Is there anybody on the 2013-14 Celtics who will be around in two years?
Kevin Stevens' contract is for six years, so I would put the Celtics on a 4-year plan. My initial assumption is that everybody over 22 is on the block, leaving only Bradley, Olynyk, Pressey and Sullinger as presumptive keepers -- and if any trading partner wants them enough to overpay, they're probably available too. Certainly Bradley has the talent as a backcourt stopper to make him an asset to a playoff team.
Olynyk has moves and length, but needs seasoning and time for him to adjust to the speed of the pro game. He'll probably be around for at least one year. Sullinger has the skills and the bulk to be a keeper, but there are plenty of ifs -- back injuries, and possibly character as well.
Perhaps Vitor Faverani is a keeper. Every team, no matter how bad, needs inside presence, and Faverani appears to have it, with 9 blocks and 21 rebounds in two games. It's not immediately apparent how he does it, since he doesn't have conspicuous jumping ability, but he is 6'11 and 250 pounds. On the other hand, he is already 25 so his developmental ceiling might be low, and again, a playoff team might need an inside presence.
Rondo is a genuine star, but too old for this team. When he's healthy, he is on permanent audition. Green, Bass, Lee, Humphries, Wallace, Crawford and Brooks are all veterans with identifiable skills. They'll be gone within a year, either by the trading deadline, or during the offseason. Talking points for the trading negotiations:
Bass, Humphries and Wallace may have hefty contracts, but they are not signed for the long term. Ainge needs to clear some playing time at power forward, preferably by trading one or more of Bass, Humphries and Wallace ASAP. Bass has added a left-handed dribble-drive over the last two years, making him more than just a mid-range jump-shooter -- he seems to be the first up for audition. Crawford and Brooks are gunners, and occasionally contending teams need instant offense. Lee is an athletic shooting guard who could be a gunner if he absolutely had too.
This week's keeper is next week's market special.
Kevin Stevens' contract is for six years, so I would put the Celtics on a 4-year plan. My initial assumption is that everybody over 22 is on the block, leaving only Bradley, Olynyk, Pressey and Sullinger as presumptive keepers -- and if any trading partner wants them enough to overpay, they're probably available too. Certainly Bradley has the talent as a backcourt stopper to make him an asset to a playoff team.
Olynyk has moves and length, but needs seasoning and time for him to adjust to the speed of the pro game. He'll probably be around for at least one year. Sullinger has the skills and the bulk to be a keeper, but there are plenty of ifs -- back injuries, and possibly character as well.
Perhaps Vitor Faverani is a keeper. Every team, no matter how bad, needs inside presence, and Faverani appears to have it, with 9 blocks and 21 rebounds in two games. It's not immediately apparent how he does it, since he doesn't have conspicuous jumping ability, but he is 6'11 and 250 pounds. On the other hand, he is already 25 so his developmental ceiling might be low, and again, a playoff team might need an inside presence.
Rondo is a genuine star, but too old for this team. When he's healthy, he is on permanent audition. Green, Bass, Lee, Humphries, Wallace, Crawford and Brooks are all veterans with identifiable skills. They'll be gone within a year, either by the trading deadline, or during the offseason. Talking points for the trading negotiations:
Bass, Humphries and Wallace may have hefty contracts, but they are not signed for the long term. Ainge needs to clear some playing time at power forward, preferably by trading one or more of Bass, Humphries and Wallace ASAP. Bass has added a left-handed dribble-drive over the last two years, making him more than just a mid-range jump-shooter -- he seems to be the first up for audition. Crawford and Brooks are gunners, and occasionally contending teams need instant offense. Lee is an athletic shooting guard who could be a gunner if he absolutely had too.
This week's keeper is next week's market special.