If we wanted him why not sign him this summer? That ought to show you that we do not want him.
We could have got him for cash with no trades or asset loss and we did not. Don't quit your day job and go into sports management.
Saw reports we made inquiries but he preferred Milwaukee as he thought that was a better long term situation.
There were rumors that the Celtics had interest prior to the moratorium... not much of a peep since other than the assumption from reporters guessing on who should be interested rather on who were actually interested. But when it came down to sit downs and what not, the Celtics weren't involved at all, and early in the process at that. Sure, he could've picked the Bucks, but considering who were on the table (heck Monroe even had a meeting with Portland, come on...), and the Celtics having zero involvement in it, leads me to believe that Ainge had no interest in Monroe, at least at his price tag.
Another high priced max-level free-agent last Summer was Tobias Harris, which had a bit more traction with the Celtics, and even then the Celtics showed no interest in offering his asking price... and the market for both players seemed fairly similar.
The other circumstantial evidence I have is Monroe's agent, who seems to have a good relationship with Ainge, often commending the good deals and treatment Ainge has given his players. And you're going to have me believe that if Ainge was interested, and considering that relationship, that the Celtics didn't have a horse at the race at the very least? More so when you consider that Monroe picked the Bucks over the other suitors... the situation with the Celtics wasn't all that different than theirs, plus a much more marketable city. Honestly, I don't buy it one bit.
I mean, if the Celtics had shown interest in him, actual interest, I'm sure we would've heard a lot more than what got reported other than some "list of teams with interest" in rumor websites going into free-agency. But there was no word, no activity concerning the Celtics and Monroe, none. Considering how quickly the Celtics were out of the rumor mill concerning Monroe, I think evidence sides more with Ainge not having all that much interest in Monroe, than Monroe not wanting to come to Boston. I'd have tough time believing that unless there's proof to the contrary other than fanbase guess work.
The problem is not that Monroe picked the Bucks, but that the Celtics weren't really involved in the whole process at all other than some preliminary list of potential teams.