1 year title dash followed by mini-rebuild?

[GreenCoffeeBean]

Just about every thread on here is hell bent on trading AB and Crowder, but what about if we keep them for next year? We made it to the Eastern Finals this year. Heck, we even looked like we belonged against the Cavs once we got IT playing at 10% off the court.

Are we closer than we think? Will adding a #1 overall pick and some help at rebounding get us over the hump? If it does, we're champs and that attracts players. Maybe outgoing contracts sign up for less to try and repeat. If it doesn't work, what do we have to lose?

In 2018 IT and AB will be off the books and Crowder gets traded, which people around here seem to want. The 2018 potential free agents is a lot more enticing than what's out there this year and guys like Brown and Fultz should be able to attract a player or two in their prime.

I say we give it a go and do the "unsexy" thing. It's been working so far.

[Dino Pitino]

The 2018 potential free agents is a lot more enticing than what's out there this year

From what I remember, no, 2018 will be worse, as far as actually-available versus theoretically-available free agents go.

[Phantom255x]

Problem is, most of those guys will probably sign extensions and re-up with their same things.

This class was supposed to have the likes of Greek Freak, Harden, etc., but they are now staying.

List will keep decreasing as next season progresses.

[Bucketgetter]

The 2018 potential free agents is a lot more enticing than what's out there this year

From what I remember, no, 2018 will be worse, as far as actually-available versus theoretically-available free agents go.

You are clearly not remembering correctly. 2018 will have Paul George, Demarcus Cousins, Deandre Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, Lamarcus Aldridge, Brook Lopez, and Derrick Favors all as unrestricted free agents who I can see leaving their team.

[Dino Pitino]

The 2018 potential free agents is a lot more enticing than what's out there this year

From what I remember, no, 2018 will be worse, as far as actually-available versus theoretically-available free agents go.

You are clearly not remembering correctly. 2018 will have Paul George, Demarcus Cousins, Deandre Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, Lamarcus Aldridge, Brook Lopez, and Derrick Favors all as unrestricted free agents who I can see leaving their team.

You can see it theoretically, but George and Cousins won't actually be available. Cousins will be extended, and if for some reason he isn't, remember that we didn't trade for him when the price was low, so we ain't signing him to the max, either. George may be available but only if we trade for him first and then sign him using Bird Rights, otherwise we don't have a chance. Remove those two and the 2018 class is worse than the 2017 class headlined by Hayward, Griffin, and Millsap.

[Roy H.]

Why go that route when we can compete now (IT / Hayward / Horford) and later (Fultz / Brown / BRK 18)?

[chilidawg]

Add Fultz and Zizic, see big improvement from Brown and Rozier, and incremental improvements from guys like Bradley, Thomas, and Crowder, and I think we're competing.

I like this strategy.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Why go that route when we can compete now (IT / Hayward / Horford) and later (Fultz / Brown / BRK 18)?

thank you

[CelticsJG]

Why go that route when we can compete now (IT / Hayward / Horford) and later (Fultz / Brown / BRK 18)?

What if Fultz/Brown/BRK18 don't pop ?

[Big333223]

Why go that route when we can compete now (IT / Hayward / Horford) and later (Fultz / Brown / BRK 18)?

What if Fultz/Brown/BRK18 don't pop ?

Seems like all the more reason to go the route Ray suggests by not wasting the talent we know they have now.

[gouki88]

Why go that route when we can compete now (IT / Hayward / Horford) and later (Fultz / Brown / BRK 18)?

What if Fultz/Brown/BRK18 don't pop ?

What if IT is never the same? (Touch wood)

This game can go both ways really

[ETNCeltics]

Why go that route when we can compete now (IT / Hayward / Horford) and later (Fultz / Brown / BRK 18)?

I don't see that there's any way we can sign Hayward and extend/re-sign IT. We'd have a real cap and luxury tax problem, and still behind the GSW and Cavs.

[Chris22]

Compete next year and let IT and Bradley walk after that.

[Granath]

Why go that route when we can compete now (IT / Hayward / Horford) and later (Fultz / Brown / BRK 18)?

What if Fultz/Brown/BRK18 don't pop ?

Then we're absolutely screwed anyway and Danny would get fired.

If he whiffs on the #3, #1 and a top 8 pick (conservatively) in 2018 then his "Danny can't draft" detractors will have been correct and this was a nice pipe dream.

[GreenCoffeeBean]

Why go that route when we can compete now (IT / Hayward / Horford) and later (Fultz / Brown / BRK 18)?

Who are you giving up via the salary cap to get Hayward? And how much net better are we with +Hayward -(Players we lose)? What's the opportunity cost for other young players if we sign Hayward?