Boston Celtics Offseason: So Where EXACTLY Are We, Danny?

It’s like in elementary school, when there’s a huge group of kids wanting to play dodgeball and once the captains are picked, the gut wrenching task of picking teams begins. Politics come into play while friendships and loyalties go down the drain, all for the sake of winning. Well the NBA is no different and here’s what our team looks like as of right now:

Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Ray Allen
Rajon Rondo
Kendrick Perkins
Glen Davis
Marquis Daniels
Nate Robinson
Jermaine O’Neal
Rasheed Wallace
Von Wafer
Avery Bradley
Semih Erden

That’s 13 players, leaving two spots open. Signing Luke Harangody is next to guaranteed, so that would leave one remaining spot on the squad. We can speculate that Sheed will retire, which will leave huge gaps in the “big man” category, especially with Perk sitting out.

So theoretically it would go back up to two spots open. We definitely want to load up with another big man and bringing in another wing player would be the next logical move. The following players are still available for the picking. And I find some of the names on that list to be very intriguing.

Tracy McGrady
Shaquille O’Neal
Louis Amundson
Shannon Brown
Jerry Stackhouse
Earl Boykins
Michael Finley
Devean George
Larry Hughes
Fabricio Oberto
Rafer Alston
Kwame Brown
Adam Morrison

And the most interesting one I could think of…Allen Iverson.

I actually like a couple of those names. I know some of them are already in deep talks with other teams, but I wanted to create a true sense of what caliber of players are left.

Now, if someone could explain to me why A.I. isn’t a good choice for Boston, please do.

No one seems to be talking about this option and it’s blowing my mind. He’s an explosive athlete, with championship experience and a guaranteed playmaker. He already conceeded to coming off the bench and made it clear he wants to contend, even throwing this statement up on his site: "I want to return to the NBA this season, and help any team that wants me, in any capacity that they feel that I can help.”

His persona isn’t volatile enough to penetrate the established chemistry that the Big Three and company have laid out. I think he’s the PERFECT backup to Rondo and would contribute far more than most expect.

But moving on, Shaq is definitely someone I would see bringing valuable minutes to the table. Shannon Brown, Fabricio Oberto, Louis Amundson, all guys that specialize in SOMETHING or another. Remember, we’re just looking for guys who can give our championship starting squad some decent rest and not jeopardize the game while out there on the court.

I haven’t brought up Rudy Fernandez for several reasons, the main ones being that A.) We picked up Wafer and B.) The whole reason Portland is willing to part with Rudy is because he’s made it clear that he is disgruntled about his limited playing time. I can’t see Rudy getting the minutes he’s looking for in Boston.

Now, a surprise move would be sending over Wafer and a first round pick for Rudy, but it's unlikely because rumor has it that Portland wanted Bradley and a first rounder. Not gonna happen. According to Doc, Bradley is going to be groomed as a future backup for Rajon. Don’t look for Bradley to get many minutes right away anyways because of his injury and the recent signings of Daniels, Robinson, and Wafer.

So, if you start playing around with some of the combinations that are possible with all these names, it gets kinda interesting. Our bench may very well be, dare I say, good?

Robinson, Wafer, Daniels, Davis, and either Erden/Shaq/Amundson/Oberto/K. Brown

Not bad. But keep in mind we might also pick up another wing/shooter, so if Fernandez or Hughes comes along, then the possibilities are seemingly endless. And when Perk returns, who knows what the rotation will look like. But what we do know is that last season’s blueprint of scoffing at regular season games in order to rest up for the Playoffs seemed to work PERFECTLY for Boston.

So now the word is that Doc may incorporate an all-bench squad from time to time, in order to give ample time for our starters to rest.

My dream situation?

Ship Erden, Wafer, and a second round pick over to Portland for Rudy Fernandez. Ditch Sheed’s contract and pick up Shaq and Iverson for minimum money. Easier said than done, I know, but it would definitely get Miami thinking twice about steamrolling to the Finals.

Lemme know what you guys think…