The window expanded for them because Rondo ended up better than most were anticipating. In addition, NBA players are more effective as they age in recent times, for some reason. Allen had been declining and then revived somewhat this year. However, general consensus is that Garnett, Allen and Pierce are due for a steep decline very soon. At that point, the team is building around Rondo and probably one of Perkins/Davis, and would be sorely in need of shooters and slashers (similar to the Bulls last year, except Deng is actually doing it this year). i dont see them competing for a top four seed after garnett, allen and pierce all leave with a nucleus of rondo and perkins. playoff team, but not really competing for anything big. obviously though who they replace their big 3 with will determine how good they will be. Well yeah, no team is going to compete for a top 4 seed when you take away 3 of their 5 starters. Garnett is signed through next year, and I have no clue what the plan is from there. He's got way too many years on his body to give him anything more than 2 years, but he's such a key cog to the defense, that I don't know how you expect to replace him. I'm guessing Ainge just rides the 3 of them into the ground, hoping to steal one last title after it's obvious they're in decline.