I live in Iowa. I have no Celtic fans around me. This is literally my only outlet for Celtics talk.
Nothing I say here will be ground-breaking, but I'd like to have a conversation about my team.
Thomas - I love Isaiah Thomas. He is a starting point guard. He played pretty good defense toward the end of the year. He's got it, but he can't be the guy. If you may him a second or third scoring option, I think he becomes more efficient and way more scary for opposing teams. I want Thomas to retire a Celtic.
Jae Crowder - I love Crowder. He is one of the best two-way players in the NBA, but he has maxed out his offensive potential. He does not have a real post game. He does not have floaters. He doesn't really have pullups. He is really good as a spotup shooter, transition lane filler, and straight line driver, but I don't think he can develop any more offense. Ideally, he is the fourth starter. I want Jae Crowder to stay a Celtic, but if he is the bait to get Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, and (maybe) Kevin love or Demarcus Cousins, I think we have to do it.
Avery Bradley - Bradley is essentially the guard version of Jae Crowder. He is best as a fourth starter, but if he can be bait, I'd trade him or Crowder, but probably not both.
Zeller, Sullinger, Johnson, Jerebko - I like them all, but I'm not going to cry if any walk. Of the four, I like Johnson best. He's like the perfect glue guy.
Rozier - I'm all-in on Rozier as a future all-star. I know that may undercut everything I say for some of you, but I'm all-in. He has elite competitiveness and athleticism. He can score in a variety of creative ways. He can get to the basket. He can pass. He is still raw, but I like Rozier so much that I am ready to trade Smart.
Smart - I like Smart a lot, but I think Rozier has a higher ceiling. Smart is in the same category as Crowder and Bradley. I think he can be a 12-5-5 guy in the NBA and an all-defensive player, but he is more raw than Rozier and cannot be a first or second option. Maybe a third option if he develops.
Mickey, Hunter - Both are promising. I'd like to see a good showing this summer league.
Young - Trade him. I hear too many things about the dude to think he is ready to be an NBA player. I'm out.
Top 5 Draft Board with Brooklyn Pick - Simmons, Ingram, Murray, Brown, Bender
Top 5 Draft Board for later picks - Chriss, Luwawu, Maker, Valentine, Bembry
Top Trade Targets: Jimmy Butler, Blake Griffin, Demarcus Cousins, Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony, Gordon Hayward, Brook Lopez
Top Free Agent Targets: Durant, DeRozan, Conley, Batum, Parsons
Thoughts? Love some conversation on this.