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Make The Trade Danny

Authored by Daniel Sbordone - January 31, 2007 - 12:10 am

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It’s hard to say this (I’m a diehard Celtics fan), but after entering the second half of the season, I think it’s in the best interest of Doc Rivers and Co. to tank the rest of the season and look forward to the June NBA Draft, and rebuild the roster once again. Yes, I know the All-Star game has not arrived yet. But, this team, at the moment, is going nowhere. Danny Ainge’s youth movement has not progressed as quickly as he had hoped. The Celtics are one of the worst teams in the league. They’ve suffered a losing streak over 10 games. Paul Pierce is still on the shelf with a leg injury, defensive–minded Tony Allen is out for the year with a torn ACL, and no one else on the roster has a pulse. The “young and promising young guys,” Al Jefferson, Delonte West, Gerald Green, and Ryan Gomes, are all way too inconsistent on a night to night basis. Ainge needs a make a move, a big move. A move that will make a big splash and shake –up a roster that will make them contenders in a far inferior Eastern Conference. The time for Ainge to take a mulligan and re-do his roster is no better than now.

With the recent development on the NBA grapevine that Grizzles owner Michael Heisley is looking to deal All-Star forward/center Paul Gasol, Celtics ownership have shown some interest. The only holdup on a deal is the Grizzles are asking for young buck Al Jefferson. The Celtics brasses are enamored with Big Al. But, a package of Al Jefferson and a high draft pick could bring the 26-year old Spaniard to Boston. However, the high draft pick would be in this year’s draft where two franchise players are expected to enter, Ohio State center Greg Oden, and Texas forward Kevin Durant. Instead of the draft pick, add Delonte West, Tony Allen, and a future first rounder with Jefferson, and I think the trade would work. Adding an All-Star caliber big man like Pau Gasol with Paul Pierce, and a likely Top 3 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Celtics would become not only playoffs contenders, but possess realistic expectations to reach the NBA Finals in 2008.

Think about it for a second.

Scenario 1: With Oden (5), Gasol (4), and Pierce (3) in the front court, and highlight reel Gerald Green (2), and Sebastian Telfair (or a quality veteran free agent) in the back court, the Celtics would have one of the best starting fives in the Eastern Conference. The bench would have possible starter Ryan Gomes, an improving Kendrick Perkins, second-year guard Allan Ray, and veteran Wally Szczerbiak. This nine man rotation would return the Green back to the Glory Days.

Scenario 2: With Perkins (5), Gasol (4), and Durant (3) up-front, and Paul Pierce and Telfair/Green in the back court, the Celts would have one of the biggest back courts in the league and have a mismatch advantage at every position. Perkins can bang the boards all night, Gasol and Durant can shoot in and out, run with the best of them, and Pierce and Green will over-power their opposing guards. Add the bench above, and this team would be very dangerous. Imagine the possibilities.

But, here’s the thing. Celtics fans do not have to dream anymore, if Ainge is willing to trade away his promising young players and get a proven, All-Star veteran to pair up with Pierce. Add in an Oden or Durant, and the Celtics can become meaningful once again in one off-season. Make the trade Danny Boy. If you don’t improve this team soon, you and Doc, realistically, will be looking for new jobs. The time is right.