Celtics @ 7: C's Need Another Isaiah Thomas-Like Deal Before Deadline
BOSTON (CBS) -- Celtics president Danny Ainge made some interesting comments Thursday morning, saying the team is not in "panic mode" when it comes to making a blockbuster deal.
Ainge admitted that his team isn't a title contender with their current roster and is working hard to find the right trade to push them in that direction, but he isn't going to make a trade just to make a trade. 98.5 The Sports Hub's Adam Jones and Rich Keefe discussed what the Celtics should do this season on Thursday night's edition of Celtics @ 7, and Jones would like to see Ainge make a trade similar to last year's acquisition of Isaiah Thomas.
Acquiring Thomas (who was named to his first All-Star roster on Thursday) at the deadline was the spark Boston needed to make a playoff run last season, and one player that intrigues Jones this year is Denver forward Danilo Gallinari.
"He's not an All-Star, he's not one of your foundational pieces, but I'd give up assets to bring him here. He's exactly what they need; he's a scorer, he gets to the rim and is fouled just as much as any small forward in the NBA," Jones said of Gallinari, who is averaging 19.4 points while shooting 41 percent from the floor. "I don't need the superstar, but I need another Isaiah Thomas-type deal and Gallinari fits the mold."
While that move may not put them over the edge this season, it's one that will continue the rebuild and may make Boston a destination in the offseason.
"That continues the build and makes you, I think, a more attractive franchise for players to come here," added Jones. "Danny is right; don't panic and give away all your assets for DeMarcus Cousins so you're left with the cupboard bare after that, but get me another player who is a fringe All-Star who Stevens can get the most out of and can help the team this year."
Jones and Keefe also discussed Boston's best course of action with Brooklyn's unprotected first-round pick in this year's draft: