What the Boston Celtics reportedly won’t give up for Paul George
By Ben Gibson
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, his league sources tell him that several of the Boston Celtics’ meaningful assets aren’t on the table in a trade for Paul George.
The Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics are in trade talks for Paul George, but as of right now Kevin Pritchard and Danny Ainge are on two very different pages.
Ainge thinks Indiana’s demands are too high, but the same could be said for the Celtics as they won’t give up any assets of significant value.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe says that the Celtics haven’t included any of their potential lottery picks from 2018 or any of their lottery talent in a trade for Paul George.
"If Boston trades for George, they will do so knowing he could be a rental. That limits the price they are willing to pay. Despite reports to the contrary, Boston has not included any of the following in its offers to the Pacers, per league sources: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, the 2018 Nets pick, and the Lakers-Kings pick Boston snared from Philly in the Markelle Fultz blockbuster.My best guess on Boston’s standing George offer: Jae Crowder, Smart and Indiana’s choice of protected first-round picks Boston owns from the Clippers and Grizzlies. That doesn’t meet Indiana’s goal of nabbing a top-10 pick or an equivalent talent. The Celtics will be reluctant to bid any higher given the risk of George bolting to the Lakers in a year."
The risk of PG leaving for the Los Angeles Lakers isn’t as high as initially believed but is still a legitimate concern for any team looking to grab George. But if Boston beat the Cleveland Cavaliers and went to the finals with PG, then it would be hard to see George still wanting to leave.
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However, there is a fine line between patience and stubbornness. Players like Paul George are rarely available in the trade market, much less in the middle of their prime years.
Ainge is reluctant to make trades where he doesn’t appear to come out the winner if we use history as a guide. While he is wise to remain patient in his pursuit of Paul George, hoarding assets has little value if you don’t use them.
If Ainge eventually pulls off the mega-deal with these assets, then he is right and this criticism is mute. But so far the Celtics would rather kick the can down the road than making a move now.
Boston is a very good team right now, but needs at least one star, if not two or three, added to the roster to become a real NBA title contender.
If he is doing this as a way to avoid trying to dethrone the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors in the short-term, then it is a wise tactical decision. But if it is merely a stalling tactic to avoid giving up those assets, then it is more or less procrastination via hoarding.
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Time will tell if Ainge’s (or Pritchard’s) patience in this situation is worth it. But for now, it appears both teams are at an impasse.