2017 Official Offseason Thread

[Soul Bro 1,419]

Would like him to shoot a bit better than 2-10 tomorrow though

Agree

[Air Gordon 156]

Iguodala back to Golden State 3/48 million

Calderon to Cleveland 1/2.3 million

Amir Johnson to Philadelphia 1/11 million

PJ Tucker to Houston 4/32 million

[#1MagicFan420 7]

Cavs close to salary-dumping Iman Shumpert... Man, this offseason couldn't be going much worse for the Eastern conference. Boston still hasn't cashed in on any of their assets, 2 of the 3 statistically best players in the East dealt West without receiving all-stars in return, and LeBron is looking more and more likely to leave Cleveland after next year.

 

The East is terrible, I saw a graphic on ESPN the other night where they listed the top 15 players in the NBA and 13 play out West and the only 2 in the East were LeBron & Kyrie. At this rate, the Cavs has a ridiculous easy path back to the finals.

[Mike1989 68]

Cavs close to salary-dumping Iman Shumpert... Man, this offseason couldn't be going much worse for the Eastern conference. Boston still hasn't cashed in on any of their assets, 2 of the 3 statistically best players in the East dealt West without receiving all-stars in return, and LeBron is looking more and more likely to leave Cleveland after next year.

 

It makes me wonder whether Ainge is playing the long game here. He probably realises that the chance of winning a title while the Warriors are in their prime is limited, and the chance of getting past the Cavaliers with Lebron will be pretty difficult. So what if he's keeping those assets so he can build a team around a young core of highly touted talent from the college game that he brings into a winning team?

 

For instance last year they added Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum this year. That's two highly rated prospects that could have a big future in Boston. Next year they'll get Brooklyn's first round pick which could again net them another top talent, and they might also get LA's pick. And the year after that they might net three more first round picks. Essentially they've got a lot of assets they can use to add to their current crop of veterans to help them be competitive, and if those young talents break out and become stars, by that time the Warriors core will be into their 30s while Boston's core will be in their early prime years.

 

I could be wrong, but it strikes me that Ainge has one eye on now, and the other on the future. That could be why he's still stockpiling assets because he's thinking as much about five years from now when the title contention might be more favourable than right now. And as long as the Celtics are winning and are one of the top teams in the east, and continue to accrue more talent, he's going to be secure in his job and so will Brad Stevens.

[Fultz4thewin 2,464]

It makes me wonder whether Ainge is playing the long game here. He probably realises that the chance of winning a title while the Warriors are in their prime is limited, and the chance of getting past the Cavaliers with Lebron will be pretty difficult. So what if he's keeping those assets so he can build a team around a young core of highly touted talent from the college game that he brings into a winning team?

 

For instance last year they added Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum this year. That's two highly rated prospects that could have a big future in Boston. Next year they'll get Brooklyn's first round pick which could again net them another top talent, and they might also get LA's pick. And the year after that they might net three more first round picks. Essentially they've got a lot of assets they can use to add to their current crop of veterans to help them be competitive, and if those young talents break out and become stars, by that time the Warriors core will be into their 30s while Boston's core will be in their early prime years.

 

I could be wrong, but it strikes me that Ainge has one eye on now, and the other on the future. That could be why he's still stockpiling assets because he's thinking as much about five years from now when the title contention might be more favourable than right now. And as long as the Celtics are winning and are one of the top teams in the east, and continue to accrue more talent, he's going to be secure in his job and so will Brad Stevens.

 

Nah, conventional wisdom suggests if you have a shot you need to take it. Can't just sit and wait for your time. It may never come.

 

So while you don't want to go for broke, if you can solidify a real chance at a championship you need to take it.

[CTMagicUK 1,481]

Nah, conventional wisdom suggests if you have a shot you need to take it. Can't just sit and wait for your time. It may never come.

 

So while you don't want to go for broke, if you can solidify a real chance at a championship you need to take it.

 

Agree. While Ainge is stockpiling assets with an eye on the future the Twolves have given themselves a shot at being the heir apparent in the West by pairing KAT and Wiggins with a legit top 15 NBA player at SG and an above average PG.

 

Point being some other team can always come along and take the league by storm. Nobody had any idea the Warriors were on the verge of a dynasty 5 or 6 years ago.

[the notorious S.A.C. 89]

4 and 52, seriously thankful that isn't here

 

Oh don't worry we will find a player with less talent and sign him for a bigger salary....

[tkranole 19]

Agree. While Ainge is stockpiling assets with an eye on the future the Twolves have given themselves a shot at being the heir apparent in the West by pairing KAT and Wiggins with a legit top 15 NBA player at SG and an above average PG.

 

Point being some other team can always come along and take the league by storm. Nobody had any idea the Warriors were on the verge of a dynasty 5 or 6 years ago.

 

Ainge's real problem is that he tries to dominate every trade. He could have gotten PG but didn't want to give up and of the future picks after he moved back to #3.

[Air Gordon 156]

Ainge's real problem is that he tries to dominate every trade. He could have gotten PG but didn't want to give up and of the future picks after he moved back to #3.

They missed out on George because they got greedy and assumed Indiana would wait until they signed Hayward to work a George trade.

[Fultz4thewin 2,464]

They missed out on George because they got greedy and assumed Indiana would wait until they signed Hayward to work a George trade.

 

 

Yeah. They should have agreed upon a trade and just had it pending until they signed Hayward

[HeHateMe 697]

Oh don't worry we will find a player with less talent and sign him for a bigger salary....

 

Meeks says hi.

[Mike1989 68]

Nah, conventional wisdom suggests if you have a shot you need to take it. Can't just sit and wait for your time. It may never come.

 

So while you don't want to go for broke, if you can solidify a real chance at a championship you need to take it.

 

True, but it depends on who they can get.

 

Could they have got Jimmy Butler? Yes, and he's got enough left on his contract and doesn't seem set on moving elsewhere when that deal ends. Minnesota had to give up Dunn, Lavine, and their pick in exchange for Butler and the Bulls pick - a decent deal and the Celtics probably could have matched it.

 

How about Paul George? Again they probably could have done a deal but it's a one year rental unless he's not set on LA. If they add him alone it might be enough to push the Cavs but not enough to beat the Warriors. If he bolts then they lose potential assets like Tatum.

 

So trade wise the big two names could have been added and given them a chance, but even Butler and PG combined with what they've already got probably wouldn't beat the Warriors. So while you do have to try and win now, I do think it's sensible to have one eye on the future and not give up too much because those young players can surpass their existing veterans if given the chance. Plus, it also allows them to consider whether they give big extensions to those veterans.

 

Granted they have probably missed opportunities in the trade market, but at the same time it's always difficult because as much as those young players might not work out, those trades might not deliver championships they desire. It comes down to whether they feel they have a greater chance to win right now, or whether they want to compete right now and add assets to help them win in the near future. It's a tough because the heart might say compete now, but the head will most likely say be patient.