Report: Celtics 'very involved' with Cousins, but Ainge does not want to trade Bradley

Here at Celtics Life we have an obligation to stay on top of these stories, so take this for what it's worth. NBA on NBC Boston is reporting that the C's are very involved with the Kings on Cousins (which we already knew), but that the hold-up is Danny Ainge's hesitancy to include Avery Bradley (he'd rather include Courtney Lee). Gethin Coolbaugh had the story tonight.

Boston became more aggressive on Sunday in its pursuit of Cousins -- who has been rumored to be on the trading block despite public denial by the Kings' organization -- and while Celtics general manager Danny Ainge would like to make a move sooner rather than later, he is hesitant about trading heralded third-year guard Avery Bradley. According to the source, Ainge would rather move Courtney Lee -- who was acquired by the Celtics in a sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Rockets -- than Bradley.

Later in the article, NBA on NBC Boston's owner Patrick Gilroy had this to say,

We as a website are not predicting or promising a trade. We are confirming previous speculation from well known sources (A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE) that the Celtics are very busy targeting Cousins. Our only new news is that the potential holdup in the deal is the inclusion of Bradley or Lee.

So again, this is all to be taken with a grain of salt. As always, trade rumors are fun, and this one in particular seems to have some staying power. But at the end of the day, they're just that - rumors.

But if true, this is quite interesting. Is Bradley really the hold-up in this deal getting done? If so I understand Danny's conundrum. On the one hand, Bradley is an impact player, his defense flat out changes things. On the other hand, big men like Cousins do not come often, if ever, without the luck of having a top 3 pick.

My opinion? Cousins is just too troubled to give up a package of Bradley, Sullinger and multiple first round picks. If you were simply getting the player, without the headaches - maybe you do it. But you're not.

It's a tough call but stay away Danny. Stay away.

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