Oh my god: It wouldn't have been a one-year rental. If the trade had been made, the C's already would've received word that Noel was willing to sign an extension, and obviously the Celtics themselves would've been willing to extend him this fall or else they wouldn't sacrifice a #3 for him. He would never reach free agency. It would not be a rental.
Maybe the Celtics received word that he wanted a max extension. Also, he would be a restricted free agent, so the Celtics could match any offer sheet. I think this draft shows that Ainge might have a clear direction of Plan A being to make moves in free agency this summer and the next, so he is unwilling to make moves that potentially lock up significant cap space with non-stars, including using his late first round picks on possible stashes.
This draft pretty clearly shows two things.
1. Ainge really likes the guys he already has and didn't see a lot of better players in this draft. 16 and 23 could have easily been guys who would have come in and competed with Mickey, Hunter, Rozier and Young for playing time. Ainge couldn't have been too impressed with what was available or too unhappy with the players currently on the roster.
2. Ainge does not think this team is close to being a legitimate contender. He obviously could have some moves, like trading for Noel or Thaddeus Young, that might have made this team better right away but Ainge is pretty clearly keeping his powder dry for more than that.
Mike