Why do people put up these panic trade moves? You already said that Blake is FA in the next summer so why would you risk on the idea of signing an injury prone, head case star that might cost our future and might not resign?
It's not like Danny came home empty handed. He brought us Horford and I'm confident that he will bring in some impact player on the next free agency.
Keep the flexibility we have.
1.) Not a panic trade, just simply the market. You need multiple stars to win in this league. Wishing for one in the draft is risky - and you're far more likely to end up with good role players (Smart, Bradley, Brown) than to find a true star. Blake is 27 years old, a 5x all-star, averaging 21.5 pts/9.6 rbs/4.9 asts for his career. He'd be an ideal foundational piece with Horford.
2.) Are we labeling Blake a headcase now after the punching incident? Because that seems extreme. Everything else about him labels him as a hard worker and generally coachable.
3.) You are right, Danny didn't come home empty handed. Al Horford will be a terrific addition, but he likely agreed to come here with the belief that Danny promised to add talent with that beloved flexibility. Trading for an impact player and getting his birdrights shouldn't be discounted.