Ainge's Bizarro World In Boston

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Ira Winderman
Sun Sentinel

Then there is Danny Ainge and his bizarro world in Boston.

Yes, by agreeing to be the third wheel in the Atlanta-Detroit Wallace deal, he secured an additional first-round pick. But at the time of the trade, that pick acquired from the Pistons stood at No. 22, a spot that yielded the mighty Zoran Planinic last year.

To get that pick, Ainge had to take on Atkins' additional two seasons, at $4.2 million next season and $4.5 million the year after.

In addition, Ainge had to send former Heat guard Mike James to Detroit.

Pistons President Joe Dumars said James was more than a throw-in.

"Don't fall asleep on this guy," Dumars said. "We really think he's going to be able to help us."