Danny Ainge just tried to swindle Sam Hinkie, if this L.A. Times report is accurate.
According to B.A. Turner of the Los Angeles Times, Ainge offered point guard Marcus Smart and other picks for Nerlens Noel and the Sixers coveted No. 3 slot.
League executives also said the Celtics were trying to move up in the draft, using their two first-round picks and two second-round picks as bait.
The executives said the Celtics were looking to trade point guard Marcus Smart and the Nos. 16 and 28 picks in the first round to Philadelphia for center/forward Nerlens Noel and the No. 3 pick. But the 76ers, the executives said, weren’t interested.
The 76ers, have six draft picks — one in the first round and five in the second round, Nos. 35, 37, 47, 58 and 60 — so picks are nothing for Sam Hinkie.
Marcus Smart for Nerlens Noel is a robbery in itself. Trying to scheme the No. 3 pick from the 76ers is wrong on Danny Ainge’s end.