Boston Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge has a reputation for hoarding assets. That’s why it was so shocking when he gave up the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round pick – unprotected – in the trade for Kyrie Irving. Ainge explained his rationale to Jared Weiss of CelticsWire:
“I think signing Gordon Hayward and Al Horford, I felt I had a responsibility to give them a chance,” Ainge said. “I think that that Brooklyn pick, I think can be really, really exciting there. I think Cleveland could have a really good pick there, but it’s probably going to be a big man that’s 19-years-old that probably needs a couple of years to develop that can probably develop in to a franchise player.”
While that Nets pick may end up being a great player a few years down the road, Kyrie Irving is one now:
“Kyrie has proven that he is a sure thing, that’s 25 and can really play right now,” said Ainge. “I think that’s fair for Brad, that’s fair for Gordon and Al. And it will give a chance for Jayson and Jaylen and those guys to develop.”
The Celtics were in an interesting position with both positives and negatives – a position of simultaneously rebuilding and contending. That has its perks, but there’s something to be said for picking a lane and going all in, which is what Ainge is somewhat doing here. Of course, the Celtics are still developing talent with guys like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Those are probably guys whom Danny Ainge feels can contribute at least somewhat right now, however.
