Ainge: 'We did not make a promise'

WALTHAM -- Danny Ainge said the Celtics did not make a promise to draft Iowa State forward Royce White, as had been reported.

"As a general rule I do not make promises," Ainge said. "I have before, it’s been a while, and we did not make a promise, no. On draft day I’ll have 10 contingency plans and we’re exploring all the trade possibilities and if you make a commitment you’re just taking yourself out of that game. You better be sure you have a chance to get that player."

Ainge said the Celtics were prepared to move up or trade back in the draft and he feels there will be players who can help fill a role with their picks at 21 and 22 in the first round.

"We have our rankings and I’m aware of all the mock drafts and what people are prognosticating. We have our rankings and that’s really all I care about," Ainge said. "We don’t consider them sliding, they’re still available to us. That’s been the case before in the past. That was the case with Delonte West and Rajon Rondo Rondo and Avery Bradley. Those guys were still there, we had them rated much, much higher."

For the latest mock draft, check out Green Street [1]. For more Celtics news, visit the team page at weei.com/celtics [2].