The Boston Celtics are not going to beat LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavs in 2018 (he’s driven away all the talent in the conference).
The Boston Celtics are not going to beat a potential LeBron James LA Lakers in 2019.
The Boston Celtics will be competitive for a world title in 2020, IF they retain ALL of their 2018 draft picks (details to follow).
The Boston Celtics are unwise to spend big money on Gordon Hayward for 2018 and 2019 as he will not be enough to deliver a competitive Celtics championship team in either 2018 or 2019. Nor will Danilo Gallinari, if he’s the fallback plan.
The Boston Celtics can, with Isaiah Thomas, beat the Philadelphia ’76ers in 2018 and 2019 to win the Eastern Division Championship and the dubious right to get killed in the World Championships by any number of teams from the West.
The Boston Celtics will be an entirely different team in 2020, hopefully retaining the services of two to four members of the CURRENTLY signed Celtics (including Jayson Tatum). I do not include Isaiah Thomas, AL Horford or Avery Bradley in this group.
In light of the above it might make sense for Celtics President Danny Ainge to keep most of his powder dry and concentrate 100% on the 2018 draft. All Danny needs to be competitive in 2020 will be found in the 2018 AND 2019 drafts.
Stay tuned.
