As the top-seeded Celtics struggle against a Bulls team that nearly didn’t make the playoffs, all eyes are on general manager Danny Ainge who, to the chagrin of many, elected not to make any moves at the trade deadline, Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post writes.
There were a number of moves that the Celtics could have made, Bontemps says, without necessarily making a major splash involving a superstar or giving up one of their coveted Nets draft picks. Serge Ibaka and Taj Gibson are two quality rebounding forwards who were obviously available that day. Lou Williams is another.
Alas, without the acquisition of a solid rebounder or an additional bench scorer, the Celtics are down two games to none against Chicago. Earlier this week, Ainge himself spoke with CSN New England saying that critcism of their decision to stand pat was “fair”.
Regardless, it won’t be long before the rest of the series unfolds and we find out whether sitting tight was the right call or not.
There’s more from the Atlantic:
- While the Raptors have faced adversity and prevailed in the past, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun writes that change could be in the air regardless of how they make out over the rest of their first-round matchup. Additionally, Josh Lewenberg of TSN echoes the sentiment, tweeting that players and coaches are fighting to keep their jobs.
- A team of writers at ESPN (Insider required) took a deep dive into the Knicks‘ upcoming offseason, discussing a number of issues like Phil Jackson‘s extension and whether or not Carmelo Anthony will finally be traded.
- The Nets will need to approach their rebuild strategically, says general manager Sean Marks. Nets Daily broke down what the executive has said about his vision for the future thus far. “The objective for us is to be in the playoffs. When that comes, we’ll see,” Marks said. “You don’t want to go and sign free agents and then the next thing you know your payroll is capped out and you’re a 25-win team. We’re going to have to build this strategically, have patience with it.”
I didn’t understand not making a move. I would’ve been content with sending a future first and probably Jerebko out for Gibson. Not a huge price, it fills a need, and not super pricy. PJ Tucker for 2 seconds was certainly something I would’ve matched, I’m not sure why they didn’t. They can’t even use all their picks, they’ll just end up selling some of the 2nds and taking the best draft and stash with the others.
I don’t think Serge would have been a great fit. But I wanted Tucker
Yeah and there were rumors that teams were interested in the C’s draft and stash players at the deadline but Ainge wouldn’t budge so apparently he’s too in love with his future draft picks, his current players, as well as his D-League/Euro players which is no bueno.
I understand not going for Cousins, PG, or Butler at the deadline. What I do not get is why they did not try to upgrade the bench and swing for a guy like P.J. Tucker. Heck the bench for Boston is still a weak point. It’s basically Smart, sometimes Olynyk, and then a question mark on Rozier, Jerebko, Brown, and Green with Zeller stopping by. Those last 4 are so sporadic with production and that could have easily been upgraded.
At this point I wouldn’t be upset if they traded their picks and even Jaylen Brown to get some proven star players. I hope he proves me wrong but right now Brown just looks like a young Jeff Green to me and he was definitely in the dog house last night.
I wouldn’t label him that just yet. The dude is only 19 and has massive potential. I’m not surprised he’s struggled in the playoffs thus far.
It’s unfair to question the “why not” until we know what other teams are asking for. Just because someone gets traded for two 2nd rounders, doesn’t mean they didn’t ask for a young player and a pick…or maybe a 1st rounder from the C’s. Like Ainge said last year, if reporters knew what the asking price was for certain players before the draft, they probably wouldn’t have done the deal themselves.
*were asking for..
I don’t know anymore because I used to give Danny the benefit of the doubt but he hasn’t pulled the trigger on a major trade in awhile. I’m not sure if he’s still bruised from losing the Kendrick Perkins deal to Sam Presti and possibly causing the C’s another title or he’s only willing to make a deal if he can fleece someone but it seems like there have been a lot of GM’s who have come out said that it’s been Ainge who has been overvaluing his assets the last few years.
That may be true on the Presti thing.. But honestly, until you know you have the supporting cast to win it all, he may not be willing to go all out. None of us really knows what he’s thinking. He’s always held things close to the vest, not really one to feed rumors, at least not publicly. As far as the overvaluing thing, unless I missed something, that wasn’t other GM’s, that was a media speculation (Woj, CSNNE, etc)..
Oh, and he murdered Phoenix AND Dallas on the IT and Crowder trades.. Lol.. Granted, I would say that was more luck than anything.. But still, the outcome was a double homicide. :p
Yes, he got very lucky because Crowder was just part of a larger package for Rondo that also included 1st
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