Should the Celtics pursue Giannis, or Joel Embiid??

[Lebron23]

They can use their trade assets aka much young core players, first round picks just to acquire one of them. I think Tatum is the only untouchable player for the Celtics.

[Axe]

Giannis. At least he's led his team to the ecf last year while becoming the b2b mvp and dpoy this year.

[LukeWalton]

for anyone Gianni
2x mvp
embiid is too injury prone

[bigbrownschaub]

they dont have the real estate to give up unless they are demanding out b. give me john-is

[CelticBaller]

If Giannis is available yeah, but only if we keep JT and Jb.

The goal should be to pair him with them. Put him at C

[Lebron23]

If Giannis is available yeah, but only if we keep JT and Jb.

The goal should be to pair him with them. Put him at C You guys have 4 first round draft picks this year.

[Wally450]

I'd take either of them if the price was right and we could keep our main core guys.

[Derka]

You guys have 4 first round draft picks this year.
We have 14, 26 and 30. We're not getting a two-time MVP and DPOY for that + leftovers.

[MaxPlayer]

J Brown and Kemba for Giannis and Bledsoe

[ArbitraryWater]

If Giannis is available yeah, but only if we keep JT and Jb.

The goal should be to pair him with them. Put him at C

lolwut

[Real Men Wear Green]

I realize that to many it will seem unreasonable but the Celtics absolutely should not include Tatum or Brown in any trade discussions, And for the same reason no deal was made for AD when their values were lower. Antetokuonmpo is only going to be traded if he tells Milwaukee he won't return. And if he won't return there it means he wants to pick his destination. All the rumors for that scenario point towards the Warriors. Do not blow up a contender for a rental, even an MVP rental. The Celtics are already close to being the best team in the East and can stay in contention for a solid decade with luck regarding injuries. This is going to be a great duo.

But I would absolutely deal the whole draft and future firsts on top of that for either guy.

[Real Men Wear Green]

My personal pipe dream: The Celtics trade all that draft capital and whoever else outside of the core for Ben Simmons. He would be absolutely perfect as the Celtic's point-center offwnsively and on the other end they would be the best defense in the league.

[MaxPlayer]

I realize that to many it will seem unreasonable but the Celtics absolutely should not include Tatum or Brown in any trade discussions, And for the same reason no deal was made for AD when their values were lower. Antetokuonmpo is only going to be traded if he tells Milwaukee he won't return. And if he won't return there it means he wants to pick his destination. All the rumors for that scenario point towards the Warriors. Do not blow up a contender for a rental, even an MVP rental. The Celtics are already close to being the best team in the East and can stay in contention for a solid decade with luck regarding injuries. This is going to be a great duo.

But I would absolutely deal the whole draft and future firsts on top of that for either guy.

I get wanting Brown over Giannis for the long term. I don't think I agree, but at least I get the logic.

However, it also feels like Boston has been playing for the future for a LONG TIME now, and if you have a chance to bring in a true superstar, it's way past time to jump on that. Cash in the chips. Trade the leftover picks for some bench upgrades.

This is all assuming that Giannis would agree to an extension, of course.

[CelticBaller]

lolwut

The warriors got KD without trading their core

Is not impossible

[CelticBaller]

I get wanting Brown over Giannis for the long term. I don't think I agree, but at least I get the logic.

However, it also feels like Boston has been playing for the future for a LONG TIME now, and if you have a chance to bring in a true superstar, it's way past time to jump on that. Cash in the chips. Trade the leftover picks for some bench upgrades.

This is all assuming that Giannis would agree to an extension, of course.

Of course the Celtics have been playinh for the future, Brown was 20 years old in that 2017 team and Tatum was 20 on the 2018 team. Our best players are young af

[Derka]

I could get behind Simmons. We need the size and he'd flourish in a role where he's not the guy who has to score. Plus I don't have to see Marcus Smart bringing the goddamn ball up anymore.

[MaxPlayer]

Of course the Celtics have been playinh for the future, Brown was 20 years old in that 2017 team and Tatum was 20 on the 2018 team. Our best players are young af

Giannis is less than 23 months older than Brown so they wouldn't be getting THAT much older.

Also, ideally wouldn't you want to pair Tatum with an interior player rather than another perimeter guy?

[CelticBaller]

Giannis is less than 23 months older than Brown so they wouldn't be getting THAT much older.

Also, ideally wouldn't you want to pair Tatum with an interior player rather than another perimeter guy?

Giannis plays like a big and Brad believes in positionless basketball

His ideal lineup would have Giannis at center with Tatum and Brown at the forward positions

[Shogon]

Brown & Tatum are both young, but that shit doesn't last forever. Brown will be 24 this month. Tatum 23 in March. You guys think they have another 7 years to keep peaking? Eh, they will largely be who they are within the next 2 years. And they're both going to be getting enough money and playing well enough that it means they won't get any high value draft picks and they won't be getting any major free agents. Their only hope to get truly better at this point is via trade... Hayward & Kemba. AND DAMN DOES TIME FLY if Hayward only has one more year left on his deal! Holy shit **** my ****ing life! It seems like just yesterday he and Kyrie got introduced on the Celtics.

Anyways... this Celtics roster as currently constructed has precisely 2 more seasons to get it done otherwise it will need to be blown up and they should start considering major trades right now. Those two guys don't have a decade of getting better imo. Two more years, that's when you'll know for sure where you're at with them being the two core pieces. I personally do not think those two guys will be good enough to be your main two and it result in a championship, but I've been wrong before.

[CelticBaller]

Brown & Tatum are both young, but that shit doesn't last forever. Brown will be 24 this month. Tatum 23 in March. You guys think they have another 7 years to keep peaking? Eh, they will largely be who they are within the next 2 years. And they're both going to be getting enough money and playing well enough that it means they won't get any high value draft picks and they won't be getting any major free agents. Their only hope to get truly better at this point is via trade... Hayward & Kemba. AND DAMN DOES TIME FLY if Hayward only has one more year left on his deal! Holy shit **** my ****ing life! It seems like just yesterday he and Kyrie got introduced on the Celtics.

Anyways... this Celtics roster as currently constructed has precisely 2 more seasons to get it done otherwise it will need to be blown up and they should start considering major trades right now. Those two guys don't have a decade of getting better imo. Two more years, that's when you'll know for sure where you're at with them being the two core pieces.

I mean, if Tatum’s prime is a 26 10 6 player and brown a 23 8 2 I would be very happy

Hayward is either walking right now (if he opts out) or getting traded. His role in this team has been replaced with Browns and Tatums emergence in these playoffs

[Derka]

Brown is already extended and if Danny has any brains in his head, he'll ink Tatum's rookie max extension before next season is over.

There's no way the carcass of Gordon Hayward passes on this last year. He's 30 years old with a ruined ankle and this is the last $30+ million check he'll ever see. Plus Stevens has a massive blind spot where he's concerned.

[Shogon]

I mean, if Tatum’s prime is a 26 10 6 player and brown a 23 8 2 I would be very happy

Hayward is either walking right now (if he opts out) or getting traded. His role in this team has been replaced with Browns and Tatums emergence in these playoffs

Right and those are solid numbers for two players for sure, they're both going to be NBA players for a long time, but those aren't championship core pieces, all I'm saying.

I guess we'll see what happens with the cap but I'm skeptical that Hayward will opt out because it's probable that his salary for next season will be violently reduced if he does due to a constricting salary cap. I mean, maybe if he's worried about injury he'll accept that in place of a long term deal, but that wouldn't help the Celtics.

Do you think the Celtics will get a large haul for a 1 year Gordon Hayward rental who has been wrought with injuries for years? I'm skeptical.

[CelticBaller]

Right and those are solid numbers for two players for sure, they're both going to be NBA players for a long time, but those aren't championship core pieces, all I'm saying.

I guess we'll see what happens with the cap but I'm skeptical that Hayward will opt out because it's probable that his salary for next season will be violently reduced if he does due to a constricting salary cap. I mean, maybe if he's worried about injury he'll accept that in place of along term deal, but that wouldn't help the Celtics.

Do you think the Celtics will get a large haul for a 1 year Gordon Hayward rental who has been wrought with injuries for years? I'm skeptical.

Wait those aren’t championship core pieces? A guy averaging 26 10 6 with good defense and a 23 8 2 aren’t championship pieces?

Lmao what kind shit are you smoking

[Shogon]

Wait those aren’t championship core pieces? A guy averaging 26 10 6 with good defense and a 23 8 2 aren’t championship pieces?

Lmao what kind shit are you smoking

When they're making deals that result in them being your TWO MAIN PIECES, no, they definitely are not.

Mark my words here and now... if Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum are your two best players for the next 10 years, the Celtics will not get a title during that time frame.

[Real Men Wear Green]

I get wanting Brown over Giannis for the long term. I don't think I agree, but at least I get the logic.

However, it also feels like Boston has been playing for the future for a LONG TIME now, and if you have a chance to bring in a true superstar, it's way past time to jump on that. Cash in the chips. Trade the leftover picks for some bench upgrades.

This is all assuming that Giannis would agree to an extension, of course.
Thing is this core has already made the conference finals twice and been competitive in it (not counting the IT year, no Tatum and Brown wasn't a major contributor). It's not like they aren't making serious runs at the Finals. Sooner or later (IMO, sooner) they are going to break through. We are most defintely seeing positive results. There are are only 2 teams that have done better this season. Optimism is justified.

[Gudo]

At this point where the heat has shown what could be done with a lineup that is not exactly loaded, I dont think the Cs need to acquire anymore superstars and to have the chemistry be changed again. Additional bigs would be great if we can add them. I just thinj this is more of a coaching issue.

[CelticBaller]

When they're making deals that result in them being your TWO MAIN PIECES, no, they definitely are not.

Mark my words here and now... if Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum are your two best players for the next 10 years, the Celtics will not get a title during that time frame.

Tatum is definitely a championship leading player. How many players peak at 23? You’re bugging

Brown on the other hand can be a great 2nd option If he keeps improving. You’re looking at two guys who could put 25+ ppg 8+ reb with one of them being a great passer. What we need is a third player who could defend inside, not to replace one of them

[MaxPlayer]

Thing is this core has already made the conference finals twice and been competitive in it (not counting the IT year, no Tatum and Brown wasn't a major contributor). It's not like they aren't making serious runs at the Finals. Sooner or later (IMO, sooner) they are going to break through. We are most defintely seeing positive results. There are are only 2 teams that have done better this season. Optimism is justified.

I get "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Celtics could stand pat and still most likely have a very good team for the foreseeable future.

That said, you still have to consider opportunities to upgrade talent, should they present themselves.

[AirTupac]

Imagine thinking you are guaranteed finals appearances because youre "knocking on the door".

[Basketball r Us]

I could get behind Simmons. We need the size and he'd flourish in a role where he's not the guy who has to score. Plus I don't have to see Marcus Smart bringing the goddamn ball up anymore.

Hahah Simmons ain’t going to help the Celtics. The guy still can not shoot....will make it 4 vs 5 .... Oh but heck, I hope Ainge gets him.....as I am no fan of the Celtics. Btw, 76’ers needs to get rid of Simmons if they want to win.

[Real Men Wear Green]

I get "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Celtics could stand pat and still most likely have a very good team for the foreseeable future.

That said, you still have to consider opportunities to upgrade talent, should they present themselves.
Yes but any such deal would have to be for a committed superstar. A sulky Embiid or Giannis playing hard for a season and then heading out isn't worth it.

[GrayGoat]

Celtics need a center period. Giannis can be a center

[Real Men Wear Green]

Hahah Simmons ain’t going to help the Celtics. The guy still can not shoot....will make it 4 vs 5 .... Oh but heck, I hope Ainge gets him.....as I am no fan of the Celtics. Btw, 76’ers needs to get rid of Simmons if they want to win.
Everyone on the floor doesn't have to be a shooter. You give Simmons the dunker spot in the paint and surround him with solid shooters, which the Celtics would be able to do. He gets to post up or attack from 10-15 feet out and with his passing ability he'd be highly effective attacking the basket and finishing or hitting the open man when help comes. Or when Brown, Tatum, Smart or Walker attract a big when they attack the basket themselves they have a great dump off option or offensive rebounder. Even defenses that rotate well would have a hard time because in the paint Simmons is going to make a good decision either finishing or passing. Keep him inside and he's a great fit.

[Airupthere]

get rid of hayward for a big man that can score and defend. keep the core and develop the team further. these loses pile up with they will amount to nothing if they just keep on shuffling up the lineup rather than continue building it. let the experience and chemistry build

[KD7]

Trading Walmart Kyrie & Hayward should be their top priority

[MaxPlayer]

Yes but any such deal would have to be for a committed superstar. A sulky Embiid or Giannis playing hard for a season and then heading out isn't worth it.

Yes, this is all contingent on getting Giannis on-board for an extension. I agree that I wouldn't trade Brown for a possible 1-year rental.

[Lil-Shrimp]

Definitely Embiid

[Real Men Wear Green]

get rid of hayward for a big man that can score and defend. keep the core and develop the team further. these loses pile up with they will amount to nothing if they just keep on shuffling up the lineup rather than continue building it. let the experience and chemistry build
That sounds like a good idea but who is going to give that kind of big up for Hayward? Injuries have to have hurt his trade value.