Boston Celtics Will Be Good in Two Years: Here’s Why

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Patrick Sargent, GoLocal Worcester Contributor and FindtheBest.com

After next season, Gerald Wallace's ugly contract finally comes off the books for the Boston Celtics. This will free up at least $10 million in cap space heading into the 2017-2018 season. However, before we start looking too far ahead, let's look at what Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge has done during this season to acquire assets and financial flexibility for the near future.

The Celtics are currently in the top half in the NBA in points per game (#10), assists (#3), and rebounds per game (#13).

For a Breakdown of Celtics Salary Commitments Over Next 3 Season, SEE GRAPHS BELOW:

Last week, Ainge was able to deal Austin Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers for a 2017 second round pick. Doesn't sound like a lot? It is when you look at the next four years of draft picks that the Celtics currently hold.

Draft Picks Galore

This June, the Celtics could have as many as four first-round draft picks. Including their own, the Celtics also have the Dallas Maverick's first round pick from the Rajon Rondo trade, and they have an un-protected first round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers when they gave them head coach Doc Rivers.

When they traded Brandan Wright, they received a protected first round pick from the Phoenix Suns. The Suns' first rounder is from the Minnesota Timberwolves. If the Timberwolves fall between picks #1-#12, the Wolves get to keep their pick. If they fall past #12, the Celtics get it as a first-rounder. The same goes for 2015-2016 season. If this pick is not used by the Celtics in the first round of the next two seasons, then Boston receives a second round pick from Minnesota in 2016 and 2017.

In 2016, the Celtics will have their own first round pick, the first round pick from the Brooklyn Nets (from the Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett trade), their own second round pick, and the second round pick from the Mavericks.

The Celtics also received a future unprotected first round pick from the Memphis Grizzlies when they traded Jeff Green

In the next two drafts, the Celtics could have as many as ten draft picks.

Salary Cap Space Through the Roof

For the 2014-2015, the Celtics have the 9th lowest salary commitment in the league at just over $65 million. The league average is $74.5 million.

As it stands right now the Celtics have nearly $30 million coming off the books after this current season. However, some of that money may be used to retain players like Marcus Thornton and Jae Crowder and sign free-agents. As seen below, the Celtics salary breakdown for next season is roughly $37 million.

After the 2015-2016 season, the Celtics will look to re-sign Jared Sullinger for at least $10-$15 million per season. They may even look to re-sign Evan Turner and Tyler Zeller. Even with those re-signings, and the possible return of Thornton and Crowder, the majority of the Celtics players in two years will still be under rookie contracts.

This will allow Ainge the flexibility to sign veterans, trade draft picks, or allow his core talent to continue to grow together while still staying under the salary cap.

2015-16 Celtics Salary Breakdown | FindTheBest

2016-17 Celtics Salary Breakdown | FindTheBest

2017-18 Celtics Salary Breakdown | FindTheBest

Related Slideshow: Top 10 Players in Holy Cross Crusader Basketball History

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10. Bob Kissane

Class of 1971

Kissane is one of 45 players in Holy Cross history to crack 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,362 points in three full seasons as a Crusader. For his career, Kissane averaged18.1 points per game, leading the Crusaders in scoring in both his Junior and Senior seasons. In those two seasons, Kissane also led the team in rebounding and in free throw shooting percentage. For his career, Kissane finished 10th all-time in scoring average at 18.1 points per game, 9th all-time in total rebounds (793) and rebounding average (10.6 per game) and 4th all-time in free throws made (444) for Holy Cross.

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9. Chris Potter

Class of 1978

Potter's dominance was spread out over a four-year career during the mid-to-late 70's. Potter is another member of the 1,000-point club at Holy Cross, finishing with 1,789 points. That number ties Potter for 5th all-time with legendary Crusader Tom Heinshon. The former Crusader captain was selected as Crusader of the Year during his Senior season, averaging 16.2 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game. Each season of Potter's career ended in at least 20 wins for Holy Cross. Potter's career stats land him 5th all-time in points scored (1,789) and third all-time in total rebounds (1,019) in Holy Cross history.

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8. Keith Hochstein

Class of 1968

Hochstein was very undersized to be playing in the front court, but he dominated despite his smaller stature. Hochstein stood just 6-feet 4-inches yet managed to grab 11.5 rebounds per game in his three-year career. Hochstein finished his career with an amazing 20.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, making him one of a select few to average over 20-points and 10-rebounds per game. His career found Hochstein as another member of the 1,000-point club, finishing 29th all-time with 1,174 points. He finished 7th in scoring average (20.2) and 6th in rebounding average (11.5) in Holy Cross history.

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7. Ed Siudut

Class of 1969

Siudut was as revered off the court as he was on. Siudut was the first-ever Holy Cross player to earn a postgraduate scholarship. He was also an Academic All-American. Throughout his three seasons with the Crusaders Siudut led the team in scoring and rebounding. Siudut is a member of the 1,000-point club, finishing 11th all-time with 1,611 points. Siudut's career stats find him 3rd all-time in scoring average (22.4), 6th all-time in total rebounds (888) and 4th all-time in rebounding average (12.3).

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6. Dwight Pernell

Class of 1990

Pernell was an all-around dominant player for Holy Cross in the late 80's and into 1990. Pernell was a proficient scorer but also a great passer and strong defender. Pernell is one of only two Crusaders to ever score 30 points or more in one half, doing so by scoring 30 in the second half against Mount St. Mary's in 1988. Pernell is yet another member of the 1,000-point club, finishing with 1,891-points which is good for 4th all-time. Pernell also ranks 4th all-time in steals (204) and 6th in assists (430).

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5. Rob Feaster

Class of 1995

Feaster is the first player on our list that is part of the 2,000-point club. Feaster is one of only three players in the 2,000-point club and is 2nd all-time with 2,224 points. Feaster was a four-year player for the Crusaders, but his final two seasons were the ones Holy Cross fans remember. In those seasons he averaged 28.0 and 25.0 points per game respectively. On top of being 2nd all-time in scoring, feaster sits in the top-five in shots attempted and shots made.

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4. Jack Foley

Class of 1962

Jack "The Shot" Foley is another one of the three members of the 2,000-point club. Foley finished his career with 2,185 points in only three years of Varsity play (Freshman did not play Varsity in that time). He still holds the Crusaders career record for scoring average with 28.4 points per game. The season that best shows Foley's scoring ability was his Senior season of 1961-1962 where he averages 33.0 points per game on 50.4% shooting.

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3. Ronnie Perry

Class of 1980

Perry is the all-time leading scorer for the Crusaders. His astonishing 2,542 points are exactly 300 more points than second-leading scorer Rob Feaster. Perry averaged 23.2 points per game for his career with the Crusaders. His career landed him second all-time in scoring average (23.2) and 7th all-time in total assists (422).

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2. Tommy Heinsohn

Class of 1956

The top-two of the list are reserved for Holy Cross royalty. First up is Heinsohn. Heinshon ranks in the top 10 in eight categories all-time for the Crusaders. Heinsohn is most known for his tenacity on the boards, averaging over 15 rebounds per game on his career and over 1,250 for his career. Heinsohn was also a very skilled interior scorer, averaging 22.1 points per game in just three seasons as a Varsity player (Freshman did not play Varsity in their first year). Heinsohn's premier season came in his Senior campign when he averaged 27.4 points and an amazing 21.1 rebounds per game. The astonishing 20-20 average for Heinsohn is considered by some to be the best season ever by a Crusader. Heinsohn is the team's 5th leading scorer, 5th in scoring average, 1st in rebounds and rebounding average all-time for Holy Cross.

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1. Bob Cousy

Class of 1950

Widely considered to be one of the best pure point guards of all-time, Bob Cousy tops the list for best Crusaders. During his four years with the Crusaders, Cousy shattered nearly every standing record at the time. Cousy finished his career as the team's all-time leading scorer and was known as one of the best, and most skilled passers in the entire game.