For 2014-15: Rondo, Bradley, Pierce, Love, Asik
(1) At the draft this year, Ainge trades his lottery pick, Jared Sullinger, and random players for salary purposes (Bass, Bogans, Wallace (Ha!), etc.) to the Timberwolves for Kevin Love.
Why for Minny? They are going to lose Love. By doing this trade, they retool for the future around Rubio, Pekovic, Sullinger, and the Celtics’ lottery pick (as well as their own). Ainge and Flip Saunders are buddies so they will be able to work this out.
(2) Also, during the offseason, Ainge will trade Paul Pierce’s large trade exception to the Rockets for Omer Asik.
Why for Houston? Houston intends to make a run at Carmelo Anthony in the offseason and has to shed salary to do. Trading Asik into Boston’s trade exception allows them to shed salary without taking any back. Also the Rockets GM used to work for Ainge so they will be able to work this out.
(3) Ainge signs free agent Paul Pierce to the mid-level exception.
(4) Ainge plays the 2014-15 season with a core of Rondo, Bradley, Pierce, Love, and Asik. Good enough for the 3 seed in the East. (Behind Indiana and Miami - or whichever team LeBron goes to next year in the East).
For 2015-16: Rondo, Bradley,
Kevin Durant (via free agency
), Love, Asik. BANNER 18!
Ainge signs Kevin Durant to play along a re-signed Rondo and Love for the next “Big 3” (all take slightly under the max, Heatles-style). Asik re-signs as well. Ainge finds cheap role players to fill out the rest of the roster and wins the NBA Championship in June of 2016!!!
Salary cap? Ha!
Topic: dream starting 5... for next season? (Read 9062 times)