Danny Ainge Discusses Pierce, Trades, Grizzlies
Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge appeared on WEEI on Thursday and gave a radio interview in which he covered a variety of topics relating to the Celtics' handling of Rajon Rondo's knee injury and the team's plans for the trading headline. Brian Robb of CelticsHub.com has a transcript of some of Ainge's comments.
On the likelihood of a trade:
“I think whether we win every game or whether we struggle, I think it all depends on what opportunties are presented, so we are open and listening and are having discussions regarding a lot of different possibilities, but we don’t feel pressure to do anything. We want to make some change to help improve our team, but we don’t feel pressure.”
On the possibility of trading Paul Pierce:
Nothing is close to being done. I too, would like to see Paul Pierce retire as a Celtic. That would be great. We are all attached to Paul. He’s been great for the city, the franchise, each of us individually, he’s been a true pro. Having said that, if something came up I would talk to Paul, but my job is do what’s best for the Boston fans, and what’s best for the Boston Celtic team, regardless of my personal ties and personal relationships with players.”
On discussions with the Grizzlies prior to the Rudy Gay trade:
“Memphis with new management has been pretty active. We’ve had discussions but nothing that ever got close. It’s been well documented what they were trying to accomplish, to get under the tax and get for Rudy. They got some good players though, and time will tell.”
Week In Review: 1/21/13 – 1/27/13
A look back at the news stories and transactions of the past week.
- The Lakers continued to struggle, but the team is not considering firing head coach Mike D'Antoni. There are increased rumors that the team may look to move Dwight Howard, with the Nets as a possible trade partner.
- Rajon Rondo suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. This news has caused increased speculation that the Celtics will look to trade Paul Pierce.
- The city of Sacramento is continuing its efforts to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle.
- The Grizzlies traded Marreese Speight, Wayne Ellington, Josh Selby, and a future first-round pick to the Cavs for Jon Leuer. The move gets Memphis under the luxury tax and makes it less likely they will move Rudy Gay or Zach Randolph.
- Keyon Dooling has hinted at a comeback, possibly with the Celtics as a short-term replacement for Rondo.
- Anderson Varejao was ruled out for the season after a blood clot was discovered in his lung.
- Josh Smith made it clear he wants a max contract.
- The Rockets reinstated the suspended Royce White after reaching an agreement on how to handle the rookie's anxiety disorder. White will report to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League on February 11.
- John Hammond agreed to a three-year contract extension as GM of the Bucks.
- The Hornets formally announced their name change. They will become the Pelicans next season.
- Ray Allen revealed that he may retire after this season.
- Andrei Kirilenko strongly hinted that he is planning to pick up his option to stay with the Timberwolves next season.
- The Spurs signed Australian big man Aron Baynes.
- The Grizzlies signed forward Chris Johnson (not to be confused with the Timberwolves center of the same name).
- Former Lakers guard Darius Johnson-Odom signed in Russia.
- Delonte West signed with the D-League's Texas Legends, but the Mavericks ruled out re-signing him.
Keyon Dooling Open To Comeback
Veteran guard Keyon Dooling, who retired before the season, told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (via Twitter) that he would consider making an NBA comeback, although he noted that he is not currently in shape.
Dooling, who played for the Celtics last season, re-signed with Boston this summer but ultimately opted for retirement. It's possible the Celtics will look to bring him back following Sunday's news that Rajon Rondo will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
Hoops Rumors Originals: 1/21/13 – 1/27/13
A look back at the original content produced by the HoopsRumors.com staff over the past week:
- HoopsRumors' Trade Candidate series continued with a look at Marcin Gortat.
- An updated list of traded picks for the upcoming draft.
- A poll asking readers whether it was worth the risk for the Rockets to draft Royce White given his off-the-court issues.
- A poll asking readers whether the Lakers should trade Pau Gasol.
- A poll asking readers whether the Hawks will trade Josh Smith.
- The weekly Hoops Links series rounded up the best reads in the blogosphere.
- A transcript of Luke Adams' weekly reader chat.
Pistons Notes: Stuckey, Drummond, Monroe
The latest news and notes on the Detroit Pistons on Sunday afternoon:
- Rodney Stuckey is frustrated by his inconsistent play this season, writes Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News.
- David Mayo of MLive.com writes that Andre Drummond is not angry over his limited minutes, saying that he trusts Lawrence Frank.
- Mayo writes in another column that Drummond and Greg Monroe will play together when Monroe matures as a player.
Celtics May Look To Move Pierce
In light of the news that Rajon Rondo has suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season, focus is already turning to the decisions the Celtics face at the trade deadline. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports (via Twitter) that executives around the NBA expect the Celtics to seriously consider moving Paul Pierce before the February 21 trading deadline.
Pierce is due to be paid $15.3MM next season, but only $4MM of it is guaranteed. That number will become $5MM if he plays in 50 percent of his team's total games, including regular season and playoffs. Barring any injury, that is likely to happen.
Rajon Rondo Tears ACL
Rajon Rondo has torn his right ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2012/13 season. He was a late scratch from the Celtics' Sunday game against the Heat, and his injury was previously reported as a hyperextended knee. However, ESPN's Doris Burke reported during the telecast that Rondo was informed by team doctors that he had in fact suffered a torn ACL.
Boston's point guard duties will be manned primarily by Avery Bradley and Leandro Barbosa. It is unclear whether the Celtics will look for more point guard help, or whether this affects their plans to possibly move Paul Pierce.
Lakers Updates: Saturday
All of the day's updates about the Los Angeles Lakers will be gathered in this post.
6:39pm: Steve Blake announces (via Twitter) that he'll be healthy for a return this upcoming Tuesday.
2:16pm: Despite all the turmoil surrounding the team, sources tell Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News the Lakers have no intention of firing D'Antoni, and still plan to re-sign Howard this summer.
10:28am: The Buss family released a statement dispelling rumors that the Lakers are for sale. Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News has the transcript:
"We unanimously agree that we have no intention of ever selling the Lakers, and intend to keep ownership of the team in our family for generations to come," the statement read.
9:21am: Kobe Bryant discussed Dwight Howard's adjustment and the center's future with the Lakers with Sam Amick of USA Today:
"I don' t know what the future holds," Bryant said. "I don't know if (Howard will be traded)…But I know that as long as he's here, I'm going to continue to help him, mentor him, help him be great. That's all I can do. I'm a problem solver. I try to figure things out, come hell or high water."
8:39am: With the Lakers reeling after a four-game losing streak, Mike Trudell of the Los Angeles Times reports that GM Mitch Kupchak and Executive Vice President Jim Buss met with head coach Mike D'Antoni and gave him their vote of confidence. The Lakers defeated the Jazz Friday night, 102-84.
According to Trudell's report, Buss and Kupchak gave D'Antoni permssion to continue running his offense the way he had been previously, and handle all lineup and personnel decisions himself. D'Antoni commented to the Los Angeles Times that he saw no reason to change things:
"I just find it amusing that people want us to play a different way," he said. "And I don't know why we don't look at the top five teams and play that way. You know, San Antonio, Miami, Oklahoma City — they're all playing small and fast and moving the ball. The league has changed a little bit. We're not trying to get to mediocrity. We're trying to get to be better."
There had previously been speculation that the Lakers were considering firing D'Antoni after the team got off to a rough start under him. D'Antoni replaced Mike Brown, who was fired five games into the season after a 1-4 start.
Magic Want Picks, Young Talent For Redick
Ric Bucher of CSNBayArea.com reports (via Sulia) that the Orlando Magic are asking for picks and young talent on a rookie contract if they are to deal J.J. Redick before the February 21 trade deadline.
Bucher also says that, while the Celtics and Pacers are known to be interested in acquiring Redick, they lack the pieces to meet the Magic's asking price. As such, it is unlikely that he will be dealt before the deadline.
Redick, 28, is averaging 14.9 PPG and 4.4 APG, both career highs, in his final season with the Magic. He is due to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Kyler On Grizzlies, Magic, Redick, Leonard
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.com answered some questions from followers on his Twitter account Saturday morning, addressing a variety of trade rumors and speculation.
- Kyler doesn't think the Grizzlies will trade Rudy Gay unless it makes them better in the short term. He notes that the recent trade of Marreese Speights, Josh Selby, and Wayne Ellington to the Cavs was their method of getting under the luxury tax, which will make them more hesitant to trade Gay.
- Similarly, Kyler doesn't think Memphis will move Zach Randolph this season, although he points out that it could happen this summer as Randolph gets older.
- Kyler doesn't see any way that Gay ends up with the Lakers.
- The Magic are not interested in trading for Danny Granger, due to the potential of his health and contract to impact their rebuilding timeline.
- While Kyler thinks J.J. Redick would be a good fit for the Spurs, he says they are not willing to part with Kawhi Leonard, whom they see as a building block for the future.