The Boston Celtics have strongly expressed their desire to add a star player ahead of the deadline in hopes of improving their chances of becoming a contender, and they have their sights set very high. According to the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett, the Celtics have called the Clippers about their willingness to trade All-Star forward Blake Griffin.
“When I’m looking at players out there, I’m looking at players that can make a big difference,” Danny Ainge said, “not players that can win us two games or anything like that. That’s not my objective.
“Our objective is not to keep us in the No. 3 seed in the East and maybe move up a bit, other than that’s our players’ objective and that’s our coaches’ objective. I think those are amazing goals, and it’s been fun watching this team compete and beating some of the good teams along the way. But our objective is to put together a team that can compete for championships.
“Listen, we’re just a few games from being at seven or eight, and it wasn’t too long ago that we were the ninth seed in the East. So, no, I don’t pay that much attention to the standings. I look more at how we’re playing and where our holes are and what we need to do.”
The Clippers have reportedly make Griffin available for a trade, and Boston has more assets than anyone. Those assets come in the form of young, talented role players and an abundance of first-round draft picks, but many think the Clippers are looking for pieces that can help them win now.
Boston will almost definitely have to give up at least two first-round picks - including Brooklyn's unprotected first-round pick, which is projected to be the No. 4 overall pick - along with a combination of players.
Griffin is currently sidelined with a broken hand he suffered during a fight with a member of the Clippers' equipment staff. He is averaging 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game this season.
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