In retrospect, was Ainge right not to make a trade at deadline?

[mctyson]

In retrospect, I think it looks like Danny did the right thing.

It is really unfair and incorrect to say he did the right thing or the wrong thing, since we don't know what "things" were truly available and what the price was. 

It is quite possible Danny wanted to make a big move but nothing was on the table.  It is also quite possible that big moves were on the table and Danny either balked at the price or flat out refused to trade for a rental.

When the season is over we may learn more, though I doubt it.  That being said, I can't think of one legitimate reason for any fan of this team (or non-fan) to be critical of the position they are in, even if they lose to Washington.

The next 10 years are going to be something else.

[Eja117]

Demarcus Cousins went for a song. So no. He wasn't right

[nickagneta]

I think the extremely low price of Tucker was worth it regardless of the circumstances, especially with our rebounding woes and his penchant for hitting the boards. I think he would've helped us more than people think.

Ibaka is a bit different story. I still feel like he puts us right in contention with Cleveland, and he also would be the fifth starter that Brad has continuously struggled to find this postseason, specifically this particular series. However, I do understand the argument of not getting him for cap space reasons this summer if they're confident about Hayward. Granted, we still could've had both by simply not retaining the Bird rights (and cap hold) of Ibaka this summer, but I see the argument of not wanting to waste Rozier and the Clips pick in the process.

As for Butler and George, I think the vast majority on here feel as if Danny did a great job by not overpaying for them at the deadline. I think both can be had for cheaper prices this summer, and I doubt they would've brought us over the edge this year anyways due to how long it'd take for them to get integrated in our system, let alone the losses we would have to get used to in losing rotation players.

If we could have gotten BOTH Butler and George, then it would have been worth it. From all the quote by Ainge, Wyc, and co. after the deadline, and even from rival GMs, it seems that was what they were aiming for, but either Chicago or Indiana or both held out for parts that they were saving for the deal with the other team in order to get both done.

Getting both of them would have made us instant contenders together with IT and Horford.

Getting one of the two wouldn't have helped us get banner 18 this year though, and would have gutted our team and assets.

And all those trades can still happen this off season when Ainge and Stevens will have more time to add proper role players and integrate the players into the system. Adding two stars mid season while giving up a lot of rotation players is going to cause chemistry issues that would have probably meant a net negative. This isn't fantasy basketball. Adding and subtracting that many players after 2/3 of the season is gone and expecting it to be a contender immediately is just not realistic.

[hpantazo]

I think the extremely low price of Tucker was worth it regardless of the circumstances, especially with our rebounding woes and his penchant for hitting the boards. I think he would've helped us more than people think.

Ibaka is a bit different story. I still feel like he puts us right in contention with Cleveland, and he also would be the fifth starter that Brad has continuously struggled to find this postseason, specifically this particular series. However, I do understand the argument of not getting him for cap space reasons this summer if they're confident about Hayward. Granted, we still could've had both by simply not retaining the Bird rights (and cap hold) of Ibaka this summer, but I see the argument of not wanting to waste Rozier and the Clips pick in the process.

As for Butler and George, I think the vast majority on here feel as if Danny did a great job by not overpaying for them at the deadline. I think both can be had for cheaper prices this summer, and I doubt they would've brought us over the edge this year anyways due to how long it'd take for them to get integrated in our system, let alone the losses we would have to get used to in losing rotation players.

If we could have gotten BOTH Butler and George, then it would have been worth it. From all the quote by Ainge, Wyc, and co. after the deadline, and even from rival GMs, it seems that was what they were aiming for, but either Chicago or Indiana or both held out for parts that they were saving for the deal with the other team in order to get both done.

Getting both of them would have made us instant contenders together with IT and Horford.

Getting one of the two wouldn't have helped us get banner 18 this year though, and would have gutted our team and assets.

And all those trades can still happen this off season when Ainge and Stevens will have more time to add proper role players and integrate the players into the system. Adding two stars mid season while giving up a lot of rotation players is going to cause chemistry issues that would have probably meant a net negative. This isn't fantasy basketball. Adding and subtracting that many players after 2/3 of the season is gone and expecting it to be a contender immediately is just not realistic.

Agreed, and the cost will be much lower this offseason.

[mctyson]

Demarcus Cousins went for a song. So no. He wasn't right

If Cousins went for a "song" why didn't the other 30 GMs get him?

[nickagneta]

Demarcus Cousins went for a song. So no. He wasn't right

Cousins is a nutjob cancer who when teamed along with a top 10 player and a good PG still couldn't get his team to play .500 ball in games he played in.

The Cs wanted nothing to do with him, much like most of the NBA who could have made better offers than NO. Best trade Danny never made IMHO.

[Bobshot]

They have a nice core right now of 7 guys. You add Millsap and they become a serious Championship threat. The kind of player missing to go with Horford. But you got to add him without losing your major core players. That couldn't be done at the trade deadline unless Ainge was willing to give up the Nets pick.

I don't think Ainge expected they would get to the top in the East this year. He might have done things differently if he thought so. They might make a run at the Cavs with home court, but Horford is a kind of Lone Ranger up front, and it will be difficult. Al has to be at the top of his game nightly for them to win a playoff game. They are missing that 5th starter up front to go with Horford. A guy like Millsap who can do everything.

[SparzWizard]

One thing is certain- if we get to the ECF (win or lose that series), free agents will be attracted to Boston. And it'll only help that we'll have a top 4 pick in the draft this summer. That was my primary expectations/goals of these playoffs for the C's. I'm so glad the Celtics overcame an 0-2 deficit against Chicago and fought through all the adversities in these playoffs.

Please beat the Wizards tomorrow.

[nickagneta]

One thing is certain- if we get to the ECF (win or lose that series), free agents will be attracted to Boston. And it'll only help that we'll have a top 4 pick in the draft this summer. That was my primary expectations/goals of these playoffs for the C's. I'm so glad the Celtics overcame an 0-2 deficit against Chicago and fought through all the adversities in these playoffs.

Please beat the Wizards tomorrow.

I seriously doubt veterans think that adding a rookie advances the teams chances of advancing farther in the playoffs. I think vets believe that adding vetarans with a proven track record of sucess interests them more.

[makaveli]

One thing is certain- if we get to the ECF (win or lose that series), free agents will be attracted to Boston. And it'll only help that we'll have a top 4 pick in the draft this summer. That was my primary expectations/goals of these playoffs for the C's. I'm so glad the Celtics overcame an 0-2 deficit against Chicago and fought through all the adversities in these playoffs.

Please beat the Wizards tomorrow.

I seriously doubt veterans think that adding a rookie advances the teams chances of advancing farther in the playoffs. I think vets believe that adding vetarans with a proven track record of sucess interests them more.

you are looking at it from a glass is half empty perspective, how about this:
top FA: the celtics are the most storied franchise in the history, and they have a front office that made teams look silly via trades and decision making, they were deep into the playoffs, great cocah, managed to get a top pick and have cap room to sign me....hmmmmm

[TheSundanceKid]

It was absolutely the right decision. He believed in the chemistry of this team over the potential impact of a guy like Ibaka.
Of course we've seen how much Ibaka and Tucker ended up helping the Raptors against the Cavs..
It really comes down to what Ainge wants to do this summer. If he wanted the flexibility to chase Hayward and Griffin then he was never going to make a short term move to sacrifice that. I think he's more confident in this roster and his ability to add to it than most fans are.

[playdream]

Ainge isn't no future seeer, but he did the exact right thing under that situation

[playdream]

One thing is certain- if we get to the ECF (win or lose that series), free agents will be attracted to Boston. And it'll only help that we'll have a top 4 pick in the draft this summer. That was my primary expectations/goals of these playoffs for the C's. I'm so glad the Celtics overcame an 0-2 deficit against Chicago and fought through all the adversities in these playoffs.

Please beat the Wizards tomorrow.

I seriously doubt veterans think that adding a rookie advances the teams chances of advancing farther in the playoffs. I think vets believe that adding vetarans with a proven track record of sucess interests them more.

Veterans(stars) don't care if it's veterans or rookies, they only want help
they will pick rookie jordon or lebron(top pick rookies) over the veterans everytime

[Darío SpanishFan]

Demarcus Cousins went for a song. So no. He wasn't right

Maybe we didn't have that song (a high lottery pick this year, and we didn't want to give a potential nº1).
Maybe we don't know something about Cousins that Ainge knows.

Other 27 teams saw Cousins go "for a song" and did nothing. That is a key fact, for me. And I wanted Cousins more than anyone, but...

[Greyman]

I know this blog was crazy hoping for a trade at this year's deadline

However, many of us wanted Ainge not to waste any single asset. Winning two or three more games or advancing a round don't make a difference.

Ring or nothing, and these Warriors and Cavaliers were more than a couple of pieces away.

TP -  Sums it up nicely for me. Plus the playoff run (so far) just enhances the attraction of the Celtics to whoever becomes available.