Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge made his weekly appearance on 93.7 WEEI FM in Boston to discuss a number of topics about the team, most notably saying that a tough week lies ahead in terms of making personnel decisions. Here's an outline of some of the highlights from the transcript:
- Trade options right now have dwindled since the team dealt with injuries to Rajon Rondo, Jared Sullinger, and Leandro Barbosa.
- The team "will eventually get some help", but Ainge feels that there aren't any players out there who could make the same impact that those three have made when healthy. Anyone comparable to Barbosa is currently under a "multimillion dollar and multiyear contract", and no one who impacts the dynamic of team rebounding the way Sullinger does is available, which would make the task of acquiring replacements very challenging.
- They'll take this next week to explore trades and free agent signings, and Delonte West is one of the players on their long list of targets. According to Ainge, West is "someone who we certainly know, probably better than anyone in the NBA." However, Ainge also added that it'd be difficult for someone to have sat out for almost a year and immediately contribute.
- He didn't perceive the team would do so well after Rondo got hurt, saying that short samples can sometimes be deceiving.
- One key for the Celtics moving forward hinges on how well they can exploit the matchup advantages that Jeff Green can create offensively.