Larry Bird: Ainge offered me Allen for Hansborough + 1st Rounder

[bostonpatriot]

Bird made this statement on a Jackie MacMullan's piece for ESPN published a couple of days ago. As Larry says there, if this is Ainge's asking price for Ray, then he obviously doesn't want to trade him.

Or, he is asking for an extra asset than he knows he is going to get, weeks before the trade deadline, since there is still plenty of time to negotiate. 

He isn't going to get a 1st round pick, a decent young player in a rookie contract and a huge trade exception for Ray Allen. It doesn't matter how much time he has to negotiate; not even the entire eternity would be enough to get that kind of return.

If that's the asking price, Ray Allen won't be traded.

You haven't left much on the table for DA to even consider in a trade.  I don't think its out of the realm of possibilities that a playoff team finds enough expiring salaries + a late first round pick to pry away Ray.  The Spurs come to mind as do the Clippers.

If DA gets a pick plus expiring deals, Ray Allen will be gone.

What?

I agree that expirings + a late first round pick is doable (not from the Spurs though, I think they're settled at the wings with Manu+Jefferson+Neal+Green+Leonard).

If that's the asking price, then I agree there's a decent chance he might find a taker for Ray. If it's what he asked Indiana, no way.

[the_Bird]

The interesting part of this trade isn't the trade itself, but the type of trade Danny seems to be pursuing.

Hansbrough + a pick means that you're blowing the team up.

If he was asking for... say, Jeff Foster, that would indicate that Danny was trying to salvage this season. 

Hansbrough would help this team much more than Jeff Foster would at this point in their careers. 

...  meant Foster as an example.  Couldn't think of any other veterans on Indy's roster.  I've got to believe that Danny's line of thinking is more on getting young guys than spending assets to get, say...  Chris Kaman.

[jambr380]

Wow, and I was thinking this wasn't a great deal for the Celtics. Is Hansbrough really the type of guy you build around and Indy's pick isn't going to be all that great. I say you holdon to Allen and buy a pick come draft time.

[Jon]

Wow, and I was thinking this wasn't a great deal for the Celtics. Is Hansbrough really the type of guy you build around and Indy's pick isn't going to be all that great. I say you holdon to Allen and buy a pick come draft time.

Of course this all could be lies for Larry, trying to drive the price of Ray.  If other teams think that's all Danny wants, they certainly aren't going to come to DA with good offers.

[Chris]

Bird made this statement on a Jackie MacMullan's piece for ESPN published a couple of days ago. As Larry says there, if this is Ainge's asking price for Ray, then he obviously doesn't want to trade him.

Or, he is asking for an extra asset than he knows he is going to get, weeks before the trade deadline, since there is still plenty of time to negotiate. 

He isn't going to get a 1st round pick, a decent young player in a rookie contract and a huge trade exception for Ray Allen. It doesn't matter how much time he has to negotiate; not even the entire eternity would be enough to get that kind of return.

If that's the asking price, Ray Allen won't be traded.

I agree.  But that is how negotiations work.  You start by asking for more than you know you will get.  Then, you have room to negotiate.  That is why this statement by Bird was a bit disingenuous.  He makes it sound like Danny would only trade Ray for that package.  However, all that he is really saying is that Danny ASKED for that.  

Look at it like negotiating for a car.  Danny has set the sticker price at a young rotation player, a first round pick, and a trade exception.  Danny knows that the actual sale price will be something closer to an expiring contract and a first round pick or prospect.  But, if he makes that the sticker price, then he is just negotiating against himself.

[bostonpatriot]

Bird made this statement on a Jackie MacMullan's piece for ESPN published a couple of days ago. As Larry says there, if this is Ainge's asking price for Ray, then he obviously doesn't want to trade him.

Or, he is asking for an extra asset than he knows he is going to get, weeks before the trade deadline, since there is still plenty of time to negotiate. 

He isn't going to get a 1st round pick, a decent young player in a rookie contract and a huge trade exception for Ray Allen. It doesn't matter how much time he has to negotiate; not even the entire eternity would be enough to get that kind of return.

If that's the asking price, Ray Allen won't be traded.

I agree.  But that is how negotiations work.  You start by asking for more than you know you will get.  Then, you have room to negotiate.  That is why this statement by Bird was a bit disingenuous.  He makes it sound like Danny would only trade Ray for that package.  However, all that he is really saying is that Danny ASKED for that.  

Look at it like negotiating for a car.  Danny has set the sticker price at a young rotation player, a first round pick, and a trade exception.  Danny knows that the actual sale price will be something closer to an expiring contract and a first round pick or prospect.  But, if he makes that the sticker price, then he is just negotiating against himself.

What was said was "If that's the asking price.." then he isn't seriously looking for a trade.

Of course, if Ainge was posturing and the asking price is actually lower now, then he may trade him. But that's why the qualified was there.

[Chris]

Bird made this statement on a Jackie MacMullan's piece for ESPN published a couple of days ago. As Larry says there, if this is Ainge's asking price for Ray, then he obviously doesn't want to trade him.

Or, he is asking for an extra asset than he knows he is going to get, weeks before the trade deadline, since there is still plenty of time to negotiate. 

He isn't going to get a 1st round pick, a decent young player in a rookie contract and a huge trade exception for Ray Allen. It doesn't matter how much time he has to negotiate; not even the entire eternity would be enough to get that kind of return.

If that's the asking price, Ray Allen won't be traded.

I agree.  But that is how negotiations work.  You start by asking for more than you know you will get.  Then, you have room to negotiate.  That is why this statement by Bird was a bit disingenuous.  He makes it sound like Danny would only trade Ray for that package.  However, all that he is really saying is that Danny ASKED for that.  

Look at it like negotiating for a car.  Danny has set the sticker price at a young rotation player, a first round pick, and a trade exception.  Danny knows that the actual sale price will be something closer to an expiring contract and a first round pick or prospect.  But, if he makes that the sticker price, then he is just negotiating against himself.

What was said was "If that's the asking price.." then he isn't seriously looking for a trade.

Of course, if Ainge was posturing and the asking price is actually lower now, then he may trade him. But that's why the qualified was there.

Right, and that is the part that was disingenuous by Bird.  He was talking about a discussion at least a week, and perhaps longer ago, where Bird asked him what it would take to get Allen.  Bird has been doing this long enough to know that no one makes their best offer 2+ weeks before the trade deadline. 

This whole interview was partly a hit job on Ainge by Bird, who doesn't like Ainge, and it was partly Bird posturing through the media.

IMO if Danny offered Ray for that package a week ago, there is zero chance that is the actual price he will take for Ray. 

[BringToughnessBack]

Why doesn't Larry show some class and keep private trade talks with his old team private. Making public trade comments on what was said between him and Danny is classless and I Loved Larry in the 80's but this public talking of trade scenarios is white trash 101 being taught by our former Legend.

[cman88]

isnt the rule of negotiations that you start high?? Ainge is only being smart.

Allen/KG are coming off the books after this year anyways so he can just let their salary come off the books if he doesnt see something he likes..

[Chris]

Why doesn't Larry show some class and keep private trade talks with his old team private. Making public trade comments on what was said between him and Danny is classless and I Loved Larry in the 80's but this public talking of trade scenarios is white trash 101 being taught by our former Legend.

This isn't about class, it is about posturing to maximize the value he can get for his assets.

Although I also think Bird would argue that Ainge is not the classiest guy to constantly say that he should have been traded.

[Chief]

Why doesn't Larry show some class and keep private trade talks with his old team private. Making public trade comments on what was said between him and Danny is classless and I Loved Larry in the 80's but this public talking of trade scenarios is white trash 101 being taught by our former Legend.

This isn't about class, it is about posturing to maximize the value he can get for his assets.

Although I also think Bird would argue that Ainge is not the classiest guy to constantly say that he should have been traded.

At least not for Klein and Pickney.

[gar]

Tells you Ainge is serious about getting younger through trades and through picks. Good news.

[indeedproceed]

Why doesn't Larry show some class and keep private trade talks with his old team private. Making public trade comments on what was said between him and Danny is classless and I Loved Larry in the 80's but this public talking of trade scenarios is white trash 101 being taught by our former Legend.

Larry the Boston Celtics icon and Larry Bird the current GM and former coach of the Indiana Pacers are different guys.

Neither Larry will cut a guy a break when he's actively competing against him.

[scaryjerry]

this team fell apart emotionally when they traded perkins i cant imagine the reaction if this one were to go through..... good move for the future though

[green7]

both teams may laugh but who cares,this is best for the celtics lol.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6rsgftp

plus send our clippers first round pick to Indiana

+

dooling and second round pick for erden

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=79dl4m6