Celtics News: Marcus Thornton Wants To Remain In Boston Despite Trade Rumors

With the upcoming NBA trade deadline hanging over the Boston Celtics like a cloud, one player who has been rumored to be part of a litany of theoretical deals insists that he wants to be a part of the rebuilding effort in Boston.

Per Jay King of Mass Live, while guard Marcus Thornton knows that his $8 million-plus expiring deal makes him an extremely attractive trade chip for the retooling Celtics, he hopes that's he still in Boston when February 19th passes:

While Marcus Thornton said "it's been great" to finally go through a stretch without trades, allowing the Celtics to jell, he cautioned, "It's still not over with yet. (The trade deadline of) Feb. 19 is a long time from now, so we'll see how that goes too."

Thornton rattled off the deadline date off the top of his head, but vowed he's not thinking about the day approaching. Still, he must know his $8.6-million expiring contract could put him on the block, along with Prince and Brandon Bass, at the very least. One reporter asked what Thornton wanted.

"I would like to stay here," he said. "Who wouldn't? We've got a good thing going. But like I said, it's not controllable. I can't control it. So whatever happens, happens."

The veteran guard added: "For the time-being, everybody's just here playing. Off the court we're great with each other, so that helps too."

The Celtics are going for a season-high fourth-straight win and sits just two games out of a playoff spot entering play on Saturday, so it's possible (if not exactly likely) that Thornton and some of the other attractive Boston trade options remain with the franchise for the stretch run.

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