The Official Off-Season Thread, part I of many

[gocelts]

If Dwight passes Dannys phone interview after the first call, he should be the target. Suddenly Olynyk & Sully are tolerable on D and Amir would be better off the bench. He changes the whole front court even while not in his prime and we'll still have the depth to go small.

Now draft another wing like Brown or Valentine and a scorer like Murry, Hield, or GULP Bender....we could roll out a really nice roster next season.

[Murta]

If Dwight passes Dannys phone interview after the first call, he should be the target. Suddenly Olynyk & Sully are tolerable on D and Amir would be better off the bench. He changes the whole front court even while not in his prime and we'll still have the depth to go small.

Now draft another wing like Brown or Valentine and a scorer like Murry, Hield, or GULP Bender....we could roll out a really nice roster next season.

Dwight's contract will almost certainly look ugly as hell in his 4th year. But if Thunder win a title this year, Westbrook and Durant aren't going anywhere and 2017 free agent class will have exactly one max money difference maker - Griffin. Griffin, who'll probably re-sign with Clips for an insane amount of money. The only other good player available would be Hayward, who doesn't interfere with Howard on basketball court and could be an option for us.

2018 is gonna have Harden, Cousins, Favors and Paul George. We're going to have to cut loose with one of Thomas, Bradley and Smart (it won't be Marcus) because their contracts end. At that point, unless the picks are traded for a star, the era of Smart, #3 and 2017 Nets pick beings.

Signing Howard means Danny's opportunistic about next 2 years and wants to build around young guys in the future. Thomas, Bradley, Smart, Crowder, Howard would be enough to get in 2 conference finals against the Cavs. There's always a chance to get past the Cavs, especially as LBJ ages. Then, when the old one fall off the cliff in 2019, young guys replace them.

Not signing Howard means Danny's opportunistic about getting the next star through free agency in 2017/2018 and doesn't want to compromise cap space. It's also more probable than not that #3 or 2017 pick gets moved.

Having or not having Howard means very little to none when it comes to trading potential as almost every target possible is signed pre-2016 and there will be enough other contracts to trade for relatively low salary in new financial NBA space.

Other factor to consider is that 2017 free agency class is completely voided of rim protectors, so if Danny doesn't hit the right pick in this draft (which does have a number of centers), Cs won't get a rim protector before 2018.

P.S. replace Howard with Whiteside (who's somewhat cheaper), if you're a fan of that option, and all things stated here apply
P.P.S. good thing about Howard and Whiteside is we don't have their Bird rights and wouldn't have to pay them the 5th year

[BakersDozen]

Howard scares me. We dont need his primadona ass to ruin team team chemistry. Rather go after Horford. Or Noah for that matter. Hell lets get both.


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[Froob]

Lol gotta give Potroast daps for trying. He's already one of my favorite Pats and he's never played a down.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4723187/patriots-terrance-knighton-ready-to-resume-kevin-durant-recruitment-to-celtics

[Celts17Pride]

The only way drafting Bender at #3 makes sense to me is if you are going to sign P Gasol, Noah or Dwight Howard for 2-3 years.

[lon3lytoaster]

The only way drafting Bender at #3 makes sense to me is if you are going to sign P Gasol, Noah or Dwight Howard for 2-3 years.

Why?

[ConstableGeneva]

Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux discuss Boston's offseason (32:30-58:00) in their latest podcast.

• 51M realistic max salary (picks included, RFAs renounced, Amir/JJ dumped)
• 22M min salary (keep FA cap holds and non-guaranteed players)
• draft picks this year are valuable (esp the early 2nd rounders); something to do with rookie scale before cap explosion
• "Bulls would be insane to trade Butler for probably other than the no.1 pick."
• don't trade #3 for vet unless incoming player realistically makes you a contender
• keep taking swings using picks until you get superstar
• keep powder dry: maintain flexibility; no FA other than Durant that makes you contender
• make moves at trade deadline and 2017 offseason
• potential concern/consideration: IT and AB to be paid after two seasons
• Sully and Zeller at QO would be okay; match a reasonable offer; otherwise, let them go
• Amir and JJ (value contracts) can either be retained or traded
• 2017: 66M potential max cap space - room for 2 max players in a better FA market
• right move this offseason: sign short-term deals or easily moveable contracts
• Melo on Boston: doesn't make you contender; declining performance; timeline not in line with other guys
• FA short-term need: rim protection (max someone like Whiteside vs. just keep Amir)
• another minor consideration -- Cavs and OKC being great for a few more years
• keep Turner? most Cs can pay him w/o using cap space is 6.2M. okay to let him walk
• need for a wing/combo forwards if Turner walks (Lance Thomas, short-term Joe Johnson)
-- personally, I'd go for Solomon Hill or Dudley or a rookie (Prince/Valentine/Luwawu)
• need for shot creator; we're good at the guard positions (these guys will cost 20M/year - Batum, Parsons)
• JR Smith, Jamal Crawford, Lance Stephenson? -- yuck
• trade for Gallo? -- lol
• importance of Smart to evolve as a good PnR playmaker
• Noel over Okafor is better fit; impending RFA is a concern

[Celts17Pride]

The only way drafting Bender at #3 makes sense to me is if you are going to sign P Gasol, Noah or Dwight Howard for 2-3 years.

Why?

Because he won't be ready for 2-3 years and being the 3rd pick in the draft averaging 5 points and 3 rebounds the fans, media etc. will be all over him. Getting a vet will allow the Celtics to compete and bring Bender along slowly.

[lon3lytoaster]

The only way drafting Bender at #3 makes sense to me is if you are going to sign P Gasol, Noah or Dwight Howard for 2-3 years.

Why?

Because he won't be ready for 2-3 years and being the 3rd pick in the draft averaging 5 points and 3 rebounds the fans, media etc. will be all over him. Getting a vet will allow the Celtics to compete and bring Bender along slowly.

I don't think Ainge and co care. Yes. Realistically, Bender will be a red shirt rookie. We're not going to really compete either way, though so I don't see the point in wasting money on any of those guys. I could get behind Hassan Whiteside because his age matches up well with the rest of the roster but barring us miraculously getting Durant I'm ok with being patient.

[BRUNiNHO91]

Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux discuss Boston's offseason (32:30-58:00) in their latest podcast.

• 51M realistic max (picks included, RFAs renounced, Amir/JJ dumped)
• 22M min salary (keep FA cap holds and non-guaranteed players)
• draft picks this year are valuable (esp the early 2nd rounders); something to do with rookie scale before cap explosion
• "Bulls would be insane to trade him for probably other than the no.1 pick."
• don't trade #3 for vet unless incoming player realistically makes you a contender
• keep taking swings using picks until you get superstar
• keep powder dry: maintain flexibility; no FA other than Durant that makes you contender
• make moves at trade deadline and 2017 offseason
• potential concern/consideration: IT and AB to be paid after two seasons
• Sully and Zeller at QO would be okay; match a reasonable offer; otherwise, let them go
• Amir and JJ (value contracts) can either be retained or traded
• 2017: 66M potential max cap space - room for 2 max players in a better FA market
• right move this offseason: sign short-term deals or easily moveable contracts
• Melo on Boston: doesn't make you contender; declining performance; timeline not in line with other guys
...

Yeah hard to disagree with anything on here. The more I think about it the more I expect nothing major to happen. I think if we upgrade Turner with Dunn/Hield/Brown with the 3 + Valentine at 16(might not be an upgrade right away but soon it will be) Zeller with a guy like Noah, bring back Amir and QO Sullinger you're in decent shape. Idea is probably to maintain the flexibility while managing to crack 50 wins and finding another 2-3 guys who you are comfortable in adding to AB, IT, Smart and Jae as your core guys. We have a lot of trade chips and cap space to make a bang but the market is just flat out putrid. Nobody is getting traded and Durant who was always a long shot, will be officially impossible once OKC makes the finals.

[cereal3]

I don't read here as much as I used to (off season I guess), but reading the posts here and in other threads strike me as so very different from the kinds of posts about the how the off season would play out that were posted earlier this year during the middle of the season. There is a lot more realism here now. You guys aren't expecting to be contenders for a few years now; a scant few months ago you guys were talking about making the ECF (2017). The reality is that the Celtics with all of their assets aren't really any closer to breaking out than they were in 2013 when they really started blowing things up. The players you need just aren't available; and the ones you guys have just aren't good enough. I agree that they should build through the draft and should have done a couple of mild tanks (nothing like Philly though) to get better players through the draft. But what's done is done and they have to try to work with the assests they have.

Celts are still an above average team; a team any city would be proud to have because of their grit and teamwork but let's face it: the team as it is composed right now is just "meh". You guys need a superstar and if you can't get one then you aren't getting off the treadmill you're on right now. The players they drafted and hoped that would pan out (i.e. Sully, Olynick) haven't blown up like they should have (especially Sully-- what a waste). But you guys still have a decent team, a team that's probably going to make the playoffs for years to come. I am afraid though, that they will be also rans, never quite winning the big one (or even next to the big one). Everyone wants Durant, Whiteside, Cousins, etc. and Boston has a ton of competition to get these guys. Are the "assets" the Celts have going to be enough overcome offers from other teams to get the players they need to compete? We'll see soon enough but my point is that you guys are finally coming down to earth about how much the team can be improved upon this summer, and the expectations for next season.

[Banks2Pierce]

You guys aren't expecting to be contenders for a few years now; a scant few months ago you guys were talking about making the ECF (2017).

We've probably got the 2nd or 3rd best odds to make it to the ECFs next year and could have made it this past year if we had prematurely cashed in assets for Dwight(or maybe even had better injury luck in April). Chill with the backhanded compliment nonsense.

[greenroom31]

Spoiler:

I don't read here as much as I used to (off season I guess), but reading the posts here and in other threads strike me as so very different from the kinds of posts about the how the off season would play out that were posted earlier this year during the middle of the season. There is a lot more realism here now. You guys aren't expecting to be contenders for a few years now; a scant few months ago you guys were talking about making the ECF (2017).The reality is that the Celtics with all of their assets aren't really any closer to breaking out than they were in 2013 when they really started blowing things up. The players you need just aren't available; and the ones you guys have just aren't good enough. I agree that they should build through the draft and should have done a couple of mild tanks (nothing like Philly though) to get better players through the draft. But what's done is done and they have to try to work with the assests they have.

Celts are still an above average team; a team any city would be proud to have because of their grit and teamwork but let's face it: the team as it is composed right now is just "meh". You guys need a superstar and if you can't get one then you aren't getting off the treadmill you're on right now. The players they drafted and hoped that would pan out (i.e. Sully, Olynick) haven't blown up like they should have (especially Sully-- what a waste). But you guys still have a decent team, a team that's probably going to make the playoffs for years to come. I am afraid though, that they will be also rans, never quite winning the big one (or even next to the big one). Everyone wants Durant, Whiteside, Cousins, etc. and Boston has a ton of competition to get these guys. Are the "assets" the Celts have going to be enough overcome offers from other teams to get the players they need to compete? We'll see soon enough but my point is that you guys are finally coming down to earth about how much the team can be improved upon this summer, and the expectations for next season.

Thanks for the super condescending post!

[truth18]

Spoiler:

I don't read here as much as I used to (off season I guess), but reading the posts here and in other threads strike me as so very different from the kinds of posts about the how the off season would play out that were posted earlier this year during the middle of the season. There is a lot more realism here now. You guys aren't expecting to be contenders for a few years now; a scant few months ago you guys were talking about making the ECF (2017).The reality is that the Celtics with all of their assets aren't really any closer to breaking out than they were in 2013 when they really started blowing things up. The players you need just aren't available; and the ones you guys have just aren't good enough. I agree that they should build through the draft and should have done a couple of mild tanks (nothing like Philly though) to get better players through the draft. But what's done is done and they have to try to work with the assests they have.

Celts are still an above average team; a team any city would be proud to have because of their grit and teamwork but let's face it: the team as it is composed right now is just "meh". You guys need a superstar and if you can't get one then you aren't getting off the treadmill you're on right now. The players they drafted and hoped that would pan out (i.e. Sully, Olynick) haven't blown up like they should have (especially Sully-- what a waste). But you guys still have a decent team, a team that's probably going to make the playoffs for years to come. I am afraid though, that they will be also rans, never quite winning the big one (or even next to the big one). Everyone wants Durant, Whiteside, Cousins, etc. and Boston has a ton of competition to get these guys. Are the "assets" the Celts have going to be enough overcome offers from other teams to get the players they need to compete? We'll see soon enough but my point is that you guys are finally coming down to earth about how much the team can be improved upon this summer, and the expectations for next season.

Thanks for the super condescending post!

Dude isn't even a Celtics fan. He's a Sully super fan who trolls in every post. How he hasn't been banned I don't know.

[cereal3]

Spoiler:

I don't read here as much as I used to (off season I guess), but reading the posts here and in other threads strike me as so very different from the kinds of posts about the how the off season would play out that were posted earlier this year during the middle of the season. There is a lot more realism here now. You guys aren't expecting to be contenders for a few years now; a scant few months ago you guys were talking about making the ECF (2017).The reality is that the Celtics with all of their assets aren't really any closer to breaking out than they were in 2013 when they really started blowing things up. The players you need just aren't available; and the ones you guys have just aren't good enough. I agree that they should build through the draft and should have done a couple of mild tanks (nothing like Philly though) to get better players through the draft. But what's done is done and they have to try to work with the assests they have.

Celts are still an above average team; a team any city would be proud to have because of their grit and teamwork but let's face it: the team as it is composed right now is just "meh". You guys need a superstar and if you can't get one then you aren't getting off the treadmill you're on right now. The players they drafted and hoped that would pan out (i.e. Sully, Olynick) haven't blown up like they should have (especially Sully-- what a waste). But you guys still have a decent team, a team that's probably going to make the playoffs for years to come. I am afraid though, that they will be also rans, never quite winning the big one (or even next to the big one). Everyone wants Durant, Whiteside, Cousins, etc. and Boston has a ton of competition to get these guys. Are the "assets" the Celts have going to be enough overcome offers from other teams to get the players they need to compete? We'll see soon enough but my point is that you guys are finally coming down to earth about how much the team can be improved upon this summer, and the expectations for next season.

Thanks for the super condescending post!

Dude isn't even a Celtics fan. He's a Sully super fan who trolls in every post. How he hasn't been banned I don't know.

Wow. Anyway I'm done with posting here about the team. I'm no longer *that* interested in what happens with Sully *or* the team. I wasn't being condenscending, in fact I thought I was being honest. You guys aren't happy unless you're in the mix for a ring -- I get that. And I know how frustrated you are being a meh, also ran, treadmill team. I've been reading for 4 years about how the team is going to get better and all this blockbuster trade bull and years later, the Celtics aren't much better. And it doesn't look like there's going to be any savoir coming here any time soon either. So yet another off season of the same thing: unrequieted hope. Whatever. I'm done. Good luck to whatever group of men comprise the Boston Celtics next year and y'all have a nice life.

Go Cavs!!

[truth18]

Thanks for the super condescending post!

Dude isn't even a Celtics fan. He's a Sully super fan who trolls in every post. How he hasn't been banned I don't know.

Wow. Anyway I'm done with posting here about the team. I'm no longer *that* interested in what happens with Sully *or* the team. I wasn't being condenscending, in fact I thought I was being honest. You guys aren't happy unless you're in the mix for a ring -- I get that. And I know how frustrated you are being a meh, also ran, treadmill team. I've been reading for 4 years about how the team is going to get better and all this blockbuster trade bull and years later, the Celtics aren't much better. And it doesn't look like there's going to be any savoir coming here any time soon either. So yet another off season of the same thing: unrequieted hope. Whatever. I'm done. Good luck to whatever group of men comprise the Boston Celtics next year and y'all have a nice life.

Go Cavs!!

See you space Sully!

[ConstableGeneva]

Sully looks like he lost zero pounds here:

Spoiler:

Photo from IT's ZekeEnd event earlier today.

For more pics, check out the instagram account memorialdayzeke_end.

[SMTBSI]

I don't read here as much as I used to (off season I guess), but reading the posts here and in other threads strike me as so very different from the kinds of posts about the how the off season would play out that were posted earlier this year during the middle of the season. There is a lot more realism here now. You guys aren't expecting to be contenders for a few years now; a scant few months ago you guys were talking about making the ECF (2017).The reality is that the Celtics with all of their assets aren't really any closer to breaking out than they were in 2013 when they really started blowing things up. The players you need just aren't available; and the ones you guys have just aren't good enough. I agree that they should build through the draft and should have done a couple of mild tanks (nothing like Philly though) to get better players through the draft. But what's done is done and they have to try to work with the assests they have.

Celts are still an above average team; a team any city would be proud to have because of their grit and teamwork but let's face it: the team as it is composed right now is just "meh". You guys need a superstar and if you can't get one then you aren't getting off the treadmill you're on right now. The players they drafted and hoped that would pan out (i.e. Sully, Olynick) haven't blown up like they should have (especially Sully-- what a waste). But you guys still have a decent team, a team that's probably going to make the playoffs for years to come. I am afraid though, that they will be also rans, never quite winning the big one (or even next to the big one). Everyone wants Durant, Whiteside, Cousins, etc. and Boston has a ton of competition to get these guys. Are the "assets" the Celts have going to be enough overcome offers from other teams to get the players they need to compete? We'll see soon enough but my point is that you guys are finally coming down to earth about how much the team can be improved upon this summer, and the expectations for next season.

Wow. Anyway I'm done with posting here about the team. I'm no longer *that* interested in what happens with Sully *or* the team. I wasn't being condenscending, in fact I thought I was being honest. You guys aren't happy unless you're in the mix for a ring -- I get that. And I know how frustrated you are being a meh, also ran, treadmill team. I've been reading for 4 years about how the team is going to get better and all this blockbuster trade bull and years later, the Celtics aren't much better. And it doesn't look like there's going to be any savoir coming here any time soon either. So yet another off season of the same thing: unrequieted hope. Whatever. I'm done. Good luck to whatever group of men comprise the Boston Celtics next year and y'all have a nice life.

Go Cavs!!

Weak.

[ConstableGeneva]

Heyyooo at least someone thinks the franchise is not terribly managed...
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ESPNForsberg/status/736918465035010048[/tweet]

[fallguy]

Sully looks like he lost zero pounds here:

Spoiler:

Photo from IT's ZekeEnd event earlier today.

For more pics, check out the instagram account memorialdayzeke_end.

Absent the QO, it's all over for Jared Sullinger in Boston.