Ainge was in a tough position on Noel. For one Bradley is a goner. That's pretty clear. No cap room for him. Maybe no cap room for Noel either, if he becomes available as a FA.
You could say Bradley for Noel makes sense short term. But Ainge is a strange guy. You don't know what's in his head. Maybe he knew buyouts would be available today--guys he might target short range.
The one thing I've heard in the media I find disconcerting is they don't want a defensive rebounding type up front because it detracts from the offense. Quite the contrary, I think. Bill Russell, anybody?