MrPerfect1 wrote:I think Ainge totally messed up BOS potential to be dominant for a long time.
Ainge basically turned 3 of the Best contracts in the league (IT, Crowder, Bradley) plus 3 BKN picks into Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, a Morris twin, and Kyrie. BOS once had a scary bright future, now it is a team with 3 fringe All Star caliber players (Kyrie, Hayward, Horford) and 2 young players neither of whom project as a future superstar (Tatum, Brown)
Last I checked Kyrie and Hayward were not fringe All-Stars but established All-Stars; the latter, in fact, was/is a 4 time All-Star. And although I believe that Boston lost this trade, they still have a bright future. After the Cleveland series there was the question of how far IT can lead Boston and if they should rebuild/retool hence their hesitance to offer IT the supermax. Although Kyrie has never lead a team to an eastern conf. final, his and IT's stats are pretty similar (with many still believing that Kryie might be better) and Irving is two/ three years younger. With IT gone for a youth movement and a log jam at the wing positions with the addition of Hayward, what would be the point of keeping the two vets of Crowder and Bradley? You might as well clear some time for Tatum and Brown and see what they can provide. And they still have the Lakers pick and I believe ( although not sure) the Sac pick too. Will the Celtics be title contenders next year? No. But do they still have a bright future? yes.
For people to say they would turn down a Middleton, Brogdan, and FRP trade for Irving they must really have high expectations of Middleton, lol. I really don't believe he becomes the player you guys want him to be. Even with the knee injury I think the organization expects Parker to be that guy. Anyway, I would have definitely loved a line up of Irving, Giannis, Snell, Parker, and Thon.