Let the guessing games begin.
Danny Ainge made the radio rounds Friday and discussed the Boston Celtics’ approach to Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The C’s president of basketball operations said his team was close to making a major move, which is even more fascinating when one considers the details provided by Ainge.
According to Ainge, the Brooklyn Nets’ 2016 first-round draft pick — a potential top-five selection — was on the table in the proposed blockbuster. This is significant because the Brooklyn pick is widely considered the Celtics’ most valuable asset; one capable of reeling in a superstar.
.@danielrainge told me the #Nets pick WAS involved in the "bigger package" other team backed out of "at the very last minute." #Celtics
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 19, 2016
Of course, we don’t know who the Celtics were targeting with the Brooklyn pick, but Ainge revealed Friday in an interview with WBZ NewsRadio’s Adam Kaufman that the proposed megadeal would have surprised people because the rumor went unreported.
ALSO: Danny Ainge said the mystery team involved would've surprised fans because rumor was "never reported" #Celtics https://t.co/wT5QixfFn2
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 19, 2016
This would seem to rule out Dwight Howard, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and Al Horford, all of whom were linked to the Celtics in trade rumors. Now, we’re left to wonder what could have been had the mystery team not backed out at the last minute.
Danny Ainge told me most players the #Celtics were reported to have had interest in "were never even called or talked to." #NBATradeDeadline
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 19, 2016
In any event, it’s possible the Celtics could revisit the trade talks over the offseason. The C’s still will have a surplus of assets — the Brooklyn pick chief among them — and plenty of financial flexibility.
Don't know if Ainge meant Durant, Hayward, Harden, Cousins, Lillard, or any other star you can dream of. But we can all dream. #Celtics
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 19, 2016
Ainge: "They just decided to keep their guy, finish out the season as best they could & revisit it later." #Celtics https://t.co/jQ1QJan2r6
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 19, 2016
Danny Ainge said his No. 1 trade deadline goal was to "find a transcendent player" and #Celtics spoke with every team in the #NBA.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 19, 2016
Ainge told me it was easy decision not to chase rental players. "So much risk and uncertainty", fear they'd run back to old team in FA.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 19, 2016
Ainge told me, yes, the #Celtics COULD use all 8 of their 2016 draft picks by drafting and stashing, but he didn't appear to expect to.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 19, 2016
Danny Ainge admitted to me the #Nets' 2017 and 2018 draft picks project to have LESS value than the 2016 selection. #Celtics
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) February 19, 2016
“I think that sometimes these can set the table if there are future conversations off ones that happen at the trade deadline,” Ainge said Friday on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni & Fauria.” “That does happen often. So much of it is going to depend on how good teams play down the stretch. Doing deals at the trade deadline is tough.”
The Celtics’ trade deadline was interesting, even though they ultimately didn’t pull the trigger on any significant deals. This summer could be when the real action starts.
Until then, keep guessing.
Thumbnail photo via Charles Krupa/The Associated Press
