Having Brown and Tatum is a nice foundation for the Celtics. But they are in a difficult spot. They, like the Mavs, really need to find something with their last few draft picks. They need a few of those guys to develop into real good rotation pieces/starters in time. If they don't they are going to in a difficult spot to improve to a contender again.
They appear to have made some questionable first round picks, but you also have to give Ainge credit for Tatum and Brown. A lot of draft guys had others guys rated above them, so you need to give them credit. Getting those picks right typically can change a franchise around.
Also, the Celtics had bad luck (maybe some bad karma too). Gordon Hayward was injured in his first game. The Kyrie situation was a mess, but I think most GM's would have taken that gamble. Kemba has been injured and you can certainly question Ainge on that sign and trade. They had a unprotected pick from the Kings and the Kings were surprising decent that year. They also had a Memphis pick that looked really good until Ja showed up.
If you replayed these last few years over 100 times, I think most times they would have wound up in a better spot. And again having two young all star wings is a nice foundation.
They appear to have made some questionable first round picks, but you also have to give Ainge credit for Tatum and Brown. A lot of draft guys had others guys rated above them, so you need to give them credit. Getting those picks right typically can change a franchise around.
Also, the Celtics had bad luck (maybe some bad karma too). Gordon Hayward was injured in his first game. The Kyrie situation was a mess, but I think most GM's would have taken that gamble. Kemba has been injured and you can certainly question Ainge on that sign and trade. They had a unprotected pick from the Kings and the Kings were surprising decent that year. They also had a Memphis pick that looked really good until Ja showed up.
If you replayed these last few years over 100 times, I think most times they would have wound up in a better spot. And again having two young all star wings is a nice foundation.