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Souza: At Worst, Ainge Has To Maintain Salary Flexibility This Offseason

BOSTON (CBS) -- It's been a roller coaster of an offseason for Boston Celtics fans so far, one that should have plenty more dips, turns and loop de loops as Danny Ainge works to turn his roster into a title contender.

Fans have been dreaming of a marquee free agent signing like Kevin Durant, or a blockbuster trade for the likes of Jimmy Butler and DeMarcus Cousins (heck, they've even come to terms with "settling" for Kevin Love). There was hope the C's would land a Top 2 pick in the upcoming draft, but those dreams were dashed when the ping-pong balls stopped bouncing and the Celtics came away owners of the No. 3 pick.

Some have tried to talk themselves into the great unknown of Dragan Bender (who will work out with the Celtics ahead of the draft) or another promising young prospect with the third pick, but most would prefer Ainge turns that selection into a proven star. He's reportedly aggressively shopping the pick, but finding a trade partner isn't always easy. It now seems like Ainge has an uphill battle in his quest to build a champion.

Scott Souza of The Metrowest Daily News joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's The Adam Jones Show on Monday night to discuss Ainge's options this summer, and said if things don't fall into place, the Celtics' best move would be to hang on to the roster flexibility they currently own.

"If you want one of those guys you have to add more [to an offer], but the question is how much more are those guys really worth? You have some good players on good deals, and if you trade off a guy like Jae Crowder, who is making $7 million over the next four years, or trade the No. 3 pick and a guy like Avery Bradley, who was a first team All-NBA defensive player, the top vote-getting guard, who is making $8.5 million the next two years – if you trade off those guys and the No. 3 pick for a guy like Kevin Love, who I would still bring in but I'm not willing to clear out the roster to bring him here and all you have is Isaiah Thomas, Love and maybe you go out and try to find that third All-Star. That's not enough and isn't going to get you anywhere," said Souza.

The Celtics currently have room to sign a pair of max contract players, but they have to make sure they're the right players.

"As much as people hate to say this, Ainge has to play the cards dealt to him. At worst, maintain that flexibility going into next year to be able to make a deal," added Souza. "The one thing you don't want to do is take the salary cap flexibility and do what Detroit did a few years ago, [signing] Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, tie up that money and you aren't available to be flexible again."

If the Celtics hold on to the third overall pick, Souza would like to see them take Kentucky guard Jamal Murray, who would give Boston some shooting they have desperately needed.

"If you're going to take as many shots as the Celtics take, especially threes, you need someone to knock them down," said Souza. "They couldn't knock down shots against Atlanta [in the playoffs], and they need shooters. The way the NBA is trending, you may be able to play three or four guards at the same time and play a guy like Crowder extensively at the four. They went small most of the year anyway, so I don't think the over-abundance of guards really hurts you."

Souza also shared his thoughts on the Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals. Listen to the entire interview below:

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