We are again in a situation where Hardy seems to have found ways to make this team borderline play-in bubble competitive, and the FO may face the same questions they faced in 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, both of which led them to the same decissions (hamstring the team by trading out rotation guys for cheap).
However there are four major differences compared to those two years:
1) We look like we have 2 all-star quality players instead of just 1
2) We are much younger than we were in either one of those years
3) Austin Ainge is now in charge (unless you think he isnt)
4) In order to NOT lose the pick, we need to tank harder than we did in those years
So what do we expect them to do this time around? Are they gonna sell cheap again to break the chemistry and try and save the pick, or is there a chance they choose a different path?
I have a theory that Austin was hired to NOT do the same thing. I have had this feeling that while Ryan Smith stood behind those decissions after they were made, they werent the decissions he was hoping for. The talk about "big game hunting", trading for multiple star level players and holding powder dry to make a move was the chorus they sang all of those years and I believe that was more in line with what Smith wanted all along. Its just that a clear and obvious opportunity wasnt there (except with Bridges, where they eventually gave up when Knicks pushed the price up).
I know some in here think nepo is a muppet, but if so then why was he hired? Is he actually here only because DA wants to play more golf? Conspiracy theorist in me says DA came out of retirement to do the dirty work and set up his son to start his POBO career the right way. Austin doesnt actually have to do a full tear down, but instead he can opt to focus on building up.
All that being said.... my take is that if Hardy has indeed again found the right medicine to make this a feisty .500 team, then we are gonna be buyers this time around and wont pivot on the DL like we did when DA was running the show.
However there are four major differences compared to those two years:
1) We look like we have 2 all-star quality players instead of just 1
2) We are much younger than we were in either one of those years
3) Austin Ainge is now in charge (unless you think he isnt)
4) In order to NOT lose the pick, we need to tank harder than we did in those years
So what do we expect them to do this time around? Are they gonna sell cheap again to break the chemistry and try and save the pick, or is there a chance they choose a different path?
I have a theory that Austin was hired to NOT do the same thing. I have had this feeling that while Ryan Smith stood behind those decissions after they were made, they werent the decissions he was hoping for. The talk about "big game hunting", trading for multiple star level players and holding powder dry to make a move was the chorus they sang all of those years and I believe that was more in line with what Smith wanted all along. Its just that a clear and obvious opportunity wasnt there (except with Bridges, where they eventually gave up when Knicks pushed the price up).
I know some in here think nepo is a muppet, but if so then why was he hired? Is he actually here only because DA wants to play more golf? Conspiracy theorist in me says DA came out of retirement to do the dirty work and set up his son to start his POBO career the right way. Austin doesnt actually have to do a full tear down, but instead he can opt to focus on building up.
All that being said.... my take is that if Hardy has indeed again found the right medicine to make this a feisty .500 team, then we are gonna be buyers this time around and wont pivot on the DL like we did when DA was running the show.
