REALISTIC OFFSEASON:
Days after the trade, as I've looked more into the JB trade, objectively, it makes a little bit of sense, but it doesn't justify the return. For an MVP-Caliber player, 2nd, arguably 1st-Team ALL NBA, it doesn't make sense that all you could get in return is a 36-year old PG and two FRP's. The worst part is, you trade him to Boston's "rival", the one they blew a 3-1 lead to. You could've traded him to Clippers and have his own team there for Ingram and DJJ/Sanders
But the trade's done, and we've got to work with what we have.
This Celtics roster now has its flaws, namely:
Availability concerns
Rim Pressure
Good Regular Season team, might be a Bad Playoff team
Jumpshot-reliant team
Playmaking
Now I do think this team would be better than last year's, mainly because our team has beefed up the Center depth and my belief that Hugo, RHJ, Scheiermann, and Walsh's development will jump next season. That's why we would advance to my first ideal step:
TRADE SAM HAUSER FOR TRE JONES
Tre Jones is a true PG who shot 55.7% in FG. Mainly all drives to the rim. That's fantastic for a PG. Him in Boston with his drive-and-kicks would do wonders for a team surrounded by shooters. Sam Hauser is good, but when he's not raining threes, he's kind of useless. I think Bulls will do this because they need shooting and are prioritizing the development of Rob Dillingham.
Next Step: Trade PG?
Here's where it gets tricky: Should you trade PG right now? Or wait for the season and evaluate his performance? Possibly trade him at the deadline? I'm fine with either of those options. I doubt you'll find a good PG trade now that would help our team. But if he were to be shipped, these would be my ideal options:
Trey Murphy III
If he was truly available, he would've been traded by now. 3 firsts are a risk contenders are willing to take and if that's what it takes to pry TMIII away from the Pels, it would've happened long time ago.
Peyton Watson
I love PWat as a complementary piece for this team. Young, Athletic, Good defender, Can shoot threes. Could develop into something more. I doubt Denver would let him go though.
Aaron Gordon
I don't know how we could acquire him without trading DWhite (to which I find unlikely to happen) but he would be a great four for this team. Only Problem? Injury prone.
Anthony Davis
Now I have no problem getting AD as long as it's only for PG and maybe 2 2nd's. Yeah he's always hurt but him in our roster is a major upgrade over PG. Just got to load manage him I guess
If this is our final roster, this would be the lineup:
STARTERS:
Payton Pritchard Derrick White Paul George Jayson Tatum Neemias Queta
BENCH:
Tre Jones Baylor Scheiermann Hugo Gonzalez Jordan Walsh Mitchell Robinson
3RD-STRINGERS:
Luka Garza Chris Cenac Jr Mike Conley Ron Harper Jr
TWO-WAYS:
Dillon Mitchell Amari Williams Max Shulga