One thing about this draft is I hope Ainge is really really really sure that Jaylen will be very very good, because as of now I'm in the Simmons camp of "Why didn't he just trade down and get more assets and still get Jaylen or a comparable player?"
If Jaylen turns out to be the 6th best player in this draft, unless this draft is really really really good generating debate as to the best players, then this draft is a total loss.
If he just gets kinda Batum type player, but there are 4 all stars ahead of him this draft is a total loss.
What if trading down would have eliminated our cap ability to sign two max free agents? If the option was to trade down for more picks, we had more than enough picks already in this draft.
Two words....Euro...stash. It's not just for the Spurs and other great teams.
First round draft picks that get stashed still count against the cap until the start of the year, regardless of their contract status overseas
Then trade em for heavily protected picks or 2nd rounders. Or don't take em. Take 2nd rounders. Or take cash. Or their Euro stashes. Saric.
So, trade down for more assets, then trade those for even worse assets? We need top-end talent, not a bunch more second rounders.
Getting a guy like Saric would be nice, but no one was gonna trade a guy like that for something like the #24 and #26 picks in this draft
Let me be slightly more clear. To me Jaylen or Smart for Noel and or Okafor to me is a win right there. If they want to add on assets take em.
I disagree that they would be an upgrade, but I can see where you're coming from. I think Danny was looking for more in return, but only future assets (like the Lakers pick or Saric), while Philly was only willing to give up assets in this draft (like the 24 and 26). Neither team was willing to budge.
I don't think it's over, though. If (when?) the sixers are unable to get a good guard in FA, I think they'll come back with an offer like Okafor or Noel for Smart. We'll see what Danny does if (when?) that happens