Revisiting Ainge's first rebuild

[JBcat]

I was taking a look at Ainge's transactions through his first rebuild, and wonder if we may see something similar again with many smaller trades over the next couple years acquiring even more draft picks, and lining up contracts to expire a certain year.  I personally think cap space & free agency can be a little overrated, as you always having several teams battling it out for role players ending up being overpaid, and teams disappointed missing out on getting stars.   So for example I could see Ainge trading Humphries expiring contract for a player on a longer deal that lines up with say Wallace's expiring contract if it means a first round pick is thrown in.  I wouldn't mind even more first round picks that gives you more chances to strike gold, gives you cheap talent, and great thrown ins in future trades along with expiring deals. 

Here are some examples of small trades where we aquired more draft picks.
In the 2003-04 season we traded Delk, and Walker for Lafrentz, Mills, Welsch, and a 2004 1st round draft pick. 
We traded Tony Battie, Kedrick Brown, and Eric Williams for Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm, Michael Stewart & a 2nd round pick.
We traded Mike James and Chris Mills for Chucky Atkins, Lindsay Hunter, and a 2004 1st round pick.
In the 2004-05 we actually traded away a future first in bringing Walker back to us.
In the 2005-06 season we got back to aquiring a first round pick.  We traded Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Justin Reed, and 2 2nd round picks, for Szczerbiak, Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones, and a future 1st pick.
In 2006-07 We traded the 7th pick for Telfair, and received the draft rights for Rondo.
Of course next season Ainge cashed in with some of those draft picks, young players, & expiring deals for KG and Ray.

So the pattern I saw mostly was multi player trades with mostly role players and aquiring a future first pick.  I wonder if we will start seeing that strategy again even after the big moves getting the Nets picks and the Clippers pick until Ainge feels he has enough chips to cash in again. 

I also think it might be too early to decide if we are to trade Sully, Green, Bradley, Rondo, maybe even Melo as well unless if someone blows us away with an offer.  This will be the first year Green has the reins to the starting small forward spot in his career.  I'm interested to see how well he does with that especially after he finished last season.  This will be Bradley's first off season he doesn't have to worry about rehabbing & his shoulders should be 100% next year.  I think we need to give Sully time to build up his value, and find out exactly what he is.  Rondo is still young enough where he can be a part of when we are ready to contend again, or eventually be a great trade chip.   I'd like to see where he is after surgery first, and where his head is at.  You might be selling low now if you tried to trade him.  Melo might eventually show us he can be a rotational player.  I still think it's too early to say. 
 

[LilRip]

Interesting post. I'm definitely interested in seeing what ainge's future moves will be and who will eventually end up staying. If I had to guess, it'd be Rondo who'll be the mainstay. I think everyone (Bradley, Sully and probably Green too) eventually gets moved in the next couple of years.

[celticbos]

The difference from then to right now is that Ainge doesn't have take years to get the assets needed to make a big move. Ainge used the aging stars to gather the new assets, and has to be patient for the right move to come along. I think Rondo's play will help determine if a top notch free agent wants to come here, as Rondo has to play at a level where a top free agent wants to play with him.

[eugen]

Revisiting Ainge's first rebuild ...comparing with actual disaster

[DoverCeltic]

I dont see Jeff or Sully moving unless we get blown away by a player of a similar position. A good SF is too valuable today in guarding the LBJs, KDs, Paul Georges, etc of the league as they have become the dominant forces on teams. Sully is too young and promising as the league moves away from true post players and towards the pop and shoot. I think a valuable threat in the post opens up the floor for the drivers of the league.

Avery however, may be expendable. You always see a few of these SG/PG combos who can pressure the ball the entire court, but lack on offense. You seem to find at least one or two a draft.  He is replaceable comparable to Jeff Green and Sully.