Playoffs vs. Draft

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

On the RP show, Pitino was asked this question: Is it better to make the
playoffs this year, or get into the lottery? And he said, no question about it,
that it's more valuable to get to the playoffs. I think this is true because the
players get their first taste of the postseason. In addition, having made the
playoffs will make it easier to attract quality free agents.

The Celtics offense is completely different with Anderson but their defense has
suffered. Next year, Anderson will be in shape and learn the press, which is
vital. I would imagine that if the Celtics are a 35-40 win team this year, with
Anderson and an offseason of development for Walker and especially Mercer (and
the role players), this team would be at least 45-50 win team with no change of
personnel. With the addition of a free agent center, they could definitely be a
50+ win team that goes 2+ rounds into the playoffs.

Pitino mentioned in the Globe that the Celtics would be interested in the top
six players in the draft, but players below that probably wouldn't be good
enough to make the roster. ESPN's site quotes Wallace as saying that moving the
pick for cap purposes or a veteran is a possibility, and that the Celtics are
interested in Doleac and Bonzi Wells.

I would guess these are possible offseason moves:
1) Keep the draft pick and sign Geiger.
2) Package the draft pick with Minor and D. Jones, say, for a lower salary
veteran. Use the space to chase Austin or to sign two players, C and F.
3) A huge trade to clear major cap space and then chase Gugliotta or Pippen
or another marquee player. This would probably involve the draft pick, future
draft picks, and Mercer. 

It may be possible to get cap space when the loser teams in the league realize
that they will not be able to sign the top free agents with their enormous cap
space.

Alex