Is Ainge Reaching For AD Soon?

[RJ87]

It feels like people are reaching here. Trying to justify this move.

Your best chance to go after AD is to use an A+ asset. the 2017 #1 pick is the best draft pick possibly traded right now. Its the best centerpiece for an AD trade imagineable.  How does turning it into 2 lesser assets increase our chances at grabbing AD?

You're too logical right now. Stop it.

[slamtheking]

Of course he is.  If we walk away from this trade with PHI 2017 #3, LAL 2018 1st, SAC 2019 1st, all unprotected, Danny calls NO and says:

PHI #3, BK 2018 1st, LAL 2018 1st, SAC 2019 1st plus salary match for AD

if they balk we can always tag on MEM 2019 and others to see if they bite.

I believe the deal is NO gets 3 out of those 4 picks and any needed salary filler.  Can't see Danny making the deal to get that many picks without having a deal with NO worked out in advance. 

[CELTICSofBOSTON]

It baffles me as to why people think a 24 year old, top 5 player in the universe, who is signed for 4 more seasons is available for trades.

He is pretty much the definition of untouchable. Let's be real.

[mctyson]

No.

There is no Anthony Davis at the end of this rainbow. There is ZERO reason for New Orleans.

This is Ainge trying to show he's a genius and fans trying to create alternate scenarios where Ainge isn't just unnaturally obsessed with drafting high energy defensive guys who can't shoot.

There is plenty of reason.  They play in the same conference as Golden State and they suck.  Do you think he re-signs there?  I don't.

If I am GM of NO and I can get possibly 3 or 4 top-10 picks for Davis I seriously have to think about that.

[Phantom255x]

It baffles me as to why people think a 24 year old, top 5 player in the universe, who is signed for 4 more seasons is available for trades.

He is pretty much the definition of untouchable. Let's be real.

Okay, but if Pelicans start off mediocre again next year and the Cousins-AD duo proves it can't function as effectively, you think they would consider then?

[RJ87]

No.

There is no Anthony Davis at the end of this rainbow. There is ZERO reason for New Orleans.

This is Ainge trying to show he's a genius and fans trying to create alternate scenarios where Ainge isn't just unnaturally obsessed with drafting high energy defensive guys who can't shoot.

There is plenty of reason.  They play in the same conference as Golden State and they suck.  Do you think he re-signs there?  I don't.

If I am GM of NO and I can get possibly 3 or 4 top-10 picks for Davis I seriously have to think about that.

He's got 4 guaranteed years left on his deal, why are they worrying about resigning him when he's already signed?

If I'm the GM of NO, I'm not taking calls on Anthony Davis until 2020. Until then, I'm doing everything in my power to build around him. I've already added Cousins which is easily the most talented player he's played with in his career. I realize that you can't out-Golden State Golden State, and my best bet is going big and I've already got 2 of the best bigs in the league.

[Phantom255x]

No.

There is no Anthony Davis at the end of this rainbow. There is ZERO reason for New Orleans.

This is Ainge trying to show he's a genius and fans trying to create alternate scenarios where Ainge isn't just unnaturally obsessed with drafting high energy defensive guys who can't shoot.

There is plenty of reason.  They play in the same conference as Golden State and they suck.  Do you think he re-signs there?  I don't.

If I am GM of NO and I can get possibly 3 or 4 top-10 picks for Davis I seriously have to think about that.

He's got 4 guaranteed years left on his deal, why are they worrying about resigning him when he's already signed?

If I'm the GM of NO, I'm not taking calls on Anthony Davis until 2020. Until then, I'm doing everything in my power to build around him. I've already added Cousins which is easily the most talented player he's played with in his career. I realize that you can't out-Golden State Golden State, and my best bet is going big and I've already got 2 of the best bigs in the league.

By 2020? If it doesn't work out between AD-Cousins next season, they could talk trade at the deadline IMHO. Especially if it involves like 3 Top-10 picks and some other young assets maybe. Just my guess.

[RJ87]

No.

There is no Anthony Davis at the end of this rainbow. There is ZERO reason for New Orleans.

This is Ainge trying to show he's a genius and fans trying to create alternate scenarios where Ainge isn't just unnaturally obsessed with drafting high energy defensive guys who can't shoot.

There is plenty of reason.  They play in the same conference as Golden State and they suck.  Do you think he re-signs there?  I don't.

If I am GM of NO and I can get possibly 3 or 4 top-10 picks for Davis I seriously have to think about that.

He's got 4 guaranteed years left on his deal, why are they worrying about resigning him when he's already signed?

If I'm the GM of NO, I'm not taking calls on Anthony Davis until 2020. Until then, I'm doing everything in my power to build around him. I've already added Cousins which is easily the most talented player he's played with in his career. I realize that you can't out-Golden State Golden State, and my best bet is going big and I've already got 2 of the best bigs in the league.

By 2020? If it doesn't work out between AD-Cousins next season, they could talk trade at the deadline IMHO. Especially if it involves like 3 Top-10 picks and some other young assets maybe. Just my guess.

Then flip Cousins and try something else. Again, there is no reason to trade Anthony Davis until you absolutely have to. When was the last time a superstar in his prime was traded after his first year into a five year extension? It's just not realistic. Sorry, but its not.

[CELTICSofBOSTON]

It baffles me as to why people think a 24 year old, top 5 player in the universe, who is signed for 4 more seasons is available for trades.

He is pretty much the definition of untouchable. Let's be real.

Okay, but if Pelicans start off mediocre again next year and the Cousins-AD duo proves it can't function as effectively, you think they would consider then?

They'd trade Cousins first certainly.

By the way, I think if they add a couple of shooters this offseason and re-sign Jrue Holiday, they are my sleeper team that surprises next season. They could be a top 5 team in the league.