Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics have their eyes on the prize.
Boston’s president of basketball operations seems to be in the middle of the biggest rumors floating around the league as the NBA’s trade deadline approaches at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday.
In addition to reportedly being the front-runner to land Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford should he be made available, CSNÂ New England’s A. Sherrod Blakely is reporting that the Celtics are the third team involved in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ pursuit of sharp-shooting forward Ryan Anderson.
Cleveland’s growing interest in New Orleans’ Ryan Anderson bodes well in Boston’s seemingly never-ending quest to acquire Kevin Love in what’s shaping up to be a potential three-team deal that would include the Boston Celtics.
The particulars of the deal are still in the discussion phase, but the end result if it comes to pass would send Love to Boston, according to a league source.
The deal is still “very fragile” at this point, but it does provide Boston the best shot it has had in landing a player the Celtics have coveted for some time now.
Blakely further explains that Boston has searched for a third team in hopes of sweetening an offer to Cleveland in exchange for Love. It seems Boston doesn’t have enough to appease the Cavaliers, who likely would prefer an All-Star caliber player in return for parting with Love. Anderson isn’t quite an All-Star, but he’s been a very good player on a championship-level team.
Boston reportedly was involved in trade discussions over the weekend with the Cavaliers and New York Knicks in a deal that would send star Carmelo Anthony to Cleveland. Anthony reportedly was not interested in waiving his no-trade clause.
There were no details on what the Celtics would send in any package, though Blakely notes “there are still a number of hurdles that need to be overcome before a deal of this magnitude is complete.”
Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images
