Even if he was dissatisfied with some of Beelman's decisions, he ultimately compromised, and once he did, he entrusted Beelman completely with decisions regarding trades.
Apart from trading Antoine Walker to get Nash and Cliff Robinson, Beelman also used the team's sixth draft pick to trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers for Lithuanian center Ilgauskas.
This was yet another controversial decision. Boston's management originally intended to use the sixth pick to select shooting guard Ron Mercer from the University of Kentucky, forming an inside-outside duo with Duncan that promised a bright future.
But Beelman wasn't interested in Mercer. He believed Mercer was not suitable for the Celtics' system, nor fit to pair with Duncan and Nash.
The Celtics needed a center more—one who could ease the pressure on Duncan.
