Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
As for the two most sought-after Celtics, Allen and Pierce, it’s clear why each is indeed in demand.
Allen has a skillset — the ability to shoot the ball — that fits in with any team. And with a $10 million expiring contract, there are a number of teams that could benefit from adding the NBA’s all-time 3-point shooting king. Among those believed to have some interest in Allen, are the Los Angeles Clippers. With the season-ending injury to Chauncey Billups, the Clippers have a huge void to fill at the shooting guard position.
As for Pierce, he still has two years remaining on his contract after this season (the final year is partially guaranteed), but he’s still one of the better one-on-one scorers in the NBA. Adding a player like Pierce, either as a starter or coming off the bench, could provide some much-needed depth to a title contender or a playoff team looking to improve their standing. Some of the teams believed to have interest in Pierce include both of his hometown teams — the Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers — as well as the Houston Rockets.
We’ve heard this talk before, but because I vowed to make the Dump a Rondo-free zone, my options were limited. I tried to play along with the ESPN Trade Machine but my head exploded. Guess I’ve reached the saturation point on trade rumors. We only have 13 days to go.
I’m not sure who Danny Ainge could fetch in return for Paul Pierce or Ray Allen. I can rattle off some names from the Clippers I wouldn’t touch: Caron Butler, Ryan Gomes, Eric Bledose. Houston would likely offer Kevin Martin. No, thanks.
Deals for bigger names would have to involved multiple players and then we’d enter the blockbuster range.
On Page 2, Jermaine O’Neal is out two weeks and the sky is blue.
When Jermaine O’Neal declined to have surgery on his ailing left wrist last season, he probably didn’t bargain on the problem stretching into the following season.
But that’s where the Celtics center finds himself today. After meeting with a hand specialist yesterday, O’Neal decided to forgo surgery once again, instead opting for a cortisone shot.
According to Celtics president Danny Ainge, O’Neal could be out for another 14 days while waiting for the pain-killing drug to do its work.
“He’s going to need surgery at some point,” said Ainge. “But he’ll play with it for now. He needed the surgery last season but wanted to play. Now, though, they think he’ll be ready to play in another 10 or 14 days.”
O’Neal has missed the last three games with the injury, and nine overall for assorted maladies.
Thank god for Chris Wilcox. That’s a sentence I never thought I’d type.
The rest of the links:
Herald – Chris Wilcox a board leader | Ainge thinks Rondo stays | Deal or no deal | Globe – Garnett giving Celtics more than thought | No rush to trade Rondo | The night Wilt scored 100 (Bob Ryan) | Nets thumbnails | ESPN Boston – PTI debates trading Rondo | Hot button: Trade Rondo | CSNNE – Ainge: No truth to Rondo rumors | What would it take for you to trade Rondo? |
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
