10. August 30, 2017: The Cleveland Cavaliers trade to get Kyrie Irving
I had to put this somewhere on this list… Even though that Kyrie Irving is one of the most hated past Celtics of all time today, what he does on the court is insane. He is the best ball handler I have ever seen. He said he wanted to resign when his contract was up, but he signed to the Nets last year. The trade with the Cavs was Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, and the Nets 1st round pick in 2018 (Collin Sexton 8th overall) for Kyrie Irving. This was when Isaiah Thomas’ stock was at an all time high. This was also the last of the picks from the coveted Nets trade in 2012.
9. June 23, 2016: Drafting Jaylen Brown
Ainge drafted Jaylen Brown 3rd overall in the 2016 NBA draft, using one of the Nets picks, from the coveted trade. A lot of people did not like the pick at the time, including me. At this point he has a stat line of 15.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 47.3% from the field, and a 37.8% 3PT percentage in 337 games with the Celtics. He recently signed a 4 year 107 million dollars contract last year. He is quickly becoming a star in this league and one of the most important pieces on the Celtics roster.
8. The 2003 NBA Draft
During the 2003 NBA draft, Danny Ainge traded for Kendrick Perkins (and Marcus Banks) with the Seattle SuperSonics for Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones. Kendrick Perkins played an important role during their championship run in 2008. He is arguably one of the best centers during his time because of his offensive and defensive abilities.
7. The 2004 NBA Draft
Danny Ainge drafted Al Jefferson, Delonte West, and Tony Allen in the 2004 NBA draft. This draft was important for the Celtics because Al Jefferson was a centerpiece in the trade for Kevin Garnett in 2007. Delonte West also played an important factor in their 2008 championship run.
6. June 28, 2006: The Phoenix Suns trade to get Rajon Rondo
Danny Ainge traded their 1st round pick in 2007 (Rudy Fernández 24th overall) to the Suns for Rajon Rondo and Brian Grant. Rondo played an important role in their 2008 championship run and developed into the captain of the Celtics when Pierce & Garnett got traded to the Nets. I believe that he should be in the hall of fame, when all things are done and should be inducted as a Celtics.
5. July 18, 2006: Resigning Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce wanted out of Boston many times. He was tired of the team being mediocre and always close to the bottom of the standings. His unhappiness with the team prompted them to trade for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, and you know how that went in 2008… He signed a 3 year 59 million contract after the 2006 season.
4. June 19, 2017: The Philadelphia 76ers Trade to get Jayson Tatum
This trade isn’t talked about enough. Not only did the Celtics draft Jayson Tatum with the 3rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Danny traded with the 76ers to move down from 1 to 3, to get more assets. He got the 3rd overall pick and their 1st round pick in 2019 (Romeo Langford pick 14) for the first overall pick. The 76ers drafted Markelle Fultz first overall, which is one of the biggest busts. Jayson Tatum is becoming a superstar in the NBA before our very eyes and is the most important piece on the Celtics today. His numbers to this point is 19.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 45.8 % from the field, and 39.6 % from 3PT in 289 games.
3. June 28, 2007: The Seattle SuperSonics trade to get Ray Allen
Danny Ainge traded Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, and their 2008 2nd round draft pick (Trent Plaisted pick 46) to the Seattle SuperSonics for Ray Allen and Glen Davis. Ray Allen is a coveted hall of famer. This is one of the best trades that Ainge ever did for the Celtics because of his scoring abilities during their 2008 championship run.
2. July 31, 2007: The Minnesota Timberwolves trade to get Kevin Garnett
Ainge traded Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, and two 2009 1st round draft pick (Wayne Ellington pick 28 & Johnny Flynn pick 6) to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Garnett. This was why the 2004 NBA draft was so important for the Celtics, for AL Jefferson’s development. Garnett brought a defensive presence and scoring-threat in the post that gave the Celtics a plethora of ways to dominate a ball game. He was an important piece during their 2008 championship run. Garnett was also given the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award.
1. July 22, 2013: The Brooklyn Nets Trade
The trade was Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, D.J. White, a 2017 1st round draft pick (Kyle Kuzma pick 27 by the Lakers), and a 2017 2nd round draft pick (Sasha Vezenkov pick 57) to the Brooklyn Nets for Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Kris Joseph, Gerald Wallace, a 2014 1st round draft pick (James Young pick 17) , a 2016 1st round draft pick (Jaylen Brown pick 3), a 2017 1st round draft pick (Markelle Fultz pick 1 by the 76ers) and a 2018 1st round draft pick (Collin Sexton pick 8 by the Cavs). The best trade that Danny Ainge ever did, and why he was called “Trader Danny”. This was the reason why the Celtics could get Kyrie Irving from the Cavs and why they have Brown and Tatum today. Garnett and Pierce were on their “last legs” of the NBA superstar playing days and were not the same players when they got to Brooklyn. However, it is sad that the Nets got “fleeced” with this trade and they are now at a better position to win a championship today with Irving, Harden, and Durant, than the Celtics are with Tatum and Brown…