One trade that works money-wise and passes the sniff test is BBD, Perkins for Garcia, Casspi, Jason Thompson.
Do you pull the trigger on that trade?
Keeping in mind that Ainge is looking to keep significant flexibility in 2012, I think this trade becomes more realistic if you remove Perk, and add JO, Bradley and the Cs 2011 1st rounder.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2e5mjb6Both sides would have to consider it per the following:
Assuming the options for both Casspi and Bradley are picked up for 2012, the Cs add around $8mil in salary in 2012 via this trade. However the C's will have to pay Baby or lose him for all or next to nothing this summer, which makes this cap differential much smaller. If he stays at $5mil per, it dents that space. If not, it's a significant lose of talent. Then If you consider the pay scale of a low 1st this year in 2012, add another $1.25. So we're talking a difference in 2012 of $2-3mil.
Under current cap conditions (gulp), they'd still have enough for a max deal in 2012 while resigning Thompson, leaving them with a core of Rondo (1), Garcia (2/3), Pierce (3), Casspi (3), Thompson (4) and said max free agent (D Howard?). Not what Danny currently has in mind, but pretty interesting.
The Kings make the trade to 1) resign Baby to play the 4 for the future, 2) have someone other than Delambert mentor Cousins (namely O'Neal, a respected vet), and 3) shed Garcia's salary which further frees them to pay the young core they're developing. In the process they lose one guy they like (Casspi) and one they can essentially take or leave (Thompson). They then trade Landry for a valuable piece before the deadline.
I like Thompson -- i think he would grow tremendously playing with Rondo. Casspi's an excellent fit. So is Garcia, if expensive. It'd concern me to lose Baby at this point in the season, but the Cs certainly get a lot in return.
Not arguing for it -- personally i'd hesitate under the circumstances because i really like Baby's energy and defense, and Thompson is a risk -- but like i said, it's at least interesting for both parties. Wyc also saves $2.4mil in tax money this year... which is nice.