Fansided

The 5 best trades Danny Ainge ALMOST made

By Chazz Scogna

WALTHAM, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: General manager Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics speaks with the media during Boston Celtics Media Day on September 26, 2016 in Waltham, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
WALTHAM, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: General manager Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics speaks with the media during Boston Celtics Media Day on September 26, 2016 in Waltham, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 15: Blake Griffin
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 15: Blake Griffin /

4. Danny Ainge almost trades for Blake Griffin

When Blake Griffin broke his hand punching a team equipment manager during the 2016 season, the Los Angeles Clippers were said to be taking calls about the Clippers superstar. Which team was named when it came to these rumors? Well, the Celtics, of course.

Now, while it was possible the Celtics were linked to the trade discussion because of their surplus of picks, Ainge’s comments around the time indicated that they were pursuing Griffin. (Not surprising though, they were also “trying” to trade for Russell Westbrook, too.)

Though Doc Rivers refuted any rumor Griffin that was available, going so far as to joke that the Boston media made it up (Hmm.), there were reports the Clippers would listen if a deal involved a good slew of draft picks and players that allowed the Clippers to remain in contention in the West. Sporting News’  Sean Deveney reported that Griffin could be the target of a three-team trade that involved Sacramento’s Rudy Gay and a couple of those coveted draft picks from the Celtics. Yeah, those picks.

But the Celtics, and not for the last time either, were unwilling to part with any of their dear Brooklyn assets … And so began a vicious cycle of rumors-turned-non-trades because of those picks. Are your eyes open yet?

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