Ainge content but ‘always looking' to improve Celtics

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The praise has been coming in steady for Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics for a job well done this summer in transforming the C's from a team long in the tooth, to one that's longer on athleticism and talent.

But as good as the C's may look on paper, Ainge by no means is content.>
Despite what appears to be a full roster heading into training camp, Ainge hasn't shut the door on some more roster tweaking.

"I'm always looking for ways to improve the team," Ainge told CSNNE.com. "I like our team; I like our guys. But I'm always looking. You're never going to hear me say, 'I'm done.' Because you never know what may open up down the road or in the near future."

Ainge added, "I'm not desperately looking (to add players). It's going to be tough to find players I want more than the players I have. But I'll always keep an eye on what's out there, for sure."

When it comes to roster additions, he may not have to go too far.

In addition to the 12 players on the roster with guaranteed contracts (that number will bump up to 13 whenever Jeff Green inks his deal with the Green team), training camp for the C's will also include Dionte Christmas, Kris Joseph and Jamar Smith.

Christmas, who had lucrative offers to play overseas, will join the Celtics after receiving a partially guaranteed deal.

Smith was the first summer league player to accept an invite to the C's training camp and Joseph was the Celtics' second-round selection in last month's draft out of Syracuse University. He signed a two-year, non-guaranteed deal which is pretty common for second-round picks.

Of that trio, at least one and probably two are expected to stick with the C's throughout the season.

Keeping an open mind about the C's roster is essential to Boston not being totally caught off guard by an unexpected injury.

That's among the many reasons the Celtics are likely to sit on their bi-annual exception this summer, which is worth about 1.95 million.

If there's a key injury that will sideline a Celtic for an extended period of time, or a player that Ainge likes becomes available after being waived, the C's would be in good position to land him.

When players are waived, they usually sign on with teams for the veteran's minimum.

Last season's Celtics squad included three players - Mickael Pietrus, Ryan Hollins and former Boston College big man Sean Williams - who all signed with Boston for the veteran's minimum after being waived by NBA teams.

By having the bi-annual exception still available, the Celtics might be in position to offer that to a player and potentially trump the efforts of other teams.

For now, Ainge is content with his roster - but far, far removed from standing pat.

"Like I said, I'm always going to keep an eye on what's out there," said Ainge. "If there's nothing out there that I like, that's Okay. Because I'm happy with where we are right now."

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