Here's a very doable way to make the playoffs, but first our new lineup:
Rondo, Bayless, Pressey
Chris Johnson, Bayless
Luol Deng, Chris Johnson
Sully, Donatas M., Oly
Asik, Humphries, Donatus M., Oly
Boston out: Bass, AB, Green, Faverani, our First (top 6 protected in case we suffer injury)
Houston out: Asik, Donatus M. Garcia, Brewer
Cleveland out: Deng
Boston in: Asik, Deng, Donatus M.
Houston in: Bass, AB, Faverani
Cleveland in: Green, Gardia, Brewer, Boston First (top 6 protected in case of injury)
Houston needs a legitmate backup SG/wing. AB is perfect for them. He would allow them to go with a Lin, AB, Harden backcourt when Parsons rests. Bass has played with Dwight, plays good tough D in the playoffs against big SF's as well. If they wanted Humphries instead the trade would have to be adjusted. AB is an excellent player. Don't tell me this is lopsided toward Boston.
Cleveland gambles that we can't quite squeak into the playoffs, netting them a pick between 7 and 14. They tank hard without Deng, getting a shot at the top 3 or top 6 with their own pick. If this trade isn't good enough for them we give up the Atlanta pick to them as well.
Boston: Deng is 28 and a great player imo. We keep Rondo and Sully and add two major pieces to them. We become a very attractive place for a Stud starting SG with Chris Johnson off the bench....or some such thing.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=l49tb8qEdit: feel free to call this a knee-jerk trade reacting to a single vicotry...but I'd be interested in comparing it to other non-tank ideas...
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=l49tb8q