Celtics Trade Rumors: Danny Ainge Addresses Boston Celtics Trade Negotiations

Celtics trade rumors have linked the team to Dwight Howard and Al Horford recently. In new Boston Celtics trade rumors, though, team president Danny Ainge addresses some of the chatter floating around the NBA. A report from CBS Sports states that the team is likely out on Howard and Horford. The reason for it is that the Celtics are looking to make a trade to help the team over the long-term and not for a short-term rental.

The 2016 NBA trade deadline will hit on Thursday, February 18. Teams have until that point to make trades that will affect the rest of the current NBA season. It’s a chance for contending teams to make a push for the 2016 NBA Playoffs and for other teams to unload superstar players who might head into free agency. Dwight Howard is expected to opt out of his contract with the Houston Rockets and Al Horford is a free agent for the Atlanta Hawks. This is why the two All-Star centers are available, but it also makes them rentals.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, there are additional Boston Celtics trade rumors linking the team to an All-Star player. Preliminary discussions have been had on a deal that could land the Celtics power forward Kevin Love. In that three-team transaction, the Cleveland Cavaliers would acquire Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks would get picks from the Cavs and Celtics. While groundwork for that big trade may have been discussed, it isn’t close to getting done. Yet.

A report from the Boston Globe shines even more light on the situation, showing why the Celtics don’t need to make a trade for Dwight Howard or Al Horford. Both big men become free agents in the coming NBA offseason, giving Boston a chance to simply sign them without losing any young assets. It confirms what Celtics team president Danny Ainge has spoken about at different intervals. Ainge wants to continue building the team in a steady fashion and doesn’t feel a need to completely overhaul the roster.

So what does this mean for the Boston Celtics as the NBA trade deadline gets even closer? It’s possible that the Celtics could stay the course and make no deals before February 18. The 32-23 Celtics are the third seed in the Eastern Conference right now and have been steadily improving. The Celtics have won eight of their last 10 games and should easily cruise into the 2016 NBA Playoffs. Even if the team isn’t classified as one of the favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals, this could serve as a building block for the 2016-17 NBA season.

An easier option that has surfaced in Boston Celtics trade rumors is trying to acquire Ryan Anderson from the New Orleans Pelicans. Anderson could provide added depth and three-point shooting off the bench and he might not be too expensive. Anderson is also a free agent in the offseason, meaning it wouldn’t be a long-term committment for Danny Ainge and the Celtics. The tough part is that the Pelicans could have several bidders on Anderson in the next week.

While there are certainly a high number of NBA trade rumors that link the Celtics to star players, the team might decide to hold on to its treasure chest of draft picks until the offseason. At that point, it would be safer to make a deal for an established (young) star or simply see what the team can pull from the 2016 NBA Draft. Fans are still likely to see many more Boston Celtics trade rumors before the deadline on February 18, but Ainge has long-term plans for his team.

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