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Ainge: Celtics Were 'Very Close' To Trading 'Big Package' For High-End Player At Deadline

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Celtics stood pat on Thursday's NBA trade deadline, but that does not mean they didn't try to do something big.

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge joined Ryan Johnston and Mike Flynn, filling in for Toucher & Rich, on Friday to discuss the team's lack of activity at the deadline, as well as the lack of big moves across the entire league. Ainge indicated that the Celtics did try to make a major move, saying they were "very close" to making a big trade with an unnamed team for a high-quality player, but talks ultimately fell apart.

"I can't tell you the team or the name, but it was very close. It was something we had been deliberating on for two days straight," said Ainge. "We were wrapping ourselves around a big package to do a deal, and at the very last minute ... they did not want to do it, they backed out."

What the Celtics did not need to acquire, however, was depth pieces or role players. They have plenty of those, which is why Ainge doesn't seem to plan on making a big move - likely, requiring a serious shake-up in the locker room - unless it involved an elite-level player.

"What we lack is maybe that one superstar, but we don't lack depth," said Ainge. "Brad was really adamant that continuity is big, and bringing players in fresh with just a third of the season to play, there are some sacrifices to make. But if you can clearly, clearly upgrade your talent, then we would have done that if it wouldn't have been too much of a long-term sacrifice."

Listen to the full interview below:

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