Danny Ainge: Celtics didn’t make deadline trade, since ‘there were no deals good enough’
The Celtics elected to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, but the lack of movement wasn’t due to a lack of effort, according to president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.
“We feel like we came close to doing some things, but ultimately we didn’t,’’ Ainge told reporters in a conference call shortly after the afternoon deadline passed. “We spent a lot of time and put a lot of effort in. I think my staff did a fantastic job this time. We didn’t really get anything accomplished that we wanted to do because there were no deals good enough that we wanted to do.’’
The Celtics were tied to trade discussions involving Dwight Howard and Al Horford, among other names, in the days leading to the trade deadline. However, the cost and risk involved in trading for players that are set to become unrestricted free agents this summer was too much for Ainge.
“I know the risks were more than we were willing to do,’’ Ainge said. “That’s why we didn’t do any deals, obviously. I think the contract length and security definitely plays a factor into it and what sort of risks you are taking. We also feel like there are other opportunities to have more security in what we are doing and what deals we are making. We are not in the business of making a 27-game gain for a long-term price to pay.’’
Instead of making a move, Ainge elected to hold onto his extensive collection of future assets, including three future first-round draft picks from the Brooklyn Nets.
“I think that everybody knows what the value of those picks are,’’ Ainge said of those future Brooklyn picks, notably an unprotected first-round selection in 2016. “I think that everybody in the league would like to have a pick in the top echelon of the draft. But there are certainly players that would be worth trading an unknown draft pick for right now and so we did have some discussion in regard to that. There’s some players that did get our attention and some that did not get our attention regarding that pick.’’
Unlike last year, the 2016 trade deadline was relatively quiet around the league in terms of high-profile player movement. Top names like Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, Howard and Horford stayed put with their current teams, while role players such as Jeff Green (Grizzlies to Clippers) and Markieff Morris (Suns to Wizards) were moved on deadline day.
With no clear upgrades available at prices the Celtics were willing to pay, Ainge is hoping to use some of his numerous assets in a deal this offseason.
“We have an opportunity in the spring and during the summer to make our team better,’’ Ainge said. “Much better than an opportunity we had at this time in February. We are anxious for the spring and summer, to have another crack at it.’’
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