The idea that Ainge needs to "win" every trade is demolished when looking at the what he gave up to bring Antoine back to Boston and the collection of bupkis he got for trading him to Miami.
I'm sure other GMs are irritated with Ainge because he holds all the cards right now, they know it and Ainge knows they know it.
Mike
Exactly what "cards" do you think Ainge is holding, and what's the value of those cards that you claim have other GMs so irritated? The first "card" from Brooklyn, for example (assuming that was one of the "cards"), wasn't good enough to bring home either of the projected top two players in the draft, and it wasn't good enough to bring back a quality veteran in trade.
He has a team that won 48 games last season and made the playoffs two years in a row.
He essentially has two more unprotected lottery picks coming from the Nets, with a very good chance that at least one and possible both could be top 5.
He has a team full of good young players.
He has a great coach.
He has enough cap space to sign two max free agents.
He has multiple additional draft picks, including two more likely first rounders.
In dealing with other GMs, Ainge holds all the cards. He doesn't need to make a deal, but he has the resources to make any practical deal he wants. That he hasn't made a deal YOU want him to make is irrelevant.
I mean, does anyone doubt that Ainge could have traded the #3 and gotten a quality veteran back? He just didn't think any of the players available were worth it. If Brown turns out to be a bust, Ainge will deserve all the criticism he gets. But that's for the future. Not today.
Mike