Danny Ainge Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Ainge On Trade Options, Team Plans, Delonte

February 14th, 2013 at 7:59pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge made his weekly appearance on 93.7 WEEI FM in Boston to discuss a number of topics about the team, most notably saying that a tough week lies ahead in terms of making personnel decisions. Here's an outline of some of the highlights from the transcript:

Trade options right now have dwindled since the team dealt with injuries to Rajon Rondo, Jared Sullinger, and Leandro Barbosa.
The team "will eventually get some help", but Ainge feels that there aren't any players out there who could make the same impact that those three have made when healthy. Anyone comparable to Barbosa is currently under a "multimillion dollar and multiyear contract", and no one who impacts the dynamic of team rebounding the way Sullinger does is available, which would make the task of acquiring replacements very challenging.
They'll take this next week to explore trades and free agent signings, and Delonte West is one of the players on their long list of targets. According to Ainge, West is "someone who we certainly know, probably better than anyone in the NBA." However, Ainge also added that it'd be difficult for someone to have sat out for almost a year and immediately contribute.
He didn't perceive the team would do so well after Rondo got hurt, saying that short samples can sometimes be deceiving.
One key for the Celtics moving forward hinges on how well they can exploit the matchup advantages that Jeff Green can create offensively.

Danny Ainge Discusses Pierce, Trades, Grizzlies

January 31st, 2013 at 6:02pm CST by Sean Highkin

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.”

Odds & Ends: Ainge, Gasol, Bird Rights, Shaw

May 21st, 2012 at 11:23pm CST by Chuck Myron

It's been a busy night both on and off the court in the NBA, as the Lakers appear to be on their way to elimination at the hands of the Thunder, while the Magic are making wholesale management changes. Here's the rest of the late-night story:

The Blazers have not asked for permission from the Celtics to speak with Danny Ainge about their GM opening, Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com tweets.
The Rockets remain interested in trading for Pau Gasol, salary cap guru Larry Coon says, via Twitter.
Coon also believes the union will not prevail in its quest to secure Bird rights for players who were claimed off waivers (Twitter link).
Pacers assistant Brian Shaw is drawing interest for head coaching positions elsewhere, but the Pacers place a high value on him, Chris Mannix of SI.com notes (Twitter link).
Jason Fleming of HoopsWorld profiles the top five vote-getters for Executive of the Year.