JR.Giddens or Bill Walker, and that could be plus.
It's time to see something out of Pruitt or let him walk.
Tony Allen NEEDS to stay healthy.

But bottom line, you have to be looking for players that add new dimensions to this team. The finances, the contracts, the draft are all important, but if even if we keep everything we currently have you need to go 8-9 deep to get back to the Finals.

Agreed.

With Marbury (if he signs for vet min/LLE), Davis, and a rehabbed Powe, we could be 8 deep before we touch the MLE. I don't include Scal because if he hasn't gotten a quicker and surer release on his shot yet, he's not a good bet to, and without that he's an offensive deadweight. I don't include Walker because rookies who play as little as he did rarely amount to much as sophomores.

The MLE had better pan out.

Fencer reregistered wrote:Agreed.

With Marbury (if he signs for vet min/LLE), Davis, and a rehabbed Powe, we could be 8 deep before we touch the MLE. I don't include Scal because if he hasn't gotten a quicker and surer release on his shot yet, he's not a good bet to, and without that he's an offensive deadweight. I don't include Walker because rookies who play as little as he did rarely amount to much as sophomores.

The MLE had better pan out.

Still needing another Big, a pg, a scorer (3), a legit 4....Gawd, we're as shallow as they get and the team's getting old......of course this is what we got by the great trades Danny made to get us # 17 and a chance for # 18, interesting that FA's aren't dying to come play for us it would appear.

Well, the reality is that the Celtics don't want to shell out big dollars to FA's unless they're the real deal, on short money, and/or possessing youth and future potential. Those guys either haven't been available or went elsewhere for more money.

This offseason, the Celtics will likely have more potential targets. So they should get at least ONE solid player. But the question is, can the Celtics address their many depth needs through re-signings (Marbury and Davis) and free agent signings? The follow up to that is, are the owners willing to spend the money required to do so?

My feeling is that the answer to both questions is probably "no". Which to me, is the underlying "fire" behind the trade rumors concerning Rondo and Ray. It's not so much that Ainge and co. don't like Rondo (or Ray) but moreso that they don't think that a slaphazard bench (due to financial restrictions) with an aging core (Ray, Paul, KG) + Rondo/Perkins is good enough to go out and win a championship.

I'm sure that Ainge is weighing his championship chances constantly. Ainge has to know how close or far we are away from being a championship roster. And based on his best assessment he needs to make additions, subtractions and swaps. It will be interesting to see what he does. IF he stays pat, that's a good indication of where he feels Rondo and Perkins will be next season, and it also says a lot about what the Owners will be willing to do financially.