It’s not so easy to trade with Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge. He doesn’t want to just break even. He wants to win the deal.
And with the Celtics off to a very average start, Ainge is supposedly looking to make a deal. But it seems not just any deal will do.
“They’ll only do something if they think they’re going to bury you,” an opposing executive told Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
The Celtics have been linked to several opposing players, some available, some not so much. The list includes Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons power forward Blake Griffin and Sacramento Kings small forward Harrison Barnes.
Previously, Ainge has been able to utilize a deep pool of draft picks to float in potential trades. Those picks are gone, and now Ainge must resort to using players on his own team.
He has a few that could be prized to possible rebuilding partners. Both rookie shooting Aaron Newsmith and rookie point guard Payton Pritchard have show promise, and second-year shooting guard Romeo Langford may only need to find the right fit to shine (once he returns from injury).
Right now, though, it’s all speculation. All we know is the Celtics are contemplating moves, looking to improve, and apparently, want to win whatever trades they make.
“There comes a time where you have to do something to keep your stars placated and show that you’re trying, especially when they’re young and early in their primes,” an East executive told Bontemps. “You have to make that commitment to them.”
