BOSTON — Since taking over as the Boston Celtics’ president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge has proved himself a man of opportunity.
Apparently he was at it again Wednesday.
Ainge told the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett he already has reached out to Kevin McHale about joining the Celtics in some capacity. McHale was fired as the Houston Rockets’ coach earlier Wednesday.
“I’ve always tried to get Kevin to come work with me and work with my big guys,” Ainge told Bulpett. “IÂ told Kevin that (Wednesday). We’ve got a spot for him. I know we could figure something out for him in some capacity, but I think he’s just in a wait-and-see mode.”
Ainge and McHale, of course, were teammates on Celtics teams that won two NBA titles during their eight seasons together. Yet Ainge admitted his former teammate probably isn’t ready to take another job quite yet.
“He appreciated me reaching out to him, but I think he’s just going to lay low,” Ainge added. “He’s probably got bigger and better things to do — or more relaxing things to do.”
McHale likely will generate plenty of interest from around the NBA, as his firing drew some pretty strong responses. Celtics head coach Brad Stevens uncharacteristically called Houston’s move a “rash decision” before Wednesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, while Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said he was “surprised” and “shocked” McHale was let go.
If and when McHale wants to get back into coaching, though, it looks like he’ll have an offer from the city where he built his impressive on-court legacy.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
