The Sharks are Circling

Will Garnett and Pierce be moved?

So, word has it with Rajon Rondo's recent ACL injury that has him out for the rest of the season, the Celtics are receiving tons of phone calls inquiring about the availability of veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Many are assuming now that the floor general for the Celtics is out, (Rondo was averaging 14pts/11ast a game) the Celtics should blow up the team and start the rebuilding process---as opposed to making a move for a stop-gap PG that will help the current 8th seed team limp into the playoffs.

Currently Pierce, 35 and Garnett, 36, are being sought after by playoff contenders that could possibly use one of the the veterans to catapult them to a championship. Of the two, Pierce is the most movable, only owed $4mil for this season---but is under contract for 2013-14 at $17mill, and a player option in 2014-15 for $15mill (Garnett is owed $18mill, but contract is expiring)

Pierce and Garnett are pretty much the only valuable trade chips the Celtics have at the moment; Avery Bradley's stock is wayyyy down after a pretty lousy season thus far. The only obstacle standing in the Celtics way is pride and loyalty, with the latter being directed at longtime Celtic, Pierce. It's hard to see the Celtics part with Pierce unless Pierce openly asks for one. Garnett doesn't hold the same title in Boston, but his departure would mean the Celtics would most likely miss out of any deep playoff run possibilities this season. Coach Doc Rivers has already said: 

"You can go ahead, but I'm not. We won tonight and so, the way I look at it is, we're going to stay in there. In my opinion, we're going nowhere."

Pride may keep the Celtics from trading Garnett (or Pierce) and giving up on the season. 

Personally, I don't think the Celtics are good enough to reach the Championship this year or next year with their current roster. I think it is in the best interest of the team to trade one of them, if not both, for whatever young talent and draft picks they can get.

Ainge has to do whats best for the team.

However, I'm a big fan of franchise players. I love seeing a player stay with a team his whole career. It would be awfully sad to see Pierce leave the Celtics. Danny Ainge and the Celtics organization are walking a fine line with how they handle Pierce; I think they should ask Pierce whether or not he wants traded---a move that could be beneficial to both Pierce and the Celtics: Pierce could pursue 1-2 more rings with another team and the Celtics could start the rebuilding process

As far as Garnett goes, I think he should be traded for sure...if they can find the right deal.

The only problem I have with all this trade talks is finding a suitable trade partner. I can't see the Celtics trading either veteran player to a team not already poised for a deep playoff run. I mean, why would the Celtics ship off Pierce or Garnett (or Terry) to any other team? It wouldn't be right.

Only 2 teams come to mind as possible suitors:

Memphis Grizzlies
- Grizzlies have been in trade rumors all season, specifically with SF Rudy Gay. The Grizz are playoff contenders. Rudy Gay would be a great rebuilding piece for BOS.

Maybe Rudy Gay for Paul Pierce and Garnett straight up? I'm not sure if the contacts add up, but it has to be close. Probably the best case scenario for the Celtics.

Gay would be best-case scenario for Celtics

Philadelphia 76'ers
- The 76'ers may try to trade Andrew Bynum, rather than resigning him or letting him walk this summer. Bynum has been injured all season so far and hasn't been a part of the teams success this year. They could move him and not risk hurting the team. The addition of Garnett and Pierce could catapult them too title contenders (especially with Jrue Holiday plating at an All-Star level) Andrew Bynum could be healthy when Rondo returns next season. Bynum is young and talented, despite injury concerns. They could take the chance. The fact that this would be a trade within the Eastern Conference may hinder trade possibilities, however.

Bynum would be a high-risk, high reward move

The lack of suitable trade partners (that are good fits for Garnett and Pierce, as well as the Celtics) may mean that the Celtics don't make a move before the Feb. 21st trade deadline. They may just play the rest of the season and let Garnett walk this summer and retain Pierce til his retires...or they blow the team up like everyone is speculating.

Who knows.

Keys For Success: Atlantic Division

With the NBA season about to begin tomorrow, the little girl inside me needs to talk some more basketball, and cute boys, oddly enough.  So, I'm going to break down each division, team by team, solely based on which player will be the most important to the success of the team this year.  I am going to start with the Atlantic Division, you know, alphabetical, I guess...in the Eastern Conference.

Boston Celtics
     Jeff Green: Green is a super solid player with size and is an all around talent.  He showed some sick play in the preseason, he looks to be coming out strong since his absence last season.With Ray Allen gone, Paul Pierce and Garnett getting...up there, and some new young bigs, he is going to have to play his best to keep the team anchored.

Brooklyn Nets
     MarShon Brooks: The Nets starting five are looking strong this year despite some lack of defense and a messy preseason. Their bench however, is made up of a motley crew of drop outs and could-have-beens (sorry guys).  Their go-to bench guy and sixth man, MarShon brooks, is a strong player though, and has shown he can step it up.  When the starters have to take a breather, he has to be able to step in and take over.

New York Knicks
     Amar'e Stoudemire: Last season was one of the weakest in Stoudemires' career, which is understandable considering the countless bad lucks that happened to this guy.  But, The Knicks has revamped and kicked it into overdrive with...senior citizens.  Although the bench can take care of themselves this year, the starters have to do it.  Melo and Stoudemire need to gel quickly, but most of the pressure will be on the latter.  The work he put in this summer looks exciting, and needs to pay off.

Philadelphia 76ers
     Andrew Bynum: Whew...it has to feel pretty bad to be traded away by a title contending team for a player who plays the same position and who you consider to be worse than you.  Although most people don't consider Bynum to be the best center in the league, when he plays Dwight Howard, his stats are by far in his favor.  If he can stay injury free and play with a chip on his shoulder, the 76ers will be far more successful.  Plus, he is rocking a new afro now, which is probably just because he thinks he badass, but I like to think its a throwback.

Toronto Raptors
     Andrea Bargnani: The Raptors, despite a cool name and a sick logo, have never really been a contending team.  They have had cool players, even cooler nicknames, and a weird on court optical illusion, but still not contenders.  This year looks to be about the same, but if they are going to compete, their European big man Bargnani, has to play like a big man.  He has put up some solid numbers before, especially since Chris Bosh departed, but they have no super solid big guys and he has to play his part, not the parts of others.