I think Ainge has done a good job upgrading limited talent and shedding some lousy contracts that he inherited.
Walker and Delk for Welsch, LaFrantz, Mills and a #1. The Celt's were not going to pay Walker max money and years and he wasn't going to play anything but his own "game". Name another trade available. Anyone? Egg, what offers were on the table for Walker? Would anyone have even taken Delk straight up? We get a couple good players with OK contracts (One RC and one high contract), cap room, some potential in a #1 pick and then clean out a contract and an unhappy player. Works for me.
The Clippers passed on Walker, the Chicago trade went tumbling down the road, if it was for real. What team ever wanted to trade for Walker?
A washed up Ellison err..Battie, one of my favorites in Williams (who would have been unrestricted at the end of the year and who wasn't going to be resigned so we would have lost him for nothing) and Kedrick, a black eye of Wallace's and reason enough to take his keys away, in return for Davis, Mihm (a restricted FA) and Stewart. Three guys who are all tradable on their own for three that were not tradable on their own. Celtics win this big long term.
Vin Baker. Not Danny's making, but is his problem. Until this issue is put to rest this team has a major handicap.
As long as the second, third and fifth highest paid players on a 15 man roster are not on the court because of medical issues a NBA team is not going to compete. Period.
I am sure that THE BIG PICTURE includes having those players or their replacements being off IR. I am waiting for the audition as well. So far he has moved in the right direction, regardless of what "the class clown formally known as a basketball player" Barkley thinks.
<Jim
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