The Verdict
For the Boston Celtics, it doesn’t have to end like this. If they don’t re-sign Thomas, that gives them incredible flexibility, whether it be to bring back both Bradley and Smart, or make another move. Whether they truly will have the luxury to do this largely depends on how the ping pong balls bounce in May.
The Celtics have about a 50/50 shot to land a top 2 pick this year, which is what it will take to nab either Fultz or Ball. If they hit, they’d be faced with two options. Ask yourself which one sounds better:
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A) Sign your 29 year old point guard starting the downside of his career to a max deal, trade some of your assets to get another star, and hope Fultz or Lonzo can work off-ball next to Thomas. Roll into the next 5 years with your young guard, Isaiah, Butler/George, one of Crowder/Smart/Bradley, Jaylen Brown, Horford, and not much else, or…
B) Let Fultz or Ball – 18 and 19 years old, respectively – run your team for the next dozen years alongside Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and whoever you pick at the top of next year’s draft, sign a Hayward or a Griffin this summer, keep Crowder and Bradley around for the rest of their 20’s, let Horford play out his prime, and trade Thomas this summer another young asset and/or future picks.
Must Read: Who Should The Boston Celtics Target In Free Agency?
The Boston Celtics have an opportunity unlike any team in the league has had in a while. How they decide to proceed will likely shape the face of the league for the foreseeable future as LeBron finally exits his prime and the Eastern Conference goes up for grabs. The Celtics are already the leader in the clubhouse. With some guts, they’ll maintain that status for a very, very long time.