Did Ainge really not have a trade worked out?

[JHTruth]

It just seems strange to me that Boston would be scrambling around last minute to come up with a trade to clear salary.  It just strikes me as odd that Ainge doesn't already have that trade lined up.  I mean he has known about this possibility for weeks.  I would think he has been talking to teams for awhile about this exact scenario and should have had something done or almost done.  So all these reports about players being on the block just surprise me.

I'm sure there are a lot of moving pieces in play. Plus this not the last move of this project I'm sure. Danny has to consider what pieces he wants to retain for future moves, how any move he makes impacts the cap, etc..

[kozlodoev]

It's been like...14 hours since Hayward decided. Give the guy some time.

I also fully expected that he had at least one contingent trade agreed on. It's not like he figured out yesterday that he'll be signing Howard...

[heyvik]

It's been like...14 hours since Hayward decided. Give the guy some time.

I also fully expected that he had at least one contingent trade agreed on. It's not like he figured out yesterday that he'll be signing Howard... that we, as fans, would have heard about by now.

I just added what I thought your sentence should say (IMO) .

[Granath]

It's been like...14 hours since Hayward decided. Give the guy some time.

I also fully expected that he had at least one contingent trade agreed on. It's not like he figured out yesterday that he'll be signing Howard...

Why?

During FA things change from minute to minute. A "contingent" trade is going to be a lowball offer from someone else since it wouldn't depend on any changes from FA.

For example, let's just say Danny's shopping Crowder to you as a GM. You think that there's a chance you might be able to acquire PJ Tucker or CJ Miles during this offseason. So your offer is going to be extremely low as you factor in the contingency of signing Tucker/Miles and therefore not having nearly as big of a role for Crowder. Or, vice versa, let's just say you're Utah. With Hayward gone someone like Crowder looks a lot more attractive.

I'm sure Danny has had more than preliminary discussions with teams but he knew he'd have days to shop the players to get the best deals. That a deal wasn't prearranged isn't surprising at all because the NBA landscape is changing from day to day.

[Bobshot]

The guy that goes is likely the one they can make the best deal on to get under the 7/6 cap.

It's very complicated (keep it simple, NBA), so there are a few permutations I'm sure they've worked out. They must have a plan.

It's also very close--they may be able to cut Rozier, DJ and Mickey--and get under the 7/6 cap. Maybe they could cut Rozier and re-sign him. More likely trade him. 

[DooVoo]

It's been like...14 hours since Hayward decided. Give the guy some time.

He should have known this was going to happen and have contingencies set up at least by now. As soon as Hayward signed, we should heard a "leak" about player X coming to the C's for (Bradley, Crowder/KO/Smart...etc)

Um, no. You don't need everything leaked to you. Danny Ainge if anything has proven he knows what the hell he is doing. Yet you question him. sigh.

[CelticD]

Perhaps GH will sign for just a hair less so we can keep all our players together.  When you are going to make max what is 300k?  I hope it all plays out in the best interest of everyone.

Idk, the dude gave up like 45m to play for Boston. In principle it seems kinda jerkish to ask him to take another pay cut, even if it's that small (to him anyway).

[droopdog7]

It's been like...14 hours since Hayward decided. Give the guy some time.

I also fully expected that he had at least one contingent trade agreed on. It's not like he figured out yesterday that he'll be signing Howard...

Why?

During FA things change from minute to minute. A "contingent" trade is going to be a lowball offer from someone else since it wouldn't depend on any changes from FA.

For example, let's just say Danny's shopping Crowder to you as a GM. You think that there's a chance you might be able to acquire PJ Tucker or CJ Miles during this offseason. So your offer is going to be extremely low as you factor in the contingency of signing Tucker/Miles and therefore not having nearly as big of a role for Crowder. Or, vice versa, let's just say you're Utah. With Hayward gone someone like Crowder looks a lot more attractive.

I'm sure Danny has had more than preliminary discussions with teams but he knew he'd have days to shop the players to get the best deals. That a deal wasn't prearranged isn't surprising at all because the NBA landscape is changing from day to day.

Why?  Because, you know, the entire signing of Hayward may be dependent on DA being able to make a trade.

I completely agree with the OP and am surprised that DA "seemingly" did not already have a trade worked out ahead of time.  Hell, what if he can't find a trading partner or is completely bent over given his desperation?  Is he supposed to go crawling back to Hayward with "about that max contract thing..."?

Again, not calling DA out completely but I am surprised if indeed he didn't already have a trade or two lined up.