Despite multiple reports to the contrary, SI reports that Shane Battier is still considering the Boston Celtics.

Battier’s list still includes the Heat, Spurs, Pacers, Raptors, Grizzlies, Celtics and his former Memphis team. The Thunder have also had discussions with either Battier or his camp. The team-to-player conversations might matter more with players like these than with so many others, as a clear understanding of roles, goals and, of course, financial incentive will come into play.

I’d love Battier in Boston. I just don’t see how he’d sign for $3 million when another team (aka the Heat) can offer him more money and a better chance (damn it, I hate saying this) at winning a championship.

P.S. – Though my shaved head looks like corn rows, there’s no truth to the rumor I simply want Battier because I have a syndrome commonly referred to as “Battier Head.” He’s just good. That’s it.

Shane Battier, Carl Landry, Chuck Hayes — no report yet on whether Danny Ainge has called to coax Yao Ming, Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Francis out of retirement to officially revive the 2007-08 Houston Rockets.

Two players who would certainly help the Boston Celtics, both in terms of basketball performance and overall team GPA.

As you can probably tell based on Danny Ainge’s interest in approximately 2,398 players since the NBA lockout ended, Ainge is a busy man. That’s what happens when you have seven roster spots to fill, a shortened free agency period in which to fill them, and fairly little money to fill them with.

Battier is probably a long shot. A similar player to James Posey, Battier has said he would like to sign a three- or four-year contract. The Celtics chose to let Posey go rather than sign him for four years after the 2008 championship, when Posey was 31 years old. Battier’s 33 already. Though he won’t necessarily break down like Posey did (which was very similar to the way the Cool Runnings bobsled came unhinged), the Celtics would probably try to limit Battier to a shorter contract. Maybe Ainge could convince him. Maybe Battier will go somewhere else.

Hill has stayed in Phoenix to this point, but at 39 years old, maybe he wants one shot at a championship before retirement. But is Boston that place? At the very least, if Hill signs in Boston, he could play cribbage and knit sweaters with Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal.

If the Boston Celtics want to scoop Anthony Parker from the Cleveland Cavaliers, they will most likely need to part ways with Semih Erden. (Akron Beacon Journal)

With the NBA’s trade deadline two days away, Parker remains the Cavs’ top target of interest from teams around the league. Both the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics have expressed interest in him, one league source said, but the Cavs want a player in return and not a low draft pick.

They have targeted Omer Asik from the Bulls and Semih Erden from the Celtics, but both teams have been reluctant to part with either player. Asik is 7 feet tall, and Erden is listed at 6-11. Both were second-round picks in 2008.

I’ve asked this question before, when Marc Stein reported the Cavs were looking for a promising big man in return for Parker, but: Would you trade Semih Erden for Anthony Parker? It couldn’t be done straight up, but would you trade Marquis Daniels and Semih Erden for Anthony Parker?

I’m leaning toward no. I’m not completely against moving Erden, if the right deal presents itself. But Parker’s not even a definite upgrade over Von Wafer, who — might I add — has been playing quite well recently. Parker’s also not the type of player on whom the Celtics should spend a promising seven-footer.

You know who is, though? Shane Battier. But the Celtics are reportedly against sending Erden to Houston, even for the man with built-in cornrows. (Houston Chronicle)

ESPN reported that the Celtics had interest in Battier, but quickly shot that down, pointing out that the Celtics would not be willing to move the players the Rockets would want. Actually, I think the Rockets would be tempted to make the deal if the Celtics would include center Semih Erden, though we’ll probably never know since Boston apparently wants to keep and develop him.

If Shane Battier is available and Semih Erden’s the only thing holding the deal back, I assume Danny Ainge will pull the trigger. If not, well, he’ll have to answer to my wrath.

P.S. – Kendrick Perkins said his knee is “real sore” after bumping it last night, and his status for Thursday’s game is in the air. Perk didn’t undergo any additional testing, meaning the injury shouldn’t be too serious. (*Furiously knocking on wood*)

P.P.S. – Leon Powe’s looking for a buyout. I assume that piques some of your interest, but remember: Powe has done approximately squaw-doosh for Cleveland, and the C’s don’t exactly need another undersized power forward.

UPDATE: Aw, shucks. Battier’s not coming to Boston, according to Chris Mannix and A. Sherrod Blakely. You can still read the post if you wish.

The Boston Celtics have discussed a deal that would send Shane Battier to Boston, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

After the name of Cleveland’s Anthony Parker surfaced Friday as a player that Boston has joined conference rival Chicago in pursuing, sources said Monday that the Celtics and Rockets have likewise discussed the prospect of Battier moving East.

Yet it’s too soon to say whether the teams can reach an agreement on a deal to send Battier to the Celtics, given that Boston’s trade chips are limited and since Houston is regarded as one of the most aggressive teams in a conservative market and might need Battier’s expiring $7.4 million salary for a bigger move.

It’s safe to say Boston wouldn’t send a player like Kendrick Perkins for Battier, and I highly doubt the Rockets want Jermaine O’Neal. As such, any deal would likely include a package of Nate Robinson, Marquis Daniels, and some combination of draft picks/cash.

If I could dream of a perfect addition to Boston’s bench, it would probably be Shane Battier. (Or Lebron James, but that’s probably a little unrealistic.) He’s 6’8, defends like the second coming of James Posey, shoots the three-ball with accuracy (38.5% career), and knows his limitations. The thought of Battier and Glen Davis both taking charges gives coaches sweet dreams of rhythm and dancing, and — oh yeah — an entire New York Times essay was written about Battier’s diligent work in defending Kobe Bryant.

But it’s going to be tough for Danny Ainge and the Celtics to work their magic on this one. They just don’t have very many assets to acquire Battier’s expiring contract. Nate Robinson would be the fourth Lilliputian (shout out to Walt “Clyde” Frazier) point guard on Houston’s roster, Daniels may or may not play the rest of this season, and Boston’s draft pick would likely be at the very end of the first round.

I’m sure Ainge wants this trade as desperately as I do. But the Celtics might not have enough to offer.

I don't know why, but Glen Davis's eyes creeping behind Sheed was funny to me.

You can put all that “Sheed is coming back” talk to rest. For now, at least. This whole Sheed retirement thing is kind of starting to resemble the annual Brett Favre saga, only on a “slightly” lesser scale. (Boston Globe)

The Celtics made roster moves this summer believing that Rasheed Wallace was going to retire, despite constant speculation that he was reconsidering. Team president Danny Ainge appeared convinced Wallace was done.

Yesterday, Wallace’s agent, Bill Strickland, said that his NBA career is indeed over, ending a tumultuous 15-year run.

Strickland simply stated, “Rasheed is retiring.’’

Now we can all get back to plotting a plan to flip Sheed’s retiring contract into Shane Battier. My best idea so far involves some ice cubes and a nine iron, a buffalo (live or stuffed, preferably stuffed for safety’s sake), Houston GM Daryl Morey and roofies. But mostly Daryl Morey and roofies.

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