Danny Ainge admitted to being in trade discussions for a wing, and specifically a shooter. None of the discussions regard imminent deals, but Rudy Fernandez and Larry Hughes could still be possibilities. (Boston Globe)

One roster spot is still available, and everyone from Danny Ainge to Doc Rivers to back-seat general manager Paul Pierce has said that the Celtics need another piece — specifically, a shooter.

With reports circling about interest in fiery if disgruntled Portland guard Rudy Fernandez, Ainge acknowledged that he was pursuing trade options, though he wasn’t sure a deal would fall in place.

“We’re just continuing to explore available players and trade possibilities and see what sort of options are there,’’ said the Celtics president. “There are some trade discussions that we’re having. I don’t know the likelihood of those happening, but we’ll continue to not rush into something unless it’s something that we’re really excited about.’’ [...]

Journeyman free agent Larry Hughes has also popped up on the Celtics’ radar. He has played for four teams in the past four seasons.

Every time I see “Larry Hughes” and “the Celtics” in the same sentence, I age at least five years. I’m not even kidding.

It’s reassuring to see that Ainge understands the team isn’t complete, though. The Celtics need another wing, insurance for Marquis Daniels and Von Wafer. Because Daniels could always lay another goose egg and is also likely to get injured, while Wafer may actually as big a headcase as some fans (read: I) fear. Fernandez would be a nice addition, Hughes wouldn’t be, and I’m sure there are other options (Xavier Henry, please?) that aren’t mentioned in this report. Find us something, Danny. Turn water into wine, son.

The Celtics would be better off calling Dino Radja to see if he still wants to play. And I’m barely even exaggerating. Hughes has been washed up for about five years. He shot 35.5% from the field last year. He has a website devoted to his poor shot selection.

Anybody got Dino’s number?

Shaq hasn’t panicked since he was nine years old. At least, that’s how he tells it. (New York Times)

When was the last time you panicked?
1981.

When you were 9?
We were living with relatives, and I just happened to steal a lighter from the kitchen counter. I had a teddy bear. My thing was to just light the tail and then blow it out and laugh. Ha, ha. But as soon as I lit the tail, the whole thing caught on fire. It almost caught the house on fire. I got the whooping of my life.

So now I know you guys are all wondering when the last time I panicked was. The answer’s obvious: The last time I typed “Larry Hughes” and “Boston Celtics” in the same sentence.

P.S. – This is a couple days late, but Shaq said this during his press conference: “He has one [championship], he should have three, so hopefully we can get this one together.” Is Shaq saying the Celtics should have won the last two titles, and would have if they were healthy?

Larry would be be a Hughe mistake.

Uh-oh, the Larry Hughes talks have returned. I thought we were past this, no? (Marc Spears)

Celtics still need swingman behind Pierce and Allen. Could it be Larry Hughes? Word is Cs and CHA interested. Hughes looking good in workouts.

How good can Hughes really look in workouts? What stands out in these so-called workouts, his athleticism? Because he lost that a few years ago. His shooting touch? Umm, he never had that. Ahh, it must be his long frame. That’s about the only thing Hughes still has going for him.

Fact of the matter is, Hughes shot 35.5% last season. His game is eroding faster than you can say “HeyLarryHughesPleaseStopTakingBadShots.com.” As my dear friend (we’ll keep his name out of this) learned the day he woke up staring at a 225-pound softball player, sometimes you’ve just gotta say no.

Gotta love blurry-ass Scal in the background.

The Celtics have had discussions with free agent Jarvis Hayes about joining their roster. (CSNNE)

As much as the Boston Celtics need to add a perimeter defender coming off the bench, it wouldn’t hurt to add another backup shooter to the mix as well.

With most of the higher-priced shooters off the free agent board, CSNNE.com has learned that the Celtics have had some conversations about one of the best still available, Jarvis Hayes.

Go ahead and laugh at A. Sherrod Blakely calling Jarvis Hayes one of the best free agents still available. I know I got a good chuckle out of that. But the truth is, I’m kind of intrigued by a couple things Hayes IS (scorer, jump-shooter) and a couple things he ISN’T (Larry Hughes and Ime Udoka). That said, I really hope these wings we keep hearing about — Adam Morrison, Hughes, Udoka and Hayes — are the guys Ainge is looking at as 12th men. Because if any one of those four is playing significant minutes next season, the Celtics might as well forfeit the next 82 games. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about NBA basketball over the years, it’s this: You don’t win a ring with Jarvis Hayes as the primary backup small forward. You just don’t.

I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t exactly thrilled when I heard the Celtics have had discussions with Larry Hughes (he is also in talks with the Lakers, Heat and Bobcats). After all, there is a website titled HeyLarryHughesPleaseStopTakingBadShots.com. That’s never the best sign.

I'd rather have Danny Ainge sign my 12-year old brother than Larry Hughes.

Now, I’m trying to talk myself into him. He’s not THAT bad a defender, I’m trying to tell myself. He’s almost, kind of talented. He’s long, can play either shooting guard or small forward, and he’s probably better than Tony Gaffney.

Oh, who am I kidding. Hughes is garbage. He hasn’t shot higher than 40.2% in a season since 2005-2006, and in that season he shot 40.9%. He was pretty bad to begin with, and to make matters worse he’s now washed up. If the Celtics end up signing Hughes, I encourage one of you Townies to kidnap me. Otherwise I will find my way to Boston, hunt down Danny Ainge and spend the rest of my miserable existence in prison.