Danny Ainge shoots down rumors
Danny Ainge shot down rumors that the Boston Celtics are interested in acquiring Richard Hamilton or Anthony Parker. (Boston Globe)
Riddled with injuries and particularly low on manpower after Marquis Daniels went down with a bruised spinal cord, the Celtics may be in the market for a backup small forward.
Celtics president Danny Ainge quickly shot down rumors of a deal for Detroit’s Richard Hamilton, or interest in Cavaliers swingman Anthony Parker.
“Nothing’s happening,’’ Ainge said in a text message. “Talk is all.’’
As they say, talk is cheap. And Ainge, even if he says nothing’s happening, is working the phones feverishly. If he’s not looking into acquiring Hamilton or Parker, he should be. He should be looking into acquiring any halfway-decent backup small forward with a pulse, because the Celtics (as long as Marquis Daniels isn’t returning any time soon) need someone to spell Paul Pierce and move Von Wafer to his natural shooting guard spot.
UPDATE: Immediately after I posted this, I read Marc Spears’ After the Buzzer column. He reports, as others have, that Boston would be interested in Hamilton if his contract is bought out. Which makes a whole lot of sense.
It’s no secret that Hamilton wants out and the Pistons want to grant his wish. The problem: He’s due $12.5 million next season and at least $9 million the season after.
If the Pistons somehow reached a buyout agreement with Hamilton and waived him, the Boston Celtics would have interest in signing him.
During trade rumor season, I often feel like I just went eight rounds with a dizzy bat.
Related posts:
Celtics Blog | Jay King | February 19, 2011
Anthony Parker, Boston Celtics, Danny Ainge, Richard Hamilton
I always take Danny’s denials with a grain of salt. One hour before the Celtics made the trade for Wally Szczerbiak (aka Random Dude), Danny was on WEEI and denied that any trades were in the works and that there was nothing even close. He said they weren’t pursuing any trades. Then an hour later news of the trade for Wally broke. So Danny speaks with forked tongue!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Danny definitely keeps his cards close to his body during trade season. And I guess that’s part of what GMs have to do.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I find the way Spears put that funny. Like this standoff is something that Hamilton asked for, instead of something the Pistons forced him into.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I don’t understand why the Hamilton deal is a good one. As much as I think he would be about as good a back up for Ray as you’re ever going to get, he’s not a 3. We’d still be small at the SF spot. The Parker deal makes much more sense. We have so many 2 guards it makes my head spin.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Agreed, to a point. Hamilton’s an enormous upgrade over Parker offensively, and not much worse defensively. Even if he’s out of position.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
personally i’d sacrifice offense for a lock down defender. trading von, nate, avery, and picks is open game, but no way danny trades a 1st for rips rental rights
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’ll take Hamilton’s offense. I am not going to be worried to see him on the floor.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If we get Rip Hamilton through a buy-out, who knows but he may be able to convinse Rasheed to come out of retirement! How awesome would that be!?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Exactly what we need…yes, I am going to say it again, bring back ‘Sheed! Come the playoffs I’d rather he bring his experience than to have to rely on SE. And we should only take RIP if he’s bought out. No trade nothing else. This team needs rebounding help and if the guys injured don’t get healthy then that will be the Cs Achilles heel once again. Go Cs…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0