The play of guards Delonte West (selected No. 24 in the draft) and Tony Allen (No. 25) has led to speculation that second-year point guard Marcus Banks is on the trading block. While Ainge denies that Banks is available, the GM is infatuated with his new guards. "Right now Delonte is our best shooter," says Ainge. "No," answers Rivers, "Paul Pierce is. I told Danny, 'You fall in love with your rookies.'"

Rivers wants Allen to develop a mid-range jumper in the mode of Richard Hamilton. "I don't care about that long-range stuff," Rivers says. "I hope that every single kid in the country watched Rip Hamilton and the way he plays. Tony is so quick that he can get to wherever he wants to on the floor." Allen can beat his man off the dribble, but he needs to be able to finish the move by pulling up for a 15-footer. Says a rival NBA scout who watched Allen at the Orlando and Las Vegas summer leagues: "If he develops a jump shot, he could be an All-Star."