Ainge Is Facing A Nightmarish Scenario

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

First of all, no sub-.500 team should ever be in the playoffs. It's a sport's
disgrace. 

Secondly,  a draft pick isn't just a draft pick. It's a trade commodity.
Those poor misguided folks who see no problem with the Celtics 
making the playoffs and having the 15th selection in the draft, miss out on the 
fact that a Lottery pick has a lot more of a trade return than a Mid-Level
draft choice.  Ainge for instance could whip up a package deal of
the Lottery pick, Davis, et al., and one of the Bigs and get back some type of
All-Star in return. The 15th pick?  Much more difficult to do so.
It's a lot easier for a GM to sell his Ownership and Fans of a trade 
of an All-Star player, when a Lottery Pick is involved. Lottery picks are
inheritantly more Sexy in fans and ownership's eyes than middle of the 
first-rounders.

Thirdly, teams do move up in the Lottery. Charlotte farther down in the
Lottery than the Celtics were in a past draft, moved up to the third
pick and got All-Star Baron Davis.  

Fourthly, that early Celtics second round pick has value, because with all
the Euros and high-schoolers in the draft, someone of a first round nature
may be availabe at 38.  

Fifthly, the Celtics in their current stretch, are playing three of the worst teams 
in the NBA.  It's not a proper set of opponents to accurately evaluate the club. 
Ray