Ainge Manages Expectations

by Jeff Clark on Jun 25, 2008 2:03 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Just in case you were getting a little too giddy about the draft, Danny wants to pour some cold water on your expectations. From the AP:

Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge doesn't expect to draft a player who can help the NBA champions next season.
Ainge said Wednesday there are some players he wouldn't select unless they agreed to play overseas and develop for a couple of years. He also said a trade for a better pick would be a real longshot.

Ainge also says he hopes to re-sign James Posey, but may not sign all of his current players who are eligible for free agency.

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Posey is priority # 1.

Guaranteed money next year for the 30th pick is not an optimal strategy.

by DJ to Bird on Jun 25, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

can we trade this pick for next year draft

by eddietours on Jun 25, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

smokescreen!!
(cough cough)

by Cman on Jun 25, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

Sign Posey!

Hey I just saw this – you might want to check it out – good gift for a fan: www.markwaitkus.com

by SmarterThanEwe on Jun 25, 2008 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

Although this does put a damper on our expectations for the draft, it’s probably the right idea. I’m just hoping that Nicolas Batum is the pick for us, let him develop for two years and let him come over when Pierce and Ray are on the downswing of their careers to become the next franchise player for this franchise…. ;)

by Rizzo on Jun 25, 2008 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

The biggest part of what Danny said pertains to the free agents.

House, Pollard, Brown and Cassell; I see a max of 1 of these guys coming back next year if Posey is successfully resigned.

by SShoreFan 2.0 on Jun 25, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

I really wish we could grab Mike Miller for the pick and Tony Allen….

by liam on Jun 25, 2008 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

Mike Miller for the pick and TA would be highway robbery for us. That would be great though.

by Andrew Celtic Nation on Jun 25, 2008 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

The other FA is Tony Allen. I would be surprised if he is back. However, stranger things have happened. PJ may just call it quits – what a way to go out, huh? Would love to see Eddie House back. Yes, he has some limitations, but they are manageable IMHO. He was a big part of the 66 wins, and he came up huge in the playoffs when called upon. Plus his energy off the bench is a major plus. If they don’t pickup another big, then I would expect to see Scott Pollard back, too. Gotta have some height behind Perk. Don’t think Sam will be back.

by joeb on Jun 25, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

This may be the case, but let’s all agree that Danny will never openly tell someone what it truly on his mind. Nobody knows what he’s thinking or will do tomorrow night. I think there’s as much of a chance we take a ready player as there is of Danny stashing away a Euro and/or trading into the second round to avoid guaranteed contracts.

We’ll see.

by CelticBalla32 on Jun 25, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with CMan. Danny Ainge has pretty much thrown us off almost every year. Bottom line is that Ainge’s skills in late draft skills are mind boggling (with a few exceptions). I fully expect an impact player. Unfortunately we won’t feel it until the guy hits the floor.

by afflatus on Jun 25, 2008 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

what about the #30 and TA for Lebron ?

by Champzilla on Jun 25, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

“what about the #30 and TA for Lebron ?” I like it…

by liam on Jun 25, 2008 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

I expect the pick to be Serge Ibaka.

by scitlec on Jun 25, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

How would this be a smokescreen? What did he take a refresher course from the Chris Wallace school of GMs? You are supposed to INFLATE the perceived value of your draft pick in case you want to deal it, not deflate it. I suppose the only possible smokescreen would be so that he can disuade someone else from jumping in front of our pick to pick someone who CAN help immediately this year. I think this is just a copout and that he’s going to be driven by $ to either trade(give) away this pick, or pick some Euro stiff who we never see in Green. Not good.

by libermaniac on Jun 25, 2008 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

i think this is a smoke screen and that i thinkthat danny will look to trade down into the 15 to 25 range and nab a guy like roy hibbert or courtney lee

by Kevin Garnet 227 on Jun 25, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

What can we tade down with ? We have 0 assets.

by Champzilla on Jun 25, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

The problem with the #30 pick is that the rookie pay scale makes it almost impossible to grab a European player. If they develop well overseas they will be in line to make way more by staying in Europe than by coming to the NBA. It’s much better for the Celtics to use the #60 pick on a European player because that way if they actually become a good player we can pay them out of the MLE. I’m crossing my fingers for one of CDR, Courtney Lee, or Bill Walker falling to us at 30.

by Byrdman on Jun 25, 2008 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

Ainge isn’t going to say nothing about nothing. You might as well ask my dog you what his plans are for Thursday night.

by no kidding on Jun 25, 2008 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

i dont know I kind of like Hibbert
or Hibberts idea for matching against Bynum
and keep the paternity
;D

by Edgar on Jun 25, 2008 5:37 PM EDT reply actions

If Danny can be believed, then it sounds as though he is expecting to keep the team relatively intact. Still though, I’d like to see Thompson or Hardin. If Rush drops, and PJ comes back, then I’d see taking him.

But without a first rounder next year, it sounds as though we need to grab someone to develop if nothing else.

by amenhotep04 on Jun 25, 2008 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

The draft is going to be what I thought it would be – totally insignificant for us.

As it should be. Posey is job one.

by CoachBo on Jun 25, 2008 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with most here. Posey is the main priority right now! Either way the Celtics will be in good shape for next season. If they don’t party too much right now.

by BostonKnucklehead.com on Jun 25, 2008 7:07 PM EDT reply actions

Be good to trade it for a #1 next year and a high second round this year. Lots of guys that can be good (or bad) in a few years in that range.

by desertgreen on Jun 25, 2008 7:12 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds like it’ll be a fun draft night, even if only half of the rumors come true…I actually take Danny at his word but, if an opportunity comes about to upgrade you know Danny is not afraid to pull the trigger..

by Fastbreak on Jun 25, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

For the last 20 years or so we’ve gotten into the habit of looking at the draft for our salvation. Well, salvation arrived last summer. We also have three good young players in Powe, BBD and Pruitt who would be better than anyone we could draft. Powe is a free agent, I believe. To me the priorities for next year is to use money in the best way possible. Without question is the need to sign James Posey, then Eddie House. I would love to be able to sign Powe. Then we can pick up a few free agents at minimal salaries and years to fill the gaps. The big question mark in my mind is Tony Allen. If he can be the TA before the last injury he would be a good addition and his asking price can’t be very high. We really don’t have a good idea of what the thinking on TA is within the organization.

by TrueGreen on Jun 25, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions

I get the feeling Tony won’t be back.

by clover on Jun 25, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions

Why not trade the pick for a future #1?

by QuinielaBox on Jun 25, 2008 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

trade the pick for next years. sign posey. feed the big 3 vitamins and geritol.

by nazzbo on Jun 25, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

We probably wont resign Pollard and PJ will probably retire , so to match
the Lakers getting Bynum back , we need to use this pick now and not trade it away for next yr, and we need a big . I think we might be able to get Nathan Jawaii or Nik Pekovic. I think they could outperform Pollard and be ready for the playoffs to contribute off the bench

by perk on Jun 25, 2008 11:46 PM EDT reply actions

As Ainge has said publicly, we’re not going to get anyone who can help next year at 30. The pick is insignificant, frankly, and should be moved for picks down the road, IMHO.

by CoachBo on Jun 26, 2008 6:32 AM EDT reply actions