The Celtics may have been more heavily involved in James Harden trade talks than the team let on, Sam Amick of The Athletic reports. Danny Ainge previously suggested that Boston only had exploratory talks with Houston about the former MVP.
“Yeah, we had conversations regarding James, not recently but yeah, we did have conversations,” Ainge said back in January. “We had numerous talks, but the price really wasn’t changing. The price was really high for us, and it was something we really didn’t want to do … I think unanimously, we decided it wasn’t time for us and it wasn’t the price.”
It’s not clear what the exact framework of a theoretical Celtics-Rockets trade would have been, though, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart were rumored to be heading to Texas as part of the discussed package.
Boston couldn’t land Harden, though they continue to search for deals. The Celtics “are high” on Kings’ forward Harrison Barnes, as we relayed earlier today.
More NBA Trade Rumors
- Several NBA scouts tell Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that the Heat’s missing piece is a stretch four. Rudy Gay and Barnes were two players who were suggested as fits. It was previously reported that the Spurs have received calls about Gay and other veterans on the roster.
- The Pistons may have been able to trade Blake Griffin (rather than work a buyout agreement with him), though it would have required them to attach a first-round pick, GM Troy Weaver tells reporters. Our own Sam Amico reported last month that Detroit would have had to add a sweetener to Griffin in order to move him.
- While Mavericks fans may have eyes for Bradley Beal, other trade candidates are much more reasonable targets leading up to the deadline, Callie Caplin of The Dallas Morning News contends. Caplin lists J.J. Redick and Buddy Hield as feasible options on the trade market.
- ICYMI: Kyle Lowry‘s contract with the Raptors may make a trade unlikely before the deadline.
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