Anyone Think Isaiah Might Take Another Declining Deal?

[GreenEnvy]

I'd let him walk and go sign one of the other 29ppg scorers floating around in FA for 4yr/$48MM.


Oh wait....

[Darío SpanishFan]

I'd let him walk and go sign one of the other 29ppg scorers floating around in FA for 4yr/$48MM.


Oh wait....

I wouldn't sign anyone who can't defend for that money.

If we are going to play nonsense comparisons, let's all play.

[Somebody]

Guys is it possible to give him the designated extension for 4 years?

[green_bballers13]

I'd let him walk and go sign one of the other 29ppg scorers floating around in FA for 4yr/$48MM.


Oh wait....

I wouldn't sign anyone who can't defend for that money.

If we are going to play nonsense comparisons, let's all play.

Do you not believe that IT is worthy of a max deal in the NBA?

I understand if you don't like him, but I find it hard to believe that not 1 out of 30 teams will pay him at the top of the market.

He will be a very highly ranked FA. The Celtics will be lucky to have another clutch 30ppg scorer in the next 20 years.

[tarheelsxxiii]

I'd let him walk and go sign one of the other 29ppg scorers floating around in FA for 4yr/$48MM.


Oh wait....

I wouldn't sign anyone who can't defend for that money.

If we are going to play nonsense comparisons, let's all play.

If you believe most GMs are pretty competent at the NBA level, you're premise is correct -- max contracts are typically reserved for elite two way players such as Harden, Melo, Parsons, Love, maybe Lillard and Curry, etc.

[GreenEnvy]

I'd let him walk and go sign one of the other 29ppg scorers floating around in FA for 4yr/$48MM.


Oh wait....

I wouldn't sign anyone who can't defend for that money.

If we are going to play nonsense comparisons, let's all play.

Well you'll never be a GM, so you won't be signing guys that can defend to your liking.

Face it, it's a scorer's league and guys like Kyrie will always get paid significantly more than players like Smart. You can find plenty of defensive specialists throughout the league. But a 25+ PPG scorer? How many of them are NOT all-stars? And how many all-stars average 9ppg but play stifling D?

[spikelovetheCelts]

I'd let him walk and go sign one of the other 29ppg scorers floating around in FA for 4yr/$48MM.


Oh wait....

I wouldn't sign anyone who can't defend for that money.

If we are going to play nonsense comparisons, let's all play.

Well you'll never be a GM, so you won't be signing guys that can defend to your liking.

Face it, it's a scorer's league and guys like Kyrie will always get paid significantly more than players like Smart. You can find plenty of defensive specialists throughout the league. But a 25+ PPG scorer? How many of them are NOT all-stars? And how many all-stars average 9ppg but play stifling D?

Smart averages 9 beacuse IT is on the team. He will not get to 30 but 20 and his D make him an all star if IT is not on team. It will get a max or close to max deal. He can still has a few shots up his sleeve.

[CoachBo]

Barring injury, he will be offered the max. That includes raises.  I simply don't understand why people here can't see his worth.  He's a legit great player.

This is one thing we agree completely on.

This team is an 8 seed without him, at best.

[Phantom255x]

Let me ask you all something.

Paul Pierce is an overall better two-way player than IT, no question.

But even PP34 needed great help to get a championship.

Lebron and Curry need help too.

So why are people saying IT isn't worth a max for averaging 29/6 and why are people suggesting we trade IT for pieces instead of trying to actually build with him as a "piece" (not necessarily franchise superstar, but an all-star: sort of like what Irving is to James or Thompson/Green to Curry, etc.)

The whole "one step backward, two steps forward" narrative is also kind of overblown because as @coachbo mentioned above this comment, the C's without IT are likely a 7-8 seed at very best. Going from a 1 seed to like 7-8 is NOT just a "step backward"...

[The One]

I would pay him whatever the market dictates...if that's the max, I'm cool with it.

His scoring will decrease, but the efficiency and playmaking probably goes up, as better pieces are put around him.

[vjcsmoke]

IT4 is our best player.  Pay the man.  He's our best shot at a banner during this current window.

By simply letting KO walk, we'll have enough room to add another max free agent, so money isn't an issue as long as we are smart who else we offer extensions to.

IT4 is also a great incentive for other free agents to come.  Do you think Al Horford comes to Boston without IT here and our winning record last season?  Hell no he wouldn't.