I honestly feel IT is an amazing player, his injury started in about March right? He is so tough and does it all carrying our team on his back...If we can find another player that can also create his own shot, ie Hayward or just any other player like that, I think IT has less pressure on himself, it's not easy for a 5'9 <200 lb guy taking a beating driving into the hoop with players 6'9"+ weighing over 240 lbs, he gave it his all
This is nothing against IT but I think as fans we need to honestly ask the following question.
Lets make a few assumptions
1. IT needs surgery and isn't able to play until Dec 1st
2. The Cs draft Fultz and he plays at least 25mpg in ITs absence
3. Yabu is left overseas
4. Rozier is sadly traded for a future 1st
5. Hayward is signed as a FA
6. KO,Zeller, JJ, Amir, Gerald, and Mickey are not resigned
7. Zizic is signed
Those are all very plausible assumptions. Aside from bringing in a few vet min players (maybe Amir comes back?) that leaves BS with a roster geared towards small ball with Hayward and Crowder likely starting at forwards.
If this group finds chemistry early IT's absence may not be felt. Playing around 25mpg I would suspect Fultz to put up similar numbers to J Harden as a Rookie (10ppg). In Hayward the team could add a 20+ppg scoring option and I expect Brown to be a near 10ppg player if around 25mpg.
Much like Smarts injury paved the way for IT to start IT's injury could mean the end of IT in Boston.
Looking to the playoffs the Cs still wont have the fire power to take out the Cavs but will continue to be in the mix at the top of the east. Two to three years down the road if Fultz is a 20PPG lead guard and Brown takes the Jimmy Butler like growth curve we has fans are hoping for, Hayward will only be 30 and Horford will be 33 ( i suspect his game will game well) then this team will be in a great post Lebron position.