Ainge talked to Shaq: Agreement Unlikely

[beantownboy171]

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations said Thursday morning that he has spoken with free-agent Shaquille O'Neal about the possibility of coming to Boston but thought it unlikely that a deal would get done.


O'Neal
"I don't think that Shaquille is that much of a possibility," Ainge said in an interview on Boston sports radio station WEEI. "The door is not shut but I don't think it's a real possibility right now. Certainly not our top priority."

For starters, because the Celtics would only be able to pay Shaq the veteran's minimum, the team would have to work out a sign-and-trade with the Cavaliers in order to realistically have a chance at landing him.

"We've had conversations and we have ongoing conversations with Shaquille," Ainge said. "In order to get Shaquille it would have to be a sign-and-trade situation. That door hasn't been completely slammed, although it's very unlikely once we signed Jermaine [O'Neal]."

Ainge also reiterated his belief that center Rasheed Wallace is going to retire. There had been rumors that Wallace was reconsidering the decision.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5382140

Kind of old news, but the article was just posted, and i thought i'd pass it along.

[Chris]

Did anyone else listen to this interview, and find this headline infuriating (WEEI did the same thing on their website).  Dennis and Callahan threw Shaqs name out there, and Danny said that they had talked to his agent (basically, just to humor them), but made it crystal clear that its not happening.  This is how false rumors are started.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

This is a shame as I really wanted Shaq.

Can't we S&T for Shaq and Delonte?

Sheed's contract and Scal or something? Anything? Bueller

[Redz]

Did anyone else listen to this interview, and find this headline infuriating (WEEI did the same thing on their website).  Dennis and Callahan threw Shaqs name out there, and Danny said that they had talked to his agent (basically, just to humor them), but made it crystal clear that its not happening.  This is how false rumors are started.

Ainge said the door is not shut, but it's highly unlikely.

[Assassin70]

No to Shaq if we have to do a sign and trade.  Hopefully no one will bite on that S&T.  Then he will have to choose between us and the Heat for peanuts.

Although...Cuban might bite and he will be in Dallas.

[Jon]

At this point, center really isn't a priority.  Even with Perk out, KG, JO, and BBD can handle nearly all the 4/5 minutes.  Whoever the 4th big is will only need to play 10-15 mpg tops. 

If Shaq somehow decided to come for the minimum, great.  However, we really need to address the wing spot, particularly the 3. 

[Mr October]

This is a shame as I really wanted Shaq.

Can't we S&T for Shaq and Delonte?

Sheed's contract and Scal or something? Anything? Bueller

I wouldn't rule anything out yet... I would love to see the non-guaranteed Celtic pupu platter ($10.9) value for some combination of Shaq/Moon/Parker/West

[Bankshot]

This is a shame as I really wanted Shaq.

Can't we S&T for Shaq and Delonte?

Sheed's contract and Scal or something? Anything? Bueller

What do we need that nutjob Delonte for?  We are re-signing Nate.

[manl_lui]

i prefer a S/T for Shaq and Parker or Moon, a center and a 3 spot, not bad

problem is who do we give up? Sheed's contract scal and maybe some other scrub?

Id like this to happen...