If Rondo, Green and Nelson were doing this much overachieving while trying their [dang]edest for an eighth seed, I would probably be upset. But this is CBS getting these young guys to buy in, squeezing every bit of talent they have out of them, and establishing a culture for the way he wants his team to do business.
When you can get IT for basically nothing, you have to do it. Despite what you may believe, Thomas is on one of the best non-rookie contracts in the NBA considering his talent, age and production. And you take chances on guys like Turner for cheap money because they're guys who are low risk high reward. When your rebuilding, you take chances on still young ex-lottery picks just to see if a change of scenery can bring that talent out. These are moves any smart GM will make because it's all about value. There's more than one way to get better. The best idea is maintaining the flexibility to have a hand in all the games.
Danny has draft picks up the wazoo, including being in the amazing position of having another franchise losing on our behalf. One or two of those Brooklyn picks will likely be in the lottery. We have possible lottery picks, mid round picks, late round picks, early 2nd round picks, all in the next few years. Danny can draft a high-caliber player in the top 10 , which is probably where we end up this year in all honesty. He can combine picks and move up. He can trade a pick this year to a team targeting someone specific for a better pick or multiple picks later. Package them in a deal for a superstar, or whatever it may be Danny is better prepared than anyone in that department.
We have future financial flexibility. We will certainly have money to spend in the next few years should the right opportunity to sign a free agent arise. I'd like to see them make a run an DeAndre Jordan this year, improbable as it may be.
And we have good, young players who we can either keep developing or look to package in a deal. Thomas and Bradley are on very tradable deals. KO and Sullinger are talented, intriguing pieces a lot of teams wouldn't mind having. Smart is very highly regarded around the league for a rookie. Young is clearly an NBA level talent.
Boston is in as good of a position as any franchise that's in a rebuild. Appreciate it, many fans would kill to have Danny Ainge as their GM