Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Paul Pierce was almost traded away from Boston. pick killed it?


One pick killed it? RT : NBA trade rumor: Paul Pierce was almost traded to Dallas (Josh Smith 3way trade) 

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Once again, Paul Pierce was almost traded away from Boston.
Interesting report from Wojo here.
Before the trade deadline passed, the Boston Celtics had one final choice to make on the franchise's future: In a three-way deal that would've secured Josh Smith and surrendered Paul Pierce to Dallas, Atlanta wanted Boston's first-round draft pick, too.
As much as any of the proposed deals discussed in February, perhaps this had been the closest Pierce had come to parting with the Celtics, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Dallas had constructed a package that included Jae Crowder, Brandan Wright and Dahntay Jones to Atlanta, with the Mavericks and Hawks exchanging positions in the 2013 NBA draft. Nevertheless, Boston wouldn't relent on the pick and the deal died on meeting-room grease boards in three cities.
So for the second straight year, Pierce was nearly traded at the deadline (the prior year, talks were far enough along with theNets that Pierce and Ray Allen were discussing their futures in the hotel on deadline night).
Some quick hit reactions in no particular order.
  • One 1st rounder killed the deal? I'm kind of surprised by that.
  • Kinda makes you wonder if he'll be offered around the league on draft night this year as well.
  • It always feels like we're on borrowed time with this team. Yet it was Ainge that chose to bring them all back this summer (he would have brought back Ray if he didn't pick Miami for less money).
  • Josh Smith was almost a Celtic. Let that soak in for a moment (as if it really matters).

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Posted by Robby Ball at 6:34 PM