During the James Harden trade negotiations in December and January, the Boston Celtics were considered to be on the periphery, but their actual interest may have actually been far more serious.

"Boston’s level of interest and involvement far surpassed what [Danny] Ainge was willing to admit to when he addressed it publicly," sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic. 

The Celtics almost certainly would have to include Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum in any trade package to the Houston Rockets for Harden.

The Brooklyn Nets eventually acquired Harden for a pick heavy trade package, but no established star such as Brown or Tatum.