No Deal Imminent as Draft Nears

June 2007

The Celtics finished up their work in the gym yesterday, prepared to use their first-round pick in tonight's NBA draft. But they're also prepared to deal it away.

Though he said it is unlikely the Celts will make a move and that he expects to make the No. 5 overall selection, Danny Ainge will carry a number of options with him into the evening.

``When I go into the draft I will have a pad of the different possibilities,'' the C's director of basketball operations said. ``There's a lot of discussions that I've had over the last month that will be dependent upon the draft and how it unfolds.

``There's a lot of different scenarios that we'll be prepared to do as the draft unfolds. Typically what happens is (today) starting in the morning up until draft time, there's a lot more discussion and a lot more possibilities.''

The Celtics continue to do their best to find a new home for the pick, seeking veteran help in return. But beyond the Kevin Garnett flirtation, there has yet to be anything that has come to light that has truly attracted their interest.

``It's going to be discussed,'' said Doc Rivers of a Garnett deal. ``Hell, if he's not traded (yesterday) or in the next couple of days, he's going to be discussed among 28 teams. There are probably a couple of teams that aren't looking at him, but everyone else is and we're in that mix. I'm sure that's not going to stop until something happens.''

If no move is made, the club is said to be looking big at 5, with Brandan Wright slipping back into their picture and Joakim Noah helping himself in Tuesday's workout with Jeff Green and Corey Brewer. And Yi Jianlian remains an intriguing option, while Al Horford figures to be gone.

``There's been some things that have changed through this process,'' Ainge said, ``through the workouts and studying more on tape and background checks and all sorts of things.''

Said Rivers: ``Noah actually surprised me. I knew he was quick and athletic. I just didn't realize he was that quick and athletic. (Tuesday's) workout with him, he was just fantastic. His first step is as good as I've seen for a guy that big. His shot might be the worst thing I've seen sometimes, so he needs that first step.''

Discussing the Celtics needs overall, the coach said, ``Everybody would love a big presence; there's no doubt about that. I think with Tony (Allen), we probably need a 2 until he gets right. We need a backup for Paul (Pierce) at the 3 spot. We need veterans. We need experience more than anything, not just guys who are old, guys who can play. And we need another big. Right now, (other than) Al (Jefferson) and Perk (Kendrick Perkins), we really don't have a lot of size on our basketball team, so we need size. That may be the No. 1 need.'' The last few weeks have been rather interesting for the Celts, who believe they've been close to some moves while trying to sort through the potential picks.

``It's been a lot of work for everyone. A lot of film, a lot of phone conversations, lots of lying,'' Rivers said. ``It's been a lot of stuff basically, and a lot of bad rumors out there, too, going by the reports that I've been hearing and reading of late.''

Ainge said the Celts aren't close to anything major right now, and their plate is certainly not as full as some reports would have you believe.

``The only annoying thing is that you guys all have to think that they're true and try to track me down and find out my opinions on them,'' he said of the alleged trade scenarios involving the Celts. ``Other than that, I think they're fun. What I think is really fun is that you guys actually believe them and the fans actually believe them.

``But as far as the interest level, that's fine. Talk about the Celtics. We're on a four-team trade that has never been discussed that's imminent. The next night they're sleeping on a three-team deal that's never happened, never been discussed. I don't know who starts it. I don't know who spreads it, but it's pretty easy to spread and start stories anywhere now, and people don't have to have a whole lot of information to write what they write.''

On the other hand, it would be correct to assert that even if the Celtics don't make a deal by today, they will still be trying to add veteran help as things settle down in the wake of the draft.

``I expect to have our roster a little bit different than what it stands today,'' Ainge said.

Asked if he needed to make changes, he repeated the question and said, ``I would like to. When you start needing to, that's when you make bad moves.''