Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The good news for Boston: Ainge and his staffers are creative, aggressive and understand all of those dynamics as well as anyone. And that’s why the Celtics realize their next major talent infusion is perhaps even more likely to come via trade rather than free-agent signings.
Will they open their war chest of future draft picks to try to pry DeMarcus Cousins away from the Sacramento via trade? The early word out there is: Bank on it.
Will they be in the mix for pretty much any name player who unexpectedly comes available in coming months?
Bank on that, too.
An athletic big man or a scoring threat on the wing would appear to be Boston’s two most glaring needs, but Ainge likely won’t be choosy.
Expect him to try to pounce on the next elite player, at any position, who finds himself being abruptly shopped.
ESPN.com (Marc Stein) – Summer Scoop: Boston Celtics
If you could take away one thing from Danny Ainge’s end of season interview yesterday, it was that the Celtics are in need of a lot of things. According to the man running the team anyway. The Celtics front office has routinely cited the three D’s (draft, development, deals) as their methods of rebuilding, and according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, one of those attempted deals will be for Boogie in Sac-town. Listen, I understand why many Celtics fans wouldn’t want him here… mainly because of his attitude. But when it comes to acquiring talent in the NBA, especially upper tier talent, and especially one that is a center, you do it.
Cousins does go through stretches where his body language (and verbal language) is anything but fun to watch. I’d still take him in a heartbeat because the Celtics NEED the talented players now. They have a ton of nice, solid, reliable role players. It’s like they’re in the early stages of making a blockbuster movie and they’ve done everything but cast the leading roles. Could Cousins be one of them? He might be, but even if he’s not, you still have one of the best, young, centers in the league. I’m not sure what it would take, but I’m guessing one if not both of the Brooklyn picks would be in play. So let’s hear it from you guys. Do you want to see some Boogie Nights in Boston? Who and what are you willing to part with for him?
On Page 2, Marcus Smart finishes 5th in Rookie of the Year voting
Boston Celtics rookie Marcus Smart finished a distant fifth in NBA Rookie of the Year voting, the league announced Thursday afternoon.
Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins won the award in a landslide with 110 of the 130 first-place votes. Chicago’s Nikola Mirotic, Philadelphia’s Nerlens Noel, and Orlando’s Elfrid Payton also placed ahead of Smart, who received one second-place vote and three third-place votes.
MassLive – Andrew Wiggins wins 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year award; Marcus Smart finishes 5th in voting
Aside from winning Rookie of the Month honors in February, it’s been pretty evident how differently the rest of the NBA world views Marcus Smart compared to the Celtics and the fan base. It’s quite the stark contrast, especially when half of the voters that even gave Smart a vote were from here (Mike Gorman and Cedric Maxwell). Smart had an uneven year and you could argue that he was truly the only rookie that played significant minutes in the playoffs (Chicago’s Mirotic played professionally overseas). On the other hand, it also shows how he might be a bit overrated here, when compared to how the rest of the NBA views him.
He’s already good at defense but his offense needs some work. For a guy that plays hard and tough (and isn’t afraid to tell you that) he has an odd resistance in getting to the FT line or driving for that matter. Like Ainge said, he has a busy summer to make a leap. I have a very long leash when evaluating all rookies, but for a 6th pick and to be as highly touted as he is, he needs to make a leap. Otherwise he’ll remain where he is now: a nice, solid player, but hardly an all-star. We’ll see where he stands at this time next year though.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Danny Ainge defends Kelly Olynyk, says no intent to hurt Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love | Danny Ainge: Celtics ‘will have a busy summer’
Boston Globe – Celtics will need to convince free agents to come here | Danny Ainge says signing a big-name free agent a possibility | Celtics to make qualifying offer to Jae Crowder | Celtics want Jared Sullinger to get in better shape
Boston Herald – Celtics co-owner sees gold in team’s plethora of draft picks | Danny Ainge’s offseason goal: Improve Green | Celtics Notebook: Boss says players learn to love Boston
CSNNE – Ainge: Celtics will make Crowder a qualifying offer | Ainge: “Very Surprised” Rondo didn’t work out in Dallas | Will ‘Swedish Larry Bird’ Jonas Jerebko stick around? | Potential free agent Aminu on Celtics radar | Celtics, Ainge have $20M-plus to ‘upgrade talent’
WEEI – Danny Ainge calls Kevin Love’s frustration ‘a little over the top,’ but ‘understandable’ | Danny Ainge admits luring big free agents to Boston ‘unlikely’ this summer | Danny Ainge to offer Jae Crowder qualifying offer, adds: ‘We need to have a busy summer, and we will’
MassLive – Danny Ainge: Boston Celtics will chase any significant free agent, plan to target scorers | Hoping to play Marcus Smart more at point guard in summer league, Boston Celtics ‘undecided’ on whether to put Phil Pressey on roster | Danny Ainge liked Jonas Jerebko with Boston Celtics, but calls future for unrestricted free agents ‘uncertain’ | Jae Crowder will receive qualifying offer from Boston Celtics, officially become a restricted free agent
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