Boston Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge rules out big changes in roster – NBA Update
The Boston Celtics have continuously been in the news over the last month or so in terms of trade speculation, with various sources suggesting Boston are looking for an overhaul of their roster.
The Celtics were indeed expected to make some moves already, but nothing has materialized so far and General Manager Danny Ainge has now moved to clarify that the franchise does not expect too much activity in the near future.
"Nothing is even close. As of right now we have nothing close to happening," Ainge said on Boston sports radio station WEEI. "It's not from a lack of trying. Not necessarily to make major changes but to make small changes at least.”
Various sources within the NBA have confirmed that Ainge has actually been on the market all season long, but hasn’t been able to find a suitable deal. The executive also revealed that he could be open to moves before the March 15 deadline.
"But we still have a long time before March 15 to see if we can do something to help our team."
It has been speculated that the Celtics have flaunted star point guard Rajon Rondo to other teams this season, but the player’s terrific performances of late have deterred their plans to trade him. In fact, the Celtics coach Doc Rivers come out to support
Rondo.
The reason Celtics have toyed with the idea of trading Rondo is that they do not have many assets that could interest other sides. Celtics roster is packed with aging veterans who do not carry much value in the market, while the younger lot is not of sufficient
standard to attract other franchises.
With Rondo now seemingly off the market as well, the Celtics are eying the summer to make the big changes their roster requires. The likes of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Jermaine O’Neal will all be out of contract in the summer, clearing up a lot of salary
cap room for Boston.
Ainge can then use the flexibility to attract the best free agents available. He is also looking at acquiring draft picks, because of the potential strength of this year’s NBA Draft.
"We have some good pieces," Ainge said. "We have some players still under contract that we really like on the roster, more than we did back in the 2003-04 era [when Ainge first arrived in Boston]. Completely rebuild? I'm not sure we need to do that."
A number of high profile free agents, such as Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets, would be attractive to the Celtics in the summer. They also have Jeff Green scheduled to return from injury next season and if they
can shuffle the pack meaningfully they could return as a major force in the NBA.
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