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Celtics @ 7: Three Options For Ainge At Deadline

BOSTON (CBS) -- Danny Ainge, it appears, has three options leading up to this year's trade deadline.

He could make a splash for a big name like Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Al Horford or DeMarcus Cousins. This wouldn't come as a shock, considering the Celtics have seemingly been connected to every "available" star in recent weeks.

If a big name proves to be too expensive, Ainge could make a smaller move for a role player without giving up much in terms of talent or picks. It may not put the team over the top, but a small move could improve the back end of the roster moving forward.

His third option, which hasn't felt like much of a possibility given the number of rumors floating around, is to do nothing.

Rich Keefe discussed the merits of each of these options leading up to Thursday's 3 p.m. trade deadline, but his conclusion probably wouldn't excite too many Celtics fans.

While most fans seem to expect Ainge to make a trade, Keefe wasn't so sure. In fact, he argued that while it might be disappointing in the short-term, holding off on a big move until the off season may be prudent.

"The option I don't think a lot of people are talking about is no trade," said Keefe. "If they do nothing, this is still a team to me that can make it to the Eastern Conference Finals."

No trade at the deadline would present a potential buzzkill right now, but might open up the opportunity to make more big moves this offseason. Still, Keefe pointed out that the Celtics roster needs significant improvement soon to catch up to Cleveland in the Eastern Conference. Whether that change comes now or in the offseason, however, is the challenge that Ainge will be tasked with.

"I know it's gotta be kind of anti-climatic but, you end up waiting til June, and then I think there's a lot more pressure on Danny Ainge," said Keefe. "You need to go into next season with a different roster than this."

There's only a few hours left of speculation, Celtics fans. We'll find out soon enough.

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