Wyc Grousbeck Hints that Celtics Will Retire Kevin Garnett’s Number, Talks Trade Deadline and More

Posted by Brian Robb on Feb 26, 2013 355703 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2013%2F02%2F26%2Fwyc-grousbeck-hints-that-celtics-will-retire-kevin-garnetts-number-talks-trade-deadline-and-more%2FWyc+Grousbeck+Hints+that+Celtics+Will+Retire+Kevin+Garnett%27s+Number%2C+Talks+Trade+Deadline+and+More2013-02-26+20%3A37%3A58Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D35570

Will Kevin Garnett get his number retired in Boston? Most Boston fans would assume “of course, he will!” The subject though came up for some real discussion today when Wyc Grousbeck joined Mut and Merloni on WEEI 93.7 FM for about an hour to discuss a variety of topics. Some on the agenda included the retirement talk, how close the C’s came to making a move at the trade deadline, and a look to the future of Pierce and KG. Here’s a sampling of highlights from the full interview

On KG’s having his number retired: “I can’t imagine…..first of all these guys are still playing. I think people heavily involved in winning banner 17 ought to be up there. In fact, I ought to raise number 44 up there for Ainge.

“How could we not?” Grousbeck said, after being asked again later about retiring Pierce’s and KG’s number. “He was defensive player of the year the year we won. He doubled down with us this offseason. These are guys I can’t imagine giving those numbers out to anyone else.”

On not making major moves on the trade deadline: “I know what the offers were. You wouldn’t have taken them. All of this stuff is difficult. We did not receive good enough offers to make any moves last week. The deals just weren’t there. There were some things that were interesting, but other teams pulled out. One was like a four-team complicated trade with all sorts of guys moving around. We were thinking about it, but then the two other teams we weren’t talking to on it pulled out.”

On the offseason moves: “June and July could be active. Every team will be starting from scratch and more likely to shake it up. Other teams like the Warriors and Clippers want to make the playoffs and don’t want to shake things up.”

Will Paul Pierce retire as a Celtic? “I hope so. He’s an all-time great. Whatever happens, his number is going up in the rafters. Watching him last night it looked like he was 25 again. These guys are well paid and everything. People can take shots at them, but what they did last night on the 5th game in 7 nights is something else. I love watching them. The day that Paul, KG, Doc or Rondo is gone, I’m going to miss them forever.”

On the rest of the season: “We think we’ve got a chance this year to do something important, to show these younger players what it means to be a Celtics team fighting hard in the playoffs. With KG and Paul, and Bradley behind them and Jeff Green behind them, I’m excited about this team. I’m not saying we’ll win the thing. We have won the thing. I know what it feels like. We’ve been to the Finals another time. This team is tough. I wouldn’t wanna play them in the playoffs.”