Trade Deadline Options for the Celtics

By Alex Carr on February 23, 2013

As Thursday Night’s NBA trade deadline quickly approaches, the Boston Celtics find themselves as one of the most talked about teams amidst the whirling trade rumors in the media. The Celtics who began the season as the sure playoff contenders out of the east, find themselves fighting to find the right lineup to get them back the playoffs after a series of injuries to key players (Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger mainly).

They have been playing surprisingly well without their all-star point guard, but the question remains of whether they can be competitive with their current lineup of veteran forwards and inexperienced guards.

The main trade talks for the celtics have revolved around veteran superstar Kevin Garnett. Interestingly though, the 15 time all star has a no-trade provision in his contract that gives him the ability to waive any trade that the Celtics propose to him that is not up to his standards. Garnett claims that he will not accept a trade no matter what, and true to his emotional and inspired style of play he spoke out last week saying that he wants to, “live and die a Celtic.” Nonetheless, reports of a trade between the Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers that involves Kevin Garnett going to LA and guard Eric Bledsoe and center Deandre Jordan coming to Boston, have been floating around this week. Some experts believe that there is a chance KG could give this deal the OK because he owns a home in Malibu, and is known the be good friends with Clippers guard Chauncey Billups, not to mention the Clippers are already one of the best teams in the West.

Another trade rumor that surfaced recently is the option of the Celtics shipping Rondo to the struggling Los Angeles Lakers for center Dwight Howard. Howard was supposed to be a centerpiece of the new look Lakers this season but as things have gone downhill the Lakers are looking to possibly pursue other options. Rondo is out for the remainder of the season with his torn ACL but he would definitely be a huge pickup for the Lakers, and also a huge loss in the long term for Boston.

For Boston fans, it will be a huge relief if none of the integral parts of the team are traded on Thursday, and though this season may be a struggle to contend without Rondo and Sullinger, if the Celtics can stick it out and hold on to their core players the future still looks bright. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have done so much for the Celtics franchise that they deserve to be able to retire as a Celtic. It would truly be a shame to see them go.

 

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