Keeping Tabs on the Comments of Celtics' Management

(Photo courtesy of DGA Productions)

By: Greg Payne

Back on Monday I wrote this piece, chronicling the various comments from the Celtics' brass (Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, Wyc Grousbeck) that dealt specifically with free agency, the mid-level exception and the various rumors that have surfaced over the past several weeks. Well, I'll recap a few of those and induct a few more into the archives.

ON FREE AGENCY:

Doc Rivers, Boston Herald, May 21: “I’d say we have to get a (center) first, and we have to get a small forward. Then there’s the point guard situation.”

“We have to add shooting, and Paul (Pierce) needs a solid backup, which would help Paul drastically."

“One thing we have to absolutely add is a veteran."

Doc Rivers, Boston Globe, June 15: On the arrival of free agency next month, Rivers said: "[Celtics president] Danny [ Ainge] and I are talking every day. The free agency part I'll be very involved in since NBA players are someone I see every day. I know what I want."

On what exactly he wants during free agency, Rivers said: "I'm not going to tell you. I want to get better and we will. We have areas where we have to improve in. We can in free agency. We'll be aggressive. That doesn't mean we will come up with something."


ON THE MID-LEVEL EXCEPTION:

Danny Ainge, Boston Globe, June 14: "We'd spend it on certain players," said Celtics president Danny Ainge. "We are not going to spend it for sure, but we would spend it on the right person."

Danny Ainge, Boston Herald, June 14: “We would spend the (full) mid-level on the right player,” Ainge said. “But we’re just not going to spend it to spend it.”

Wyc Grousbeck, Boston Herald, May 31: Grousbeck also said the stated intentions of Ainge and Rivers to sign a veteran free agent or two this summer are not hollow.

The checkbook, he said, will be open for the right player, regardless of luxury tax ramifications.

"We’re planning to look for ways to improve our team," Grousbeck said. "We’re willing to invest in the right way. If it’s the right situation and the right player, then we’ll do it.

"I think we all have someone in mind right now," he said of some of the names that are about to become free agents. "We’re willing to consider all sorts of ways if it means winning Banner 18."

ON THE VARIOUS RUMORS INVOLVING SEVERAL CELTIC PLAYERS:

Doc Rivers, PTI, June 11: "No I don’t, but we’ve got a huge trade we’re going to announce. I’m just joking. There’s no trade coming. (Laughs) No, no we’re good. I like who we are. I think we do have to add some length to our basketball team as well, especially with Leon Powe maybe not coming back for at least til midseason or later. We’ve got to add one more big to our team. Other than that, I love our basketball team, I love our guys, and I think we’ll be in great shape next year."

Doc Rivers, Boston Globe, June 15: On the trade rumors surrounding the Celtics, Rivers said: "I think they're silly. Rumors are rumors. Nothing you can do about it. We don't comment on it. I read one recently and I just said, 'Wow, that's crazy.' But that's the era we live in now."

And the newest members:

Danny Ainge and an Undisclosed Team Source, Boston Herald, June 18: “I think it’s unlikely,” Ainge said of trading up. “It’s possible, but unlikely.”

Though Ainge declined to discuss the rumors involving Rondo, a team source sniffed at the speculation involving the young floor leader, saying, “Rondo’s not going to be traded.”

As for the speculation that the Celtics are trying to make moves now that will clear space for a shot at a member of 2010’s highly anticipated free agent class, Ainge said, “We’re trying to win a championship next season. That’s my goal this summer.”

I'll continue to archive these quotes as they continue to become available.

Stay Tuned.