Celtics GM Danny Ainge says it’s ‘unlikely’ they’ll make a blockbuster trade

The trade chatter around San Antonio Spurs All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard has once again sparked up again that has seen several teams make a push to acquire him. One of those organizations rumored to be among the fray are the Boston Celtics, who have a plethora of young talent and draft picks that could be used toward making an appealing offer for Leonard or any other star player at that matter.

However, general manager Danny Ainge has quickly shot down any possibility of the team making a lucrative trade package, according to Chris Forsberg of ESPN.

“If I feel like it’ll help our team — we explore every trade of players of certain magnitude or superstar, first-ballot Hall of Fame-type of players,” Ainge said Friday after the Celtics formally introduced first-round pick Robert Williams at the Auerbach Center. “We’re going to take a look and kick the tires and see if there’s something there. But that’s all.

“I think those things are unlikely.”

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This comes shortly after reports surfaced that the Celtics would be unwilling to move on from Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown in any deal to land the 27-year-old this offseason. What may be contributing to a lack of commitment on their end of things is the notion that Leonard is eyeing to make his way to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It would put the franchise in a tough situation where there is no certainty that he will re-sign on a long-term deal ahead of the summer of 2019. Along those same lines, there is talk that Leonard wouldn’t give assurance that he would stay long term in Boston.

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All of this may signal that the Celtics could be out of the running as a serious candidate to land Leonard this offseason unless they change their mind on the assets they are willing to part ways with in a deal.