Danny Ainge on waiting to add a 15th man: 'We want to see what we have'

CANTON -- Danny Ainge has been a popular man in free agency circles ever since the Celtics opened up a roster spot last month upon completion of the Kyrie Irving trade.

"Often times, coaches and fans and everybody are in a real rush to get extra players and fill that 15th spot," Ainge explained. "I mean, you can't believe how many phone calls I've had about that 15th roster spot."

The Celtics will enter training camp in Newport, RI with 14 players under guaranteed contracts though as Ainge has resisted the calls to add some frontcourt depth to his team. Boston brought in Thomas Robinson for a workout and have had interest in numerous other bigs (Andrew Bogut), but the Celtics president is playing it conservatively for the time being so he gets a good look at the team's current roster.

"I've learned over the years I want to see who we have first," Ainge said. "There's players, good players still out there, and we've considered all of them. We've had them in for workouts, we've talked to them on the phone, we've addressed some of the concerns we may have, and how they may fit in, but I want to see where our players are, because so often we have 15 or 16 players with guaranteed contracts come into training camp, and sometimes the young guys get left out and we don't get an opportunity to see where they are."

Ainge recalled the offseason in 2007 as a prime example of why it makes sense to stick with the younger guys early on, rather than bring in a veteran at the end of the bench.

"Everybody wanted us to sign an experienced point guard and I refused to do that," Ainge said. "Because I wanted Rondo to get a chance, and I think a veteran point guard would have prevented him from getting the chance he ultimately got. So i'm not saying we have [a] Rondo. I'm not suggesting that at all. I'm just saying I want to see who our guys are before we make those decisions. And there will be decisions to be made as the season goes on."

Ainge's decision should give rookies like Guerschon Yabusele, Daniel Theis and Semi Ojeleye a prime opportunity to contend for bench minutes early in the season, particularly with Marcus Morris likely out for the beginning stages of training camp.