Danny Ainge: ‘I have to protect us from doing something irrational’

2:28 PM ET

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has maintained that he has high expectations for this summer, but he’s also stressed that there are no guarantees that Boston will jump on the accelerator and that fans might need to remain patient in the building process.

During a sitdown with WBZ TV that aired Sunday, Ainge discussed balancing a desire to compete immediately with positioning the Celtics to be a sustainable long-term contender.

“Right now, we’re trying to become a better team as fast as we can without selling out. I guess that’s the best way to put it,” Ainge said on Sports Final. “We want to become a more significant team this upcoming year. And, at the same time, we want to build something that’s sustainable for a longer period of time.

“I think that that’s my job in the organization. I think that ownership would like to see something happen faster. I know my coaches would like to see something faster. I know my players want to see something faster. I’ve been in their positions and I get it. I want to see something faster, too. But I just have to protect us from doing something irrational, just to get a little bit better. If it’s something that gets us to be a true championship contender faster, then I think we’re all on board. As long as it’s a sustainable formula and not a one-year quick hit that sacrifices future assets.”

“We want to become a more significant team this upcoming year,” Danny Ainge said. “And, at the same time, we want to build …

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