Celtics’ Ainge will have to weigh options in trade/free agent market
What Celtics boss Danny Ainge does between now and the Feb. 21 NBA trade deadline will be fascinating to not only Boston fans but fans of teams across the league as well.
With Rajon Rondo going down with a season-ending ACL injury, Paul Pierce and possibly Kevin Garnett could be traded to contending teams in the next few weeks, though Garnett would have to waive the no-trade clause in his recently signed contract. The Celtics are always on the lookout for younger talent and conventional thinking would lead one to believe that getting a draft pick or two back for the aging Pierce and/or Garnett would make a ton of sense.
Celtics head coach Doc Rivers was defiant, however, after the team’s win over the Eastern Conference-leading Heat Sunday, saying that he’s not ready to write the obituary on this year’s team. A week prior to Rondo’s injury, Rivers had hinted that the Celtics would have to ship guys out if things didn’t get better in a hurry.
Even if a major trade isn’t made, Ainge will likely be looking to add a piece at the point due to Rondo’s injury. Available talents include former C’s guard Keyon Dooling (free agent/retired), former C’s guard Delonte West (D-League) and former Syracuse standout and No. 9 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Jonny Flynn (Australian National Basketball League).
