I believe there are several questions that The Celtics will have to answer while undergoing this rebuilding process. There's a few contract issues, along with draft concerns, and playing time that all needs to be sorted out before Boston becomes a successful team once again. Resigning Talent Next season, do they resign Chris Mihm? If so it's likely to be a contract worth an estimated 4 million a year. Mark Blount? Do you resign him for a longer term contract? He has a player option worth just 1 million, with the nice season he's strung together will he request more money? If so will Boston be willing to fork it over? Walter McCarty? His contract is void at the end of the season, is he worth keeping around with the depth Boston currently has at the Power Foward and Center postion? Dead Weight Contract Raef LaFrentz is obviously the biggest concern, for a guy who is just a DECENT center at best, 10 million a season is quite the price tag. Should Boston attempt to move Raef? They have Blount, Mihm, and Perkins in the "bull pen" and I'm sure they could fare just as well. Michael Stewart is due to make nearly 5 million next season while barely seeing any playing time. What should Boston do concerning his contract? Playing Time The biggest playing time issue has to be at the center postion. Mark Blount, Chris Mihm, Raef LaFrentz, and Kendrick Perkins are all going to be sharing minutes which could become an issue. Who should start? Should they attempt to move one or two of them and just have one solid backup? Should they begin giving Perkins some minutes so he can adjust to the NBA style game? Marcus Banks. He was held in high regard by Ainge upon drafting him, yet he's been second fiddle to both Chucky Atkins and Mike James. Will next season be his year? Do you start Marcus and get him more adjusted to leading the team? Jiri Welsch. He shows great potential but playing behind Pierce limits his minutes. Should Pierce move to the Small Foward and start Welsch rather than Ricky? Who starts at Power Foward? Walter, Mihm, or Hunter? I personally believe Hunter shows great potential and should get the starts now and continue all the way into next season. Perhaps tying him up with a long term deal now would be best, he's entering the last year of his deal next season. Draft Picks Over the next two seasons Boston has 4 first round draft picks and 3 seconds round selections. What should Boston do with these picks? Involve some of them in possible trades during the off season? Trade up in the draft and try selecting a future star? Pick up some solid role players? I think those have to be the major issues going into next season. What do you guys think about these situations? What are your opinions?
Good look for the Celtics. What really hit in my opinion was the fact that you lost Walker, which is a good thing, and got a decent center, LaFrentz, trouble is, he got injured, for like all season long. That's a real hard hitter especially for a team that lacks size, defense and strength, good thing you have Blount to compensate though, if he does ask for more money, give it to him, he deserves it. One of the only decent and hard working players on your team. Apart from Pierce and Mihm, himself, LaFrentz and possibly Welsch, the team's far from adequate, you don't even have a decent bench.
Decent bench? I believe Boston led the league in benched scoring for awhile this season. Moving Walker was a good thing, but getting just a DECENT player with a huge contract in return was not. Regardless if he was injuried, the guy makes 10 million per year for lackluster play. Not a good guy or a good contract to have around, moving him would open up a ton of options for The Celtics in the future.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">Decent bench? I believe Boston led the league in benched scoring for awhile this season. Moving Walker was a good thing, but getting just a DECENT player with a huge contract in return was not. Regardless if he was injuried, the guy makes 10 million per year for lackluster play. Not a good guy or a good contract to have around, moving him would open up a ton of options for The Celtics in the future.</div> Great thread, I actually think Boston has a good bench. They also have some decent rookies with Hunter who played great last week and Banks who needs to develop consistency. Maybe they could package Lafrentz and a draft pick for an expiring contract.
I think the Celtics have a bright future, but they had a better present in store...Ainge has his mind set on the future, so that only means the future holds promise, but the Celtics likely will be a few years away from being where they were----NBA Finals contenders...
