Ainge: Boston Celtics worked on trade offers until three minutes before trade deadline
The Boston Celtics did not make a single trade at the NBA trade deadline, opting instead to return for the second half of the season with the roster intact.
But Danny Ainge was still active in searching for the right trading partner. Until 2:57 p.m., Ainge worked his cell phone. (ESPN)
“I guess what prevented any trade was making at least two teams in a deal happy, or satisfied that a deal was worthwhile,” said Ainge. “But as late as 2:57, there was still trades that were possible and being negotiated. We were close to handful of different types of trades — small to bigger — that just couldn’t be resolved. That happens often.”
Asked later if he approached the deadline as a buyer or a seller, Ainge added, “I was looking at both opportunities, to strengthen our team for the playoff run this year and/or build some chips and some assets for future. We actually had a lot of conversation on both sides, but nothing seemed good enough to do.”
The fact that Ainge did not make a trade could be construed as a sign that he wanted one last run with the Big Three. Wrong. The reason he didn’t make a trade was that he knows the Celtics are set up for the future, with tons of cap space this summer, and the only way Ainge would have made a deal is if it positively impacted the future. He definitely looked for a deal that would do that, didn’t find one, and was content playing out the string on this season.
Even with the Celtics desperate for a big man this season, Ainge did not pull the trigger for a big. He’s (rightfully) given up hope for this season. There’s little chance the Celtics can get by the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat this season. (Damn it, I hate writing that, but it would take a miracle.)
Ainge certainly looked for a big man yesterday, but he wasn’t going to surrender future assets to do that. The priority has changed from now to later. I, for one, am happy Ainge was smart enough to stick to his game plan. I’d love for the Celtics to make a deep run this postseason, obviously. But that would probably take a lot more than a mediocre center acquired at the trade deadline. Ainge stood by his plan to build for the future and he quietly allowed the Celtics to keep all their hard-earned cap space and assets.
The trigger-happy GM failed to fire a bullet yesterday, but his shot still hit it’s mark.
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- Doc Rivers expects Boston Celtics to be quiet at trade deadline
- NBA trade deadline goes, Boston Celtics Core Four still intact
- Boston Celtics trade rumors: Danny Ainge asking for the world
Celtics Blog | Jay King | March 16, 2012
Amazing how little faith our “fans” have in our own team. So we have a slow start, some bad games (because there’s no team in the history of the NBA that’s done this same thing…can you say Dallad Mavericks?) and all of a sudden we’re a lost hope? This is where Paul is right. A lot of people eat up whatever ESPN says about our chances this year. If you’ve actually watched the games, you’d know that if we can get just 5-10 more rebounds a game, we can absolutely beat Chicago or Miami. Now I don’t know about both, but to just assume that we’re gonna get swept out is ludicrous.
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Have to agree that this team, if healthy, can win it all. CW’s absence will hurt but in the playoffs you just have to use everyone if there are injuries and that’s why JJ should be getting major minutes. If JO returns and can play well this team is deep. Games are every other night at least so being tired will not matter. And the core 4 know what it takes. Can we beat Chicago and Miami, even if we have to face both, I say yes. As Greg says, if we can consistently rebound better then we’ll be right there in each game and anything can happen. We’ve got AB to play tough D and he can offer offense now. MP just needs to rebound better but his defense and 3 shooting is something we did not have last year. So let’s stop listening to all the pundits and wait for the Cs to flip the switch come May. Go Cs…how I would love 5-10 more rebs per game!!!
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I agree with Greg, we can beat Chicago and Miami. We’ve done it before, we can do it again and who has more playoff experience out there than the Big 4? I understand the questionmark over them producing another title however. There are alot of big dogs out there this season. We all know that Boston normally kick into higher gear come playoffs. And we don’t need to do anything but play Boston ball and I believe we can go deep into the playoffs and hopefully, win the title. We gotta believe… Banner 18.
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I don’t like your tone. I also don’t like Doc’s short bench. The C’s need to keep moving on the court so they need many pairs of legs. Other than appearing “tired”, every game the C’s lost they gave-away by their own sloppy play and focus. If playing the right way is a miracle, I have hope.
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Looking back why did he trade perk!! I am so sick of listening to idiots that don’t actually watch the Celts and say there to old!! Have you watched KG this year he has been awesome!! The Celtics are the worst rebounding team in the NBA that is a fact! They just need a re bounder and they could win it all period.
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Even though he is a wingnut why didn’t they try for McGee.
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I 110 % agree with you. Under Doc’s coaching, McGee would be an all star.
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When they said McGee was traded and I saw how it went down I was horrified if the Celts could have got this kid the C’s could have contended this year. I am starting to get sick of Danny. I guess he was trying to get rid of PP. This guy doesn’t make sense
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Because look at what Wash. got in return. We just do not have those type of players to offer back unless you give up RA. Remember, contracts have to match so we’d have had to give up several players to get McGee. Go Cs…
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I their was bad from Denver’s perspective. They must not know how fragile and important chemistry is.
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Denver is very young and with Faried playing so great of late (he was the leading rebounder in the NCAA last yr – see rookies can play meaningful minutes Doc) and now McGee coming in their front line with Gallinari is rock solid. I get to see this team play a lot and they are going to be right there in the mix for many years going forward. They just need time together and games under their belt, which is how chemistry is built. Go Cs…
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