I think we had to either include Zizic or Yabu for salary purposes.
Nader or Semi also could have been included instead. I doubt Zizic was the one of those four that Ainge most preferred to trade. Which probably means he want a throw in.
I don't doubt it. Zizic is not very mobile and looks like he's another high-turnover big who doesn't integrate well into a ball- and man-movement offense.
Of course he wasn't a throw-in, he has some value. I love his relentlessness, and he has shown some ability to finish through contact. But if he becomes a rotation player at some point it would be quite an achievement. Thirty years ago he'd have had a brighter future.
Keeping a player, even if he has some value, is a commitment to developing him - and not developing someone else. Ojeleye, Yabusele, and, yes, Nader all have higher upside, especially in today's NBA.