Appearing today on radio show Toucher & Rich in Boston, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said that he’s “pretty sure” his front office will use the team’s disabled player exception before the March 12 deadline (Twitter link via A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston). The $8.4MM exception could be used to acquire a player in a trade or to sign a player who is bought out by his current team.
“We’re on the phone all the time,” Ainge told NBC Sports Boston. “We don’t have to do a deal. We’ll do a good deal. We don’t feel we have to do something because we have some glaring weakness. We know our team is not perfect, but I like the guys on the team.”
As we detailed on Wednesday, several teams around the NBA hold disabled player exceptions after having players go down with season-ending injuries. But none of those exceptions is worth more than Boston’s $8.4MM DPE.
Since the disabled player exception can only be used once, the size of the Celtics’ exception wouldn’t give them an advantage over, say, the Heat – who have a $5.5MM DPE – if both clubs were pursuing a player like Tyreke Evans (who is earning $3.29MM). However, the Celtics’ exception can accommodate a wider range of players. For instance, Boston is the only team capable of acquiring Lou Williams‘ $7MM salary using a DPE.
[RELATED: Celtics among teams to express interest in Tyreke Evans]
Adding a scorer like Evans or Williams would make sense for the Celtics, as would bolstering their frontcourt with another big man — Greg Monroe, who reached a buyout agreement with the Suns, would be one candidate. Still, Ainge tells NBC Sports Boston that he’s not focused on a specific position or need as he considers his team’s options.
“It’s not like other sports where we need a defensive back that does this one thing, or we need a second baseman,” Ainge said. “Basketball is different. There’s lots of different ways we can play. It all depends on the ‘who’ more than the actual needs.”
The Celtics already have a top 5 defense and are only second to San Antonio in points allowed. They don’t even need anything crazy, a rebounder like Faried would be perfect. Probably won’t have to give up much for him, they could still win the Finals with this roster just because of that insanely good defense.
Ntm brown and Tatum are only getting better as season goes on. I could see a real roy argument come seasons end and many all star selections for these young men’s futures. Boston is preparing for another dynasty run like the did with there original big 3 who can also count as participants in this run based off the fact without the nets picks back for them we really wouldn’t be where we are. And that’s still without heyward.
While I agree with your comment I gotta say I never understood why people call the big 3 celtics a dynasty. They won one title and were only together like 3/4 years. It would be like calling the 2004 Pistons a dynasty
Sportsfan101 stated their original big 3, meaning Bird Parrish and McHale. They won 3 Championships (81, 84, 86).
Sorry bro, that is a dynasty.
Is that really being called a big 3 team? Should be big 4 IMO, if one must apply this, or just 1.
Fun fact, Bird only averaged about 2 3pt attempts pg over his career. Initially he got few points that way. Well I was surprised.
Faried won’t fit in the DPE due to both salary and there being 2 years on contract.
True but he might get bought out and then they could snag him
I definitely think Greg Monroe is on his way to Boston. B a solid backup big to Horford and can b on the court at the same time as him.
I would LOVE to get Tyreke Evans in Boston huge year from him averaging 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assist, and 1 steal a game.. might not be a great defender but would be leading scorer coming off the bench.. especially with Marcus Smart missing shots.. but who would they give up for Evans?