Ainge says Celtics and Bogans parting ways is "better for the team and better for him."

It was no secret that Keith Bogans was not happy with his situation in Boston.

The team announced Tuesday that Bogans would be excused from the team for personal reasons. On Thursday, Celtics' GM Danny Ainge shed some light on what those reasons were on 98.5 The SportsHub.

From ESPN:

Well, it’s just been a difficult situation for Keith," said Ainge. "Keith, when he was acquired in the [Brooklyn] deal, he was paid handsomely and was very fortunate to sort of come to our team with the contract he got. But at the same time, he's a competitive guy, he wants to play, and there just wasn't an opportunity. We were logjammed at all positions, but especially the 2 guard. He was not happy and just felt like -- him and I both -- came to the conclusion that he should just go home, spend time with his 10-year-old son and we’re just going to move on. I told him stay ready, if we have an injury and need him to come back. But it's better for the team and better for him to part ways."

Bogans was acquired in the Kevin Garnett-Paul Pierce trade with the Brooklyn Nets. In order to make the salaries match, Bogans was signed to a three-year deal that would pay him around $5 million per season, with only the first year guaranteed.

I was pretty hard on Bogans when the news first broke of him being unhappy with is role and most of that criticism still rings true. A guy well over 30 years old who never made more than $2.6 million in a season had to know he was just a throw in to make a trade work for a team that's rebuilding. But there is a part of me that feels bad for the guy. Maybe there was some initial miscommunication right after the trade and Bogans really thought he'd get playing time. Maybe he thought he could work his way into the rotation if he tried hard enough.

The problem is this team is much more concerned about getting their young guys minutes and, in the case of Jordan Crawford, upping their trade value, than giving a guy a run who is in the twilight of his career. It also doesn't help that the team traded away a guard, Courtney Lee, for another guard, Jerryd Bayless, and the new guy immediately plays over Bogans. When the team then trades two more guards away, Crawford and MarShon Brooks, for a center, Joel Anthony, and Bogans still doesn't have a shot at playing time with Rajon Rondo returning, it tells you the guy really didn't have a chance.

There is something to be said for a guy wanting to play to earn his pay and not just pick up a paycheck.

Ainge was also pretty open about what the plan is for Bogans going forward.

It’s a unique situation, very unique," admitted Ainge. "His value to us is he has nonguaranteed contract and, for us, he's a chip at the trade deadline or this summer, most likely, that has value around the league. We don’t want to release him, we don’t want to let go, we want to keep that chip as we’re rebuilding."

Maybe Bogans will be traded to a team that can actually use him. If not, hopefully there is some solace in being paid $5 million to be a dad.

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