Rumor: Ainge ‘reluctant to pull trigger’ on Allen trade
- Ray might stay awhile… maybe. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Rumors have flown everywhere about Ray Allen being traded. But the Boston Herald’s Mark Murphy says Allen will likely finish the season in Boston.
Ray Allen, who has an expiring max contract, remains the Celtics’ largest trade bait. The team continues to measure the veteran guard’s appeal on the market, but Ainge is reluctant to pull the trigger. Allen still is considered an important asset and likely will finish the season with the Celts.
But the C’s may revisit talks for [D.J.] Augustin. Although Ainge said he never spoke with Bobcats officials about the shooting point guard, two league sources confirmed Celtics coach Doc Rivers actually called his mentor – Charlotte coach Larry Brown – and offered Glen Davis for Augustin.
Brown countered by asking for Rasheed Wallace – whom he previously coached in Detroit – in place of Davis.
The conversation ended there.
Despite Wallace’s inconsistent start, the Celtics believe the veteran forward’s unique skills will be invaluable down the stretch.
Murphy also said the Celtics are very interested in finding a backup point guard who can defend, mentioning Kirk Hinrich and Augustin as possibilities.
I remain steadfastly against Hinrich. Despite his reputation as a solid defender, he’s an overpaid backup guard making $17 million over the next two years.
Murphy said the Celtics remain in “window shopping mode” for now, but that it could change by the deadline.
But his whole sense of Boston remaining calm is perhaps contradicted by a quote from an unnamed source to end the article, speaking of Boston’s potential reaction to an Amare-to-Cleveland deal.
“I don’t think it would give them more urgency than they already have.”
So what is it? Are they already very urgent, or are they calmly “window shopping” and “reluctant to pull the trigger” on a big trade?
The next couple days will tell.
Related posts:
Celtics Blog, Featured | Jay King | February 16, 2010
Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, D.J. Augustin, Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, Glen Davis, Ray Allen
What's Danny smoking? I'm no GM, and respect Danny a lot, but if he thinks we can get Banner 18 like this, well……. I think we need major changes (Moving Ray). Ray is awesome, but the only person who should be kept for sentimental reasons is a man named Paul Pierce. I personally want Martin+Nocioni for Ray, or Iggy and Dalembert for Ray+Perk… What do you think?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I wouldn't want Nocioni at all. His contract is $7 mil for the next two years, and he's not a game-changer, really. Martin would be nice, but he'd almost definitely have to be packaged with Nocioni, and I'm not sure Ainge goes for that. Plus, A. Sherrod Blakely said Martin isn't likely to be moved anywhere.
Iggy and Dalembert might work. The drawbacks are that Dalembert has an awful $12 million contract for next season, so it would be a hefty sum for Wyc and the rest of the owners to pay. Also, Iggy has a large contract of himself, and it's long-term. I think Iggy fits the best skill-wise of the players rumored to come here, but his contract is simply bad.
The problem with Boston is that they have all the talent necessary to make a championship run, they've just been under-achieving. I wish the deadline could come a week or two later, so they could have a little more time to right the ship or see if it keeps sinking. Ainge is in a tough spot.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
AI2 and Dalmebert would cost a lot, but we could always trade away Dalembert next year when he'll be expiring… I'm even interested in letting Ray+House go for Jason Richardson+Hill. With Rondo and Richardson would have amazing fastbreaks and with Nate, Hill, and Quis coming of our bench, we'll be much more rested than we are now.
Pretty sure we need a trade, we may have the talent, but I don't see the heart or energy. Maybe it's just temporary , like you said, an extra week might help.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0