Boston Celtics: 5 reasons to go all in on Kawhi Leonard
By Bret Stuter
5. Familiar with blockbuster trades
The Boston Celtics have been under the watch of general manager Danny Ainge for some time. He was hired as the general manager and president on May 9, 2003. During that time, he has displayed uncanny ability regarding the value inherent in each trade opportunity.
If there is any valid criticism, it would be that he will walk away from a trade rather than risk losing value as a result of pressing forward.
Boston's extremely cautious on Leonard front. There's so much uncertainty w/ Leonard's future -- health, free agent desires, etc. Will Leonard be same player? That's hard to tell. Celtics don't have to make a risky trade and have no intention to do so. It's an interesting dance. https://t.co/gVECzgxrYM
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2018
This is the same general manager that authored what could only be described as the pillaging of the Brooklyn Nets. After letting then head coach Doc Rivers sign with the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a first round draft pick, he okayed trading Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to the Nets for a king’s ransom.
While that deal crippled the Nets from that point to the present, it fast-tracked Boston’s ability to retool from the 2008-09 championship team to return to contention in 2014-15. Ultimately, the Celtics missed the playoffs for one season.
That experience in blockbuster trades could serve the Celtics quite well in authoring another trade of similar significance. In short, Ainge knows where to push his negotiations to land the Celtics safer risks than most. That makes him the most qualified general manager to navigate the trade details.
We know that the Spurs want multiple first round picks plus players. Reports indicate that the Spurs want Jayson Tatum in any trade package to be considered. While Tatum is certainly a solid get, he is not currently at Leonard’s level. Ainge is wily enough to put a package of picks and players that affords the Celtics the most value with the least risk.