Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics have been one of the most successful teams in the NBA over the past few years. That success has come thanks in part to the fact that Ainge has always been able to manage his roster effectively, dealing with the salary cap and potential trades in order to build the best teams possible.
There’s been a lot of talk lately regarding how the Boston Celtics are going to improve this offseason. The team has been connected to several big-name free agents, and is expected to pursue a trade for Kevin Love, who is unhappy with Minnesota’s current situation. But while some players may be available in the trade market, Ainge has said that the Celtics will not be signing any free agents unless they are “major pieces” who can help on and off the court. The Celtics are currently in the second round of the playoffs, and are expected to add another big piece this summer.
In an interview with the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn, Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge spoke about the Celtics’ offseason—specifically, the Celtics’ plans for free agency.
The Boston Celtics won a game they didn’t expect to win, and now they face a playoff game in the first round that almost everyone thinks they can win. But if current events keep Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge busy, he’s already looking ahead to what could be an eventful summer at the Hub. Star Jason Tatum scored 50 points Tuesday in the Celtics’ victory over the Washington Wizards in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference tournament playoffs. Boston thus assured itself of seventh place and a meeting in the first round with the Brooklyn Nets and former Celtics star Kyrie Irving. Given the success the Celtics have yet to achieve against Brooklyn this season, Boston’s stay in the true playoff group may not last long. Ainge is definitely interested in this series. But we can forgive him if he wants to look forward after a season that was derailed in many ways.
Boston Celtics fail to meet expectations
. COMPARED TO: Boston Celtics Hall of Fame Bill Russell broke the color barrier for coaches almost 60 years ago At the start of the 2020-21 season, most intelligent people thought the Boston Celtics would finish in the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference. The Celtics finished in the top four in the East in almost every prediction. But the Celtics were rarely healthy, and aside from two young stars, they had nothing to rely on. Former NBA guard Kemba Walker has been out all season with a sore knee. He appeared in just 43 games, scored fewer than 20 points per game for the first time since 2014-15, and his field goal percentage has gone from a meager 42.5 percent last season to an even worse percentage this season. Jaylen Brown, making his first start of the 2020-21 season, has been out for a year with torn wrist ligaments. As a result, Boston is nearly 25 points behind. Junior Robert Williams has missed 20 games and is currently struggling with a toe injury. Defenseman Marcus Smart has been out 24 games, and Boston has used 37 starters in just 72 games. As for their opponent in the first round, the Celtics have gone 0-3 against the Brooklyn Nets this season, scoring 15 points per game (or maybe that’s a better term). The Nets won 123-95 in Boston on Christmas Day and won two games in Brooklyn (121-109 on March 11 and 109-104 on April 23).
What’s next for the Celtics and Danny Ainge?
Danny Ainge, president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics. | John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images COMPARED TO: Boston Celtics added to their long list of worst losses in history. On Thursday, Ainge spoke about his approach to the series with the Nets on Boston radio station 98.5 FM’s Touch & Rich . According to the long-term front office manager of the Boston Celtics, this is a chance to see what they have available this offseason. Ainge also spoke about the challenges of the job. We are currently evaluating this team. Our players, how some of them are developing. I mean, we see guys getting their first chance to play, in some cases. Before our eyes. So we evaluate the guys; the way they play can change the way we think about them. Absolutely. I think the problem was where to go because there are so many different things to do. What I like to do, what I’m good at, and what I should be doing. It’s always a challenge: what do I spend my time on that day or week and what helps the organization the most? Danny Ainge But what’s happening in Boston this summer may have more to do with money than basketball sense.
Flexibility could be an issue for Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics, this summer
. COMPARED TO: Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens makes shocking $70 million decision The players and owners reached an agreement last season. So the teams are in the unusual situation of knowing the maximum salaries and luxury tax threshold for next season. The cap will be $112.4 million and the tax line $136.6 million. But it doesn’t look like the Boston Celtics will have any wiggle room unless they make some big trades. Keith Smith of RealGM made some gloomy predictions for the Celtics in January. Boston expects to enter the season with nearly $35 million over the salary cap, and the best they can hope for is $21.1 million over the cap. That doesn’t give the Celtics much to play for on the free agent market. Evan Fournier, acquired from the Orlando Magic during the trade deadline, is the expected top free agent. Other free agents include reserves Luke Cornett, Moritz Wagner, Semi Ogieli, Tremont Waters and Taco Fall, fan favorites. Jabari Parker has a team option for next season worth $2.28 million, according to HoopsHype. Danny Ainge has pulled rabbits out of the hat before, and for a long time: He joined the Boston Celtics in May 2003. So be careful when you put a cross on it this time. Statistics provided by Basketball Reference.The Boston Celtics are already one of the best teams in the NBA, but if they want to make it even better, they might have to explore the trade market.. Read more about boston celtics record and let us know what you think.
Related Tags:
danny ainge tried to trade kembaceltics gmdanny aingeboston celtics recordboston celtics logo,People also search for,Privacy settings,How Search works,danny ainge tried to trade kemba,celtics gm,danny ainge,boston celtics record,boston celtics logo
