Jesus Shuttlesworth and his father. Jesus will likely remain a Celtic, according to Marc Spears. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

As Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline approaches, Allen has one hope: He’d like to be starting for the Celtics when they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

According to multiple team sources, Allen will likely get his wish. While the Celtics have spent the past few weeks exploring their trade options with Allen, they don’t expect to move the veteran shooting guard. The team is close to acquiring Nate Robinson from the New York Knicks, probably in exchange for Eddie House and J.R. Giddens. But Celtics president Danny Ainge called the potential for an Allen trade “highly unlikely.”

If Danny Ainge is his only source on that one, I wouldn’t be too quick to believe it. Ainge has been known to deny any and all trade rumors before they happen, as most GM’s do.

The Boston Herald, meanwhile, reports the Celtics haven’t yet counted out trading Ray Allen, although they are reluctant to do so. That sounds more like it, in my opinion. Ainge isn’t going to pull the trigger on an Allen deal he doesn’t feel comfortable with, but if he can find the right one he’ll be open to taking it.

I can’t think the Celtics are done dealing after adding only Nate Robinson. The way they’ve played recently, Nate alone isn’t going to turn things around. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the Celtics make another trade or two on top of the Robinson deal.