Los Angeles Lakers: Lessons from failed super team, longtime rival

Lessons in Boston’s Competitiveness opposite of Los Angeles’ Withdrawal

The toughest time a franchise goes through is when it trades its cornerstones, but for the right reasons. As Philadelphia went through its “Process,” Los Angeles faltered with three consecutive No. 2 picks. Minnesota experienced a prolonged rebuild.

Meanwhile, the Celtics have remained near the top of the Eastern Conference, trying to catch the dominance of LeBron James’ Big Threes in Miami and in Cleveland. The infamous general manager of the Boston Celtics, Danny Ainge doesn’t receive enough credit for taking chances.

In 2013, forced to make a tough decision about his aging Big 3 of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen: Ainge traded them for assets and risk competitiveness, instead of keeping them because of age and decay being a factor. In his last years as a Celtic, Ray Allen had “beef” with his teammates.

Most NBA fans were unaware of Ray Allen and the team alienating each other. Due to the incidents, Celtics management let Allen walk as a free agent. He eventually ended up playing for the Miami Heat and hit a game-winning shot that may have saved LeBron’s legacy (disputed, of course).

However, the most treacherous, yet the most beneficial move that Ainge has had as the general manager was the trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

Ainge shipped Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry, and D.J. White to general manager Billy King’s recently-moved-to Brooklyn Nets for MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Keith Bogans, Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph, and four future lottery first round picks (2014, 2016, swap rights in 2017, and 2018).

Pretty twisted and interesting trade at the time, wasn’t it? I remember watching First Take host Stephen A. Smith and multiple members of the media commend Billy King on how the trade was in favor for him. Many people believed the Nets were suddenly championship contenders to rival Miami’s James, Wade and Bosh. The Celtics missed the playoffs, but the Nets never got past the first round.

Ainge also fired a bullet to trade away franchise point guard Rajon Rondo and Dwight Powell to the Mavericks for Brendan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, and multiple picks. It ended up being a positive for Boston.

Rondo’s skillset and temper quickly overtook his short-lived career with both the Mavericks and Kings. Forward Jae Crowder ended up being an extremely valuable two-way player for newly-hired head coach Brad Stevens.

Stevens continues to be one of the best head coaches in the NBA. He found a way to win in the absence of All-Star Gordon Hayward, the Celtics top free agent signing of the 2017 offseason.

Ainge would acquire and draft players who would eventually exceed expectations to this day. Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, lesser known players such as Daniel Theis, Semi Ojeyele, and cast-offs like Shane Larkin attribute to the success of the Boston culture. Ainge had the ability to even receive seven picks in the next couple of seasons.

So how is this important in terms of the 2018 season, and more importantly for the big picture in Los Angeles?