Welcome (again) to the offseason. I wanted to start things with a mail bag and some of you asked questions (thanks !!!). Of course, you decided to make many more statements, so why do you need me? Seriously, the comment sections are for you to use as you see fit, so keep up with what you’re doing (respecting each other and being good people).
However, let’s look at the questions and answers you tried, which I tried. Results may vary.
Durable D
Jeff, you’re on deck. Swing for fences (Beal or similar) or swing and singles (shore bench)?
You know as well as I do that Brad preaches about beating singles. This is not to say that he will not try to make strong contact on the hanging curve or stretch the single into a duplicate. Maybe I exhausted all my baseball metaphors there.
The thing is, I don’t see any big star trading going on (partly because of the necessary outgoing salaries), unless there’s a sweeter deal we just can’t say no to.
Let’s turn to the Bradley Beal-shaped elephant in the room. Yes, he and Tatum are best friends in the past. Yes, the topic of playing together has probably come up before. But how does that happen in Boston? To match salaries, you need to start with either Jaylen Brown (plus another medium-sized salary) or you need to start with Al Horford and add even more salaries. I see Jaylen Brown as more valuable than Beal at the moment (who hasn’t proven that he can play defense at all) and I don’t want to break the core that just made it to the finals anyway.
If you start with a package that includes Al Horford and future options, I’m inclined to think that another interested team could easily overtake us. The only way this happens (as the trolley and others have repeatedly mentioned) is for Beal to specifically request a move to Boston and re-enter into a contract with Boston (and possibly another unrealistic team).
To sum up: I understand why this issue is constantly rising. However, the situation has not changed significantly compared to all the other times when we have not traded for him. So I don’t see that happening.
Leaving Beal aside, Brad Stevens may decide we are one medium step away to win next year. I don’t need names (yet), but I’m thinking of a solid starter who could get off the bench if necessary.
TheBasketball Whisperer
What is the chance that Stevens will join Ainge and take up a job in Utah Jazz?
Again, I understand why this issue was raised (Marc Stein even raised it and shot it right away). Stevens has only been away from coaching for 1 year, POBO has only done it for 1 year and has achieved very good results so far (although not yet the ultimate prize). I would be shocked if he didn’t give it to him for at least a few more years.
kferon
Questions for you:
1. Nik Stauskas, Brodric Thomas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, Luke Kornet … buh-bye?
Not at all. At least not yet. Bring back as many people as possible who want to be there to the training camp. If we can add better options on a deep bench, the parts will be cut or released somehow. However, one or more of them may be one of the diamonds we see from time to time.
2. Do they consistently give Nesmith meaningful minutes to develop? Or is he no longer in the future?
I think we’ll find out more when we see if they choose his beginner’s version or not. When they do, they clearly think it has value (either for us or in trade). If not, you can see that he is playing as a free agent of the year or in a transaction.
Personally, I am on his side, but I admit that the first results have been less than encouraging.
3. Will Brad go against the guy and try to get another choice in Thursday’s draw or rise to it? Or will he follow his previous tendencies and stay in 53rd place or even replace it?
I think the focus is on adding a core in a way that will give us a chance to win the title next season. Rookies don’t move the needle often in this regard, so I wouldn’t expect him to be aggressive when trying to get to the first lap. Unless it is an addition to a bridge transaction to a transaction that brings back an influential player. But I never know.
4. Will these legendary TPEs ever become real?
If there was ever a chance to use them, it would be now. There are not many different ways for a team to add talent (not the first round player, there is no upper limit), so using TPE in trade would be a fairly easy way to do it.
That would put the team in taxes, but the owner group lost the tax for another season this year and has said they will pay a tax on the candidate. Maybe it’s time to pay off that promise.
I promise one caution: Brad doesn’t use (and shouldn’t) use TPE just to add a man to do it. Compatibility must be important and it must be the right deal. Otherwise, you could put the team in a difficult position for years to come.
5. We need both medium and power supplies that are better (in terms of talent and form) than the ones on our current list … how do we get them?
Theoretically, backups are always available. The theory is that you either pay big money to superstars (Embiid, Jokic) or just fill the list with favorable options. None of the cheap options are perfect, but neither are the expensive middle-class men, so why not roll the dice in favor of a cheaper option and spend your chamber room elsewhere?
Look for vets to learn more about Boston. As Horford gets older and Rob Williams is at risk of injury, at least the role of the regular season can be extended to find the right man.
6. What will be Daniel Theise’s role in the future?
Daniel is who he is now. A decent option for a large backup (although a little expensive – see above). He could also be an employee.
7. Will we be able to find free agents above Tristan Thompson / Jeff Teague / Enes Kanter type contracts?
Again, I definitely hope so. First of all, we were in the finals, so the vets will give Celtics at least a longer look this year. Obviously, there is an opportunity here too. On the other hand, Celtics cannot compete for the best free agents with the money they have to spend. So it may take some time for it to work.
8. Will Sam Hauser succeed in Celtics or will he have to go elsewhere to find it?
He could definitely play a role in the team in the future. Due to his strong performance in the Summer League and training camp, he should be on the list of people who have the opportunity to earn a rotation. The guy can be shot, and if he can do anything else on the field to contribute, he’ll get a chance.
scue
Here are two to work with:
1.) Seeing Marcus Smart as the player he was this season, do you think he has another level to go under attack and game control? Or do you think the Celts would consider selling him high because we have Derrick White, which is about 85% of what Smart gives?
Good question. I would have been 85% more involved with the plan if the team had continued its difficulties as at the beginning of the season. It was part of the beauty of this trade – it worked in every direction the team moved.
However, due to the success of the team, which was largely built on the defensive identity in which Marcus played a large part, I do not see the team moving forward from him at all.
It has its limitations, of course, we all know them by heart right now. But I think the pros outweigh the negatives, and it’s the job of Miracle and his teammates to bring him out in the attack next season.
2.) Do you see Kyle Kuzma as an available player and how would he fit in the Celtics?
Yes, I want this to happen if a Celtics percussion writer can ask Kuzma about this Lakers graphic in time.
Thanks everyone!
#Mailbag #answers #talking #Bradley #Beal