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NBA Trade Grades: Thunder scoop Paul George from Pacers

By Gerald Bourguet

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Grades
WALTHAM, MA – JULY 5: New Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (R) is introduced to the media as Team President Rich Gotham, Co-Owner Steve Pagliuca, and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge look on July 5, 2013 in Waltham, Massachusetts. Stevens was hired away from Butler University where he led the Bulldogs to two back to back national championship game appearances in 2010, and 2011. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics

There’s no way around it: If you’re a Boston Celtics fan, you have to be SICK seeing the underwhelming offers it took to steal Jimmy Butler and Paul George away from their respective teams over the last two weeks.

Sure, Paul George could’ve been a one-year rental. Sure, it would’ve made more sense salary cap-wise to sign Gordon Hayward before attempting to trade for Paul George. And sure, maybe Paul George alone wouldn’t have elevated the Celtics past the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East.

But that still doesn’t let Danny Ainge off the hook for letting Jimmy Butler get away, and he will never hear the end of it if Hayward winds up signing in Miami or staying in Utah.

It’s also hard to hold it against Boston if the Pacers were simply impatient and scooped up the first offer they felt was decent (though that begs the question as to how the Celtics’ previous offers weren’t even a little bit better than this).

The Celtics still have more assets than anyone, and perhaps with the Golden State Warriors ruling the league with an iron fist, the smarter choice is to keep all those extra draft picks, put them to good use and build a championship contender for the future around Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and the influx of young rookie talent.

Or, ya know, stop overvaluing Terry Rozier and hoarding all those damn assets, waiting for the picture perfect moment that may never come. Considering all it took to land Paul-freaking-George was Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, it’s hard to believe the “they were asking for too much” excuse is going to fly this time.

Grade: C’mon, man

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