This seems accurate.
He thinks Tatum was the best player in the draft. So no matter what pick it ends up being, it is an extra asset he got essentially for free.
I don't buy that Ainge was convinced of this or else the last minute desperate day long flight to California to workout Jackson during the busiest part of the offseason never takes place. You don't spend this time and the resources of your two key guys along for the trip if you are convinced Tatum was the best player in the draft.
Has anyone ever gone broke betting that the Kings are going to suck?
and while I would love to stick it to the lakers, I am not sure that this team needs 2 top five rookies to develop next year. I am thinking that the pick is for trading purposes.
Yes and Yes. The Kings are still filled with young players looking out for themselves to get that big second contract......not the best recipe for building a cohesive team in the difficult WC and winning NBA games.
Ainge is always accumulating assets to catch the big fish whether it is young players, future picks, or aligning expiring contracts for the numbers to work in such deals which in this case would appear to be Anthony Davis. This is the one season where Ainge doesn't yet have those larger expiring contracts like Ratliff, Amir, and Zeller. One thought here is that Ainge can both take care of Isaiah while also avoiding to have to pay him max or close to max money on a long-term deal. This is the type of contract Ainge has always avoided while also using Isaiah as a piece to acquire Brow.......everyone wins here. Ainge gets Brow and doesn't have to pay Isaiah while avoiding negative backlash, Isaiah gets the big payday he rightfully desires, and the Pelicans add Isaiah's offense, two high lottery picks, and probably another piece out of Morris/Crowder/etc.