Celtics: 2012 and Beyond

After a lockout that at first seemed would derail the 2011-2012 NBA season, the Celts have been back at it and are looking to make a push for the playoffs as the 2^nd half of the season has begun.   They have been led by Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce all year with tough D and leadership from Kevin Garnett.  Ray Allen is showing his age at 36 and missed four games earlier in the season.  His production hasn't been the same, but he can still drill 3's and is automatic from the free throw line.   However, the Celts are currently flirting with a low playoff seed spot, which makes us all question, how will they do in a series against the young powerhouses in Chicago and Miami?

            Gunslinger GM Danny Ainge has a lot to think about as the March 15^th trade deadline approaches.  Last year he dealt Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the OKC Thunder for F Jeff Green who didn't perform up to his potential and his 15 ppg statistics he recorded on the Thunder.  He struggled in the playoffs against the Heat missing open threes and normally easy buckets for his standard of play.  In addition, he underwent heart surgery this year which put him on injured reserve for the season.  Green is likely still in the Celtics' plans for the future, but the team is still in need of young talent.  Though Rondo has the potential to take over games at times with his passing and defense, he shoots 60% from the line and has an inconsistent jump shot.  During many games in the fourth quarter, he does not have the scorer's mentality to drive to the basket and get to the line or shoot wide open jumpers.  This is especially the case when his pointguard counterpart is a potent scorer such as Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, or John Wall.  He affects the game in other ways besides scoring that's for sure, but his scoring at the 1 is not consistent enough which is why he was rumored in trades for star PG Chris Paul before the season started.  These rumors will certainly be re-visited this March, as will the tradability of the big three.  Ainge needs to think for the future, and analyze if the Celts truly have a chance to keep up with the Bulls and Heat come playoff time.  Last year, the Celts were clearly tired by the end of the season and were outrun up and down the court by Miami despite Lebron James choking in almost every fourth quarter of that series.

            Celtics legend and former GM Red Auerbach had the chance to trade Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parrish as they aged, similar to the 2012 Celtics situation.  He didn't, and got no value for them when they each respectfully retired or were signed by another team.  Ainge does not want to let the present value of the big three pass him by and be reluctant to trade his stars.  The NBA is a business, and even though you have to make decisions that are tough due to the big three's legendary status and championship contributions, you still have to think about the future.  The Celts are in dire need of a young big man, as Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum outrebounded us on the glass and outscored our big[s] (Kevin Garnett…and who else?  Sorry Chris Wilcox and Greg Stiemsma) in the game against the Lakers February 9^th.

            Magic C Dwight Howard is a free agent after the season as is Nets PG Deron Williams.  Many experts suggest the Celts should trade Rondo and some combination of the big three so they can clear up cap space to sign one or both of these superstars.  KG and Ray Allen are free agents this summer, so a big decision needs to be made whether to stick with them for one last run at Banner 18, or to blow it up and get back some young talent to build from.   Paul Pierce still has another year left on his current contract, which will attract any potential teams as he continues to be on top of his game, being elected to his 10^th All Star Game in his career.

              If and when Rondo is traded, it would bring the Celts some good pieces in return for sure, and they might want to go after Williams when he becomes a free agent over the summer, a legit top three PG who is unhappy in New Jersey.  After seeing Rondo contribute nothing (0 pts, 4 turnovers in 16 min) at the All Star Game February 26^th as fellow PGs Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Williams straight balled, it validated to me that he is not in their league as a top 5 PG.  In addition, he has continued to show immaturity by being suspended two games before the break for throwing the ball at the ref after a turnover.  Seeing him sulk with a towel over his head on the bench rubs me the wrong way also.  I love what I see from 22 year old PG Avery Bradley, who, during Rondo's suspension, filled in nicely and has shown an ability to stroke a nice J and play tight D.  It has taken Rondo six years to develop something close to a jumper, and he is still not there.  I would be fine with grooming Bradley as the PG of the future and trading Rondo for a young big man such as Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks, who could use a facilitating PG.  If not during the season before the trade deadline, then possibly over the summer after the playoffs.  Duke star PG Austin Rivers, son of coach Doc Rivers, is also an intriguing option for a change at PG if the Celts could accumulate 1^st round picks by trading some combination of the big three and or Rondo.  There is no doubt Doc would love to coach his son, who is expected to go top 10 in this summer's NBA Draft, June 28^th.

As for Howard, he has already voiced his interest in joining the Celts who have a ‘championship history and mentality'.  However, I would rather see the Celts go after a different and younger big man than Howard to save money and spend it more economically at other positions.  Minnesota Timberwolves F Michael Beasley has been a name as of late that the Celts are interested in, but he probably wouldn't be included in a deal for Rondo; more like for a first round pick or some other transaction possibly surrounding Celts F/C Jermaine O'Neal.  So, will Ainge sit back and let the season play out with the current team he has built?  Or, will he blow it up and accept that teams around the league are getting younger and more talented, quickly.  Boston does have some solid young talent in Brandon Bass, E'Twaun Moore, and JuJuan Johnson that should be here for the foreseeable future, but the ladder two are just getting their feet wet as rookies and the team still needs more young depth.  I love the big three and everything they have done since '08, but nothing lasts forever and as a general manager you have to know when the time is right to move on for the good of your franchise's success.