Question: Is there any proof this actually happened?

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

I'm talking about what Bill Simmons refers to as the greatest non-trade of all-time...:

"After Seattle picked Robert Swift in the 2004 draft, the Celtics offered the Sonics the 13th pick (basically, the rights to Al Jefferson) and their 2005 No. 1 pick for Swift's rights … and Seattle said no." - Bill Simmons

I always say to my friends that Danny Ainge is a genius, and recently a friend of mine threw this in my face as a way of showing me that Ainge is not such a genius.

Is this even well documented/fact?

Help me out Celticsblog!

[the TRUTH]

Very good question. I'm always extremely skeptical of these rumors. Think about it this way. How would Bill Simmons - or anyone else in the media - know this? Why would either side tell anyone about it if it were true? Boston would look stupid for making that offer, for obvious reasons. And Seattle would look stupid for turning that offer down, as Al is a trillion times better than Swift, not to mention the extra pick.

[illestmcsgt]

I think somebody might of heard wrong or just trying to buy a story. I read this somewhere and couldn't believe it because Al turned into KG instead of Swift. So just be glad if Ainge really offered that deal it got turned down and made a better one later.

[Lucky17]

I'm currently reading Ian O'Connor's book on Sebastian Telfair, "The Jump."

Ainge pops up in the book a couple times. Swift was part of the same high-school-to-pros cohort that Telfair headlined (along with Dwight Howard, Shaun Livington, Al Jefferson, Josh Smith, J.R. Smith, and others) in the 2004 NBA draft.

What's funny is despite rumors of this infatuation with Swift, Ainge is quoted in the book on a couple occasions as being pretty critical of Swift's talent level. (He does rave about Telfair.)

Perhaps it's another example of Ainge's gamesmanship, saying one thing and meaning another. At face value, though, those comments make me think that Ainge's man-crush (bro-mance?) on Swift is totally exaggerated.

That said, I'd be surprised if Swift isn't invited to summer camp this coming offseason.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Very good question. I'm always extremely skeptical of these rumors. Think about it this way. How would Bill Simmons - or anyone else in the media - know this? Why would either side tell anyone about it if it were true? Boston would look stupid for making that offer, for obvious reasons. And Seattle would look stupid for turning that offer down, as Al is a trillion times better than Swift, not to mention the extra pick.

Thank you! That's exactly how I feel! I won't rest until it's proven to be fact or fiction.

[the_Bird]

It's pretty well-documented that Ainge held a mad man-crush on Swift for a long time; if we are to believe the countless rumors we've heard about him trying to deal for Swift, it's hard to imagine that he wouldn't have drafted Swift had he been available. 

With that said, I'm of the belief that it didn't take too long for DA to realize he had gotten a steal with Big Al.  After draft day, you never heard any of the rumored deals for Swift than included Big Al going the other way (which would have been logical if he REALLY wanted the redhead).

[EJPLAYA]

It's pretty well-documented that Ainge held a mad man-crush on Swift for a long time; if we are to believe the countless rumors we've heard about him trying to deal for Swift, it's hard to imagine that he wouldn't have drafted Swift had he been available. 

With that said, I'm of the belief that it didn't take too long for DA to realize he had gotten a steal with Big Al.  After draft day, you never heard any of the rumored deals for Swift than included Big Al going the other way (which would have been logical if he REALLY wanted the redhead).

If it is so "well documented" can you give us a few really good links to this supposed "man-crush"? I have heard about this off and on as well, but have never seen any proof of this. It'd be interesting to read so we could assess his off-season intentions.

[Fan from VT]

Well, Simmons is buddy buddy with Daniel Morey, GM of Houston, who used to work in the Boston office. It's not very unrealistic to think that he knows people who know things.

[Roy Hobbs]

Here's how Steve Bulpett described it after the draft:

Yeah, the Celtics got one of the guys they'd targeted with the 15th pick.

But that didn't stop Danny Ainge from spending much of yesterday trying to move up to assure himself of his fondest wish.

The Celts offered No. 15 and either 24 or 25 to get up for high school 7-footer Robert Swift. Managing partner Wyc Grousbeck was even willing to part with cash to sweeten the deal. But all of that wasn't enough to get it done.

When clubs ahead asked for 15 and Jiri Welsch, the conversations ended.

So the Celtics opened their arms and took 19-year-old power forward Al Jefferson at 15.
...
`There were deal possibilities,'' said Ainge, ``but as it unfolded and it looked like we were going to get Jefferson or Swift - those were the two guys we targeted as the top big guys - then we didn't really want to pay the price to do anything different.

``We felt like we had to get one of those two guys, Swift or Jefferson, and that's where the contingencies were built. But just a combination of picks wasn't going to do it. It would have had to be a player. Teams had interest in Jiri, and we didn't want to make that sacrifice. We think Jiri is better than a lot of the guys that were being drafted from 5-10.'

So, at the very least, the team was willing to move Big Al + Tony / Delonte + cash.  The deal breaker, weirdly, was Jiri.

The above is proof that Danny sometimes is as lucky as he is good.

[Lucky17]

Here's how Steve Bulpett described it after the draft:

Teams had interest in Jiri, and we didn't want to make that sacrifice. We think Jiri is better than a lot of the guys that were being drafted from 5-10.'

5  Devin Harris
6  Josh Childress
7  Luol Deng
8  Rafael Araujo
9  Andre Iguodala
10  Luke Jackson

Ainge was absolutely right. Jiri was better than Araujo, and maybe Jackson. LOL.

[MetroGlobe]

Well, Simmons is buddy buddy with Daniel Morey, GM of Houston, who used to work in the Boston office. It's not very unrealistic to think that he knows people who know things.

Ahem. . .ummm. . .Daryl Morey?

If it is so "well documented" can you give us a few really good links to this supposed "man-crush"? I have heard about this off and on as well, but have never seen any proof of this. It'd be interesting to read so we could assess his off-season intentions.

Here's an SI guy noting how Danny was going to demand Swift in the Ray Allen trade:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/06/28/draft/
(do a "CTRL+F" for Swift's name)

Here's NBC Sports noting Danny's attraction to Swift all the way back in 2004:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5279525/
(CTRL+F for Swift)

A pre-draft article where Andy Katz states that Ainge was interested in Swift, Jefferson and Wright:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004/columns/story?id=1811392

In the sidebar of this article, another reporter confirms the Swift-Ainge phenomenon:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081222/SPORTS/812220308/-1/sports0704

Scout.com, a noted sports site has a mock draft where they also purport that Ainge would've taken Swift:
http://preps.scout.com/2/269725.html

Yet another mock draft from 2004.  Similar sentiments:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/7399445

Is this enough of a confirmation, or do you need more?  If so, your google search string should be 'danny ainge robert swift draft'  or 'danny ainge robert swift trade'. 

[Fan from VT]

Well, Simmons is buddy buddy with Daniel Morey, GM of Houston, who used to work in the Boston office. It's not very unrealistic to think that he knows people who know things.

Ahem. . .ummm. . .Daryl Morey?

If it is so "well documented" can you give us a few really good links to this supposed "man-crush"? I have heard about this off and on as well, but have never seen any proof of this. It'd be interesting to read so we could assess his off-season intentions.

Here's an SI guy noting how Danny was going to demand Swift in the Ray Allen trade:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/06/28/draft/
(do a "CTRL+F" for Swift's name)

Here's NBC Sports noting Danny's attraction to Swift all the way back in 2004:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5279525/
(CTRL+F for Swift)

A pre-draft article where Andy Katz states that Ainge was interested in Swift, Jefferson and Wright:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004/columns/story?id=1811392

In the sidebar of this article, another reporter confirms the Swift-Ainge phenomenon:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081222/SPORTS/812220308/-1/sports0704

Scout.com, a noted sports site has a mock draft where they also purport that Ainge would've taken Swift:
http://preps.scout.com/2/269725.html

Yet another mock draft from 2004.  Similar sentiments:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/7399445

Is this enough of a confirmation, or do you need more?  If so, your google search string should be 'danny ainge robert swift draft'  or 'danny ainge robert swift trade'. 

Yeah, daniel morey who used to work under Daryl Ainge.

 (I knew it sounded wrong as I typed it, but I knew there was a D and an L and went with it. But the point remains: Morey was high up in Boston and he and Simmons are friends...Simmons is not as unconnected as some want to think).

[CDawg834]

Here's how Steve Bulpett described it after the draft:

Teams had interest in Jiri, and we didn't want to make that sacrifice. We think Jiri is better than a lot of the guys that were being drafted from 5-10.'

5  Devin Harris
6  Josh Childress
7  Luol Deng
8  Rafael Araujo
9  Andre Iguodala
10  Luke Jackson

Ainge was absolutely right. Jiri was better than Araujo, and maybe Jackson. LOL.

He lasted a lot longer in the league, that's for sure.  Some of these NBA Draft Top 10 lists really make me wonder what qualifications you need to be a GM.  It would be one thing to have a Top 10 pick, and the guy ends up not being an All-Star but maybe a decent starter or rotation player.  But to have a Top 10 pick and draft someone who is OUT OF THE LEAGUE less than 5 years later?  Pretty safe bet a couple scouts lost their jobs over Araujo/Jackson.

[EJPLAYA]

Well, Simmons is buddy buddy with Daniel Morey, GM of Houston, who used to work in the Boston office. It's not very unrealistic to think that he knows people who know things.

Ahem. . .ummm. . .Daryl Morey?

If it is so "well documented" can you give us a few really good links to this supposed "man-crush"? I have heard about this off and on as well, but have never seen any proof of this. It'd be interesting to read so we could assess his off-season intentions.

Here's an SI guy noting how Danny was going to demand Swift in the Ray Allen trade:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/06/28/draft/
(do a "CTRL+F" for Swift's name)

Here's NBC Sports noting Danny's attraction to Swift all the way back in 2004:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5279525/
(CTRL+F for Swift)

A pre-draft article where Andy Katz states that Ainge was interested in Swift, Jefferson and Wright:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004/columns/story?id=1811392

In the sidebar of this article, another reporter confirms the Swift-Ainge phenomenon:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081222/SPORTS/812220308/-1/sports0704

Scout.com, a noted sports site has a mock draft where they also purport that Ainge would've taken Swift:
http://preps.scout.com/2/269725.html

Yet another mock draft from 2004.  Similar sentiments:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/7399445

Is this enough of a confirmation, or do you need more?  If so, your google search string should be 'danny ainge robert swift draft'  or 'danny ainge robert swift trade'. 

So let's see. Since the Sonics were upping their requirement in getting Rondo Ainge upped his wanting a big man which never even materialized it means he has a man crush on him?

The next one this reports he "could" be interested in him and Ainge says no one knows what I'm thinking?

The next mentions that the Celtics could be interested in guys in their teens. They took Big Al.

The next said it was no secret, yet doesn't quote anything or name any sources.

Same with the following in a mock draft?!  The next one as well?!


Come on man! This is nonsense. Not one quote of Danny saying he wanted Swift. Just a bunch of guys trying to fill space in mock drafts and throwing rumors around that were never confirmed. Every single person quoted on these sights said they loved Swift, so obviously he was well thought of coming out. I am not saying that Danny didn't think Swift had potential, but there is no foundation whatsoever that he was in love with Swift. Had he been I'm sure they could have worked something out.

You probably believed Boston was Joe Smith's first choice as well...

[Roy Hobbs]

Well, Simmons is buddy buddy with Daniel Morey, GM of Houston, who used to work in the Boston office. It's not very unrealistic to think that he knows people who know things.

Ahem. . .ummm. . .Daryl Morey?

If it is so "well documented" can you give us a few really good links to this supposed "man-crush"? I have heard about this off and on as well, but have never seen any proof of this. It'd be interesting to read so we could assess his off-season intentions.

Here's an SI guy noting how Danny was going to demand Swift in the Ray Allen trade:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/06/28/draft/
(do a "CTRL+F" for Swift's name)

Here's NBC Sports noting Danny's attraction to Swift all the way back in 2004:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5279525/
(CTRL+F for Swift)

A pre-draft article where Andy Katz states that Ainge was interested in Swift, Jefferson and Wright:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2004/columns/story?id=1811392

In the sidebar of this article, another reporter confirms the Swift-Ainge phenomenon:
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081222/SPORTS/812220308/-1/sports0704

Scout.com, a noted sports site has a mock draft where they also purport that Ainge would've taken Swift:
http://preps.scout.com/2/269725.html

Yet another mock draft from 2004.  Similar sentiments:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/7399445

Is this enough of a confirmation, or do you need more?  If so, your google search string should be 'danny ainge robert swift draft'  or 'danny ainge robert swift trade'. 

So let's see. Since the Sonics were upping their requirement in getting Rondo Ainge upped his wanting a big man which never even materialized it means he has a man crush on him?

The next one this reports he "could" be interested in him and Ainge says no one knows what I'm thinking?

The next mentions that the Celtics could be interested in guys in their teens. They took Big Al.

The next said it was no secret, yet doesn't quote anything or name any sources.

Same with the following in a mock draft?!  The next one as well?!


Come on man! This is nonsense. Not one quote of Danny saying he wanted Swift. Just a bunch of guys trying to fill space in mock drafts and throwing rumors around that were never confirmed. Every single person quoted on these sights said they loved Swift, so obviously he was well thought of coming out. I am not saying that Danny didn't think Swift had potential, but there is no foundation whatsoever that he was in love with Swift. Had he been I'm sure they could have worked something out.

You probably believed Boston was Joe Smith's first choice as well...

I'm not sure why you felt the need to trash another poster, when you could have just read my post above.

There were deal possibilities,'' said Ainge, ``but as it unfolded and it looked like we were going to get Jefferson or Swift - those were the two guys we targeted as the top big guys - then we didn't really want to pay the price to do anything different.

``We felt like we had to get one of those two guys, Swift or Jefferson, and that's where the contingencies were built. But just a combination of picks wasn't going to do it. It would have had to be a player. Teams had interest in Jiri, and we didn't want to make that sacrifice. We think Jiri is better than a lot of the guys that were being drafted from 5-10.'

I think it's fair to say that Danny liked Robert Swift.  Since he tried to deal draft picks to move up to get him, I think it's fair to say that he liked him better than Big Al, as well.  However, your outrage that somebody would suggest that Danny liked Robert Swift is just...  odd.  I thought that was a well-known fact.