Danny Ainge confirms Rozier extension negotiations, discusses Irving commitment

Danny Ainge acknowledged on Thursday morning in an interview with “Toucher & Rich.” that the team’s negotiations with Terry Rozier remain ongoing ahead of the extension deadline on Oct. 15.

“I don’t like to get into public negotiations, but we have had conversations,” Ainge said. “I don’t know where that’s going to end up, but either way, I think Terry and I feel great about whatever way Terry chooses to go. Those negotiations will go on until October 15th.”

BostonSportsJournal.com first reported the Celtics had been active in negotiations with the 24-year-old guard on Tuesday evening, despite the fact that the team already had two point guards committed for the future next season in Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart.

While Irving isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future, it’s understandable to see why the Celtics would have the incentive to lock up Rozier over the long term.

He or Smart could conceivably be moved as trade bait during the summer in a trade package for a bigger name, if they are locked up on a team-friendly deal.

The Celtics have not signed a rookie extension contract since 2009 (Rajon Rondo) and an improving free-agent market next summer for guards make the odds of the C’s and Rozier agreeing to a deal now fairly unlikely. Still, Rozier will need to weigh the possibility of a down year, injury and reduced playing time against the long-term security that an extension could provide.

“I mean, I think we’re in a good place,” Ainge said of the talks. “I think some negotiations are different. We’ve discussed both the plusses and minuses of signing and waiting. It’s been a very open conversation. Terry and I have a very good relationship and have a very good trust with one another. There’s benefits on both sides of the negotiation with Terry. He knows that and he knows what he’s doing. He has a good agent and they are trying to do what’s best for Terry.”

Ainge also opened up about Irving’s commitment to re-sign in Boston last week in the interview, with the surprising tidbit that he did not know that the public declaration was coming last Thursday in front of Celtics season ticket holders at the TD Garden.

“Kyrie just wanted to make that announcement then. I didn’t know he was going to make it then and there,” Ainge said. “I think it’s kind of neat that he did it where he did it, with all of the fans there on that night.”

Irving had been in touch with the front office, core players, ownership and Brad Stevens ahead of the announcement after dealing with months of questions about his next move. His comfort level appeared to improve throughout training camp, which allowed him to let his guard down and let the world in on his thought process.  

“The fact that he wanted to announce that and just get it out there was not surprising to us,” Ainge said. “We felt like we were going to move forward with Kyrie for years to come. We had talked about it a little bit, but I guess that was just when he was ready to tell everybody he wanted to stay.”