Celtics At 7: Danny Ainge Trying To Build A 'Kevin Garnett Scenario'
BOSTON (CBS) - At 19-35 and owning one of the worst records in the NBA, it's safe to say the Boston Celtics will not be competing for a championship this season.
In order to get back to that level they'll likely need a trio of All-Stars to replicate that same magic as they did in the summer of 2007, where Kevin Garnett agreed to a deal that sent a record seven players to Minnesota in return for his services here in Boston.
The Celtics are reportedly eyeing the summer of 2015 and its big free agent class, and in the meantime have been acquiring an absurd number of draft picks to make things happen.
In 2007 the Celtics had Paul Pierce, traded for Ray Allen the night after the draft and were missing the last piece of the championship puzzle in Kevin Garnett. Danny Ainge is trying to recreate that same scenario, according to Rich Levine of CSNNE, and it's easy to do that with a proven coach in place.
"The one thing that we've learned over these first few months is that Brad Stevens can get through to these NBA players. They ultimately, and already respect Stevens. I think if you have a situation where Danny Ainge can build that scenario like he did with Kevin Garnett, where you can sit down with a guy like Kevin Love or any free agent and say 'Here are the pieces that we have and all we're missing is you. We have the max [contract], or damn near close to the max to give you, and you can come be a part of this tradition and organization. We have a coach who has the ability to take us to that next level' - I don't see a free agent, or a free agent that you'd want, turn that down."
The trade deadline is this Thursday and the Celtics are rumored to be active in talks with teams.
Listen below to the full discussion and hear Levine's thoughts on the futures of Jeff Green, Brandon Bass and Rajon Rondo:
Celtics at 7
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