Danny Ainge admits Celtics will ‘more than likely’ use $28.5M traded player exception in offseason

The Boston Celtics have not looked like the team that advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

In fact, the Celtics have an underwhelming record of 15-17 on the season.

While they could opt to use their hefty $28.5 million traded player exception prior to the deadline to improve their roster, general manager Danny Ainge recently admitted that such a move may wait until the offseason.

“The timing is vital,” Ainge said during a recent appearance on the Toucher and Rich Show. “We would use that commerce exception if the suitable deal got here alongside. But I feel what Wyc [Grousbeck] might be saying is, as a result of we have talked about this rather a lot internally, is that the more than likely situation of a deal that we might need would come alongside is within the offseason versus the right here and now.

 

“Doesn’t imply we could not use parts of (the TPE) at this level, however which may stop one thing greater within the offseason.”

This will likely not come as welcome news to Celtics fans. After all, the fan base expects to compete for a title every year.

With stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown entering the early stages of their primes, the Celtics should be doing better than they have been.

However, complications related to COVID-19 have impacted the Celtics’ lineup and continuity so far this season.

As the trade deadline next month approaches, it will be interesting to see if Ainge ends up making good on his prediction or tries to swing for the fences to bring in another top talent this season.