The Celtics can Only get Better

With all the options and opportunities, and the wealth of assets the Boston Celtics have, they really can only get better.

They could stand pat, keep most of this years roster together,  keep their number 1 pick and bring in some  of last years youngsters and they will be better. They could trade away most of this years starters, trade away a couple of draft picks, sign a couple of big name free agents and odds are they will end up better.

From a cynical perspective the only player that seems completely safe from being involved in a move is Al Horford. His contract would make him hard to deal. To continue with the cynicism one could argue that the  backcourt jam would be best addressed by dealing both Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas.

They have reasonable contracts for the next year so now would be the time to get the best deal for them before they turn free agents in 2018. Go further and if you know you are going to get either Gordon Hayward, Jimmy Butler or Paul George then why keep Jae Crowder or even Jaylen Brown. Those guys won’t get the playing time at small forward if you get one of those big names so why keep them.

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The point is that with any possible move on the table, and with every possible move likely to be a reasonably good one, well, the Celtics can only get better. Or at least someone will think so. What remains to be seen or experienced is how much emphasis Danny Ainge will place on loyalty and character.

The current team with Isaiah and Crowder having their careers resurrected in Boston, and most of the rest of the team being Boston picks to begin with, creates a loyal group. These guys want to be in bean town, that has to account for something.

The one caution I have is that I think the league’s GM’s will be overly aggressive when dealing with the Celtics. No one wants to be trader Danny’s next victim. I think this will limit trade options. We’ve seen this to some degree these last couple of years when despite offering the sun and the moon for talent no team would budge. That is the only limiting factor in play.

Next: Free Agent Probability Meter for the Celtics

Still the Celtics have a lot to offer and there will be deals put on the table. Also likely is that the Celtics will have to let go of three or four players, who will likely get picked up by other teams, and the Celtics will get nothing for them.