http://celtics.bostonherald.com/celtics/view.bg?articleid=82768&format=&page=1
Though his name has occasionally surfaced in the NBA marketplace, the Celtics have never felt compelled to trade their best player.
Not only is Paul Pierce their best scorer (21.6 ppg), he is also their best rebounder (6.6 rpg) and generally their best passer (4.2 apg). Come to think of it, until rookie Al Jefferson matures, he's also their best post-up player.
But for a team that now has its sights set on the next step - be it the conference or league finals - director of basketball operations Danny Ainge will have to at least weigh the merits of a Pierce trade between now and next October.
Pierce, at 26 and in line to make $13.84 million, $15.1 million and an option year worth $16.36 million over the next three seasons, may already be at his peak value.
He shot a career-high 45.5 percent under Doc Rivers' system this season, though Pierce also chafed under his new coach. He wants to be the leader that his numbers (on the court and contractually) connote, but as Games 6 and 7 of the team's seven-game loss to the Pacers illustrated, Pierce has a growing tendency to melt down at the worst possible time. He can be disruptive - not good news for a management team attempting to instill a new philosophy and style.
Asked about remaining in Boston, Pierce has generally said the right thing in a rather unconvincing way.
There's nothing here that says Pierce will be traded. But there's no harm in taking a look at the marketplace.
You never know. Considering Ainge and his cold-blooded ability to do what's best for the team, there should be quite a market out there for the player who possesses the NBA's best combination of scoring and rebounding in a guard:
1. RAY ALLEN (Seattle, free agent, 28, 6-foot-5 shooting guard, 23.9 ppg, 3.7 apg last season): This would work as a sign-and-trade deal. Allen, who earned $14.6 million this season, was unable to reach an agreement with the Sonics on an extension, though negotiations were said to be civil. He's the NBA's premier shooter, and a career 44.6 percent shooter, but not as tough or durable as Pierce. He's a terrific passer, but a defensive liability. But if you're looking for someone who could fit into the lineup most seamlessly, this is probably the guy.
2. MICHAEL REDD (Milwaukee, free agent, 24, 6-6 shooting guard, 23.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg): A fledgling Allen, with perhaps even more explosive scoring potential, Redd is on the verge of an outstanding career. Unlike Allen, who could easily re-sign with the Sonics, Redd appears committed to signing with another team next season. He was a bargain for owner Sen. Herb Kohl at $3 million last year, but has his eyes set on the sort of max contract that could match Pierce's numbers. Again, this is a sign-and-trade option.
3. RON ARTEST (Indiana, 24, 6-7 small forward, 24.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg): Don't laugh. General managers have been attempting to pry the ultra-talented forward away from Larry Bird with a lot less than Pierce has to offer. The drawbacks are obvious. You're trading Pierce's oft-conflicted pouting for Artest's gone-postal tendencies. There also isn't a better defender in basketball. Ainge has often talked about adding or developing a so-called ``Power 3.'' Artest defines the job. Creativity would also be needed to make the numbers match. Another reason Bird likes Artest? He's a bargain at $6.5 million, $7.15M, $7.8M and a player option of $8.45M over the next four seasons.
4. ELTON BRAND (L.A. Clippers, 25, 6-8 power forward, 20 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.09 bpg): This only works if Antoine Walker is allowed to sign elsewhere, but the Celtics, like most other organizations, love Brand's active game at both ends of the floor. At $13.2 million next year, his numbers would also match. And Pierce would be allowed to go home, albeit to the wrong team.
5. LAMAR ODOM (L.A. Lakers, 24, 6-10 forward, 15.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg): Some sort of packaging would have to be done to make the numbers match, but Odom ($11.46 million next season) is a versatile player who can play either forward position, and could fit in with that vision of weaning Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins for starting roles. Again, Antoine Walker's departure would be needed to make this work.
6. LARRY HUGHES (Washington, free agent, 25, 6-4 guard, 22 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.7 apg): His energy and athleticism would add greatly to the Celtics' defensive aims as well as their transition game. Another sign-and-trade option who has become a significantly polished player.
7. SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM (Portland, free agent, 27, 6-9 power forward, 16.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg): Sort of a forgotten man in recent years, but a very capable offensive player. It doesn't work if you re-sign Antoine Walker [news], or decide Jefferson's time is now. He's also coming off a $14.63 million contract year.
Not only is Paul Pierce their best scorer (21.6 ppg), he is also their best rebounder (6.6 rpg) and generally their best passer (4.2 apg). Come to think of it, until rookie Al Jefferson matures, he's also their best post-up player.
But for a team that now has its sights set on the next step - be it the conference or league finals - director of basketball operations Danny Ainge will have to at least weigh the merits of a Pierce trade between now and next October.
Pierce, at 26 and in line to make $13.84 million, $15.1 million and an option year worth $16.36 million over the next three seasons, may already be at his peak value.
He shot a career-high 45.5 percent under Doc Rivers' system this season, though Pierce also chafed under his new coach. He wants to be the leader that his numbers (on the court and contractually) connote, but as Games 6 and 7 of the team's seven-game loss to the Pacers illustrated, Pierce has a growing tendency to melt down at the worst possible time. He can be disruptive - not good news for a management team attempting to instill a new philosophy and style.
Asked about remaining in Boston, Pierce has generally said the right thing in a rather unconvincing way.
There's nothing here that says Pierce will be traded. But there's no harm in taking a look at the marketplace.
You never know. Considering Ainge and his cold-blooded ability to do what's best for the team, there should be quite a market out there for the player who possesses the NBA's best combination of scoring and rebounding in a guard:
1. RAY ALLEN (Seattle, free agent, 28, 6-foot-5 shooting guard, 23.9 ppg, 3.7 apg last season): This would work as a sign-and-trade deal. Allen, who earned $14.6 million this season, was unable to reach an agreement with the Sonics on an extension, though negotiations were said to be civil. He's the NBA's premier shooter, and a career 44.6 percent shooter, but not as tough or durable as Pierce. He's a terrific passer, but a defensive liability. But if you're looking for someone who could fit into the lineup most seamlessly, this is probably the guy.
2. MICHAEL REDD (Milwaukee, free agent, 24, 6-6 shooting guard, 23.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg): A fledgling Allen, with perhaps even more explosive scoring potential, Redd is on the verge of an outstanding career. Unlike Allen, who could easily re-sign with the Sonics, Redd appears committed to signing with another team next season. He was a bargain for owner Sen. Herb Kohl at $3 million last year, but has his eyes set on the sort of max contract that could match Pierce's numbers. Again, this is a sign-and-trade option.
3. RON ARTEST (Indiana, 24, 6-7 small forward, 24.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg): Don't laugh. General managers have been attempting to pry the ultra-talented forward away from Larry Bird with a lot less than Pierce has to offer. The drawbacks are obvious. You're trading Pierce's oft-conflicted pouting for Artest's gone-postal tendencies. There also isn't a better defender in basketball. Ainge has often talked about adding or developing a so-called ``Power 3.'' Artest defines the job. Creativity would also be needed to make the numbers match. Another reason Bird likes Artest? He's a bargain at $6.5 million, $7.15M, $7.8M and a player option of $8.45M over the next four seasons.
4. ELTON BRAND (L.A. Clippers, 25, 6-8 power forward, 20 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.09 bpg): This only works if Antoine Walker is allowed to sign elsewhere, but the Celtics, like most other organizations, love Brand's active game at both ends of the floor. At $13.2 million next year, his numbers would also match. And Pierce would be allowed to go home, albeit to the wrong team.
5. LAMAR ODOM (L.A. Lakers, 24, 6-10 forward, 15.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg): Some sort of packaging would have to be done to make the numbers match, but Odom ($11.46 million next season) is a versatile player who can play either forward position, and could fit in with that vision of weaning Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins for starting roles. Again, Antoine Walker's departure would be needed to make this work.
6. LARRY HUGHES (Washington, free agent, 25, 6-4 guard, 22 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.7 apg): His energy and athleticism would add greatly to the Celtics' defensive aims as well as their transition game. Another sign-and-trade option who has become a significantly polished player.
7. SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM (Portland, free agent, 27, 6-9 power forward, 16.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg): Sort of a forgotten man in recent years, but a very capable offensive player. It doesn't work if you re-sign Antoine Walker [news], or decide Jefferson's time is now. He's also coming off a $14.63 million contract year.
