Ainge: Teams have begun calling about the Nets pick

[Eddie20]

“Yeah there are people calling,” Ainge said on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich show. “Nothing’s close or imminent. It’s a valuable pick so we’re going to explore that.”

[Phantom255x]

Aka.. Danny's trying to start a bidding war between the other teams for the pick 

[heyvik]

Finally....someone calling...hopefully that starts the ball rolling. We do not have a championship caliber team...IMO, we could win a round or 2 in the playoffs, but not the ECF.

At this point, unless its a star who will be here long term I don't want to trade the Nets pick.

[rondohondo]

Cousins, Paul George, Westbrook, Maybe butler. Other than that, don't give up the pick.

[Phantom255x]

Cousins, Paul George, Westbrook, Maybe butler. Other than that, don't give up the pick.

Butler? Absolutely not. Those Bulls fans want the 2017 Nets Pick, one of Bradley/Smart, etc... No way.

Westbrook is untouchable, lets be honest.

But yes, besides Butler I would give up the Nets Pick for any of them.

[heyvik]

Cousins, Paul George, Westbrook, Maybe butler. Other than that, don't give up the pick.

and with any of those you probably don't want to give core players...I think the later you (Feb trading deadline) wait the less you give up.

[Tr1boy]

I think Ainge is lying

I hate these little rumors... Teams have called. Cant give you details. Munch on this

Or teams offering something ridiculous like Jrue Holiday for the pick

[Phantom255x]

I think Ainge is lying

I hate these little rumors... Teams have called. Cant give you details. Munch on this

Or teams offering something ridiculous like Jrue Holiday for the pick

Ainge always does this.

He did it last year at the deadline saying the team was extremely close to landing someone before the other team backed off last minute (likely Jimmy Butler but no one knows 100%)

[ederson]

I too think his lying but that"s how this thing works. Try to manipulate the others to get leverage.

I"d rather have the whole day rumours like that than a GM who just waits for something to happen

[Tr1boy]

I think Ainge is lying

I hate these little rumors... Teams have called. Cant give you details. Munch on this

Or teams offering something ridiculous like Jrue Holiday for the pick

Ainge always does this.

He did it last year at the deadline saying the team was extremely close to landing someone before the other team backed off last minute (likely Jimmy Butler but no one knows 100%)

Exactly . I mean what is he going to respond with... Nobody has called about the pick... There are no interests

The radio host is kind of a fool asking the question... There will be no details provided anyways. What is the point

[moiso]

Of course teams have inquired about the pick.  You guys really think Ainge has to lie about that?  Maybe he should just keep a piece of tape over his mouth until the next two drafts are done?

[Phantom255x]

I think Ainge is lying

I hate these little rumors... Teams have called. Cant give you details. Munch on this

Or teams offering something ridiculous like Jrue Holiday for the pick

Ainge always does this.

He did it last year at the deadline saying the team was extremely close to landing someone before the other team backed off last minute (likely Jimmy Butler but no one knows 100%)

Exactly . I mean what is he going to respond with... Nobody has called about the pick... There are no interests

The radio host is kind of a fool asking the question... There will be no details provided anyways. What is the point

To be fair, when Ainge appears on Toucher and Rich... the hosts always ask him really specific questions that is kind of ridiculous

Like during the Klay Thompson rumors earlier in the season... they asked Ainge if he was going to make the trade and Ainge practically laughed it off saying neither Thompson or Bradley were available in trades..

Like why don't the hosts just straight up ask him if he is interested in Cousins? Or does he like Bogut?

[Phantom255x]

If Ainge doesn't trade the pick at the deadline, I don't think he trades it this June either.

The names many have mentioned, like PG13 and Cousins, become Free Agents after NEXT season (PG13 has a player option I believe so he will opt-out).

Give up a top-2 pick for a one year rental without a long term commitment? Doubt it. And Jimmy Butler is the exception because his contract runs through 2019.. but I don't think he's worth the price they will command (Nets Pick + Smart/Bradley + Future non-Brooklyn Picks + Zeller/Amir).

[oldtype]

I imagine most of these conversations just involve Ainge laughing uncontrollably into his phone and hanging up.

[saltlover]

I imagine most of these conversations just involve Ainge laughing uncontrollably into his phone and hanging up.

I bet it's fun for Ainge, given I'm sure he's made some of those calls in the past year too.