Celtics Notes: Ainge, Johnson
The latest news and notes on the Boston Celtics following the trade deadline:
- Celtics president Danny Ainge tells ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg that the team was close to several deals in the minutes leading up to the deadline.
- Ainge also says he was thinking both about the present and the future, as he explored trades that would have helped the Celtics make a playoff run as well as accumulate assets for the future.
- Ainge says that the Celtics need another big man, and they may explore the buyout market for a solution.
- In a separate post, Forsberg wonders whether the Celtics would be interested in Chris Johnson, who was waived by the Blazers earlier today and played briefly for Boston last season.
Rivers Doesn’t Expect O’Neal Back
ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg reports that Celtics coach Doc Rivers does not expect center Jermaine O'Neal to play for the team again this season as he recovers from a wrist injury.
O'Neal's continued absence opens up the possibility of Boston adding another big man through the buyout market, something Rivers hinted at, although he said nothing was imminent.
"Right now there’s no reason to do anything, but if there’s a chance we can get another guy, then we’re going to have make a roster spot," said Rivers, who later added, "There probably will be some [buyout] guys [available]. The buyout follows the trade thing, so then you have to wait and see what you can get. Then we’ll know more."
O'Neal is in the final year of a two-year, $11.9MM contract he signed in the summer of 2010. He is making $6.2MM this season.
Failed Deals: Beasley, Crawford, Allen, Pierce
You've read about the trades that were completed prior to the deadline, but there were also plenty of moves that didn't quite work out. Here are a few that have been reported so far:
- The Lakers had been in talks to acquire Michael Beasley in a deal that would've sent Jamal Crawford and Derek Fisher to the Timberwolves, with Dallas' first-round pick going to the Blazers, says Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com (on Twitter).
- Crawford also could've gone to the Lakers, but the Blazers didn't want to take on Derek Fisher, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
- Before they acquired Nick Young, the Clippers talked extensively with the Rockets about trading for Courtney Lee, tweets Sam Amick of SI.com.
- The Clippers were also "this close" from acquiring Ray Allen, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (Twitter link).
- The Celtics had serious talks with several teams about both Allen and Paul Pierce, but nothing came together, says Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
- Another interesting tidbit from Amick: He says the Nuggets tried to engage the Kings on Nene/DeMarcus Cousins swap about a month ago, but the Kings weren't interested (Twitter links).
- The Bucks made a "strong late push" for the Hornets' Carl Landry, but couldn't work anything out, tweets ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
- GM Otis Smith told John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com that the Magic explored many deals to bring in help around Dwight Howard, but that the risk/reward factor didn't make sense (Twitter link).
Celtics Stand Pat At Deadline
The Celtics' Big Three will stay together for at least one more playoff run, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Boston has elected to stand pat at the trade deadline, says Wojnarowski.
Celtics GM Danny Ainge said earlier today that there was a 50/50 chance of the team making a trade. Ray Allen drew significant interest and inquiries on Paul Pierce picked up today, but the Celtics' asking price wasn't met for either player.
For Ainge, the next order of business could be deciding whether to explore a buyout for Jermaine O'Neal.
Trade Rumors: Hinrich, Pierce, Pistons, Crawford
The NBA's 2:00pm trade deadline is upon us, but teams who are close to deals could still be given a little leeway to finalize things. Here are a few of the latest rumors:
- Kirk Hinrich will remain a Hawk through the deadline, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
- The Hawks and Bobcats will stand pat, says Steve Kyler of Hoops World (Twitter link).
- Interest in Paul Pierce picked up today, but a deal isn't likely because the Celtics' asking price is too high, tweets Chris Mannix of SI.com.
- The Pistons received and made phone calls, but likely won't make a deadline deal, tweets Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.
- Joe Freeman of The Oregonian tweets that the Blazers are still working on a Jamal Crawford trade, but a deal doesn't look likely, says Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter).
Chris Kaman Likely Staying Put
Chris Kaman will likely remain a Hornet past the trade deadline, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
The Celtics, Heat, and Spurs will aggressively pursue Kaman if the Hornets end up buying out his contract, but that's not a given with the league running the team, Wojnarowski adds (Twitter links).
Jermaine O’Neal Angling For Buyout
Jermaine O'Neal, currently sidelined with a wrist injury, has been angling for a contract buyout, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. However, the Celtics are still exploring trades that could include O'Neal's expiring contract.
According to Wojnarowski (Twitter link), O'Neal has significant interest in rejoining the Heat. However, the Celtics are unlikely to buy out the big man's contract if they think that's the likely outcome.
GM Danny Ainge said this morning that there's about a 50% chance of the Celtics making a deadline deal. We also heard today that Ray Allen is drawing heavy interest from a number of contending teams.
Several Contenders Pursuing Ray Allen
Ray Allen is drawing significant interest from several contending teams, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). The Celtics have received offers of either a good young player or a first-round pick, and may move Allen if they were offered both a young player and a pick.
GM Danny Ainge told WEEI earlier today that he put the odds of a Celtics trade at 50/50, though he cautioned that the team may just make a small move. A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com reported yesterday that Allen was the most likely Celtic to be moved at the deadline.
Ainge: 50/50 Chance of Celtics Trade
Interviewed on WEEI in Boston this morning, Celtics GM Danny Ainge said there was a "50/50 chance" he'd make a trade by this afternoon's deadline (hat tip to ESPNBoston.com).
"It may be a small deal," Ainge said. "It may be not as exciting as people may expect. But we’re working hard, we’ll work hard the rest of the day until 3:00."
A wrist injury to Jermaine O'Neal and season-ending aortic surgery for Chris Wilcox have the Celtics searching for a big man. However, Ainge says he's happy with the current Celtics' roster and doesn't feel pressure to get something done today.
"I have no desire to move anybody on our team," the Celtics GM said. "It’s just I have to look and so far I have nothing. We don’t have anything that we’re really excited about right now. If somebody steps up and ups their offers today who knows what might happen by the trade deadline. But I am prepared and comfortable with letting the season play out. If somebody wants to throw in first-round draft picks or give quality young players, that’s something we have to consider."
Odds & Ends: McGee, Lee, Bradley
Tick, tock. Just hours to go before tomorrow's 2:00pm trade deadline. No deals went down today, but there's been no shortage of news. Here are the latest tidbits on trades and other NBA action:
- Marc J. Spears reports the Wizards are actively trying to trade JaVale McGee, but a GM says Washington is "asking for the world" in return. (Twitter link) Tom Ziller of SB Nation adds detail.
- Alex Kennedy tweets that the price also appears to be too high for Courtney Lee, whom the Rockets are trying to move.
- Sean Deveney of the Sporting News passes along a nugget about the Celtics in a larger roundup, reporting that the team would be willing to trade Avery Bradley for a big man. Perhaps that's the player they have in mind in a potential deal for J.J. Hickson.
- With the NCAA tournament getting in full swing tomorrow, ESPN's Chad Ford breaks down the top NBA draft prospects in the Midwest Region. He's also looked at the East and the South, with the West sure to come next. (Insider only)
- Adam Zagoria of SNY looks at likely lottery picks Andre Drummond and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as they gear up for the postseason.
- In a basketball-baseball crossover story, Warriors co-owner Peter Guber has joined forces with Magic Johnson in a bid to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to a Bloomberg News report by Scott Soshnick.