The 5 best trades Danny Ainge ALMOST made
By Chazz Scogna
5. Danny Ainge almost trades for Kevin Love
One of the most popular targets of Ainge’s attempted trades as GM is Kevin Love. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ power forward has been a target of trade rumors stretching over the course of the past couple seasons.
In 2014, Ainge attempted to put together a package that would’ve snagged the superstar, who was still with the Minnesota Timberwolves. In fact, rumors swirled that Ainge had an obsession with Love and league executives were confident Ainge could do pull off a deal, according to the Boston Globe:
"According to two NBA sources, Ainge has been dogged in his pursuit of Love, and several agents believe he has the creativity to put together an attractive package."
Oh, if those two unnamed sources only knew what we know now. There was never going to be any package.
As we know, the trade never happened. At the time, it was claimed the Celtics’ cap situation and the uncertainty surrounding their assets gained from the Nets trade — it wasn’t really understood how good those picks would be at that point — wasn’t enough to lure Wolves president Flip Saunders into biting. Instead, the Wolves opted to trade with Cleveland for the rights to Andrew Wiggins.
Naturally, Ainge shifted gears and denounced his once-known affection for Love. His injury in the 2015 playoffs (fittingly enough caused by a Celtic), coupled with the Celtics’ surprising success at making the postseason, caused Ainge to sour on his want of Love.
That is until June 2016, when it was reported Ainge met with Love’s agent, Geoff Schwartz, about opening up talks again. Though the Cavs would come back from down 3-1 against the Golden State Warriors, Love was a virtual nonfactor, and his plummeting trade value would’ve been a perfect poach for Ainge — especially since ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported a high draft pick would be out of play. Alas, in a fit of bewilderment, the trade never materialized.