[Forsberg] The Path, Part III: Maxing out on the Jays era? Exploring major changes for C’s
There’s a big difference between ducking the tax/retooling around one star and trading for Giannis.
Especially when you can still duck the tax by trading for Giannis.
Losing Hauser is fine with the growth of Baylor, Walsh, and Hugo.
I’ve not been a fan of this series so far, I know it’s structured in a meaningful way but it doesn’t really explore it in a way that makes legit sense.
The options aren’t so much little, some and lots of change but more about the tax situation. We can keep or move Brown and enter completely different cost scenarios, ditto with moving smaller pieces like Hauser or White.
This should either work entirely on the assumption we won’t go into the tax or be based around different cost scenarios including the tax. I think Keith Smith has done a few threads on X to that end
I like Forsberg and have read his stuff since he was posting on espnboston, but all these ‘Paths’ feel like various aggregations of the reddit conversations that have been happening in this sub since our season ended.
They also just feel very tepid. Like he’s so worried about getting clowned on for producing hot takes that he refuses to speculate more imaginatively
Agreed. Take a risk. These articles have been as vanilla as they come.
This is the new era. One giant circle jerk of duplicate opinions getting repeated. Very little is original or unique.
From Chris Forsberg:
The Celtics must plot a path forward, one in which a restrictive new collective bargaining agreement makes it unclear if two max-money superstars are a viable long-term luxury for any team.
For Part III of our annual summer path series, we’re left to ponder maybe the most unsavory option: major changes to the foundation of the Celtics franchise.
Mission statement
With goals of 1) Maximizing money allocation under a prohibitive and apron-filled collective bargaining agreement and 2) Extending the window for the next title run, the Celtics make the swallow-hard decision to trade one of their two superstars.
The ultimate goal: Create a team with one big-money centerpiece, then build a deep roster around them featuring a blend of mid-tier and minimum-salary players.
The path
- Trade Tatum or Brown.
- Remain under the tax for one more season, creating freedom to build a high-level supporting cast around the remaining centerpiece long term.
The Celtics had barely dispersed for the summer following their first-round demise before the Brown-for-Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors ignited.
Part of the reason we’ve pushed back on the idea of that potential swap is because it doesn’t solve the long-term money issue. You still have two players making max money and you are likely shortening your title window at a time when you can’t freely spend to stockpile around that duo.
Maybe it comes to pass that Antetokounmpo is far and away the best available player this summer, and the Celtics have to consider it if the team believes the core of this team has run its course. We simply believe this deal introduces too much unnecessary risk.
In our mind, the bigger conversation is whether you can start the process of getting younger and extending your window if you elect to move on from Tatum or Brown, all while remaining competitive and not sacrificing prime years of whatever player remains.
But trying to find a deal that brings back a combination of established and future talent, especially on the level of one of the Jays, is no easy task.
Read more here.
The idea of trading for Kawhi Leonard and a high pick is perfect on-paper NBA2K videogame trade.
But there’s zero chance as Kawhi doesn’t want to play on the east coast and the Clippers have zero interest in trading for JB
Why do these idiots keep pretending that Tatum is tradeable like Brown? lmfao
There is no Jays when it comes to trades. It’s just Jaylen. Tatum isn’t going anywhere
Building around Tatum or Brown will win nothing
Strange comment since they did win 😆
I assume he means one or the other, not both, which is how we won. I do agree with that. I also don’t think the Tatum/Brown/White core is good enough now either. Need to improve the Brown/White slots and potentially both.
I meant one or the other, which is what OP proposes going forward. One superstar and a better supporting cast. That’s not taking this team anywhere.
So is Part 4 the Giannis trade? Probably deserves a bit more than has been touched on here. Especially if you’re spitballing random goofiness that would never happen like that Clippers trade.
He implied they shouldn’t even consider it in the article, which is a crazy opinion, so I doubt it.
I hate the notion of keeping your title window open longer because Jaylen is two years younger. I think we do not have a title window whatsoever as currently constructed, so it’s a moot point. You win titles with MVPs. Also, it’s very easy to get Giannis and stay under the tax.
Knicks are about to win a title without an MVP
A. We don’t actually know that.
B. We are literally the only example post 3 point line where a team won without an MVP or DPOY. The Knicks are getting lucky that they’re playing a very young version of a team that does have a DPOY (tbd if he ever wins MVP), but if they had to play OKC I’m assuming they would lose and the MVP thing would once again apply. But if they win, they’d only be the 2nd instance of that.
I’d rather not try to fight 45+ years of history. It was mostly the case pre three point line as well, but you got some weird instances pre Magic and Bird because the league was just not very professional and teams were so much worse and travel was worse and crowds made a bigger difference, etc.
We’re Jaymaxxing now?
I’m already tired of this offseason.
Here we go with the “trade Tatum or Brown” shit again. One is untradeable why do we act like JB is on the same level as Tatum. Once again Brown is the most coddled player in Celtics history man.
What team is winning with a single star?
For anyone unaware, the “jays” era already maxxed. That’s their banner that will hang forever. If you think for one second that a team coached by mazzulla will beat the type of playoff basketball we’ve seen the past couple weeks, you’re incredibly dull. The first and foremost major change that needs to happen is getting mazzulla the hell out of Boston. Coach of the year award can hang out his ass as he’s walking.
I give him one more year. If we underperform in the playoffs again this year, and lose to a lower seed. I don’t think anybody can defend Mazulla anymore.
If? We all know next year is a second round exit with Mazzulla talking about how losses are better for spiritual growth or some shit in the final press conference.
It won’t matter. There will be plenty of fans who will claim those shots were great looks. I’ve been saying this for the last couple of years. The way they play is completely unacceptable and actual evens the plating field. If they only get 1 ring, we are going to look back at this as a massive underperformance. I know fans will blame the new CBA without even thinking about the losses to the heat, knicks and 76ers as lost opportunities.
Prime Popovich wouldn’t have been able to take this year’s roster past the second round. Coaching is important but it does not supersede talent.
The teams in this year’s conference finals were all far more talented on paper than the Celtics and coaching alone does not fix that.
This is far from a “win a championship this season” issue. This season was written off before it began. Just like next year if you’re a realist. His schtick isn’t making great in game decisions, it’s being smartass at the press table. The guy can bounce at any moment and the next guy in the black tracksuit is going to win 50 games too. You can’t put a finger on one thing he does well.
I dont see this ownership group paying the tax