Celtics were not going to let Brad Stevens reach free agency

6:43 PM ET

WALTHAM, Mass. — The Boston Celtics were enduring a bit of a rough patch around the midpoint of the 2015-16 season, which is why Brad Stevens was a bit surprised when he was approached about a possible contract extension.

Not even halfway through his original six-year deal, the offer only left Stevens feeling more empowered in a profession that he likes to note is thin on job security. The two sides agreed to table those talks until after the season, but it took only a brief conversation to finalize a new long-term extension that will keep Stevens on the Boston bench deep into the future.

The Celtics announced new deals for both Stevens and president of basketball operations Danny Ainge on Wednesday, generating long-term security at two of the most important position of any basketball organization.

“[The in-season talks were] during a time when we were weren’t exactly lighting the world on fire, so it makes you feel even better about where you are when that happens,” said Stevens. “So after the season, Danny came in and we talked real briefly about it. It’s never been much of a question for me. Obviously, I’m flattered to be considered to be here. Then also to get a chance to continue to do it.”

The Celtics made the extension announcement exactly one month before the start of free agency and team brass admitted there’s value in continuity and togetherness at the top of an organization. And part of the reasoning behind the extension was to broadcast that Stevens and Ainge were here for the long haul.

Ainge joked that the extension will hopefully end all the speculation about whether Stevens is interested in whatever marquee college basketball job opens next. Despite the fact that Stevens has repeatedly stressed that he is married to the Celtics until the team does not desire his services any more, his name has swirled in rumors about multiple college hoops positions because of the success he previously enjoyed at Butler University.

“We’re lucky to have Brad and [his wife] Tracy with us in a long-term situation. They don’t have to answer any more questions about Indiana and Butler, Duke …

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