Rebuilding started last year's deadline, when they didn't trade Ray. Do you remember?
By resigning the Big 3, DA chose to rebuild by contending, and I agree with that. You're not going to atract FAs if you don't have good/great players to play with. Boston is not South Beach, nor Hollywood.
Then they signed the O'Neals to be able to choose between resigning Perk or Baby, and trade the one who was able to bring back more in return. DA chose to keep Baby, by now, because Perk was bringing Green, Nenad and the Clippers pick. What Doc is failing at is showcasing them (Presti has done it for 2 years if we have to believe some people here). But they're nice pieces.
Green can be had next year for the qualifying offer, and Nenad could just walk away, like BBD. But they could also come back for team-friendly deals, that is, one-year deal for the right money, or multi-year for even less. This way, Green is a prospect but also a trade chip, and both Baby and Nenad can be role players/trade pieces.
Everything Danny has done since 2008 is keeping financial flexibility for "the summer of KG", aka 2012 offseason. The season is not over, but this summer we'll see what happens with those 3, I think they will be back. Add the Clipper's pick and Avery to the trading chips list. Not bad.
I'm giving PosImpos a TP for the OP, but I don't think we're seeing anything that big next summer. The 2012 trade deadline will be the first act, the 2012 Draft will be second, and the 2012 FA will be the third. Only then we'll see how good (or bad) was the trade, and the outcome of DA's strategy.
I don't think the Big 3 will be shopped around, they will be back in lesser roles for a year or two and retire in green, at least I hope so. Rondo is not going anyway unless Deron or CP3 are coming, and that's highly unlikely. Trades are involving the Clipper's pick, and the showcased Baby, Nenad and even Jeff Green. By then, hopefully Avery is worth something in return.
And now, we better think about how big will be tying the series at home, and beating LeChoke and his bums in 7 games...
Go Celtics!!!