Boston sits at No. 2 on the East side of the NBA competition, but general manager Danny Ainge is clear on one thing, a room is always there for improvements. Having said that, Ainge said he is ready to listen on trade proposals but reminded possible partners that his team's young and prized assets are all hands-off.
These untouchables have identified as Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown, and perhaps are the precise reason the Celtics are confident of making the playoffs. This conviction is backed by a record that is the second-best in the Eastern Conference.
There is no reason to believe the Celtics will see a reversal of fortune within the current campaign. As pointed out by Fadeaway World, the Greens have made a name on solid consistency so Boston is only expected to further advance.
That exactly is what Ainge has been communicating. He is ready to make changes, but in doing so, it has to be for moving forward or benefit of the club.
"Change for the sake of change is not what I'm looking for. Change for the sake of progress is what we're always looking for," the Celtics GM was reported as saying.
He further explained that the Boston management is ready to talk on the possibility of a trade deal, but the other party needs to know, he has no interest in discussing things in the short-term. The Celtics are not inclined to negotiate seriously involving young talents and get a veteran in return.
"I don't think I'm looking at any short-term urgency to trade away all my young assets to get some veteran player. But we're looking. We'll have conversations before trade deadline like we do every year," said Ainge.
Ainge has a team in which the players get along well and play hard together. Breaking up such a tight crew is not in the cards for the Celtics.
True to his words, Bleacher Report said Boston is more likely to fill holes on the team exploring the buyout market. The course is preferred even as interested teams have sent words on the likelihood of acquiring Gordon Heyward and Marcus Smart.
Heyward and Smart are considered part of the Celtics core, so as far Ainge is concerned, the two are protected as well.
Branding the core players as non-negotiable is understandable on Ainge's part. Walker, Tatum, Brown, and Hayward are all shooting in double figures per game. And Smart is highly dependable to put up a defense as tasked by the coaching staff.
In the end, dictating the terms of trade is not strange for Boston because when bargaining with a potential trade partner, Ainge is well aware that his side is on the position of strength, added the same report.
