Give Danny Ainge some credit

Consider the following:

Antoine Walker is 29-years old and has averaged 14.2 points / 8.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Dallas Mavericks this year while playing 35.3 minutes per game.

Jiri Welsch is 24-years old and has averaged 9.1 points / 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Celtics this year while playing just 26.4 minutes per game.

Antoine also leads Jiri in blocks per game but Jiri leads Walker in almost every other statistical category including steals per game, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and 3-pointer field goal percentage.

The Celtics traded Walker (and Tony Delk) to Dallas for Raef LaFrenz, Jiri Welsch and also a first round draft pick. Never mind the fact that Walker's contract demands would have crippled the Celtic's ability to improve themselves beyond the point of first round playoff fodder - the talent Ainge got in return is pretty good.

Welsch has improved all year and is now a fan favorite. At this point I don't think it is unreasonable to wonder whether a 24-year old healthy Jiri Welsch was worth a 29-year old creaky knee Antoine Walker straight up. The fact that Ainge got a first round pick and Raef LaFrenz is a bonus.