my guess:
We win 10 more games.
At the trade deadline, Hump is the biggest name on the team being traded to a top contender needing frontcourt help for a contract that ends in 2015 and a late first (maybe 2 players coiming in to make the $ work with at least one expiring in 2015)
We end up with the 8th worst record (currently 6th worst but we end up passing Utah and Cleveland for 8th--no one below us passes us in the standings). We end up picking 8th and 19th (Hawks pick).
Danny tries to make a deal with the picks and Bass to move up but is unsuccessful. The picks we have are the ones we make.
We end up taking Vonleh with the 8th pick and Selden with the 19th. (BPAs at the time we pick) no draft day deals
This summer after the draft, Danny swings a deal moving Bass to a contender looking to add a backup big on a now-expiring deal. Gets a projected late-first as the primary return in the deal.
Danny resigns AB to slightly-over MLE money for 3 years.
Bayless and Bogans are just let go.
Danny is able to use the exception from the Pierce deal to sign a decent backup center that will end up starting for us. He also brings back Colton Iverson from overseas who makes the team after camp.
Just some thoughts on reasonable transactions this offseason.
this is a shoryuken of reality. i know it's realistic (and quite likely) but i think i'll still be quite bummed about it.
I agree, it's nothing I'd be excited about but I think this is close to what will come to pass. I think the real excitement will come in the following summer. a lot of the crappy teams this year will be better than us, we'll get a better pick in another deep draft, one projected to have very good big men) and Danny is able to get another solid player in the draft, make a very nice FA signing and hopefully unload Wallace as an expiring deal for a disgruntled good player.
I disagree. I think that this summer Ainge will be busier. This is the summer to get talent through trades. We are going to get a good pick regardless of what it is. Honestly, I would be happy with Aaron Gordon. I would rather have a top 4 pick but who knows how any of their careers will work out. I think Ainge will make a move for a center like Sanders, Monroe, or Asik, and try to sign a SG or SF like Stevenson, Evans, Hayward, or Barnes (trade/S&T rather than free agency). Maybe look at guys that are good multi positional 3 and D as backups.
If he makes these types of moves, I can see next year seeing where the team is, and putting any finishing touches on it either by trading Wallace's contract next summer or at the deadline, or maybe a free agent signing if someone is still available. Next summer has a bunch of restricted free agents, so who really knows who will still be available by next summer.