Like in 2017, Danny Ainge oversaw a huge turnover in the Celtics roster. Kyrie Irving was a pivotal player in both years. The Celtics did not complete the Irving trade till August 30th, 2017-- so there is a chance that Trader Danny has one more big trade. In 2017, At this point, the Celtics should win at least one playoff series. I would imagine that Ainge would only be interested in a player who could guarantee a shot in the Finals. That player does not exist.
Blake Griffin, Bradley Beal, DeMar DeRozan and Chris Paul are all top 40 players-- but insert any of them into the Celtics rotation and the Celtics go from a non-title contender to a dark horse. Add into that-- any of those 4 would likely require Tatum or Brown and the Memphis pick coming back.
First lets look at what the Celtics have lost.
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Kyrie Irving
Easily the Celtics most talented player last year. What were considered innocuous red flags in Cleveland-- turned out to be pretty legit.
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Al Horford
It is hard to over-estimate how pivotal Horford has been to the Celtics over the last three years. Averaging over 4.0 assists a game all three years in Boston, Horford was the secondary hub of the Celtics offense. -
Terry Rozier
While there is a lot of 20/1,000 hindsight on this blog when it comes to AInge-- the one mistake you could say he made was not trading Rozier last Summer. But then, Charlotte overpaying him was pivotal in getting Walker-- so maybe Trader Dan was smart to keep him. -
Aron Baynes
I loved watching Baynes play. As one commentator said-- Baynes has no ego. He will let LaBron posterize him 9 times if the 10th is a turnover. WITH that said- Baynes is a very pedestrian back-up center who at 33 is likely at his ceiling.
Dumbing his salary and getting a future asset was another great move. -
Guerschon Yabusele
People forget how good Yabusele looked in Summer League last year. But ultimately, the Dancing Bear was a classic tweener. -
Jabari Bird
Yeah-- nothing to say about him. -
PJ Dozier
The Jordan Mickey of guards. Not sure he will make a roster next year. -
Jonathan Gibson
Like Dozier-- fringe N.B.A. project. Had moments but may have played his last minute in the league. -
R.J. Hunter
Came in at the end of the year on a two-way contract. At 26, he had to know that he had no chance of sticking on the team in 2020. -
Walt Lemon Jr.
Had a great month in Chicago-- and still got waived.
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Kemba Walker (Free Agent)
At 29 Walker should have a few great years left. Only average more than 6 assists once-- but did not have Tatum and Hayward to pass the ball to. -
Enes Kanter (Free Agent)
Great rebounder and strong offensive player-- but proved to be a key contributor to the Trailblazers last year. -
Vincent Poirier (Euro league Free Agent)
So in the last few years Ainge has gotten- Shane Larkin, Daniel Theis and Brad Wanamaker from Europe. All can add value to the end of your rotation. Poirier's film looks a bit like a throw back player, but will see how he fits in. -
Romeo Langford (Draft)
Chosen with the 14th pick in the draft. A prototypical Ainge pick. I great high school player who did not have a great freshman year. This year's class already looks good-- if Langford lives up to billing it could be great. -
Grant Williams (Draft)
Most of the scouts and analysts gave Williams huge points for his Summer league play. -
Carsen Edwards (Draft)
May have shot his way into the rotation. -
Tremont Waters (Draft)
Can do everything you want an NBA point guard to do-- except be 6 feet tall. Signed to a two-way contract looks like another late second round pick that pans out for Ainge. -
Max Strus (Undrafted Free Agent)
Best Case Scenario-- is Kyle Korver 2.0. Worst Case Scenario he is R.J. Hunter. Strus is a legit 6-6 and is deadly from 3. -
Tacko Fall (Undrafted Free Agent)
Will always be limited by his size. But a great innovative coach (Brad Edwards) should be able to figure out what he can do. -
Javonte Green (Euro league Free Agent)
25 year old Green showed out for the Celtics in Summer league and got a partial guaranteed contract. It seems impossible for him to break the roster, but a good move by Ainge.
This looks like a solid draft even if Langford busts. Edwards and Williams both showed what they can do.