If the Boston Celtics’ role in a three-team trade was designed to strengthen their position for Kevin Love, they failed. So it’s a good thing that wasn’t the direct goal, anyway.
The Celtics’ acquisition of Marcus Thornton, Tyler Zeller and a 2016 first-round draft pick in Wednesday’s three-way deal did not bring them any closer to netting Love, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. The Minnesota Timberwolves “have still not shown any interest in what the C’s could have to offer, and have not communicated to Ainge what players they would like that he might be able to get for them,” Bulpett writes.
This doesn’t mean the trade was in vain. The Celtics and Wolves reportedly have not engaged in any direct negotiations despite all the noise surrounding a possible Love-to-Celtics deal, but other teams might not be as obstructive.
Some other club out there might find the Celtics’ collection of draft picks, young players and numerous veterans on expiring contracts or non-guaranteed contracts — Rajon Rondo, Brandon Bass, Keith Bogans, Joel Anthony and now Thornton — enticing. Meanwhile, the Celtics are still a long way from dealing Rondo until they are certain they cannot land a star to help them win now, the Herald notes.
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