Watch out for the Celtics

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

The Celtics have a boatload of valuable picks and key players on cheap contracts. With those assets in the hands of Ainge and Stevens, and this is the franchise I fear more than any other in the future.

What does Boston have?

Draft Picks: (a) 8 draft picks in this year's draft including, third overall (I expect they'll use picks to move up and also Eurostash a bunch of players); (b) In addition to the Nets pick this year, they will control the Nets pick in the next two drafts and the Nets could be the worst team both years; (c) They also own a future Memphis first rounder (2019-21) that loses all protection by 2021 (and Memphis is likely to be bad in that time frame); (d) they acquired five extra second rounders so they could Eurostash a bunch of players

Players on Cheap Contracts: (a) Jae Crower at 7M thru 2020; (b) Avery Bradley at 8 Mill thru 2018: (c) Isaiah Thomas at 6.5M thru 2018; (d) 7 Rookie contracts; (e) Sullinger-restricted free agent;

Boston has zero bad contracts and a ton of cap space and a boatload of valuable picks. Boston will be in the conversation for top free agents like Durant, Horford and have assets to get Butler. They will add a top 3 guy this year and should add two more top guys courtesy of the Nets. If Ainge were to sign two stud free agents in the next two years among Durant, Horford, Blake Griffin, Gordon Hawyard (Stevens coached him and he might be a good bet to land in Boston), Lowry, Westbrook, Millsap, Ibaka, Teague, Gay and adds three top 3 draft picks plus Crowder, Thomas, Bradley, that team will be scary good under Stevens.

[Carlos Danger]

Yep. Good Stuff TeamRicky. Beyond the order of the picks, it will be fun to watch what could be a bunch of trades go down. Will be trial by fire for the new coach/GM of the Wolves as I assume they'll field plenty of calls on draft day. I still hope they just pick BPA (unless someone blows them away with a deal they can't refuse of course).

[Phenom]

That is why it is very conceivable that Boston would draft Dunn for themselves. Their roster is fluid enough to think they could make room for him. I'm looking forward to see how the draft unfolds.

[slimcalhoun27 [enjin:6640095]]

They do have a ton of options, but what happens if zero teams want to deal with them....they would be stuck with like 7 rookies this season! lol...It wont happen but I would love for the NBA to not help the Celtics wheel and deal.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I still think we should be the more desirable team to sign with or be drafted by. We don't have nearly as much clutter on the roster. We have a legit superstar big in Towns and I think they have some good players but nobody really as a legitimate all-star. Wiggins and Lavine both have all-star potential as well and we just added one of the best coaches in the game even if he has a few flaws. If Thibs can make Butler an all-star just think of what he can do for a guy like Wiggins who has even better tools than Butler had. I think Boston's war chest is a little overrated. They've had a war chest for a few years now and have always ended up just taking a bunch of players most of which don't pan out because they can't make a deal. I think their only hope this year is if Colangelo does something he doesn't normally do which is pick up that 3 pick for Okafor to get Dunn.

[Phenom]

I still think we should be the more desirable team to sign with or be drafted by. We don't have nearly as much clutter on the roster. We have a legit superstar big in Towns and I think they have some good players but nobody really as a legitimate all-star. Wiggins and Lavine both have all-star potential as well and we just added one of the best coaches in the game even if he has a few flaws. If Thibs can make Butler an all-star just think of what he can do for a guy like Wiggins who has even better tools than Butler had. I think Boston's war chest is a little overrated. They've had a war chest for a few years now and have always ended up just taking a bunch of players most of which don't pan out because they can't make a deal. I think their only hope this year is if Colangelo does something he doesn't normally do which is pick up that 3 pick for Okafor to get Dunn.

I agree. We have all our birds in hand which is the hard part.

[TheFuture]

They do have a ton of options, but what happens if zero teams want to deal with them....they would be stuck with like 7 rookies this season! lol...It wont happen but I would love for the NBA to not help the Celtics wheel and deal.

That would be a nightmare scenario. You'd just have to pick 4 or so international players and take your chances.

[Coolbreeze44]

Ainge has done a terrific job stock piling all those assets. It will be interesting to see if he can turn them into the 2 or 3 stars they need to contend.

Ricky, you gave me a good idea for a poll.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

Given the above, I

I still think we should be the more desirable team to sign with or be drafted by. We don't have nearly as much clutter on the roster. We have a legit superstar big in Towns and I think they have some good players but nobody really as a legitimate all-star. Wiggins and Lavine both have all-star potential as well and we just added one of the best coaches in the game even if he has a few flaws. If Thibs can make Butler an all-star just think of what he can do for a guy like Wiggins who has even better tools than Butler had. I think Boston's war chest is a little overrated. They've had a war chest for a few years now and have always ended up just taking a bunch of players most of which don't pan out because they can't make a deal. I think their only hope this year is if Colangelo does something he doesn't normally do which is pick up that 3 pick for Okafor to get Dunn.

I love our situation too, but of all other teams, Boston has created a situation where they could challenge us at the time we are title contenders

Actually, their war chest has yet to be used. They are in the playoffs now and all their best players are on cheap contracts, and they have three top (or near top) picks in three years coming up and they have the best cap situation in the entire league. They will be wheeling and dealing with 8 picks this year and they have a bunch of extra picks in future years too. They can stash a whole bunch of international prospects or trade for more future picks. Boston will be a major player in free agency.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Boston's not even top-five in terms of young cores that I'm worried about if I'm the rest of the league.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves
2. Utah Jazz
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Milwaukee Bucks

I'll take all five of those situations over what the Boston Celtics have in terms of players and assets. Brad Stevens makes marginal players much better than they are, and that's a credit to him, but to win a championship they'll need legitimate star level players. They currently do not have one and it's not a guaranteed that they ever get one. Pump the brakes on the Celtics bandwagon.