If Indy lost Bogdanovic or Turner along with Oladipo they probably would have been in the lottery. Not sure if the Nets make the playoffs if they lose Harris along with LeVert. Two starters is a lot for any team to overcome.
While 44 wins would not be a great season by any means, and would certainly not have been what Celtics fans we're contemplating just one year ago, there are "good" and "bad" 44 win seasons. If Tatum and Brown show progress and development throughout the season, and if one or more of the rookies show flashes of brilliance, and if R. Williams somehow makes a leap, most of us would take that. This is clearly a bridge season; anything beyond that is gravy.
While 44 wins would not be a great season by any means, and would certainly not have been what Celtics fans we're contemplating just one year ago, there are "good" and "bad" 44 win seasons. If Tatum and Brown show progress and development throughout the season, and if one or more of the rookies show flashes of brilliance, and if R. Williams somehow makes a leap, most of us would take that. This is clearly a bridge season; anything beyond that is gravy.