Ainge Says Be Ready For Anything

Call it a gut feeling; I think "anything" is going to equal keeping and making the 6th and 17th picks.

It's a deep draft and we're going to be rebuilding for a few years, so we've got the time to let players develop to their potential.

There also aren't any realistic looking trade scenarios out there, at least not known or being discussed yet.  Lots of wish lists, but no sign we've got much to deal that others want; not yet.

I think it makes sense we use the picks and continue on the path that we knew would take time.  I've thought from the start that this might be a Chicago Bulls type rebuild, I think it's looking like a strong possibility now as well.

Hi,
I think there're only 2 scenarios. Both generated by the fact that Rondo is on his last year and expressed interest exploring FA market.
1. DA swings Love trade or, gets Asik or a like and a solid position to get a star from the next year's class. Thus convincing RR to stay and have a shot at contending in a year or two.
2. DA trades RR for a good player(s) and picks. Thus extending the road to the top by 2-4 years.

Obviously, there're some variations in both cases. But whatever it is we'll find out within the next 3 months.

AK

This morning, outside my doorstep, three little birds gave me this message: "Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be all right."

My personal preferences are Vonleh at #6 and Shabazz at #17. Vonleh is small for a center, but so were Cowens and Russell, and, Shabazz only knows how to win championships.

My priorities (for what it's worth):

1. Danny should do what he has to in order to acquire Asik (which would be preferable to laying out cap dollars for Gortat):
Perhaps trade Sully and Bass plus a future first round pick or two

2. Then he should go after Love:

Perhaps trade Green, Olynyk, Anthony and this year's #6 and a future pick if necessary

3. Draft a swing man (SF, SG) with #17

Nucleus for the present:

Asik, Love, Rondo, Wallace, (re-sign Humph (for a reduced amount), Bayless, (re-sign) Bradley, swing man draft pick, free agent wing, Pressey

Fringe players: Faverani, Johnson, Babb, Anthony

He'll have speed, toughness, rebounding, defense, and (if he picks the right #17 and free agent) a shooting nucleus. He'd have star power and aspiring energy guys. This would be a team that could solidify a systemic direction for the future and be an exciting team to watch in the present. Over time, upgrade the wing positions if necessary (easier than upgrading the big man and point positions).

I understand it's a lot to offer. But I believe that value for value is the only way to get where you want to go in a hurry. And I don't believe any of us is really equipped to determine what really represents value to a general manager.

Sam

Sam

rickdavisakaspike wrote:This morning, outside my doorstep, three little birds gave me this message: "Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be all right."

My personal preferences are Vonleh at #6 and Shabazz at #17.  Vonleh is small for a center, but so were Cowens and Russell, and, Shabazz only knows how to win championships.

Love Marley; always have some on the MP3…


Re: Vonleh and Napier; I wouldn't argue with landing those two.

Vonleh's wingspan is reported to be 7'3", and if you saw some Indiana games he knows how to use it; he can board.

If we go that route, and look for a point guard second, there should still be a few good ones available.  Among Napier, Payton and Anderson, at least one should still be there at 17.

NYCelt,

Suppose Napier, Payton and Anderson were all available at #17. Which would you like to see the Celtics take, and why?

Sam

sam wrote:NYCelt,

Suppose Napier, Payton and Anderson were all available at #17.  Which would you like to see the Celtics take, and why?

Sam

Sam,

Ah; my chance to play GM!

Tough call between Payton and Napier.  

Anderson is intriguing due to his height, but doesn't seem very quick to me.  Not the best handle I've ever seen for a PG, so I make him first man out.

Napier is the most mature, in a sense, as a senior.  Lightning fast and can pass it.  Appears to be a standout kind of kid when interviewed.  I'd be delighted with him on the roster, because like the other two, I think he's got enough talent to start somewhere.  He would make a great backup and give us unquestioned depth at PG.  He is a little on the small side, however, at 6'1" and we already have a small point guard.  His defense is OK.

Payton would be my pick in a tight three-way race.  A little bigger at 6'3", and with decent experience as a Junior.  His strength is on the defensive end and he's very quick.  He can pass it and can grab some rebounds too (a la Rondo), and I'm fairly sure he has the highest scoring average of the three.  I think having a quick, defensive minded PG, who can set his teammates up with some sharp passing, might be just what's needed behind Rondo. You might call him Rondo-like with those skills.  In the event Rondo were to let his contract expire and walk, Payton looks like a fine candidate to replace him.

Thanks for the opportunity to play GM!  I'll now return to my regular job.

Regards

Thanks, NYCelt. For that analysis, you get a raise. And my vote for Payton among the three. I love defense.

Sam

sam wrote:My priorities (for what it's worth):

1. Danny should do what he has to in order to acquire Asik (which would be preferable to laying out cap dollars for Gortat):
Perhaps trade Sully and Bass plus a future first round pick or two

2. Then he should go after Love:

Perhaps trade Green, Olynyk, Anthony and this year's #6 and a future pick if necessary

3. Draft a swing man (SF, SG) with #17

Nucleus for the present:

Asik, Love, Rondo, Wallace, (re-sign Humph (for a reduced amount), Bayless, (re-sign) Bradley, swing man draft pick, free agent wing, Pressey

Fringe players: Faverani, Johnson, Babb, Anthony

He'll have speed, toughness, rebounding, defense, and (if he picks the right #17 and free agent) a shooting nucleus.  He'd have star power and aspiring energy guys.  This would be a team that could solidify a systemic direction for the future and be an exciting team to watch in the present.  Over time, upgrade the wing positions if necessary (easier than upgrading the big man and point positions).

I understand it's a lot to offer.  But I believe that value for value is the only way to get where you want to go in a hurry.  And I don't believe any of us is really equipped to determine what really represents value to a general manager.

Sam

Sam

we seem to be on the same page here after all.

kdp,

Except that you're not dumb enough to sign your name twice. LOL.

If you're talking about getting both Asik and Love, I'd like nothing better. To have those two up front with Rondo running the offense would be a major step toward a nucleus of the future as far as I'm concerned. It would leave the team a little thin at the wing positions; but I believe those positions are easiest to fill with quality—especially with the draft picks the Celtics would still have (including #17 in the upcoming draft). My main concern in all these hypotheses being tossed around is that I sometimes think there's a tendency to understate what it will take for the Celtics to acquire certain assets. On the other hand, I'm not afraid to recommend what most people would consider overpaying (if you have the assets to do so) in order to acquire a major building block.

When Danny talks about fireworks and being ready for anything, I don't believe he's just talking about stockpiling talent. I think he's talking about getting talent that can be a major part of the foundation of the future. This season could be when they take a giant step forward in that respect. The following season(s) would involve refining, coalescing, and forming an identity of the future.

SOUNDS good (at least to me); but I've found that a lot of things (in fact, probably most things) that sound good don't turn out quite the way I'd hoped. But, what the heck. This is amateur general manager time, right?

Sam

sam wrote:Thanks, NYCelt.  For that analysis, you get a raise.  And my vote for Payton among the three.  I love defense.

Sam

Great, thanks for the raise!

I'll adjust my next quarterly tax estimate…

...OK, there, all done.

I like a lot of players we have now, but did not get attached to any of them this past season. Are all the current Celtic players all tradable for the right deal? Yes. Some will harder than others for sure due to contracts. There is a lot of options to work with and DA may or may not. Question is rebuild young or go for quality vets now and trade assets now. This summer may be a summer of rejoice or watch the team rebuild for another year.

Celticspride,

I see you have re-joined us.

Welcome back and stop by often!

Regards

Celticsprice,

Welcome to our forum. You pose a lot of relevant questions, and the answers to them rest within Danny's head. You can already read a lot of conjecture in the posts that have been made here since the order of draft selection was revealed. And stay tuned for more of the same as the summer rumor mill heats up, the Orlando Summer League (with a Celtics entry) occurs, and Danny hopefully starts weaving his magic.

Enjoy our message board.

Best regards,

Sam

I hope the Celtics Draft Vonleh.

He measured 7' 4" (wingspan) at the recent combine. I think he will develop into a solid players, strong rebounder, shot blocker and can step outside and knock down shots.

with the 17th pick I would take the best available PG, SG or SF.

dboss