I also don't see him in any rush to make a contending team by next season.
If the Celts head into next season with more or less the same group plus some rookies, we shouldn't expect anything much different than this season (mid to high 40s in wins, middle seed, first round loss).
Yeah, which is why I don't really care if Ainge doesn't fix some immediate issues. The Celtics will probably win 44-50 games next season with this current team.
That's not my takeaway at all.
I want to see some willingness to make changes, to experiment even, to see if a different mix can go further.
Whether that's bringing in potential long term pieces or going with short term additions like Amir last summer, at least demonstrate that another 40-something win season and a first round loss is not an acceptable goal.
I'd rather Ainge try to make some bold moves that result in the team taking a step back than watch the same basic group work hard toward the same result.
A middle of the road team at a talent disadvantage against pretty much any playoff opponent, needing to hope for good fortune and tough shots to fall simply to advance past the 1st round.