In his weekly interview with WEEI's Big Show, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge bluntly discussed the future of coach Doc Rivers, what his roster might look like in 2011-12 and whether or not the Kendrick Perkins trade caused the team's downfall.
After Rivers said in his postgame interview that he was leaning toward returning to the C's bench next season, Ainge admitted on Thursday, "I feel the same way. I think Doc is coming back. We talk regularly, and I got that impression a few weeks ago. I think we'll get something done, and we could get something done very shortly on a long-term contract."
Ainge intimated that Jeff Green will in all likelihood be in a Celtics uniform next year. He would be willing to re-sign Glen Davis for the right price. And he has no idea whether Jermaine or Shaquille O'Neal will return for next season. Also, Ainge didn't rule out a blockbuster deal involving any of the Big Four.
"I would have to look into that," Ainge said of a deal involving Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen, "if a good trade came about." As for trading Rondo, he said, "Probably not. I can never say never, but that's not our plan right now. Absolutely not."
Asked whether or not he blamed the team's 4-1 loss to the Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals on the midseason trade of Kendrick Perkins, Ainge said, "I know a lot of people will blame the Perkins trade for our lack of success. I'm OK with that. I take responsibility for that. There's a legitimate argument to be made. I don't buy into Perkins' screening ability or Rondo's struggles, but could he have helped our defense and help us get some more stops? There's a legitimate argument for that, but it's our offense that let us down."