Ainge: Asking price for Harden was too high for Celtics

The Boston Celtics did, in fact, check in with the Houston Rockets about a trade for James Harden, Celtics president Danny Ainge revealed Thursday on 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Toucher and Rich."

However, the team balked at Houston's asking price for the malcontent guard.

"We had numerous talks but the price really wasn't changing," Ainge said. "The price was really high for us and it was just something we didn't want to do.

"I'm not sure there was anybody - even the people within our organization that respected him and wanted him more. But I think unanimously we decided it wasn't the time for us and it wasn't the price."

While Ainge confirmed conversations between the teams, he noted that those talks didn't happen "recently" and did not specify when the discussions took place.

It's unclear what the Rockets were asking for in negotiations with Boston. However, Houston was reportedly seeking a package from the Philadelphia 76ers that may have included two-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons, first-year guard Tyrese Maxey, and sophomore swingman Matisse Thybulle.

A package from the Celtics would likely have had to center on star shooting guard Jaylen Brown.

Harden was shipped to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday as part of a blockbuster three-team deal that also involved the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Nets paid a steep price, sending out guard Caris LeVert, center Jarrett Allen, forward Taurean Prince, three unprotected future first-round picks, and the rights to swap four other future first-rounders.