The De'Aaron Fox Dilemma

[jsimsmoneyball]

The De'Aaron Fox Dilemma

The Boston Celtics unveiled a new General Manager in the recent days, and while that answers the question as to who will steer the ship for the franchise, it now opens an almost more important one. Which direction is the ship headed? The C's have long been a strong out in the CSL's Eastern conference, but have failed to get over the final hurdle since their last championship win in 2028. Now in 2034, on pace for their worst record in years, the hiring of a new, green, (no pun intended) GM may be an early inclination that more change is on the horizon for the Celtics.

All eyes in Bahstun turn immediately to De'Aaron Fox. The point guard who up until this point of writing, has spent all 12 years in the Northeast with the ball club, and has cemented himself as one of the premier players in Celtics CSL history. The multi-time All Star has been a picture of consistency at the guard position for the team, his FG%'s dropping in the recent years, however he's gotten off to a start this season akin to his old self. A solid defender who is currently shooting 38%+ from deep, and at the time of writing boasts an Assist/Turnover ratio of 3.2, an Ast% of 33.8, and a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 21.4. At 31 years old he still has years of good basketball left, the question now for the new front office in Bean Town is, are those years in Celtic Green or not.

The Celtics currently sit around the dreaded Basketball Purgatory Zone, just below .500, and with an average roster age of just over 28, and multiple expiring contracts, the new regime could look to take them either way. The fan pressure to keep Fox as a Celtics lifer could very well be locked in an intense battle versus cashing in on the waning years of Labissiere, and primes of Fox and Hlinason. As the season pushes forward to Christmas, the winter trade discussions could be heating up for Boston. But the question still remains, do they load up for an Eastern Conference playoff push, or stock their draft arsenal in hopes of finding the next De'Aaron Fox.

[jsimsmoneyball]

Sorry @jestor I'm not copying you with this article, had it written up yesterday! But can delete it if it's too similar to yours!!

[rh0xxy]

This is still a playoff team i think, just needs some fine tuning. Fox is as talented, or arguably more talented than Donovan so i don't see the need to rebuild right away.

[Flaming Homer]

I agree, the team has the talent to make the playoffs even in a very stacked East this year. I doubt they have the talent to make it out of the East, but you never know if you can reach the playoffs. Fox and Bridges stepped up big before.

Having patience right now is the best move, try around with some DC's, get a feeling for the team and still be open to offers. If there is something out, what could speed up a later rebuild, then it may be time to jump on it.

But you already have a good insight into the team.

[hardenwithnod]

I believe this team can make another run, as it has a lot of talent, but it also could make sense to start rebuilding and make it into your own team.

[bt]

I think you're good either way. You can look at how to build around Fox and Bridges to have a crack now or both of them do have currency so moving them for rebuilding pieces could be an option also.

Top of the east is a tough nut to crack into though but see how it plays out for a bit and go from there.

[emplep7]

Probably worth seeing if any depth chart/strategy adjustments improve your team over the next month and then reevaluate what your next moves are but I think this is still a playoff team for sure (just not a contender anymore).

[cb4raptorscb4]

It's definitely an interesting situation like others have said. I say play with the lineup and see if you can get these guys cooking. If not, there should be a market for some of your biggers guys as they aren't quite at that age 32-34 range just yet.

[TheTwoWallaces]

Damn, here I was thinking you seem like a decent guy until you wrote "Bahstun". As a Bostonian myself, that's a trigger

I'd personally lean toward shopping Fox and Bridges while they still have good value. Not sure how many teams have the salaries and pieces to make a deal work, but I think it's a lot more fun to play with a clean slate than it is to tinker with someone else's leftovers.

Good luck man!

[Stockton12]

take your time and make it your team ..your team right now is good though getting older

[blackice]

This is a treadmill team but you do have some nice talent, and I could see a scenario where you flip your vets for picks and rebuilding assets. As is, you're good enough to make the playoffs and Fox has shown a little drop off from his prime yet but not much. I'd say hold onto your 1st rounders and that way you have flexibility regardless.

[andrei]

a bunch of Boston lifers there and will be a pity to break it up. Fox and Skal each are approaching 1000 games in Boston uniform which is unheard of in CSL