In the summer of 2007, the Boston Celtics became instant title favorites seemingly overnight when Danny Ainge struck gold on some savvy trades that thrusted the franchise into championship contention for that upcoming season.
After finishing with the second worst record in the NBA the season prior (24-58), the franchise looked to be on the brink of destruction. The C’s lone star Paul Pierce was growing tired of underwhelming seasons and early playoff exits and, in the midst of his prime, felt like his services were being wasted in New England.
With such a young nucleus of players Boston was far from being considered a serious threat in the east.