Few grand conclusions can be drawn from February NBA games. But in this
case, the Celtics' latest disappointing loss only underscored what has
been a poorly kept secret among NBA executives for weeks: Ray Allen's
time in Boston is likely coming to an end.
Thanks to a non-competitive third quarter, the Celtics fell to Orlando
96-89 on Sunday, dropping them to third in the East behind the Cavs and
Magic. The struggling Celtics still have three games against Cleveland
to prove they haven't fallen from elite status. But after going 1-3
against Orlando and 0-4 against Atlanta, the Celtics have reached a
crossroads in their bid to milk one more championship banner out of the
Allen-Paul Pierce-Kevin Garnett era.
Don't bet on every member of the Big Three being around beyond the Feb. 18 trade deadline.
Though team president Danny Ainge has publicly ridiculed the Allen trade reports, several NBA executives told CBSSports.com that the Celtics have been actively trying to parlay Allen's $19.7 million expiring contract into an asset that could keep them in the mix during the upcoming playoffs and also help them for the next several seasons. The most recent inquiry, sources say, involved Sacramento sharpshooter Kevin Martin, who'd be a good fit with Boston's remaining core. Kings officials might be talked out of their reluctance to deal Martin if they could pry a prolific big man out of a third team brought into the discussions or in a separate transaction before the deadline.
The bottom line is that Ainge, who saved his job by pulling off the perfect storm of trades that yielded Allen and Garnett three years ago, has made it clear in private conversations that he's "not going back to the abyss," according to one person familiar with the discussions. "Danny has said, 'I can't go back to square one where we were prior to the Garnett deal,'" the person said. "At the All-Star break, they’re going to look in the mirror and say, 'Cleveland got better, we can't beat Orlando, and we can't even beat the Hawks. We’re not going to win it this year.'"
If the Celtics kept Allen and let his contract come off the books, they'd still be over the cap this summer with no avenues besides sign-and-trades to acquire a starting shooting guard. That's why Boston also has expressed interest in the Bulls' Kirk Hinrich, an excellent defender and ball-handler who would give the Celtics a starting two guard next season at $9 million and in 2011-12 at $8 million. The Bulls' motivation would be cap relief.
The Kings, who are not planning to be big free-agent shoppers this summer, aren't seeking to acquire cap space alone. They want assets -- and the Celtics don't have a young big man to offer. The Bulls, who almost certainly will move Tyrus Thomas, might need to be invited into that conversation to satisfy everyone's needs.
Carmelo could force trade to Knicks this season: report
It seems more and more likely Carmelo Anthony will not sign a contract
extension with the Nuggets, which likely will force the team to trade
him, perhaps to the Knicks.
ESPN.com reported last night that Anthony is "going to make it real
clear that he's not coming back" to Denver, according to an NBA source.
"Both Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke and Anthony already are well aware that
they don't have a future together, sources say. That became clear to
Kroenke at a reception after Anthony's July 11 (wedding) to La La
Vasquez in Manhattan," the report says.
Not only does Carmelo Anthony apparently have his heart set on playing
in New York, but a close confidant of the NBA superstar told The Post
yesterday that he is a better fit for the Big Apple than LeBron James.
"Nothing would bother him," the confidant said of Anthony playing here.
"The media wouldn't bother him because he really likes people. The
pressure wouldn't bother him because he loves to have the game in his
hands. Nothing bothers him."
Ellsbury could be done for the season Jacoby Ellsbury is scheduled to return to Boston today and could be shut down for the season after his exam in Los Angeles with Dr. Lewis Yo***** revealed a possible rib fracture, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Wigginton, Scott won't be traded this season The Orioles are virtually finished running their 25-man roster through nontrade waivers, and several players, including potential trade chips Ty Wigginton and Luke Scott, did not clear and cannot be traded for the remainder of this season.
