reload141 wrote:BigTrade92 wrote:Serious question for all those who are still “Team Ainge”
What moves can he still make that you would consider an improvement for this team and a step towards title contention?
No joke, I’m genuinely interested in hearing what the opposite side of the fanbase has to say.
I'll give this a shot.
If we go back to where it started we went all in to get Kyrie and lure AD here... now Kyrie has his issues but we knew we had to get him if we were a chance to get AD.
Fast forward: Kyrie decided nah screw this plan I'm going to Brooklyn. Tanked his value and then when we didn't go all in on an AD rental even though AD reiterated he wanted to only go to the Lakers and there was no other choice.
Horford - Completely blindsided, Philly came in hard with a big offer and they were considered a contender, Al took the money. I'll put this on Ainge and ownership a bit though I mean you can't just lose him for nothing, so they pivoted and signed Kemba and got creative to do so.
We lost Kyrie, Horford, Morris, Rozier, Baynes and gained Kemba, Kanter, Langford, Gwill.
Look at that talent discrepancy.
Look how far we went into the playoffs.
Now absolutely Ainge should've upgraded the bench, and I fully believe if Hayward doesn't get injured we take Miami and face the Lakers and Ainge 100% should've done more with the bench especially at the trade deadline.
We just lost Hayward, another Horford style signing where a team comes in hot with max money and he secures the bag. Were we talking to Indy? For sure we were, ultimately it's Hayward's decision and we don't know the intricate details here of what was discussed with all parties involved.
If Ainge was asking a ridiculous amount for the S&T for Hayward he absolutely should be held accountable. You wait too long and Charlotte gets turned down by Harrell and then they either up their current offer or come in with their best offer and you lose him for nothing. I don't know the truth and hope that it does come out at some point.
Now you absolutely have to play Langford/RWill/Gwill/Nesmith to find what you have in those guys... there is no "Well we can pivot and sign player X and stay in the hunt"
We have to sign some Vets with the remaining money for sure to shore up the bench but the absolute goal should be internal development with the young guys now and then moving Kemba next offseason and freeing up a Max slot.