Hardwood Houdini
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3 times where the Boston Celtics were right to do nothing in trade talks

By Sam LaFrance

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 22: Former Celtics player Danny Ainge waves before the Celtics home opener against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on October 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 22: Former Celtics player Danny Ainge waves before the Celtics home opener against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on October 22, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

James Harden has asked for two trades the past two years

The final whirlwind of rumors that happened under Ainge was connected to James Harden. Early on in the 2020-21 NBA season the Beard had had enough of Houston. He didn’t want to be part of a rebuilding process and instead wanted to be traded to a contending team.

Boston was one of the teams that had been talking to the Rockets about the three-time scoring champ. The C’s were again, coming off of an Eastern Conference Finals run where they came up short, this time to the Miami Heat in the bubble.

Ainge didn’t end up pulling the trigger on Harden, saying that Houston’s asking price was too high. Brian Robb of the Boston Sports Journal reported that the Rockets asked for Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and multiple first rounders.

The rumors surrounding Boston and the Beard earned a similar reaction from the fanbase to this summer’s Kevin Durant saga. It was a polarizing time. Some fans felt it was a no-brainer to bring in Harden, who had led the Rockets to a Game 7 in the 2018 Western Conference Finals against the juggernaut Golden State Warriors. Others felt that it was a desperation move to give up two key pieces who were directly involved in Boston’s recent success.

Harden ended up in Brooklyn, joining Durant and Irving to make a new “Big Three.” The trio played just 16 total games together in Brooklyn before the Beard once again forced his way out of town. He now resides in Philadelphia with the 76ers and doesn’t look to be the same guy.

It would definitely be tough to justify trading Brown and Smart for a guy who’s quit on multiple teams, pretending to be fat in the process.

Next. Danny Ainge changed the trade market forever. dark