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Celtics owner calls trade offers 'a collection of rip-off attempts'

David Butler II / USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics were poised to make a major move heading into the NBA draft on Thursday, but the front office left unimpressed with any of the offers they received.

"We did not sniff a trade today," Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck said, according to Jared Weiss of CLNS Radio. "It was a collection of rip-off attempts and we laughed at them."

Armed with eight selections - including the No. 3 pick - the Celtics had plenty to package in hopes of landing a major piece. The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly offered Nerlens Noel, Robert Covington, the No. 24 pick, and No. 26 pick in exchange for the third overall selection.

It was also rumored that the Chicago Bulls were discussing a package of Jae Crowder and the No. 3 pick as part of a deal for Jimmy Butler.

In the end, the Celtics retained their top pick and selected Jaylen Brown. They nabbed five other players while making one trade: dealing the No. 31 and No. 35 selections to the Memphis Grizzlies for a future first-rounder in 2019.

"The trades that were offered to us made us hang up right away," Grousbeck said. "We refused to be ripped off by anyone.

"People call us up, thinking they can rip us off because they think we're in a hurry. So thanks, but no thanks. We were open for business, but we weren't getting ripped off."

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