He absolutely deserves the max.
This is a lottery team without him.
I think that second sentence is the goal of a lot of fans. Why have stars when you can have a 25% shot at a complete unknown who, if everything breaks exactly correctly, might some day become as good as Thomas?
Wow, hyperbole is running wild on Celticsblog in this thread.
I disagree with both of those statements. I don't think anyone wants to be a lottery team in Boston. I think that many of the knowledgable and passionate fans of the Celtics, appreciate how important it is to have a franchise player. What NBA team has contended for a championship without one? In all decades, you look for that player. And usually he is a top draft pick. I think that is the allure of the NBA Draft. You are looking for your Bird, your Magic, your Jordan, your Duncan, your Kobe, your Shaq, your KG, your Lebron, your Westbrook, your Durant. That is why Ainge is looking for a player that can make the franchise perennial contenders.
(I happened to believe Boogie was that piece btw).
That said, you are right, there are alot of draft choices that might not pan out.
IT has been a fantastic pick-up. He is having an incredible run. However, he has not been good enough to carry Boston past the first round. That is a fact, whether you like it or not.
Stevens was planning on bringing IT of the bench this year-that was the plan.
While I value a 6th man-equally to starters, I can't think that most GM's would envision that player deserving MAX money.
Should we commit our franchise to build around IT? Is he worth max money?
What if you get the number one pick and draft Fultz? What if Brad Steven's say's Fultz is better than IT-do you offer IT Max money? What about Avery Bradley? Marcus Smart? Jaylen Brown?
I think there are a number of factors that you have to consider before offering someone a Max contract.
I believe that only a handful of players are worth it!I don't think that Celtic fans want to be in the lottery. I think we want that MAX player to be a franchise player, one that can play both ends of the court and make us a contender.
I don't know if IT can do that. Like IT, I think Boston has to keep its options open.