Sorry Celtics fans, but the aging core of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett is breaking down before our eyes. Due to continual nagging injuries, Garnett’s bark is now worse than his bite, Ray Allen’s offensive production(15.7 ppg, .341 3PT %) is at his lowest since his rookie year, and Paul Pierce is now day-to-day after spraining his left foot against the Wizards.
General Manager Danny Ainge knows that the writing is on the wall for the former superstar trio that won an NBA title in 2008. In order to stay at an elite level in the competitive Eastern Conference, Ainge must start to rebuild his roster with a focus on All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo, who is one of the best young players in the league.
The Celtics struggles with injuries this season have hindered their progress but are still a respectable 30-16 and in 3rd place in the East, but are just 4-6 over their last 10 games.
According to sources at Yahoo Sports, the Celtics are listening to all offers for Ray Allen and his expiring $20 million contract. No doubt Boston is looking to get something back in return before seasons end when his contract comes off the books and becomes a free agent.
If he remains a Celtic to season’s end, Allen reportedly has an interest in joining the Heat or staying home in Connecticut and fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing for his hometown NY Knicks.
The two most likely teams that have an interest in trading for Allen appears to be the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings.
Allen going to Golden State for Monta Ellis and Vladamir Radmonovic has been generating a lot of buzz recently. Warriors brass thinks that rookie Stephen Curry will take longer to reach his full potential while playing alongside the trigger happy Ellis, while Radmonovic has an option for next season that he isn’t likely to exercise.
Another intruiging option could be sending Allen to the Kings for Kevin Martin and Andres Nocioni. Upon returning from injuries, Martin has been the subject of trade rumors now that Tyreke Evans has established himself as Sacramento’s focal point in his absence. Nocioni could provide an offensive boost with all of Boston’s injury woes. Kenny Thomas’s expiring $8 million dollar contract could prove valuable to Boston as well since he would give them some money to spend this Summer on free agents.
Of course Keeping Allen for the rest of the season and letting his contract expire would provide Boston with the most money this Summer for free agents.
Celtics fans would have to be drooling at the thought of bringing in a younger guard to pair with Rondo, Perkins, and Pierce for the near future. Although Ellis isn’t the capable shooter that Allen is, having a backcourt with the offensive capabilities of the two young stars would be an upgrade. Adding the 6 year veteran in Martin isn’t too shabby either.
The Celtics should make one of the deals. Waiting on Allen’s contract to expire and gambling on free agency at season’s end is a risky proposition. Why not get something in return now, for the future?
Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.
