Preparing for FA disappointment.

[Csfan1984]

Well I see a lot of talk about signing Horford, Barnes, and some maybes on KD. But based on this last off season and recent FA history  C's chances to add upgraded talent via FA looks bleak.

First the full list of possible Free Agents.
http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/

Now the $ situation around the league.
http://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/241166/The-Maximum-Available-2016-Cap-Space-For-All-30-NBA-Teams-Version-20

It's going to be a huge over pay to get mediocre talent or keep RFA because of the money available for so many teams. About 3/4 of the league can possibly sign a max FA.

With all the draft picks C's are sitting on things may turn out for the best. Instead of overpaying bench guys or late rotation players the C's can actually use them to fill the roster and for a second year punt in FA.

[manl_lui]

Well I see a lot of talk about signing Horford, Barnes, and some maybes on KD. But based on this last off season and recent FA history  C's chances to add upgraded talent via FA looks bleak.

First the full list of possible Free Agents.
http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/

Now the $ situation around the league.
http://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/241166/The-Maximum-Available-2016-Cap-Space-For-All-30-NBA-Teams-Version-20

It's going to be a huge over pay to get mediocre talent or keep RFA because of the money available for so many teams. About 3/4 of the league can possibly sign a max FA.

With all the draft picks C's are sitting on things may turn out for the best. Instead of overpaying bench guys or late rotation players the C's can actually use them to fill the roster and for a second year punt in FA.

[dang] didn't know Hibbert was making that much

[Ed Hollison]

Greg Monroe signed with Milwaukee last year, presumably because they had a good young nucleus and were an up and coming team. So don't get too negative on the Celtics' chances to sign top FAs. We're on the way to a 3-seed in the playoffs, have the best young coach in the league, a boatload of young talent, and three-straight lottery picks coming our way. And Boston's a lot cooler than Milwaukee.

[Lucky17]

Well I see a lot of talk about signing Horford, Barnes, and some maybes on KD. But based on this last off season and recent FA history  C's chances to add upgraded talent via FA looks bleak.

First the full list of possible Free Agents.
http://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/

Now the $ situation around the league.
http://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/241166/The-Maximum-Available-2016-Cap-Space-For-All-30-NBA-Teams-Version-20

It's going to be a huge over pay to get mediocre talent or keep RFA because of the money available for so many teams. About 3/4 of the league can possibly sign a max FA.

With all the draft picks C's are sitting on things may turn out for the best. Instead of overpaying bench guys or late rotation players the C's can actually use them to fill the roster and for a second year punt in FA.

Boston will still be mentioned as a player in free agency.

Cap space can be used in trades as well. If Ainge whiffs on his FA targets, he can pivot to the trade market.

[Denis998]

not many good targets in FA

[Lucky17]

Looking again at that breakdown, I'm actually even more optimistic. Boston's roster is the most complete and competitive among the teams with Starting Cap Space.

With nearly $13 mil -- without having to jettison any rostered players, cap holds, or draft picks -- Boston can potentially add a very good piece in FA before Ainge begins to work out trades for further roster improvements.

[Csfan1984]

Agree with the C's having their advantages in FA
1. The main core is intact and still a lot of space.
2. They can sign two guys near max that want to pair up.
3. The team is treading up.
4. Future projected impact will grow with a top draft pick.

Still there is going to be a ton of $ and little FAs.

[sawick48]

Please stop suggesting Durant.  He isn't coming here.  it's like all the Boogie talk.  Neither of those guys are realistic options.  Why would KD come here when it's not a better living situation than where he plays currently, he wouldn't have a team or any teammate as good as the ones he has currently, and he has no connection with the city of Boston as he would with a team like Washington?  Because of Stevens?  When's the last time a HC not named Pat Riley was responsible for creating a miracle in free agency luring a superstar to a team people didn't expect?  Or is it because of our great young core and all our assets?  Do you really think Durant cares about those?  The guy's current team perpetually wins 50-60 games a year where he already plays with one of the top 5 players in the league next to him.  He's not going to leave OKC to come to Boston, if he's going to leave based on team construction and to join a roster he thinks he can have more success with (than the success he currently has with the Thunder) he's going to GSW.

Boogie isn't coming either.  He's going to pout and whine his way to either Washington to play with Wall where they can chase Cal to be HC, or he goes to the Lakers for their pieces (especially with the rift Russell has been causing). 

The Cs don't get big time FAs.  The sooner everyone accepts that, the happier we'll all be.  "But they've never had cap room before!"  the entire league is going to have cap room this year, not to mention everyone who is a FA is going to be overpaid like crazy.  Get ready for guys like Kent Bazemore and Marvin Williams to ink deals that look something like $54M/4yrs.

Sorry for the pessimistic tone but reading the same hope linking the Cs to the biggest names year after year gets tiring.

[Ilikesports17]

Please stop suggesting Durant.  He isn't coming here.  it's like all the Boogie talk.  Neither of those guys are realistic options.  Why would KD come here when it's not a better living situation than where he plays currently, he wouldn't have a team or any teammate as good as the ones he has currently, and he has no connection with the city of Boston as he would with a team like Washington?  Because of Stevens?  When's the last time a HC not named Pat Riley was responsible for creating a miracle in free agency luring a superstar to a team people didn't expect?  Or is it because of our great young core and all our assets?  Do you really think Durant cares about those?  The guy's current team perpetually wins 50-60 games a year where he already plays with one of the top 5 players in the league next to him.  He's not going to leave OKC to come to Boston, if he's going to leave based on team construction and to join a roster he thinks he can have more success with (than the success he currently has with the Thunder) he's going to GSW.

Boogie isn't coming either.  He's going to pout and whine his way to either Washington to play with Wall where they can chase Cal to be HC, or he goes to the Lakers for their pieces (especially with the rift Russell has been causing). 

The Cs don't get big time FAs.  The sooner everyone accepts that, the happier we'll all be.  "But they've never had cap room before!"  the entire league is going to have cap room this year, not to mention everyone who is a FA is going to be overpaid like crazy.  Get ready for guys like Kent Bazemore and Marvin Williams to ink deals that look something like $54M/4yrs.

Sorry for the pessimistic tone but reading the same hope linking the Cs to the biggest names year after year gets tiring.

Please.

the fact that we play in Boston is not preventing us from getting top FAs.

Id give us ~5 % chance at getting Durant, but you have to realize that we have a 20-30% chance at landing a top 2 pick and a top 2 pick + Smart + another first gets you a serious conversation about any player in this league even close to the trading block.

Smart+12+ Ingram/Simmons gets you close to Butler and Griffin, probably gets you Demarcus Cousins and is an overpay for Love or Okafor.

thus we have a 20-30% chance of having the assets to acquire half the guys you just listed.

Lastly, there is still much to be determined. Are you suggesting that if we make it to the ECF and push the Cavs to 6. (unlikely but not entirely out of the question if we can manage to avoid Cle till the ECF and Toronto slumps into the playoffs while we hit a hot streak, then we really wouldnt be able to attract FAs? we have a terrific young coach who could win COTY, we now have an all-star, we would be one of the best young teams in the league and we would be one of I believe 4 teams with the cap space to offer to max contracts and if we send out AB and Smart along with brooklyn '16 and are carefull with the contract math we could add two max guys AND whatever AB + Smart + top 5 pick nets us which would probably be a star of some magnitude.

Finally your point on Bazemore is pointless because anyone not getting a max isnt a star and thus has nothing to do with us getting a star, and Cousins isnt going to complain his way to Washington to play with Wall. I have seen nothing to suggest that.

Plus we can top Washington's offer easily. Beal is an FA and their pick is not top 5 and all they have after that is otto porter and kelly Oubre. Advantage Celtics.

[Ilikesports17]

Greg Monroe signed with Milwaukee last year, presumably because they had a good young nucleus and were an up and coming team. So don't get too negative on the Celtics' chances to sign top FAs. We're on the way to a 3-seed in the playoffs, have the best young coach in the league, a boatload of young talent, and three-straight lottery picks coming our way. And Boston's a lot cooler than Milwaukee.

TP.

[sawick48]

Please stop suggesting Durant.  He isn't coming here.  it's like all the Boogie talk.  Neither of those guys are realistic options.  Why would KD come here when it's not a better living situation than where he plays currently, he wouldn't have a team or any teammate as good as the ones he has currently, and he has no connection with the city of Boston as he would with a team like Washington?  Because of Stevens?  When's the last time a HC not named Pat Riley was responsible for creating a miracle in free agency luring a superstar to a team people didn't expect?  Or is it because of our great young core and all our assets?  Do you really think Durant cares about those?  The guy's current team perpetually wins 50-60 games a year where he already plays with one of the top 5 players in the league next to him.  He's not going to leave OKC to come to Boston, if he's going to leave based on team construction and to join a roster he thinks he can have more success with (than the success he currently has with the Thunder) he's going to GSW.

Boogie isn't coming either.  He's going to pout and whine his way to either Washington to play with Wall where they can chase Cal to be HC, or he goes to the Lakers for their pieces (especially with the rift Russell has been causing). 

The Cs don't get big time FAs.  The sooner everyone accepts that, the happier we'll all be.  "But they've never had cap room before!"  the entire league is going to have cap room this year, not to mention everyone who is a FA is going to be overpaid like crazy.  Get ready for guys like Kent Bazemore and Marvin Williams to ink deals that look something like $54M/4yrs.

Sorry for the pessimistic tone but reading the same hope linking the Cs to the biggest names year after year gets tiring.

Please.

the fact that we play in Boston is not preventing us from getting top FAs.

Id give us ~5 % chance at getting Durant, but you have to realize that we have a 20-30% chance at landing a top 2 pick and a top 2 pick + Smart + another first gets you a serious conversation about any player in this league even close to the trading block.

Smart+12+ Ingram/Simmons gets you close to Butler and Griffin, probably gets you Demarcus Cousins and is an overpay for Love or Okafor.

thus we have a 20-30% chance of having the assets to acquire half the guys you just listed.

Lastly, there is still much to be determined. Are you suggesting that if we make it to the ECF and push the Cavs to 6. (unlikely but not entirely out of the question if we can manage to avoid Cle till the ECF and Toronto slumps into the playoffs while we hit a hot streak, then we really wouldnt be able to attract FAs? we have a terrific young coach who could win COTY, we now have an all-star, we would be one of the best young teams in the league and we would be one of I believe 4 teams with the cap space to offer to max contracts and if we send out AB and Smart along with brooklyn '16 and are carefull with the contract math we could add two max guys AND whatever AB + Smart + top 5 pick nets us which would probably be a star of some magnitude.

Finally your point on Bazemore is pointless because anyone not getting a max isnt a star and thus has nothing to do with us getting a star, and Cousins isnt going to complain his way to Washington to play with Wall. I have seen nothing to suggest that.

Plus we can top Washington's offer easily. Beal is an FA and their pick is not top 5 and all they have after that is otto porter and kelly Oubre. Advantage Celtics.

Beal is an RFA, much different than a FA.  and the 2 guard spot is in such awful shape that with all the time Beal has missed, he's still seen as a top 5 2guard in the league. Whereas they could package Beal, Otto, and 2 1sts to get any target they would try and trade for (Boogie).  Not to mention you conveniently glossed over the point that a guy like Boogie is going to be dealt to a place he approves of, not necessarily to a place that the owners choose.  They've already shown him a world of deference in his time there, and if they decide to deal him at all it certainly wouldn't shock anybody to see him pull the "i'll sit out if i'm traded to X" card. People can pretend front offices have all the leverage in a trade when players are under contract, but the reality is it depends on the player.

As far as "are you saying if we push the Cavs..." yes.  that's exactly what I'm saying.  I said it last year too when all the wide eyed people around here had dreams of us landing a super duper star via free agency or even trade, and we landed Amir.  A point which has a ton to do with the Bazemore point because those are the types of FAs we're going to end up getting.  Decent talents that we have to overpay for. 

And your point about max contracts is meaningless and is actually in fact perhaps detrimental to the Celtics, in an offseason where there are only 2 guys (Horford and Derozan) who will be worthy of max deals.  Only 1 of which the Cs have any chance at in the first place (though personally I think Horford either stays in Atl or signs with Orlando).  So your point is that we can offer a max deal to a guy who doesn't deserve a max deal.  Yay?  We're going to overpay any FA to come here as it is, I'd rather us not use max room to do so for a mediocre guy.

Boston is not a FA destination.  You can argue otherwise until your blue in the face, you wouldn't be the first to do so.  But thus far the facts speak for themselves.  If you think the franchise has changed radically enough in the past year to have completely changed that narrative for this offseason then I guess time will tell.  I just don't like the odds of your stance.

[chambers]

Please stop suggesting Durant.  He isn't coming here.  it's like all the Boogie talk.  Neither of those guys are realistic options.  Why would KD come here when it's not a better living situation than where he plays currently, he wouldn't have a team or any teammate as good as the ones he has currently, and he has no connection with the city of Boston as he would with a team like Washington?  Because of Stevens?  When's the last time a HC not named Pat Riley was responsible for creating a miracle in free agency luring a superstar to a team people didn't expect?  Or is it because of our great young core and all our assets?  Do you really think Durant cares about those?  The guy's current team perpetually wins 50-60 games a year where he already plays with one of the top 5 players in the league next to him.  He's not going to leave OKC to come to Boston, if he's going to leave based on team construction and to join a roster he thinks he can have more success with (than the success he currently has with the Thunder) he's going to GSW.

Boogie isn't coming either.  He's going to pout and whine his way to either Washington to play with Wall where they can chase Cal to be HC, or he goes to the Lakers for their pieces (especially with the rift Russell has been causing). 

The Cs don't get big time FAs.  The sooner everyone accepts that, the happier we'll all be.  "But they've never had cap room before!"  the entire league is going to have cap room this year, not to mention everyone who is a FA is going to be overpaid like crazy.  Get ready for guys like Kent Bazemore and Marvin Williams to ink deals that look something like $54M/4yrs.

Sorry for the pessimistic tone but reading the same hope linking the Cs to the biggest names year after year gets tiring.

Cousins has nothing to with free agency though. Neither do guys like Love or Butler. If Butler gets mad with Chicago or they decide to rebuild, he's fair game for us. Love is fair game too.

Suddenly a player like Durant looks at us even harder in 2017.

Patience is the key, and we are well positioned to appeal to free agents, whilst trying to acquire established stars with our assets.

I have no problem with your opinion, I don't necessarily agree, but I hope you're at least sprouting some optimism with our trade potential which could then lead to more free agency success.

[Ilikesports17]

Please stop suggesting Durant.  He isn't coming here.  it's like all the Boogie talk.  Neither of those guys are realistic options.  Why would KD come here when it's not a better living situation than where he plays currently, he wouldn't have a team or any teammate as good as the ones he has currently, and he has no connection with the city of Boston as he would with a team like Washington?  Because of Stevens?  When's the last time a HC not named Pat Riley was responsible for creating a miracle in free agency luring a superstar to a team people didn't expect?  Or is it because of our great young core and all our assets?  Do you really think Durant cares about those?  The guy's current team perpetually wins 50-60 games a year where he already plays with one of the top 5 players in the league next to him.  He's not going to leave OKC to come to Boston, if he's going to leave based on team construction and to join a roster he thinks he can have more success with (than the success he currently has with the Thunder) he's going to GSW.

Boogie isn't coming either.  He's going to pout and whine his way to either Washington to play with Wall where they can chase Cal to be HC, or he goes to the Lakers for their pieces (especially with the rift Russell has been causing). 

The Cs don't get big time FAs.  The sooner everyone accepts that, the happier we'll all be.  "But they've never had cap room before!"  the entire league is going to have cap room this year, not to mention everyone who is a FA is going to be overpaid like crazy.  Get ready for guys like Kent Bazemore and Marvin Williams to ink deals that look something like $54M/4yrs.

Sorry for the pessimistic tone but reading the same hope linking the Cs to the biggest names year after year gets tiring.

Please.

the fact that we play in Boston is not preventing us from getting top FAs.

Id give us ~5 % chance at getting Durant, but you have to realize that we have a 20-30% chance at landing a top 2 pick and a top 2 pick + Smart + another first gets you a serious conversation about any player in this league even close to the trading block.

Smart+12+ Ingram/Simmons gets you close to Butler and Griffin, probably gets you Demarcus Cousins and is an overpay for Love or Okafor.

thus we have a 20-30% chance of having the assets to acquire half the guys you just listed.

Lastly, there is still much to be determined. Are you suggesting that if we make it to the ECF and push the Cavs to 6. (unlikely but not entirely out of the question if we can manage to avoid Cle till the ECF and Toronto slumps into the playoffs while we hit a hot streak, then we really wouldnt be able to attract FAs? we have a terrific young coach who could win COTY, we now have an all-star, we would be one of the best young teams in the league and we would be one of I believe 4 teams with the cap space to offer to max contracts and if we send out AB and Smart along with brooklyn '16 and are carefull with the contract math we could add two max guys AND whatever AB + Smart + top 5 pick nets us which would probably be a star of some magnitude.

Finally your point on Bazemore is pointless because anyone not getting a max isnt a star and thus has nothing to do with us getting a star, and Cousins isnt going to complain his way to Washington to play with Wall. I have seen nothing to suggest that.

Plus we can top Washington's offer easily. Beal is an FA and their pick is not top 5 and all they have after that is otto porter and kelly Oubre. Advantage Celtics.

Beal is an RFA, much different than a FA.  and the 2 guard spot is in such awful shape that with all the time Beal has missed, he's still seen as a top 5 2guard in the league. Whereas they could package Beal, Otto, and 2 1sts to get any target they would try and trade for (Boogie).  Not to mention you conveniently glossed over the point that a guy like Boogie is going to be dealt to a place he approves of, not necessarily to a place that the owners choose.  They've already shown him a world of deference in his time there, and if they decide to deal him at all it certainly wouldn't shock anybody to see him pull the "i'll sit out if i'm traded to X" card. People can pretend front offices have all the leverage in a trade when players are under contract, but the reality is it depends on the player.

As far as "are you saying if we push the Cavs..." yes.  that's exactly what I'm saying.  I said it last year too when all the wide eyed people around here had dreams of us landing a super duper star via free agency or even trade, and we landed Amir.  A point which has a ton to do with the Bazemore point because those are the types of FAs we're going to end up getting.  Decent talents that we have to overpay for. 

And your point about max contracts is meaningless and is actually in fact perhaps detrimental to the Celtics, in an offseason where there are only 2 guys (Horford and Derozan) who will be worthy of max deals.  Only 1 of which the Cs have any chance at in the first place (though personally I think Horford either stays in Atl or signs with Orlando).  So your point is that we can offer a max deal to a guy who doesn't deserve a max deal.  Yay?  We're going to overpay any FA to come here as it is, I'd rather us not use max room to do so for a mediocre guy.

Boston is not a FA destination.  You can argue otherwise until your blue in the face, you wouldn't be the first to do so.  But thus far the facts speak for themselves.  If you think the franchise has changed radically enough in the past year to have completely changed that narrative for this offseason then I guess time will tell.  I just don't like the odds of your stance.

Ok first to address your point on Cousins. You say stars like Cousins get to pick a destination. if you believe this then I point at Garnett and your whole "stars don't pick Boston" argument goes right out the window so let's stick to Free Agents. Plus I think top 5 + Smart + first still tops anything washington puts on the table even if they do some unprecedented sign and trade stuff

On max contracts. You are right. Ok guys will get overpaid. However you point to Amir which is a brilliant structured contract and a part of why I'm not worried about DA making a mistake and commuting long term big money to a guy like Marving Williams.

Lastly and hopefully the piece where we can bridge the gap our opinions is the idea that there aren't many true max guys so we aren't likely to get them.

I agree. KD is the only no question max guy out there and [dang] near everyone has cap space plus his current situation is good so I'd say there's only about a 20% chance of him leaving OKC (depends a lot on playoffs this year).

So once he leaves OKC I'd put us right behind GSW as the most attractive destination.

Either way we are unlikely to get KD, but so is NYK and Brooklyn and LA and SAS and Toronto. There is no team likely this offseason to sign a legit max guy from another team.

This means you can't count on FA just like you can't count on winning the draft lottery. However this does not mean that we can't do it.

The last two times we had a top 5 spot in the lotto we didn't get a top two or top 3 pick but that doesn't mean "the celtics don't get top lotto picks" it means you can't count on top lotto picks but it is still good to be in position to nab a top lotto pick.

I don't count on getting KD or Horford. It is unlikely that we get either but I reject the idea that this means we don't have a chance at FAs. We do.

[LGC88]

Please stop suggesting Durant.  He isn't coming here.  it's like all the Boogie talk.  Neither of those guys are realistic options.  Why would KD come here when it's not a better living situation than where he plays currently, he wouldn't have a team or any teammate as good as the ones he has currently, and he has no connection with the city of Boston as he would with a team like Washington?  Because of Stevens?  When's the last time a HC not named Pat Riley was responsible for creating a miracle in free agency luring a superstar to a team people didn't expect?  Or is it because of our great young core and all our assets?  Do you really think Durant cares about those?  The guy's current team perpetually wins 50-60 games a year where he already plays with one of the top 5 players in the league next to him.  He's not going to leave OKC to come to Boston, if he's going to leave based on team construction and to join a roster he thinks he can have more success with (than the success he currently has with the Thunder) he's going to GSW.

Boogie isn't coming either.  He's going to pout and whine his way to either Washington to play with Wall where they can chase Cal to be HC, or he goes to the Lakers for their pieces (especially with the rift Russell has been causing). 

The Cs don't get big time FAs.  The sooner everyone accepts that, the happier we'll all be.  "But they've never had cap room before!"  the entire league is going to have cap room this year, not to mention everyone who is a FA is going to be overpaid like crazy.  Get ready for guys like Kent Bazemore and Marvin Williams to ink deals that look something like $54M/4yrs.

Sorry for the pessimistic tone but reading the same hope linking the Cs to the biggest names year after year gets tiring.

I like ideas when they make sense. KD in Boston makes a LOT of sense. Therefore you can't say "He isn't coming here", who are you to say that, KD himself ?
Also, all your arguments about OKC, Washington are very poor and has been argued otherwise in many posts. Let me summarize for you :
- Washington is a mess, they can't figure out what is wrong and make decision. The coaching staff does not appear to be contender material. Playing "at home" is the most stupid argument I ever heard. This argument is only for Lebron to find an excuse to leave Miami without too much hate from fans. Playing "at home" tend to be a distraction more than a motivation.
- OKC has proven that their FO is not willing to sacrifice for a greater good. They didn't want to pay taxes and they get rid of Harden. They fail to see that Scott isn't a coach that will win a title for you. OKC without Durant is falling appart. Each time he's injured or resting, OKC play 0.500 ball.
- None of the above arguments apply to Boston. No need to mention the positive facts of Boston. We all hear them everyday.
Now, if KD decide to stay in OKC to make his legacy there, fine, it's very honorable from him and great for OKC. But staying in OKC to win titles, it's a bit delusional to me.
I think KD is not stupid or delusional. He will stay in OKC knowing he will have a very small chance of title or he will leave to improve his chances.

[pearljammer10]

Please stop suggesting Durant.  He isn't coming here.  it's like all the Boogie talk.  Neither of those guys are realistic options.  Why would KD come here when it's not a better living situation than where he plays currently, he wouldn't have a team or any teammate as good as the ones he has currently, and he has no connection with the city of Boston as he would with a team like Washington?  Because of Stevens?  When's the last time a HC not named Pat Riley was responsible for creating a miracle in free agency luring a superstar to a team people didn't expect?  Or is it because of our great young core and all our assets?  Do you really think Durant cares about those?  The guy's current team perpetually wins 50-60 games a year where he already plays with one of the top 5 players in the league next to him.  He's not going to leave OKC to come to Boston, if he's going to leave based on team construction and to join a roster he thinks he can have more success with (than the success he currently has with the Thunder) he's going to GSW.

Boogie isn't coming either.  He's going to pout and whine his way to either Washington to play with Wall where they can chase Cal to be HC, or he goes to the Lakers for their pieces (especially with the rift Russell has been causing). 

The Cs don't get big time FAs.  The sooner everyone accepts that, the happier we'll all be.  "But they've never had cap room before!"  the entire league is going to have cap room this year, not to mention everyone who is a FA is going to be overpaid like crazy.  Get ready for guys like Kent Bazemore and Marvin Williams to ink deals that look something like $54M/4yrs.

Sorry for the pessimistic tone but reading the same hope linking the Cs to the biggest names year after year gets tiring.

Please.

the fact that we play in Boston is not preventing us from getting top FAs.

Id give us ~5 % chance at getting Durant, but you have to realize that we have a 20-30% chance at landing a top 2 pick and a top 2 pick + Smart + another first gets you a serious conversation about any player in this league even close to the trading block.

Smart+12+ Ingram/Simmons gets you close to Butler and Griffin, probably gets you Demarcus Cousins and is an overpay for Love or Okafor.

thus we have a 20-30% chance of having the assets to acquire half the guys you just listed.

Lastly, there is still much to be determined. Are you suggesting that if we make it to the ECF and push the Cavs to 6. (unlikely but not entirely out of the question if we can manage to avoid Cle till the ECF and Toronto slumps into the playoffs while we hit a hot streak, then we really wouldnt be able to attract FAs? we have a terrific young coach who could win COTY, we now have an all-star, we would be one of the best young teams in the league and we would be one of I believe 4 teams with the cap space to offer to max contracts and if we send out AB and Smart along with brooklyn '16 and are carefull with the contract math we could add two max guys AND whatever AB + Smart + top 5 pick nets us which would probably be a star of some magnitude.

Finally your point on Bazemore is pointless because anyone not getting a max isnt a star and thus has nothing to do with us getting a star, and Cousins isnt going to complain his way to Washington to play with Wall. I have seen nothing to suggest that.

Plus we can top Washington's offer easily. Beal is an FA and their pick is not top 5 and all they have after that is otto porter and kelly Oubre. Advantage Celtics.

Beal is an RFA, much different than a FA.  and the 2 guard spot is in such awful shape that with all the time Beal has missed, he's still seen as a top 5 2guard in the league. Whereas they could package Beal, Otto, and 2 1sts to get any target they would try and trade for (Boogie).  Not to mention you conveniently glossed over the point that a guy like Boogie is going to be dealt to a place he approves of, not necessarily to a place that the owners choose.  They've already shown him a world of deference in his time there, and if they decide to deal him at all it certainly wouldn't shock anybody to see him pull the "i'll sit out if i'm traded to X" card. People can pretend front offices have all the leverage in a trade when players are under contract, but the reality is it depends on the player.

As far as "are you saying if we push the Cavs..." yes.  that's exactly what I'm saying.  I said it last year too when all the wide eyed people around here had dreams of us landing a super duper star via free agency or even trade, and we landed Amir.  A point which has a ton to do with the Bazemore point because those are the types of FAs we're going to end up getting.  Decent talents that we have to overpay for.

And your point about max contracts is meaningless and is actually in fact perhaps detrimental to the Celtics, in an offseason where there are only 2 guys (Horford and Derozan) who will be worthy of max deals.  Only 1 of which the Cs have any chance at in the first place (though personally I think Horford either stays in Atl or signs with Orlando).  So your point is that we can offer a max deal to a guy who doesn't deserve a max deal.  Yay?  We're going to overpay any FA to come here as it is, I'd rather us not use max room to do so for a mediocre guy.

Boston is not a FA destination.  You can argue otherwise until your blue in the face, you wouldn't be the first to do so.  But thus far the facts speak for themselves.  If you think the franchise has changed radically enough in the past year to have completely changed that narrative for this offseason then I guess time will tell.  I just don't like the odds of your stance.

1) When has Danny ever made a deal like this? I don't think you're giving him enough credit. He's not going to overpay a mediocre free agent just for the sake of having cap space. A lot of people look at Amir Johnson as this type of contract but that was a smart deal because we could have used his salary in a trade at the deadline or if he doesnt work out, just let him walk. Ainge isn't going to sign a Kent bazemore for 15-20 million a year just because he can.

2) Durant to Boston is a long shot sure, but there is no reason that he wouldn't give us a look. The team is set up to attract him to us. We have all the pieces in place, in a very good system, and we need that superstar player to get to the next level. There may not be a Westbrook here but this would solely be Durant's team, in a weaker Eastern conference, and he could lead it to the finals without the help of a super trio. If I am Durant I am looking at OKC, GSW, and Boston as top destinations if he wants to win.

3) I still see Horford as the main attraction FA for us next year. He fills a huge need and we have the money to sign him. Just because we've struck out with FAs in the past doesn't mean it will continue to happen. The celtics are a young exciting up and coming team that has shown they can win. We've got the junk yard dog supporting cast in place. Any of the top name FAs would definitely consider Boston how they are currently constructed.