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I think DA realizes that his superstar isn't going to be a superstar anymore in 2-3 years. He's out hunting for a young stud or a top 5 pick in the draft. Yes, Rondo and Perk are all star potential young players, but they aren't go to guys in the fourth quarter.

There are a very select few of those guys in the NBA, maybe 15 or so. Even less of the players in that pool can do it as consistently as Paul. Bill Walker is a great player but im not sure if he could ever be that guy.

I think turning Ray Allen or a combination of Perk/Rondo into a big time young scoring threat is something on Danny's mind for the future of this team. Pierce is going to be a great shooter that can draw fouls and defend when he's 33-37 yrs old. What do you guys think?

I know the comparisons to Pierce are there with Harden but man I do not see it. Paul Pierce was head and shoulders better than almost everyone in college basketball the year he came out and he slid in the draft because most teams just didn't see a college PF playing being an All Star swing man in a draft full of prototype bodies.

To me if you want the next Paul PIerce that is what you look for a guy who has a tremendous skill set at the 4 in college. Danny Granger was that guy, Ryan Gomes was a poor man's version, maybe Sam Young could be that player.

I guess I don't mean a Paul Pierce clone. What i'm referring to is someone you can give the ball to and say "go to work"... like a Vince Carter, Danny Granger, Iguadala, Kobe, Turkoglu, etc. While Rondo and Perk are good, they can't really do that as they need to rely on the people and spacing around them to create a shot.

Someone mentioned it in another topic, but Paul's good enough to take over Ray's role of secondary playmaker and designated shooter. Adding a young gun, maybe Harden or Evans at the 2 in place of Ray to drive to the hoop would extend Paul's career and give us another asset for five years from now.

The problem is that the NBA draft is the least effective way of finding the next Paul Pierce. Danny will more likely trade for an establish young player with upside or creatively free cap space to sign the guy he wants.

Screw 2010... Wait for Durants contract to be up and make a serious run at him. let him join the defensive tandem of Perk and Rondo into the next decade

There's Caron Butler, but he isn't getting younger. Denver won't trade Carmelo Anthony, not at this point in his career. So, wait and see if you can sign Durant in a few years if you're Ainge. Ideally, not making the playoffs will get to Durant and he'll want out of Oklahoma City.

I remember someone saying that the Celtics got KG too late, that it seems like he always should have been here... i want Durant here and feel the same way

Oh, and somehow position the team to get Michael Gilchrist in a few years.... but thats a different story entirely lol

They had the chance but they decided to trade Roy on draft day.

You mean, Minnesota had the chance... They'd drafted Mayo but traded him for Love. They'd drafted Roy but traded him for Foye. And remember, they'd drafted Ray Allen but traded him for Marbury. I'll say, Minnesota had their chances.