The 2020 NBA trade deadline has passed, and Danny Ainge is satisfied with where his Boston Celtics stand despite not making any moves.
Ainge and the Celtics actively scoured the trade market, but ultimately decided to stand pat when asking prices were too high. To the C's general manager, the inability to work out a deal was a blessing in disguise.
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Thursday night on NBC Sports Boston's Celtics Trade Deadline Special, Ainge explained why he believes no moves was the right move, and how legendary Celtics head coach Red Auerbach helped influence his decision.
You've got to find good deals. It’s not about making deals, it’s about making good deals. And I remember Red Auerbach told me one time on my first year on the job, 'Some of the best trades that I’ve made are the ones that I didn’t make’. And that actually has stuck with me. This year I think everybody feels good that we didn’t make any moves with what the market prices were.
Leading up to the trade deadline, the Celtics were rumored to be on several notable players including Clint Capela, Andre Drummond, and Davis Bertans. Capela and Drummond were sent to the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers respectively, while Bertans stayed with the Washington Wizards despite Boston reportedly making "several strong offers" for the 27-year-old big man.
Ainge cited "health" as the Celtics' No. 1 trade deadline need, which makes sense considering Boston's misfortune in that department this season. Still, acquiring one of those key players to bolster the lineup could have paid dividends come playoff time.
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Now, we'll just have to wait and see whether Auerbach's advice to Ainge will pay off down the stretch.
Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of the NBA trade deadline. Thursday at 7 p.m., tune into our Celtics Trade Deadline Special with Mike, Kyle, Scal, Chris & Sherrod plus an interview with Danny Ainge.