National Basketball Association

Danny Ainge says Jared Sullinger needs to get into better shape

Published Feb. 26, 2015 11:16 a.m. ET

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Danny Ainge doesn't believe his starting power forward is in good enough shape.

Jared Sullinger is out for the season with a fractured left foot, but all the Celtics general manager wanted to talk about was his injured star's disregard for his own body. Here's what Ainge had to say, via ESPN's Chris Forsberg:

Ainge has expressed displeasure with Sullinger's conditioning before. Near the end of last year, he mentioned he wanted Sully to get into better shape. So far, it hasn't happened, but maybe there's about to be a change. Earlier this week, the injured forward pledged to acrue a better physique for next season as he rehabs his foot. Here's his quote from another Forsberg piece:

We'll have to wait until next season to find out if these are empty promises or not, but Sully is only 22 years old. It's completely possible he could lose the weight and show up in better shape than ever next October. We saw a couple of once-chunky big men in Kevin Love and Marc Gasol come into training camp like stick figures this year. It happens. Now, we just need to wait and see if it'll happen to Sully.