Sports
Celtics Trade Deadline 2017: Boston Stands Pat
The Boston Celtics were mentioned as potential players leading up to the 2017 trade deadline.
BOSTON, MA — Paul George. Jimmy Butler. Blake Griffin. Those were some of the NBA players floated as possible trade targets for the Boston Celtics in the final hours leading up to the league's trade deadline Thursday afternoon. But the 3 p.m. deadline arrived and passed without the Celtics making a deal.
The Celtics on Thursday were reportedly involved in a potential trade involving Indiana Pacers star Paul George but nothing came to fruition.
"We had a lot of conversations, but nothing that was good enough to (make a) deal," Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge said in a statement. "We like what what we have, we like our position and we like our future a lot.”
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The Celtics are 37-20 this season and stand in second in the eastern conference. They have a bevy of additional draft picks this year and next year that serve as valuable bargaining chips for potential trades.
"We’re trying to upgrade our team, but it is a delicate balance of short-term goals and long-term goals," Ainge said.
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Adding to the trade deadline intrigue were two cryptic tweets by Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas. On Monday, he tweeted an "eyes" emoji — the last time that happened, the Celtics last year announced the major acquisition of forward Al Horford. On Wednesday, Thomas tweeted an emoji of an hourglass ... take that for what it's worth.
Ainge on no moves: “We put a lot of time & thought into this. We like what what we have, we like our position and we like our future a lot.”
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 23, 2017
Boston Celtics: No deals. "Standing pat," source says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 23, 2017
The #Celtics make NO MOVES at the Trade Deadline. https://t.co/j1kYA4pv8l pic.twitter.com/HzCrrzuLdv
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) February 23, 2017
Pacers involved in talks with teams potentially to clear roster spots, sources say. Teams suspect might be related to Celtics talks
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) February 23, 2017
Update on Boston, Indy: Boston hasn't met Indiana's asking price on Paul George, but Nets pick has entered conversation now, sources say.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 23, 2017
Sources: Boston, Indy had preliminary talk on Paul George, but there won't be real dialogue until/unless C's introduce Nets pick into deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 23, 2017
Paul George could be #Celtics best chance for blockbuster trade https://t.co/EjRoiypbx6 via @BostonGlobe
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) February 23, 2017
Sorry.. (CORRECTED LINK) In today's Herald: Celtics still hoping for blockbuster, but are happy to go pick/FA route. https://t.co/Bc2XvWFacX
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) February 23, 2017
Photo: Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas. (Credit: Keith Ellison/Flickr)
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