Danny Ainge (Who Definitely Doesn't Have Stake In The Game) Doesn't Think Isaiah Thomas Will Be Healthy To Start The Season

Ainge says there probably will be a "delay" for Isaiah at the start of the season as he recovers from hip injury.

— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) August 23, 2017

You just have to tip your cap on this one. Look no further than Danny Ainge's track record of largely ignoring his fanbase's bi-annual, repetitive call to unload assets as proof that he usually doesn't give a damn about what people think about how he runs his franchise. That said, it's nice to know that he's not completely immune to the perception of the public, and that's exactly what this little post-trade tidbit was aimed at altering...

"Sir, the city of Boston is upset with you for unloading a guy who has become a regional folk hero of sorts, and the media thinks that including the pick that you valued more than your first born was too much to give up for a similar player that still leaves us as an underdog against the team he came from. What should we tell them?"

"Eh, just tell them that Isaiah Thomas' hip won't be healthy enough to start the season and he probably won't be in the lineup to dismantle the team he adored playing for in the first game of the season. That'll get them to lay off while their emotional attachment wears off."

Seriously, why else sit there and address a players' health when it is no longer your problem unless you're trying to influence the narrative surrounding the trade that you've been building up to for the NBA equivalent of ages? Slightly exaggerating an injury concern to make his managerial decision look mildly more justified might make Danny Ainge seem petty, but - as a guy that historically doesn't give a shit - this finally makes him somewhat relatable...

Cleveland has no short term concerns on Thomas' health. No surgery was needed on hip. Cavs are getting motivated All-Star in contract year. https://t.co/g4lRhcGmkb

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 23, 2017