True but they tried to stay in contention with veterans and changing coaches.
What Danny Ainge did for Boston was he broke it down and started building it back injecting young players to play under one system under a young coach who doesnt have the pressure to deliver at once but to learn and grow as the team progresses throughtout the years.
In the NBA it's about getting the superstar - through the draft, trade or FA.
The KNICKS were "fortunate" to have gotten Melo back when Melo was in his absolute prime. Medyo sablay lang talaga ang KNICKS management on surrounding Melo with the right pieces, plus the fact that Melo may not be the right man to start a rebuild.
Danny Ainge himself was swinging for the fences, trying to recruit top FA's like KD, Blake, etc. The only major FA (Post Big 3) who said yes to Ainge was Al Horford.
Since no major FA's came, there was actually little choice for Ainge but to build via the draft and continue to stockpile picks. Ayun, nag-payday sila this offseason.