Ainge re trade by deadline:

[Cyclical]

“I like what we have,” he said, choosing to look for a bright side to the Spurs loss, which included a three-point Celtics lead before the bottom dropped out in the last 1:36 of the game.

“(Sunday) we had a lead,” he said. “It was a game we should win and a game that we would win most of the time.

“You have to be careful at this time of the year. You have to be careful not to be one of those teams that overreacts at a time like this. But I’m always looking for ways to get better, whether it’s now, in training camp or in November. But you don’t want to make changes just to make changes.”

“I doubt it,” Ainge said of the chance he will make a move by the trading deadline. “But there is always a chance.”

http://bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2009_02_10_Danny_Ainge:_Celtics_no_need_to_make_moves/

Discuss...

[Ed Pinkney]

It's probably because no one wants what we would be willing to actually trade more than Danny not wanting to do anything. I think if he could turn any of our 8-15 players into something good he would do it.

[Dave_From_NB]

The next time that Ainge tells the media what he is planning to do, will be the first time that Ainge tells the media what he is planning to do.

I'll also point out that the deadline for signing FA's (and buy-outs) is past the trade deadline - the Celtics picking up free players is far more likley than a trade IMO.

[Tricky Ricky]

You cant trust Ainge! Come on now how many times has he said one thing and done the other for the better of the team.

[BillessuR6]

Well, I wouldn`t expect him to say anything else.

But I also doubt we will make a trade. Maybe just Giddens for a second rounder to open up a roster spot.

We can only pray someone like Marbury, Smith gets bough out because otherwise I don`t see much chance to improve this team...

And since I don`t believe Marbury will be bought out (nor Smith), I expect our only moves will be dusting off Sam Cassell and signing someone like Scot Pollard...

[GreenGrizz]

See y ou next year.

[sully00]

Scott Pollard actually makes a some sense if we can keep him on his feet. This team's needs are being over exaggerated.

I am not the biggest fan of PER but it can be used to look at two things that are the same. Boston's PER by position/opponent/net

2009
PG 19.4/14.7/+4.8
SG 17.4/11.0/+6.4
SF 19.8/14.1/+5.7
PF 19.2/14.7/+3.4
C 13.7/14.9/-1.2

2008
PG 16.0/15.3/+0.7
SG 16.4/12.0/+4.4
SF 19.9/12.7/+7.1
PF 21.2/14.2/+7.0
C 16.0/15.4/+0.5

Were better at both guard spots, while we are worse offensively at the Center spot KG is playing half the mins at that spot he did last year and that is a good thing. At the PF production is down and that is due to KG just being mortal and somewhat the same with Powe.

Obviously a better back up PG might help us get more production from the bigs, but you will probably struggle to find guards off the bench who score as efficiently as Eddie and Tony, look around the league back up PGs shoot around 40% we already have Sam and Pruitt if that is what we want.

There has been some give and take with Posey's mins essentially going to Perk, Baby, and Powe but we have kept KG out of the center spot. We have given some defensively at the SF spot and that is an issue with LeBron. It the funny thing about Posey if he was here we might be better or worse but we would still have a need for a real big who can score. Anybody seen how the Chief looks lately?

[Celtsfan1980]

He also said they're planning on keeping the draft pick before the Ray Allen trade.

[cisco]

I'm praying he's not telling the truth!

[cfan79]

Danny only lies when he speaks. The guy was a born liar and you have to be when you're a GM.

[Dave_From_NB]

Scott Pollard actually makes a some sense if we can keep him on his feet. This team's needs are being over exaggerated.

I'm not opposed to Pollard as a last resort, assuming surgery has corrected his health issues. Besides being a good interview, he's someone who can go out for a short time and play hard and tough. The man is going to be awful rusty though, and at the best of times he wasn't competing for the scoring title (sic).

[cfan79]

I'd rather bring back Joe Kleine then Scot Pollard. He has more of a chance of staying healthy and contributing.

[Joebiscuit]

Of course he is going to say the bench is fine to the newspapers. Ainge is not an idiot and he does know that the bench is a weak point.

I am sure he is working hard to get a player that can help but there is not much out there.

[Kefa461]

I trust Danny will do the best he can do with what he has to work with....

[MyInsatiableOne]

I agree with y'all, what else is Danny gonna say, "I hope we find someone dumb enough to take Scal, Davis, and POB from us in exchange for someone good?"

[Harison]

DA is a very smart guy, and he definately sees we need a decent guy or two to repeat. If he comments like this its either "we dont have the chips to trade so lets downplay it" or more likely "there is something in the making, lets pretend we arent doing anything"

[3pt %]

The worst thing a Gm can say is "we are looking to make a trade".

All of the role players and bench become nervous and start looking over their shoulder. That is the last thing we need.

And like pretty much everyone has said, when has Ainge ever said anything to the media about a trade that has come through.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Agreed. What's Ainge supposed to say, "We really hope to find someone stupid enough to give us a good player or two for TA, Scal, and Baby? We desperately want to unload them..."

Of course not!

[sully00]

I doubt there will be trades for Boston because there could be a number of buyouts after the deadline. Not just the usual expiring vets but teams looking to cut losses on longer term deals.

There are 8 teams over the tax and they are not likely going to be adding payroll the Suns are thinking about imploding instead of paying the tax, the Pistons are positioned to go either way.

After that there are another 7 teams within a million dollars of the threshold. They aren't going to add salalry. Beyond the dollar for dollar tax they miss out on the 4.5 mil payout of that money. This year teams are losing millions, the Kings are expecting to lose 27.5 mil they want that payout.

So I think you may see more buyouts along the lines of Antonio McDyess in DEN. For example the Kings after the deadline may go to Brad Miller who will have roughly 15 mil left on his deal between this year and next and little SAC can do about unloading the costs after the trade deadline. If he would take half and sign with a playoff team and try and get MLE deal in the offseason he could end up making more money. New Orleans are Washington are two teams with Lux Tax issues next season to concern themselves with and other teams that would just like to cut costs back to Salary Cap limits instead of lux tax limits.

[NES 247]

I don't know how or why Ainge won't pull off an acquistion, never mind a trade. This team needs some help of the bench badly. The 2nd unit has looked terrible of late. I'm sick of Tony Allen, give Bill Walker a shot. Anyway, we need a bigman, and the chances of trading for one are slim to none. I somehow pray that the C's have tried to coherce PJ Brown out of retirement again, but I doubt he'll come back now that he has his ring. A scorer off the bench would be nice as well, but it looks like the Marbury buyout talks with the Knicks aren't going anywhere.