The Boston Celtics have been linked to one of the Philadelphia 76ers surplus centers since the trade deadline of the 2015-2016 season. In the words of Celtics president Danny Ainge: “I can’t tell you the team or the name, but it was very close. It was something we had been deliberating on for two days straight,” said Ainge. “We were wrapping ourselves around a big package to do a deal, and at the very last minute … they did not want to do it, they backed out.”
The other team is now very much thought to be the Philadelphia 76ers, and the reason the 76ers backed out is now thought to be Jerry Colangelo – who did not want the team to make any major moves before his son, Bryan Colangelo, arrived.
C’est Le Vie.
The fact that the team, and particularly, the Colangelos, left Ainge waiting at the altar explains the sudden low balling from the Celtics organization after the fact. However, the Celtics disappointed in the 2016 NBA Draft as well. Many had higher expectations than the team delivered, despite holding a myriad of draft selections in the 2016 NBA Draft. For now, the Celtics have Al Horford in the role at center. But they know all too well how the team can struggle without a solid post presence. Noel gives them insurance. Will they take it? Only if Ainge swallows his pride and delivers a fair market offer for Noel before the Raptors do so.
Fit: Hot
Interest: Warm
Public Sentiment: Hot
Jeez... journalist these days... not only they speculate but now they are acting like they are writing a novel or a soap opera series.
A bunch of nonsense to attract the wannabe GMs which is a lot of audience, I admit.
Thanks for the good laugh (as if Danny would ever give "a big package" for a one dimension player like Noel or Okafor.)
